Embrace the elements with the best waterproof running jackets

Running is a fantastic pastime that we just don't want to quit. But all too often, cold British weather can make us disinclined to squeeze in the miles. The best waterproof running jackets are bound to help you beat the weather, and we're hoping to help you find the right one to add to your gym clothes collection.

The best waterproof running jackets, at a glance

• Best overall hydration vest: Camelbak Octane Dart - View now on Amazon
• Best overall waterproof running jacket: Patagonia Storm Racer Running Jacket - View now on Alpine Trek
• Best women's waterproof running jacket: Berghaus Women's Mehan Vented Jacket - View now on Berghaus

It isn’t just that running in the rain unprepared is unpleasant and uncomfortable, it also isn’t particularly good for you. Water-logged clothing can sap your body temperature, which makes you susceptible to colds and exhaustion. Wind, too, plays a big part in rapidly cooling exposed bodies.

How are waterproof running jackets designed?

Non-waterproof running attire and gym clothes are designed to be breathable. The fabric is effectively open and allows perspiration to quickly and easily move away from the body. But the trade-off is that water and wind penetrate instantly.

Waterproof clothing works by using fabrics such as Gore-Tex to rectify this issue. Waterproof fabrics have a layered system: an inner lining, a membrane, and an outer layer. This layered system allows perspiration to still move out away from the body but does not let the larger water particles in.

Waterproof fabrics follow the same design principles but vary a lot. On an alpine hiking jacket, for example, high waterproofing, durability, lightness, and breathability are all key, but the first two are prioritised. Whereas on a waterproof running jacket, the latter two are put first. Thus, a hiking jacket will not be as breathable or light as a running jacket but instead favour high waterproofing and durability. The waterproof running jacket will be more about lightness and breathability.

But that said, some brands are better at waterproof fabrics than others. Gore-Tex reigns supreme in this field. Its fabrics can achieve three out of the four key aspects. But you don’t tend to get the magic quartet of breathability, lightness, high waterproofing, and durability. You usually get two or three out of four, depending on the quality of the fabric and job the waterproof fabric is intended.

Gore-Tex is the best but brands such as Patagonia, Berghaus, Marmot, La Sportiva, and The North Face, for example, make their own high-performance waterproof fabrics. Though sometimes, brands such as these will still use Gore-Tex on their top-end gear. At the other end of the scale, cheap waterproof fabrics will keep the rain out but also the sweat in, and are as breathable as a plastic bag.

Waterproof ratings explained

Like fill power with down insulation, waterproof ratings are very simple but widely misunderstood – or not known at all. All waterproof fabrics use a hydrostatic head as a means of showing how waterproof the fabric is. It is the industry standard of measurement for waterproof clothing, tents and so on.

The figure given (for example, 10,000mm), indicates how high a column of water sitting on the fabric would need to be before water begins seeping through. It’s perhaps a slightly odd thing, but it’s an effective means of measurement. It’s all to do with pressure. Obviously, testing labs don’t actually use such volumes of water, they use machines that apply downward pressure. Thus, a tent with a hydrostatic head rating of 10,000mm can withstand a ten-metre column of water before it leaks through. Sounds like a lot, but see below for our guide to waterproof ratings:

1000mm: Will keep out light precipitation – more water-resistant than waterproof

2000mm: Will keep out light rain.

5000mm: Will withstand fairly heavy rain.

10,000mm+: What you should expect in hiking and ski jackets. They have to deal with rain and snow but also the extra pressure applied by backpack straps and so on.

For jackets, a minimum of 5000mm is what you want. And when considering a jacket, don’t forget that to take into account the extra pressure of backpacks pressing down on it. If buying a jacket for use with a pack, a waterproof rating of at least 10,000mm is more suitable.

Hydration packs

Before we dive into the jackets, we wanted to mention the importance of hydration. If you’re embarking on a run of anything more than five or six miles, or if you’re doing any length of trail running, you need to have onboard hydration.

This area has made leaps and bounds over the last few years. Obviously one can’t make water any lighter, but you certainly can do so with the vessel.

Running packs and vests are first class these days. Super light, very breathable, very comfortable. Below are a couple of our top-rated hydration running packs:

The best waterproof running jackets in detail

Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

Waterproof running jacket buying advice

A good running jacket should offer the solution to many issues incurred by poorer weather. In addition to waterproofing, which we've already covered, here’s a quick run-down of what features to look for in your jacket:

Taped or sealed seams

This is a feature found on many high quality showerproof and waterproof jackets. While the material is waterproofed, when the garment is sewn together this feature is compromised – the needle holes will now let water easily slip through. Taped seams are when a manufacturer glues a waterproof membrane onto the inside of a garment’s seam to ensure its water-resistant credentials. Typically, this will incur a little extra on the retail price, but it’s worth it for the protection.

Venting

Venting is effectively the inclusion of holes in the clothing to promote airflow. This can be a permanent feature, as is the case with many back vents which have holes protected by material flaps. Other vents may be adjustable, such as zip vents which can be closed or opened as required. These are often found under arms and along the front of jackets. Vents are essential for reducing condensation and heat management.

Mesh

An inner mesh is found in many sports jackets as a barrier between the skin and outer material. This helps prevent the skin from sticking to material and becoming uncomfortable – this is essential for jackets that are fully waterproof as they tend to condensate and become uncomfortable after prolonged use. Mesh will also add to the weight and bulk of the jacket, so many lightweight solutions do not have inner mesh.

Lightweight and stowable

A jacket needs to be lightweight so as not to hinder your run and be able to be stored in a pocket, running belt or backpack as required.

Visibility

Whenever exercising outdoors, remember: Be safe, be seen. Running in the autumn, winter and during poor weather massively reduces visibility and puts you at an increased risk. With a little planning and the right high visibility clothing, you can easily be attired correctly for the conditions. Bright colours and reflective panels all accomplish this and need to be offered in large fields, rather than just thin seams, to be truly effective. Some running and cycling clothing has photo-luminescent strips, which will glow up to an hour after being exposed to light.

If your running jacket of choice doesn’t have a high visibility option, other high visibility clothing can be worn, such as hats, bands, or sashes and vests. Head-torches are also a good idea, as they will not only increase your visibility, but you'll have a clear view of your path - we've got a rundown of the best.

In conditions where visibility is severely reduced, it will be better to not run outdoors at all. Waiting a day for clearer conditions will not reduce your fitness.

How to care for waterproof clothing

Caring for waterproof gear is very simple and actually quite similar to normal clothing.

Naturally, follow the care instructions on the garment's label. For waterproof gear, this is usually a cold or warm wash (about 30 degrees). But you should use a special wash such as Granger's Performance Wash - this still cleans the fabric of grime but maintains the water repellent coating that waterproof fabrics have. Regular detergent doesn't do this.

After the wash cycle, you can either air dry or pop it into the drier. It is a bit of a fallacy that you can't put waterproof garments in the drier. On the contrary, it is actually good for them to maintain the water their water repellency. As with washing, follow the guidelines on the label.

If you have noticed that over time water does not bead on the fabric like it did when it was new, it's time to restore the durable water repellent (DWR) coating. Once your waterproof garment has been through the wash, spray it with Granger's Performance Repel before it dries. Wipe off the excess after a couple of minutes then follow the drying advice on the label.

William Lobley is the Editor for What's The Best. Here, he oversees, curates and researches listicles and reviews as many products as his home office can handle.

He has spent nearly five years writing about tech, audio, outdoors and fitness and has reviewed everything from smartphones to ice baths. In addition, he's well-versed in sniffing out the best deals and savings the internet offers.

When not at his desk writing, reviewing or deal-hunting, he'll be relaxing with Japanese crime novels, bingeing some classic anime, strolling the countryside or at the gym listening to the heaviest metal Spotify has to offer.

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