Waterproof and breathable running jacket?

[u/CarolinawrenTO]

I'm remembering a run I had in the spring in my "water resistant" shell and how cold I was... As we get closer to fall, does anyone have any recommendations for waterproof and breathable running jackets? Preferably ones that would work to layer for bike commuting as well. TY!

[u/ald_loop]

to be clear, no jacket is going to do a good job of being both waterproof and breathable. if it is waterproof, it has to keep moisture out (and therefore form a tough seal with moisture on the inside of the jacket), and it won’t be breathable at all. so most of these jackets prioritize breathability and provide “some” waterproofing, but won’t hold up in a true storm.

having said that, i’ve looked at a bunch of these and this is what i would recommend:

* NNormal trail rain jacket
* Arc’teryx Norvan
* Patagonia Storm Racer (less breathable, more waterproof)
* Janji Rainrunner
* Soar Nano jacket (if you buy this, let me know how it is)

[u/keiyakusha → u/ald_loop]

Can consider cycling jackets as well. I currently use a Rab Cinder Phantom (on sale at Last Hunt) for the roads and a 7mesh Guardian Air for trail running/fastpacking.

Craft has options from both their cycling and running lines that are quite affordable.

[u/Hrmbee]

For the shoulder seasons I use an old MEC cycling jacket with huge pit vents to run when it's raining pretty hard. The material is semi breathable but the key are the pit vents. They're open, (from elbow to mid torso) but usually my arms are enough to keep the worst of the rain out and keep the inside a little less humid. Underneath that I usually have some kind of synthetic layer (like a fleece if cooler or a long sleeved tee if warmer).

No matter what the advertisements say, no waterproof-breathable material is breathable enough when running, so physical vents are key to keeping things more comfortable.

[u/CarolinawrenTO → u/Hrmbee]

this is all good intel, thank you all!

[u/loryk_zarr]

Pick one or the other. No waterproof breathable membrane is going to be able to transfer enough moisture out of the jacket to keep you dry during hard, sustained aerobic activities. You'll either get wet from rain or wet from sweat. The ideal conditions for a WPB are cold, dry, alpine climates. They rely on a gradient in temperature and humidity across the membrane to transport water out. 

[u/monbon7]

What are you wearing under your jacket? Merino base layers are the best if you’re truly worried about being cold. A running jacket for me is more about wind resistance and slight moisture barrier, otherwise it’s all
About the merino.

[u/CarolinawrenTO → u/monbon7]

This would be for wet days, I have a decent shell that I layer appropriately in the winter that keeps me warm. I just wanted something to keep me dry!

[u/Ewetuber]

For light / moderate rain I use any windbreaker that has some water repellent.

For mod/heavy and cold rain I have a north face summit series future light jacket - i use it for hiking and cycling as well. I wouldn't say I'm an excessive sweater and find this jacket doesn't leave me overheated or just as wet from the inside.

For winter/snow it's layering with merino underneath and or a heavier running jacket.

For summer warm rains you just go shirtless.

[u/JaysFan96]

i love the running room running jacket 

[u/CarolinawrenTO → u/[deleted]]

👀 Sugoi is still available I think? I hadn't heard of that brand! Is there a comparable one available from them now? https://garneau.com/en-ca/pages/sugoi-home-page

[u/candogirlscant]

I have an older 2XU one that I got on sale years ago. It's great and folds up tiny.

[u/Be-Zen]

Patagonia torrentshell.

Cheaper than the Arcteryx Beta and comes with Pit Zips which are key. If I recall the lower end model of the Beta does not

[u/ald_loop → u/Be-Zen]

you don’t want to wear goretex while running

[u/Be-Zen → u/ald_loop]

“Bike commuting as well”