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WWW.220TRIATHLON.COMI
FEBRUARY 2017
TEST
CENTRE
RUN JACKETS
A run jacket that battles the elements will provide an essential surge to your
off-season training.
Matt Baird
th it f 11 i t
assesses e mer s o w n er warmers…
BIG GROUPTEST
F
or when a base layer and a tee isn’t
enough, a jacket will be a saviour of
your off-season run training. Given
many will tackle rain, wind and the cold, a
well-chosen jacket also provides the pathway
to a massive mental surge for your mid-winter
psychology. Skipping the gym and those
repeats of
Miranda
for log leaping, puddle
jumping and ditch dodging – while remaining
warm while doing so – will reaffirm that love of
outdoor exercise and will provide a welcome
boost to those flagging vitamin-D levels.
From mid-winter warmers to waterproof
numbers and lightweight windproofers, there’s
a wide variety here. So when picking your
garment of choice, think about the conditions
you’ll be using it in. Is it for mountain running,
city loops or rural lanes? Nighttime or day?
For us, run jackets are mandatory for
anything lower than 5ºC, and much will depend
on your own sweat rates for temperatures
above that. They’re also far better at thwarting
wind and rain chills than a base layer and run
tee combo. Elsewhere, the hi-viz aspects are a
smart safety addition for any nocturnal
running, and the pockets will ensure you can
comfortably carry your phone, keys and gels.
If that window of temperature opportunity
may seem small, we’ve reused our own run
jackets for many seasons and some will easily
double as day-to-day (and, okay, evening) wear
so having something that looks good in both
the trails and the tavern is a welcome bonus.
HOWWE TESTED
Each jacket here was tested separately in the wind,
rain and single-digit temperatures, as well as in
darkness for any hi-visibility features. The first thing
we judged was how warm they kept us, and then
came wind- and waterproofing, and breathability. Fit
(body and sleeve length, collar height and roominess)
was analysed before extra features such as pockets,
thumb loops and zip functionality were assessed. We
noted the brand intentions for the garment (i.e. the
Proviz was repeatedly tested in the dark) before
grading the price and aesthetics. The end result?
Eleven jackets tested to their limits and the fittest
we’ve ever been at Christmas. Now... where’s that
January Ironman when you need one?!
JARGON BUSTER
Hardshell
Usually boasting an outer membrane, a
hardshell should offer water-resistance or, even better,
complete waterproofing.
Softshell
A jacket designed for insulation, but they can
be susceptible to anything more than a light shower.
They should offer more breathability than hardshells.
IMAGES
THESECRETSTUDIO.NET
COLLAR
The collar
air will cre
padding is comfortable and the
collar isn’t too high. A zipper
garage is also appreciated.
ed under the
ng the back will
Just ensure
drafty.
shou
ld fit
l
we
l
or c
old
ep in. Check the
M
ATERIAL
R
un jacket fabrics often
c
onsist of nylon, elastane
a
nd/or polyester. Some will
o
ffer wind- or waterproofing,
o
thers will focus more
o
n breathability.
V
ENTS
V
ents position
a
rmpits or alo
a
id ventilation.
t
hey’re not too
ZIP
Zips are mostly
full-length but some
semi options are
available. Some have
double zips for
increased ventilation
.