Comparative impressions: A winter running jacket perfect for winter running, based on running styles

The beginning of spring has passed, and the calendar is already spring, but the cold days continue. Let's go run tomorrow! As I was preparing with enthusiasm, I was hesitant when I heard the TV say, "It's going to be cold tomorrow."

When it comes to winter clothing perfect for running during such a cold season, the cold running jacket, or the like, active insulation jackets. Compared to the mid-layer, which is the so-called "cold protection clothing", the balance between heat retention and breathability is better, and the mobility is also ensured, making it less likely to feel cold or uncomfortable even during movements. It also has some of the necessary functions as an outerwear, such as windproofing and water repellent, making it the perfect winter wear for athletes who continue to work, from amateur runners who run even in the harsh winter to trail runners like you who run in the mountains.

So this time, we've picked out some of the most popular items from active insulation released by various manufacturers and compared them from a wide range of perspectives. Try comparing it to your own purpose and purpose!

table of contents

• About the items we compared and tested this time
• Test results and spec comparison table
• Impressions of each model
• Detailed reviews of each item
• summary

About the cold weather running jackets compared this time

Below are four models compared this time. We chose an insulation jacket designed for winter trails that are not too cold, not too warm, and are easy to move around. *The padding material in the () is

• THE NORTH FACE Ventrix Srail Jacket
  is made of stretch material from the sides of the body to the inside of the arms. A model that emphasizes heat retention, protected by a breathable padding with slits, covering the front and back of the trunk and the widest area.

• Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid Jacket (Full Range)
  A hybrid model with padding on the front of the core and front of the arms, waffle knits on the sides of the body and back of the arms, ensuring breathability.

• Outdoor Research DEVIATOR HOODY (Polartec Alpha)
  A model that uses Polartec Alpha, with a high level of heat retention and breathability, making it a well-balanced model. This model has the smallest padding area.

• Salomon Pulse Warm Jacket (Unique Padded)
  A cost-effective model with padding on the top of the front and back of the core, and thick stretch fabric on the other parts, providing a balanced windproof and water-proof response.

Test environment

The following five points were set as indicators for review of the evaluation items.

1. Heat retention...Even though it's a jacket that you wear while you're on the move, does it ensure heat retention as a winter wear?
2. Breathability (comfort): As an active insulation, breathability that handles sweating during activity is also an important indicator.
3. Mobility: It's pointless to say that it's difficult to move around and wear even if it's comfortable. Can you concentrate without stress on running?
4. Functionality: Besides its performance as an insulation, how many functions are available that are useful for running and trail running?
5. Weight: We evaluated not only the weight, but also the weight I felt when I actually ran.

With the above five points in mind, I tested several times on my usual road and running on trails with lots of ups and downs.

Test results and spec comparison table

Impressions of each model

Outdoor Research DEVIATOR HOODY

This is ◎

• Breathability
• weight
• Mobility

This is △

• Weather Resistant
• Durability

Polartec Alpha is used only to hang it from the front of the core and around the neck, and the other parts are Polartec Power Grid to actively ventilate, providing an exquisite balance to maintain heat retention and breathability. If other models have good heat retention and can be ventilated, this model has outstanding breathability, which is "very breathable and can be used to keep warm."

Once you start running, your core will warm up quickly, but the other parts are quite breathable, so the overall impression is not that it's warm, but not cold. It is windproof and water repellent, but it is only on the front of the core, so it will quickly cool down when the wind is strong or rain falls. The core warms moderately, so it's fine when you're running, but if you have a lot of stops and gos, your body will get cold. Therefore, it is a behavioral outfit for those who continue to work stoically. However, if you carry a windproof and waterproof jacket for bad weather, there's nothing more encouraging. This is the perfect choice for those who want to run through the mountains without any stress.

Patagonia NanoAir Light Hybrid Jacket

This is ◎

• Balance between breathability and heat retention
• Comfortable to wear, including the touch

This is △

• It's bulky

This model has a full range insulation padding developed by Toray on the front of the trunk and front of the arms, and waffle knits are used on the sides of the body and the back of the arms, ensuring heat retention and breathability. It's very comfortable to wear, and the fluffy feeling of the moments that only the wearer can experience makes you feel happy.

As soon as I start running, my body warms up, and when I approach the climb, I get sweaty from my face, but my body doesn't get too sweaty, so it keeps me in a balanced state. The overall elasticity is also moderate, and I didn't feel any stress when I was running on the trail.

It is also water-repellent, so you don't need outerwear if it's light rain or a small amount of snow. The filling is also synthetic, so even if it gets a little wet, its heat retention will not deteriorate. Although it has a minimum wind resistance, it is also breathable, so it feels like it will come through when strong winds blow, so unless the weather is very good, you should also prepare a windbreaker or a thin rain jacket.

As you can see, my back is gently slipping out, so if it stays for a long time, the cold gradually begins to hit me from my back. It makes me realize that this is not for heat retention, but for active insulation. It also becomes bulky, so it seems like it will be a piece of clothing that you can wear forever, rather than carrying around in a backpack.

THE NORTH FACE Bentrick Srail Jacket

This is ◎

• Thermal insulation
• Lightweight
• Packable

This is △

• The filling amount is slightly high, so it may feel hot when driving.

Stretch material is used from the sides of the body to the inside of the arms. Other than that, stretchy padding is placed, making this model with the most padding of this model. The padding has fine slits that open and close each time you move your body, using our unique Ventrix™ technology that lets moisture escape.

Its heat retention was the best of the models we compared this time, and it warmed up quickly even at a low temperature. When running on roads, sweat drips from the cuffs. It is also very windproof and water repellent, so it was reassuring to be able to do it with just this piece unless it was in extremely bad weather.

What's surprising is that despite the amount of padding, it weighs just over 200g, making it the lightest. The actual measured value is 166g, which is probably the lightest classification of active insulation, which is not subject to comparison.

It is also the only packable design, and if you put it in the left pocket it will be about the size of a 500ml plastic bottle. Having one card makes it a versatile and reliable partner.

Salomon Pulse Warm Jacket

This is ◎

• Versatile for easy use for mountain and city droves
• Cost Performance

This is △

• The fabric is thick and heavy
• Perfect for outerwear and not suitable for layering

Compared to the other three models, this model has a slightly different system. Filling is used on the chest and back of the front body, and the rest is made of slightly thick stretchy fleece fabric. It also prevents some wind and rain. The specs themselves are not bad, and they have ample heat retention and breathability. When you actually wear it and run, it creates a comfortable running environment.

However, when compared to other models, it still feels heavy and relatively cramped. This seems to be caused by the thick stretch fabric other than the padding part. Rather than being a middle-aged one, it feels more like a running outerwear when it's chilly, and when you run with a thin jacket over it, it gets rough and quite a bit of a concern.

On the other hand, the price is about half the price of other models, and the cost performance is quite high. Also, the appearance is not a quirky look with functionality prioritized, and the appearance is natural as an outerwear, so it can be used as everyday wear on chilly days. In fact, it is the only one that works as everyday wear. If you run more on roads than on mountains, I think it's perfectly fine to choose this model.

Next page: Go to detailed reviews of each item

On the previous page, we introduced a ranking of the models we compared, a list of ratings and specs, and recommendations based on them. From here, we will explain what criteria were used to evaluate the evaluation, and why it was evaluated in that way.

Detailed reviews of each item

Thermal insulation

The North Face has excellent heat retention. If it's low in temperature and is reasonably windy, you won't feel cold even if it's running or even if it stops a little. In fact, it was too hot for running purposes. On the other hand, Outdoor Resarch only has padding on the entire core, so of course it does not have excellent heat retention. When it is stopped, it feels cool from your back to your arms, and you can feel the sweat coming out of the base layer, causing you to suddenly feel cold. However, the perfect balance is amazing, as long as you start running, not cold.

Breathability (comfort)

Of course, heat retention is an important feature when it comes to winter clothing, but with active insulation, it is very important to be able to concentrate on your driving in a comfortable environment without feeling the cold. In that respect, Outdoor Resarch created an exquisite environment with both heat retention and breathability, not too hot or cold. Of course, since the filling is only available on the front of the core, it is obvious that the breathability is higher than other models, but it provides an optimal balance of comfort. Patagonia is also excellent in this regard, providing a one-level warm environment.

Mobility

As for mobility, all models are at a level where you can drive without stress. However, the degree of freedom when wearing Outdoor Resarch is outstanding. Other models also do not feel stressed when running trails. Even when wearing the jacket above, Outdoor Resarch is more mobile than other models thanks to the overall thin volume of the fabric. On the other hand, Salomon's fabric is thick, so wearing a shell jacket or something like that on top will cause some stiffness to prevent movement.

Functionality

Models other than Salomon have pockets on both waists, but they seem to be weak in construction, so it's better to assume that they serve as hand warmers rather than always putting in something slightly heavier, such as smartphones. The Salomon has a sturdy pocket on the left chest, and when I actually ran with my smartphone in it, it doesn't seem to be a problem.

The only packable version of The North Face is about the size of a 500ml plastic bottle, so it can be used to put it in your bag as an emergency warmer.

weight

The North Face is overwhelmingly light in actual manufacturer values, and the impression that it feels right when you wear it and run. The runner-up in terms of manufacturer values ​​is Patagonia, followed by Outdoor Resarch, but when you actually wear it, Outdoor Resarch feels lighter. The manufacturer's values ​​were 286g and 321g, but the actual measured values ​​were not much different, at 267g and 275g, and the fact that there is little insulation and high mobility makes this seem like this. The Patagaonia is not too heavy, but the volume may make you feel a sense of weight when you feel it.

summary

This time, we compared the same active insulation, from those that focus on heat retention to those that are breathable. There are many different ways to enjoy it, such as a leisurely style of running around with a large group of friends while looking at the scenery, or a stoic style of making it more stoic. Also, the best choice will vary greatly depending on the season.

My best choice for myself is to keep running alone and under a very heavy load, so unless it's quite cold, Outdoor Resarch was the best choice. It was quite refreshing to see the feeling that it was "not cold or hot" as I was running. However, I'm sure I'm worried about wearing this alone, so if you're going into the mountains, a rain jacket is a must-have.

Conversely, The North Face gets quite warm when you run vigorously, making it especially recommended for slow running in cold seasons and winter. However, even so, by making fine adjustments such as up and down the zipper, this one piece can be used in a wide range of seasons, so in that sense it is a reliable piece. I think this is the best choice for those who want to have less luggage or have a lot of stop and go.

Patagaonia is positioned as a well-balanced model in between. It creates a warm environment, so if you don't know how to use it or what it is, choose Patagonia, you'll never regret it. It's very well balanced.

Finally, if you're going to use as an outerwear for road running, it's Salomon. Without the stylishness that blends in with the city and the intense movement, it will be fully functional, and I think it will be the most natural way to wear it on a street run.

When your body gets cold, you are more likely to get injured and get tired. Take good measures to keep you warm and enjoy the winter trails to the fullest!

Yokoyama Takashi

Living in Yakushima, he is a boy (heart!) who loves nature from free diving, mountain climbing, cycling, bouldering to trail running in this wonderful environment. Currently, it is trending towards American trail running culture. I'm training every day with the goal of completing the American big race, Western States Endurance Run and Hardrock 100. We will continue to take on various challenges with the motto of "I'll give it a try." I love moles unrivaled.

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