The 9 Best Running Jackets for Men, According to Editor Testing

Nearly every running jacket claims some form of weather resistance, but few rival the impressive moisture shielding the Brooks Canopy Jacket delivers. Men’s Health Deputy Editor Paul Kita calls this semi-fitted jacket “the weather’s outer shell from hell” thanks to its ability to cut through nearly anything Mother Nature delivers. “Snowflakes slough off it. Sleet pings off it. Rain beads and flies off it. Wind must see me coming and move around it,” he says.

The jacket provides four-way stretch—something you won’t see in a lot of weather-resistant tops. It also has a fitted hood to keep rain and snow from dripping down your neck. The vent in back comes in handy for regulating your core temperature without sacrificing on weather resistance. You’ve got your choice of spots to keep your valuables secure, from zippered hand pockets to an interior stash pocket with enough space for your phone. Choose from three neutral shades.

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A running jacket’s hood can be your secret weapon or an annoyance, depending on its fit. Path Projects’ Benham Full Zip Hoodie rises to the challenge with a sleek, ninja-style hood that helps to seal out the cold, according to Men’s Health Senior Gear Editor Ryan Brower. (The hood doesn’t flop around when it’s not in use, either.)

But the Benham is more than a solid hood. “I’ve worn it as an outer layer for some very cold runs with just a mesh long sleeve or short sleeve underneath, and have actually been hot in it—like dripping sweat hot,” Brower says. The secret is the inner Karuishi Active Fleece from Japan with its unique weaving for a dense, multi-structured fleece. “It’s incredibly soft, lightweight, and great at insulating,” according to Brower. The jacket’s exterior is a more durable polyester blend and Brower says it fits and stretches well. Thumbholes help keep the whole thing in place and provide added warmth. Two zippered hand pockets and a pocket-in-pocket design keep your stuff secure.

Function is probably your top requirement in a running jacket, but it doesn’t hurt if it looks good, too. The Vuori Outdoor Trainer Shell toes the line, delivering weather resistance and comfort in a jacket that makes you look good while you’re getting after your workout gains.

“Like most Vuori gear, the fit is impeccable and aesthetic, looking great on the body without leaving you feeling constrained,” says Men’s Health Fitness Commerce Editor Charles Thorp. “It’s the perfect jacket for me to throw on during quick runs to my local park where I do my bodyweight sessions.”

The jacket is water resistant for protection from the rain, with multiple zip pockets for your phone and other must-haves. Four-way stretch keeps you comfortable, whether you’re wearing this during a workout or off hours.

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A vest provides an extra shield against the elements while serving up wearable storage. The Outdoor Research Deviator Wind Vest is crafted from windproof fabric that still manages to be breathable. It also has pockets all over. “It’s great for fighting off blasts of winter air, but this vest is basically a travel case you can wear,” Kita says. “A breast pocket stashes your phone, two ample hand pockets can hold gloves, plus whatever else, and an interior pocket has you covered for valuables.” He points out that this is helpful for skiing, too.

The vest has a slightly stretchy feel to move with you, along with special Low-Pro elastic binding at the arm openings to lower the risk of chafing. Enjoy UPF 30 protection and reflective logos for safety, too. Just be aware that you may need to size up to find a comfortable fit, depending on your go-to layers.

Basic science suggests that the warmer a jacket is, the heavier it will feel. But the Janji Thermal Runner Insulated Jacket manages to keep you warm in temperatures as low as zero degrees with an ultra-lightweight feel. “Not only do I feel warm in this shell, I feel fast,” Kita says. “Maybe it’s all the ultralight nylon, but the whole thing only weighs 4.4 ounces.”

The jacket features interior panels of PrimaLoft insulation for extra warmth, while the nylon shell blocks moisture and wind. There’s also a bungee hem to really seal in warmth. (Just be aware that this jacket doesn’t have a hood.)

A dual front zipper allows you to access the interior without needing to take the whole thing off. Two zippered hand pockets and a zippered chest pocket give you plenty of places to keep smaller essentials. Kita says the structured shoulders make this a good option for rest days, too.

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Consider the Arc’teryx Norvan Insulated Hoody the MacGyver of running jackets. This top seals in warmth on its own, but also works well as a solid layer in frigid temperatures. “It is incredibly lightweight, and I was not convinced it could actually keep me warm,” says Men’s Health Creative Director Jamie Prokell. “Man, I was wrong.”

Prokell says this jacket shines as an outer layer in temperatures around the 30s. “It cuts wind, traps heat, and breathes enough through the perforated panels on the back that I never felt clammy or overheated during heavy aerobic exercise,” he says. “It almost feels like you are wearing nothing, which makes it easy to forget it is working so well.”

But when temperatures drop into the 20s or below, it’s best to wear the Norvan as a layering piece. “I even found myself wearing it casually under a puffer on brutally cold days, and it felt like it doubled my jacket’s warmth,” Prokell says. A secure-fitting hood that rolls into the collar and side zippered pocket add to the versatility.

The pocket situation will make or break a jacket for some runners. The Municipal Sportcross Full Zip Jacket offers two concealed zip pockets with stay-down pullers to make sure they continue to be secured, even as you’re grinding it out. It’s even designed to allow for easy access to pockets you have underneath thanks to a two-sided front zipper. “The full-zip capability for this jacket is the real winner, allowing me to access my pockets without having to take the jacket full off,” Thorp says.

There’s also a packable pocket in back, allowing you to fold this jacket into itself when it’s not in use. “Since I like to be able to store a jacket like this in my bag, in case it’s needed later in the day, the fact that you can roll it into a little ball without a second care is an awesome feature as well,” Thorp says. Thumbhole openings at the cuff and an adjustable hem allow you to seal in warmth, although this jacket shouldn’t be your go-to in sub-freezing temperatures. But if you want plenty of protection and storage in anything warmer than that, the Sportcross is ready to assist.

Sub-freezing runs require special gear. The Swedish-made Craft SubZ Light Hood Sweater is up for the task, with thoughtful features to keep you warm and dry, even as you move through icy temperatures. Those include extra padding in front for added heat-sealing protection against the cold-weather elements coming your way.

Kita calls this half-zip a “flak jacket for frigid runs,” noting that he reaches for this for any run in the teens or lower. “The shell has an interior lining that feels almost fleece-y,” he says. “The hood is fitted so it hugs your head instead of flapping in your face.” This jacket has a long, lean design which means you may want to level up if you’re between sizes or prefer a roomier fit. But that naturally fitted style makes this a sleek top you won’t mind wearing on post-run errands.

Fleece can be a tough fabric to run in. The material insulates, but doesn’t typically breathe well, making it easy to overheat as your run goes on. Tracksmith’s Franklin Fleece QZ is built different. It uses Polartec’s Shed Less Fleece for a soft, fleecy feel, with built-in panels in the shoulders and under the arms with the brand’s own Inverno Blend fabric to shed moisture. “These essentially serve as venting panels, and keep the fleece at a nice temperature regulation during cold runs,” Brower says.

The jacket has a slim fit, but provides plenty of movement. While woven overlays at the collar and sleeves give extra weather protection, the fleece material isn’t naturally water resistant. So, use it for cold, dry days and reach for a shell when it’s wet out. Roomy hand pockets and secure zippered pockets at the chest and side give you plenty of space for storage. The jacket is functional, but stylish enough to wear anytime.