The beginning of spring has passed, and it's already spring according to the calendar, but the cold weather continues. Just when you're excitedly getting ready to go for a run tomorrow, you hear on TV that "it's going to be cold tomorrow," and you feel a pang of dread
The perfect cold weather garment for running in these cold seasons is the cold weather running jacket, also known as the Active Insulation Jacket. Compared to traditional mid-layers, which are considered "cold weather garments," this jacket offers a good balance of warmth and breathability, and also ensures high mobility, making it less likely to feel cold or uncomfortable even while moving. It also has some of the necessary outerwear features, such as windproofing and water repellency, making it the perfect cold weather garment for active athletes, from amateur runners who run even in the coldest winters to mountain trail runners like me
So, this time we have picked out some noteworthy active insulation products from various manufacturers and compared them from a wide range of perspectives. Please compare them with your own purpose and usage!
table of contents
table of contents
- About the items tested this time
- Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
- Impressions of each model
- Detailed review of each item
- summary
About the cold weather running jackets compared this time
Below are the four models we compared this time. We chose insulation jackets designed for winter trail running, not too cold or too warm, and with ease of movement in mind. *The numbers in parentheses indicate the padding material
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The North Face Ventrix Trail Jacket (Ventrix)
uses stretch material from the sides of the body to the inside of the arms. This warmth-focused model is protected by breathable padding with slits in the front and back of the torso, as well as the largest area. -
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid Jacket (Full Range)
A hybrid model that ensures breathability by using padding on the front of the torso and front of the arms and waffle knit on the sides, back of the body and back of the arms. -
Outdoor Research DEVIATOR HOODY (Polartec Alpha)
This model uses Polartec Alpha, providing a high level of warmth and breathability with a good balance. This model has the least amount of padding. -
Salomon Pulse Warm Jacket (proprietary padding)
This cost-effective model uses padding in the upper front and back of the torso, while the other parts are made of thick stretch fabric, providing a balanced combination of wind and water resistance.
Test environment
The following five points were set as indicators for the evaluation items and the review was conducted
- Thermal insulation: Even if it's a jacket to wear while on the move, does it provide adequate thermal insulation to keep you warm during the cold?
- Breathability (comfort) - As an active insulation, breathability to handle sweat while you are active is also an important indicator
- Mobility: Even if something is comfortable, it's pointless if it's difficult to move around in and difficult to wear. Can you concentrate on running without stress?
- Functionality: Apart from its insulating properties, how many features does it have that are useful for running and trail running?
- Weight: We evaluated not only the weight but also the feeling of weight when actually riding
With these five points in mind, I tested the shoes several times on my usual road runs and on trails with lots of ups and downs
Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
| comprehensive evaluation | AAA | AAA | AAA | AA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| item |  |
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| Reference price | 28,080 yen | 28,080 yen | 25,920 yen | 15,120 yen |
| Here is ◎ |
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| Here is △ |
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| Heat retention | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| mobility | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Specifications | ||||
| item | Outdoor Research DEVIATOR HOODY | Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid Jacket | THE NORTH FACE Ventrix Trail Jacket | Salomon Pulse Warm Jacket |
| Actual weight | 275g (S size) | 267g (S size) | 166g (medium size) | 380g (medium size) |
| material | Polartec Power Grid 2L 84% polyester 16% spandex knit face with plaited knit grid backer on arms hood and back panel 100% nylon 7D ripstop front body and back side panels 100% polyester stretch mesh lining Polartec Alpha Insulation 100% polyester 64 g/m2 front body hood and back side panels |
Shell: 1.3-oz 20-denier 100% nylon ripstop with a mechanical stretch weave. DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Lining: 2-oz 50-denier 100% nylon with a mechanical stretch plain weave. DWR finish. Cuffs: 4.9-oz 100% polyester warp knit with a DWR finish. Insulation: 40-g FullRange stretch insulation with 100% polyester. Knit: 6.3-oz 100% polyester stretch waffle knit with Polygiene permanent odor control |
12D Rip Stop Nylon AC Coating (100% nylon) <Filling> Ventrix 25g (100% polyester) <Side> AMP Stretch Knit AC Coating (100% polyester) <Inner collar> FLASHDRY? Enduro Tricot (75% polyester, 25% polypropylene) | body: 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane body insert: 100% Polyester filling: 100% Polyester |
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| Thumbhole | ○ | ○ | ○ | × |
| Hooded (or non-hooded) models available | × | ○ | × | × |
Impressions of each model
Outdoor Research DEVIATOR HOODY
Here is ◎
- Breathability
- weight
- mobility
Here is △
- weather resistance
- durability
Mesh fabric is placed on the back of the parts using Polratec Alpha (front body and around the neck) to improve breathability
Polartec Alpha is used only from the front of the torso to around the neck, and Polartec Power Grid is used in other areas for active ventilation, maintaining an excellent balance of warmth and breathability. While other models are "good at retaining heat and breathable," this model has outstanding breathability, being "very breathable and warm."
Once you start running, your core warms up quickly, but the rest of your body is quite breathable, so the overall impression is not so much that you feel warm, but rather that you're not cold. It's windproof and water-repellent to a certain extent, but only to the front of your core, so if the wind is strong or it starts to rain, you'll quickly get cold. It warms your core moderately, so it's not a problem while you're running, but if you do a lot of stop-and-go riding, your body will get cold. That's why it's recommended for people who are constantly active. However, if you carry a windproof and waterproof jacket for bad weather, there's nothing more reassuring. It's the perfect choice for people who want to run through the mountains without stress
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid Jacket
Here is ◎
- Balance of breathability and warmth
- Comfortable to wear, including the feel
Here is △
- Bulky
Patagonia's DWR (durable water repellent) finish was quite good
This model uses Toray's Full Range Insulation padding in the front of the torso and arms, and waffle knit on the sides, back, and back of the arms, ensuring warmth and breathability. It's extremely comfortable to wear, and the fluffy feeling that only those who wear it can experience instantly makes you feel happy
As soon as I started running, my body warmed up quickly, and as I started to climb, my face started to sweat, but my body didn't feel too hot, keeping it in a balanced state. The overall stretch was just right, and I didn't feel any stress during trail running movements
It's also highly water-repellent, so you won't need an outer layer if it's just light rain or a little snow. The padding is synthetic, so it won't lose its warmth even if it gets a little wet. Although it does have some wind resistance, it's also breathable, so it feels like it will leak out in strong winds, so unless the weather is particularly nice, you should also bring a windbreaker or thin rain jacket
As you can see, the back is completely open, so if you stand still for a long time, the cold will gradually attack your back. This really makes you realize that this is not for keeping warm, but for active insulation. Also, because it is bulky, it seems like it would be more of a garment to wear all the time, rather than something to carry in a backpack
THE NORTH FACE Ventrix Trail Jacket
Here is ◎
- Heat retention
- Lightweight
- Packable
Here is △
- The amount of padding is a little too much, so you may feel hot while riding
The back lining has small holes that open with movement, improving breathability, and the collar lining is made of a soft knit material
Stretch material is used from the sides of the body to the inside of the arms. Stretch padding is placed everywhere else, making this the model with the most padding of all the ones we've featured. The padding has tiny slits that open and close with every movement, using our unique Ventrix™ technology to allow moisture to escape
Its heat retention was the best of the models compared this time, and I warmed up quickly once I started running, even in relatively low temperatures. When running on the road, sweat started dripping from the cuffs. Its windproof and water-repellent properties were also quite high, so I felt confident that I could wear just this jacket unless the weather was extremely bad
What's surprising is that despite the amount of padding, it weighs just over 200g, making it one of the lightest. The actual weight is 166g, which is probably the lightest among the active insulations that provide warmth, which were not included in this comparison
It's also the only packable model, and when stored in the left pocket, it's about the size of a 500ml plastic bottle. Having one makes it a versatile and reliable companion
Salomon Pulse Warm Jacket
Here is ◎
- Versatile and easy to use for mountain and city runs
- Cost performance
Here is △
- The fabric is thick and heavy
- It is intended as an outer layer and is not suitable for layering
This model is slightly different from the other three models. It uses padding in the front chest and back, and a slightly thicker stretch fleece fabric elsewhere. It protects against some wind and rain. The specs themselves are not bad, and it has sufficient heat retention and breathability. When you actually wear it and run, it creates a comfortable running environment
However, compared to other models, it feels heavy and relatively tight. This is likely due to the fact that the stretch fabric is thicker than the padded area. It feels more like a running outer layer for chilly weather than a mid-layer, and when I actually run with a thin jacket over it, it feels stiff and quite bothersome
However, the price is about half the price of other models, making it very cost-effective. Its appearance is also quite natural, as it prioritizes functionality and doesn't have any unusual cutouts, making it suitable for outerwear. It seems like it could be worn as everyday clothing on chilly days. In fact, it's the only one I can wear as everyday clothing. If you ride roads more often than mountains, I think this model is definitely worth choosing
Next page: Detailed review of each item
On the previous page, we introduced the rankings of the compared models, a list of their ratings and specifications, and our recommendations based on that. From here, we will provide additional information about the ratings, the criteria used, and why we came to those ratings
Detailed review of each item
Heat retention
The North Face's insulation is outstanding. In low temperatures and with a moderate wind, you won't feel cold while running or even if you stop a few times. In fact, it was almost too hot for me to use for running. On the other hand, the Outdoor Research only has padding around the entire torso, so of course it doesn't have much insulation. When you're standing still, it feels cool from your back to your arms, and you can feel the sweat wicking away from your base layer, which cools you down quickly. However, once you start running, it's an excellent balance of not feeling cold
THE NORTH FACE uses stretch material only on the sides of the torso and inside the arms, maintaining high heat retention
Breathability (comfort)
Naturally, warmth is an important feature of cold weather clothing, but when it comes to active insulation, it's also extremely important to be able to concentrate on running in a comfortable environment without feeling cold. In that respect, Outdoor Research created an environment that was neither too hot nor too cold, with just the right amount of warmth and breathability. Of course, since the padding is only in the front of the torso, it's only natural that it has higher breathability than other models, but it does provide the optimal balance of comfort. In this respect, Patagonia also excels, providing a warmer environment
The back of the Patagonia Outdoor Research jacket is designed for maximum breathability
mobility
In terms of mobility, all models offer a level of freedom for stress-free running. However, the Outdoor Research offers a level of freedom that is unmatched. The other models also offer no stress when trail running. Even when wearing a jacket over it, the Outdoor Research maintains greater mobility than the other models thanks to the overall thinness of the fabric. On the other hand, the Salomon itself is made of a thicker fabric, so when wearing a shell jacket or similar over it, the fabric feels a bit stiff and restricts movement
Outdoor Research is made of stretchy material in areas such as the shoulders, back, and elbows, which tend to become tight when moving, allowing for excellent mobility
Functionality
All models except Salomon have pockets on both sides of the waist, but they feel weakly made, so they're best used as hand warmers rather than for carrying heavy items like smartphones. The Salomon has a sturdy pocket on the left chest, and I actually put my smartphone in it while running, and it didn't seem to be a problem
The only packable product is The North Face, which is about the size of a 500ml plastic bottle, so it can be put in a bag as emergency thermal clothing
When you put it in your pocket, it's about the size of a 500ml plastic bottle
weight
According to the actual manufacturer's weight estimates, The North Face is overwhelmingly lighter, and the feeling when wearing it and running is consistent with that impression. The next best in terms of manufacturer's weight estimates is Patagonia, followed by Outdoor Research, but Outdoor Research feels lighter when actually wearing it. The manufacturer's weight estimates are 286g and 321g, respectively, but the actual measurements were 267g and 275g, so there wasn't much difference, and perhaps this is due to the smaller insulation and greater mobility. Patagonia isn't heavy either, but its volume may make it feel heavier to the touch
summary
This time, we compared active insulation ranging from those that prioritize warmth to those that prioritize breathability. People enjoy riding in a variety of ways, from leisurely rides with friends while admiring the scenery to more rigorous riding. The best choice also varies greatly depending on the season
For me, the best choice is Outdoor Research, because I often run alone, steadily, and under a lot of strain, so unless it's extremely cold, it feels the most comfortable. The feeling of not being "cold, not hot" while running was quite refreshing. However, I'm not confident wearing just this jacket, so if I'm going into the mountains, I'll definitely bring a rain jacket
On the other hand, The North Face jackets get quite warm when you run hard, so I recommend them for cold seasons or gentle winter runs. However, with some fine adjustments, such as opening and closing the zipper, I think this jacket can be used in a wide range of seasons, so in that sense it's a reliable piece. I think it's the best choice for people who want to carry less and do a lot of stop-and-go running
The Patagaonia is positioned as a well-balanced model that falls somewhere in between. It creates a warm enough environment, so if you're not sure how to use it or what purpose it will serve, you won't regret choosing the Patagaonia. It's extremely well-balanced
Finally, for outerwear for road running, I recommend Salomon. It's stylish enough to blend in with the city, and functional enough for when you're not doing intense movements, so I think it's the most natural look for city runs
If your body gets cold, you're more likely to get injured and get tired, so be sure to take proper measures to protect yourself from the cold and enjoy the winter trails to the fullest!
Takashi Yokoyama
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