The Best Running Jackets For Women

There’s no need to resign yourself to the treadmill when the weather turns. If you’ve got the right kit, running outdoors in the wind and rain can still be enjoyable—invigorating, even.

There are other advantages too. Did you know that the rain can stop your body temperature from rising too high, helping you to work harder? I didn’t until Coach spoke to an expert about running in the rain, so with a good-quality running jacket in your wardrobe you may even want to plan your interval runs for when the weather’s wet.

To help you find the most suitable option, you’ll find my top picks below split into water-resistant and waterproof jackets. I've also compiled a buyer’s guide below based on our experience.

If you’re shopping for more running gear, start with our selection of the best women’s running tops, running leggings and running bras, and for seasonal accessories like running gloves, dip into our winter running gear guide. 

How We Test Running Jackets

I’ve been testing women’s running jackets for Coach since 2018. I’ve run in them in many conditions to see how breathable they are, and to test how waterproof they are in the rain—or the shower, when the weather doesn’t oblige. I always have a packable jacket in my backpack, just in case an opportunity presents itself to check the degree of water-resistance it offers.

Other Coach writers (and runners) have contributed their jacket-testing experiences here, too. In order to offer you a wider choice, we’ve included options we haven’t yet had the opportunity to test, though if you see the writer’s initials after the text, you’ll know it’s been tested.

The Quick List

These are the running jackets I recommend most highly, in various categories. Click on the links to go to the full review.

The Best Water-Resistant Running Jackets

Best Overall

This hooded jacket from On is constructed from two types of fabric, a more water-resistant and durable material over the top half, and a lighter weight, more breathable fabric for the bottom half. The result is a lightweight, breathable, comfortable jacket that’s extremely water-resistant—it kept me dry in persistent rain.

My favorite feature was the hood. It’s exceptionally well-designed with a stiffened peak that keeps rain from dripping in your eyes. It also offers good peripheral vision and can be adjusted with a toggle at the back. There’s just one pocket, and it’s phone-size and placed on the chest. It’s not the most comfortable place to stash your phone but mine didn’t bounce while I ran.

The jacket is cut to be relatively close fitting and has narrow sleeves, so size up if you want more room for layers. The sleeves are nice and long, with a flap that extends over your hands to keep them protected from the elements. The fabric rustled a bit on the run.—CA

Best Jacket That Doesn’t Rustle

It's easy to see why the Stealth jacket is one of Nathan’s bestsellers: it’s lightweight, comfortable and rustle-free. Even in sub-zero temperatures the jacket kept me warm, and it fitted comfortably underneath a body warmer if you require an extra layer of insulation. It has some neat details: Thumb holes in the sleeves, a ponytail port in the hood for those with longer hair, and a hood that can be adjusted at the back for a better fit. 

There’s also a secure pocket large enough to store keys, a card or gel, or you can pack the jacket away into that same pocket. I found this handy for when I needed an extra layer after a long run, having stashed it in my hydration vest. There’s a huge range of colors to choose from too.—Alice Ball

Best Reflective Jacket

If you regularly run on or near roads after dark, consider making yourself more visible to inattentive car drivers with this jacket. It uses a unique reflective fabric made from millions of tiny glass beads, which becomes startlingly bright when light shines on it. By interspersing lightweight, breathable panels on the inner arms, armpits and back, the jacket still manages to be fairly light (around 6oz/170g, depending on size). I found it got a bit sweaty on harder runs but I liked the way the hem is longer at the back for extra coverage and, like the cuffs, is elasticated to keep the wind and rain out. There are two large, secure zip pockets with plenty of space for your essentials. This jacket won’t win you any fashion contests, but it will certainly keep you visible around cars.—CA

Best Value

A practical and affordable option, Decathlon’s Kalenji windproof and showerproof running jacket is extremely lightweight. It features taped seams, a detachable hood and reflective detailing. You can also unzip the long ventilation flaps on the side to cool down as you run. It’s not going to keep you dry in a heavy downpour but is a useful layer that will keep the wind and drizzle out.

Best Packable Jacket

The Asics packable run jacket is a handy lightweight running option. It packs away neatly into a zipped pocket on the jacket, making it small enough to fit in your pocket or carry on your run. When wearing the jacket, the pocket is large enough to store several items (phone, keys) and the thicker material gives your items a little more protection.

The jacket can be loose-fitting or figure-hugging with the adjustment of the waist cord. It’s also well ventilated with perforation zones on the arms and back. However, I tested this jacket in heavy rain and ended up with damp fabric sticking to my skin—it is definitely more suited to light showers and windy days.—LM

Best Gilet

For an extra layer on really cold days this water-resistant sleeveless gilet is a useful option.

It’s quite fitted, and the length is fairly cropped, which means it works well with high-waisted leggings but it won’t keep your butt warm.

While the vest has padding on the front and lower back, the side panels, shoulders and upper back are stretchy and breathable, and as a result it doesn’t feel too bulky. A large pocket takes up almost all the lower back panel, and a phone sleeve inside it keeps your phone from bouncing around, although it does sit slightly off-center.

The high collar is stiff but keeps the wind out—those with a longer neck than me may find it more comfortable. Reflective details help keep you visible in low light.

Best Waterproof Running Jackets

Best Waterproof Jacket

That sweaty feeling you get from running in a waterproof jacket is a thing of the past with Futurelight fabric. It’s thin, lightweight, breathable and soft, yet fully waterproof and windproof. It keeps the wind and rain out, but when you get too hot, the warm air can escape.

The cut is generous and practical, with extra space for layers, a high collar that I found soft against my chin and long sleeves with curved cuffs that keep the rain off your hands. The adjustable hood is nicely shaped with a peak that keeps the rain from dripping down your face—it’s the ideal jacket for when you’ve got to head out for a run in a downpour. It’s comfortable and it doesn’t rustle much. There’s an inner drop-in pocket that the jacket packs away into, which is welcome, although I’d have liked a zip pocket somewhere on the outside too.

Best Value Waterproof Jacket

This waterproof shell jacket from Scottish company Keela is designed for trail running and cycling and I found it to be a reliable top layer on very wet days. The generous hood is adjustable with three toggles and has a stiffened peak to stop rain dripping down your face. You can also roll the hood down and secure it with a Velcro strip. The high collar kept the rain and wind off my face and I liked the fit and length of the jacket, which felt just right. It’s also longer at the back, keeping your bum dry. This jacket has more secure pockets than any other jacket I’ve tested—two lower front ones, a chest pocket that’s ideal for a phone, and one very large one on the lower back, all with waterproof zips. The jacket can be packed into its back pocket, though it’s quite large when packed and you’d struggle to get it into a waist pack.

The thin, lightweight fabric has a 20K waterproof rating and rain just bounces off it—the jacket can be shaken dry. The jacket does rustle quite a bit on the move, however. It’s also not as breathable as I was hoping and I found it a bit too hot in mild conditions. The sleeve openings can be adjusted with Velcro strips, which helped regulate my temperature. This is one to rely on to keep you dry when heading out in a downpour, but I wouldn’t wear it in mild, drizzly conditions. It’s similar in feel to the Montane Phase Nano, though slightly less breathable, and offers better value.—CA

Best Waterproof Jacket Without A Hood

Although I appreciate the flattering cut and comfy figure-skimming fit of the Soar Ultra Jacket, it’s the fabric that really sets it apart from the rest. In this version 3.0, Soar has done away with a membrane entirely—the unique weave keeps the rain out without the need for a membrane. The yarn itself is DWR-treated, and the woven fabric is shrunk before being treated again. The result is an extremely lightweight jacket with unparalleled breathability, which is waterproof in anything but monsoon conditions—it certainly kept me dry in everything the British weather could throw at me. A high collar, a large zip pocket in the small of the back and a drawstring around the bottom edge finish what is possibly the ultimate all-weather jacket.—CA

Best Waterproof Jacket With Pockets

The Montane Phase Nano jacket is on the eye-wateringly expensive end of the scale, but it’s a reliably waterproof yet breathable jacket with some great features and thoughtful touches. The comfortable hood offers good peripheral vision, with a stiffened peak to keep rain from dripping into your eyes and an adjustable toggle at the back that’s released with a squeezable button. The collar is high, which helps keep the rain out, but it’s not the softest against the skin.

The jacket is longer at the back than the front, and the cut allows extra layers to be worn underneath. The cuffs have elastic on one side, which helps keep the rain out but because the opening is narrow, I found it tricky to check my running watch without pressing buttons on it by mistake. I was delighted with the two generous-size zip pockets at the front, though in the small of the back or on the chest would have been better to avoid heavier objects bouncing. My main criticism is that the jacket rustles when you move.—CA

Most Versatile

Billed as a three-in-one, the Tribe Running Morph jacket comes in two pieces – a gilet and a bolero jacket. When worn together these make up a full jacket which cleverly allows for more airflow than a traditional one-piece would. It’s fully waterproof, yet breathable and with a bit of stretch. In a nice change from all the black running jackets around, the Morph jacket comes in a striking aqua colour and has reflective detailing. It boasts zip pockets, a media port, a hood and storm cuffs. This one doesn’t come cheap at £189, but it’s a versatile and stylish item.

What To Look For In A Running Jacket

Ideally you want to keep the wind and rain out, without getting too hot and bothered inside your jacket. Water-resistant (showerproof) jackets will keep a bit of drizzle at bay, while a fully waterproof jacket will keep you dry in a downpour, but it’ll be less breathable.

When shopping for a jacket you’ll pay more for the latest technical fabrics that keep you dry and help you avoid overheating. Top-of-the-range jackets will include flat, sealed seams, breathable panels, waterproof zips and so on.

A hood can be useful—it will keep the wind and rain out better than a hat—but if your normal routes cross a lot of roads, beware, because hoods can reduce your peripheral vision.

And if you’re running near roads, staying visible in low light should be a key consideration. Opt for something with reflective elements, while flashy colors and bold patterns can help you be seen from a distance by traffic.

We also think zippable pockets are essential—no-one wants to leave their phone at home, right?—so make sure your chosen jacket has one that’s large enough.

And finally, while any outdoorsy jacket can keep the wind and rain at bay, a running-specific jacket keeps rustling to a minimum and affords you more freedom of movement.