Trail running, a sport in which every step takes us into the heart of nature, also brings us face to face with the diversity and unpredictability of the elements. From mountain peaks to wooded valleys, trail runners embrace adventure, while often being exposed to changing and sometimes extreme weather conditions.
This is where a crucial piece of equipment comes into play: the trail running jacket. Not only must it be an effective barrier against wind and rain, it must also offer optimum breathability and flawless freedom of movement to provide runners with excellent comfort during their effort.
In this comparison, we'll explore the best trail running jackets available on the market, highlighting their features, benefits and drawbacks, to help you choose the perfect running companion. Whether you're a seasoned ultrarunner or a newcomer to the trails, join us to discover the jackets that will help you brave the elements with confidence and comfort.
Contents
Salomon Bonatti Trail WP: waterproof trail jacket
Product presentation
This trail jacket, with its clever design and seamless shoulders, benefits from the superior quality of Japanese Pertex® fabric, which is both lightweight and highly waterproof.
In addition to its stretch fabric, ergonomic cut and pre-shaped sleeves, it's designed to be worn over a hydration pack of up to around 12 litres. Ideal for long-distance trail runners. As well as short ones, in fact.
The jacket introduces a host of features designed for trail running, including an adjustable hood, elasticated trims, pockets and light-reflecting details.
What makes this trail jacket such an excellent product is its ability to keep runners and their equipment dry and protected from the wind, as well as offering excellent breathability. An extremely important feature if you don't want to overheat during exercise.
Jacket features
| Features | Salomon Bonatti |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyamide and Pertex |
| Condition | Rain and wind |
| Hood | Yes |
| Suitable for ultra trail running | Yes |
| Reflective strips | Yes |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Good breathability
✅ Excellent seal against water and cold
✅ Adjustability
Disadvantages
❌ Price
Product ratings and reviews
Editor's opinion on the jacket
This jacket is excellent for long-distance runners. Easily foldable and highly waterproof and windproof, this jacket is a real winner with trail runners.
It's also suitable for trail runners working over shorter distances.
Raidlight raidshell MP+ : waterproof jacket for women
Product presentation
The RAIDSHELL MP+ from RAIDLIGHT is the ideal women's hooded jacket for athletes who often run in winter, whatever the conditions.
It offers freedom of movement thanks to its stretch design. It also features a water-repellent yet breathable 2.5-layer MP+ membrane, which effectively wicks away perspiration and raindrops.
Additional features, such as an adjustable hood with visor and sealed seams, provide even greater protection against the elements.
In addition to these aspects, it includes functional elements such as zipped pockets and thumb loops to keep the garment in position as you move.
So the RAIDSHELL MP+ is the perfect choice, combining protection and practicality, for all sportswomen facing a wide range of weather conditions.
Jacket features
| Features | Raidlight Raid Shell MP+ |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester |
| Condition | Rain and wind |
| Hood | Yes |
| Suitable for ultra trail running | Yes |
| Reflective strips | Yes |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Excellent value for money
✅ Breathable and wind and rainproof
✅ Practicality
Disadvantages
❌ Only 2 colours (blue and black)
Product ratings and reviews
Editor's opinion on the jacket
This jacket is an excellent product for trail and hiking enthusiasts. It offers the ability to venture out in the rain and in cold, windy weather.
Offering excellent value for money, this jacket has plenty to offer.
Waterproof trail jacket: Asics Fujitrail, excellent value for money
Product presentation
First and foremost, what sets this jacket apart is its value for money. With a host of features, this product offers runners the chance to run in cold and wet weather.
Like the Salomon Bonatti, the Asics jacket is made from Pertex fabric. This fabric gives the jacket excellent insulation against both cold and rain. With its 2.5 layers, the jacket offers excellent waterproofing without compromising breathability. What's more, it can be used in all weathers, avoiding overheating during intense effort.
Finally, in terms of practicality and comfort, the jacket has a number of assets. Mainly the quality of the fabric, which is pleasant to the touch and therefore comfortable to wear. It also doesn't stick to the skin during exercise. It's also very easy to fold and store, so long-distance enthusiasts will be delighted.
Jacket features
| Features | Asics Fujitrail Jacket |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester |
| Condition | Rain and wind |
| Hood | Yes |
| Suitable for ultra trail running | Yes |
| Reflective strips | Yes |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Good moisture transfer
✅ Good sealing
✅ Insulation from cold and wind
✅ Value for money
Disadvantages
❌ None
Product ratings and reviews
Editor's opinion on the jacket
It's one of the best jackets in this comparison, but not the most expensive. It also features Pertex fabric, giving it excellent water and wind resistance.
In a sport that is becoming increasingly expensive, this jacket seems an excellent choice.
Gore Tex R7 ShakeDry: A waterproof jacket in Gore-Tex
Product presentation
Gore-tex products are renowned for being excellent cold and water insulators. With the Gore-tex R7 ShakeDry jacket, you can run in the rain and in cold weather. The jacket combines comfort, breathability and waterproofing to keep runners dry and warm.
With the exceptional breathability of GORE-TEX® laminates, your comfort is assured even in the most intense effort. SHAKEDRY™ technology ensures your jacket stays consistently dry, not retaining water and shedding any moisture with a simple movement. The water-repellent surface keeps you dry and limits water infiltration.
The jacket also offers supreme protection against the elements with its waterproof and windproof properties. The hood, which incorporates a reinforced visor with an elastic mechanism, gives you optimum support and added protection in the most severe weather conditions. Its resistance to abrasion and tearing, even when used with a lightweight rucksack, means it's tough and durable.
The jacket is easily stowed away in its chest pocket, providing a compact and practical portability solution. For enhanced visibility and safety, reflective elements are judiciously placed around the jacket.
Jacket features
| Features | Gore-Tex ShakeDry |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Gore-tex and polyamide membrane |
| Condition | Rain and wind |
| Hood | Yes |
| Suitable for ultra trail running | Yes |
| Reflective strips | Yes |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Wind and rain resistant
✅ Comfortable
✅ Compact
Disadvantages
❌ Price
Product ratings and reviews
Editor's opinion on the jacket
Gore-tex products enjoy a reputation for excellence when it comes to insulation against cold and damp. The Gore-tex R7 ShakeDry jacket is ideal for running in the rain and cold. It combines comfort, breathability and waterproofing, ensuring that athletes stay dry and warm during their activity.
Men's trail windbreaker: Compressport Hurricane Windproof
Product presentation
The perfect windbreaker for running enthusiasts, the Compressport Hurricane WindProof jacket. Specially designed to help runners cope with the cold, it also features rainproofing with light waterproofing for an excellent running experience.
One of the main features of this product is its comfort. With its close-fitting cut, the jacket offers exceptional comfort for runners. What's more, it's highly breathable, with multiple honeycombs. So it keeps runners warm without overheating.
The jacket also has a chest pocket to keep everything you need close to hand. This pocket can also be used to fold up the jacket for storage.
Finally, this jacket is one of the lightest on the market, weighing in at just under 100g.
Jacket features
| Features | Compressport Hurricane Windproof |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester |
| Condition | Rain and wind |
| Hood | No |
| Suitable for ultra trail running | No |
| Reflective strips | Yes |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Ultra light
✅ Comfortable
✅ Cold insulator
Disadvantages
❌ Not suitable for long runs
Editor's opinion on the jacket
This is an excellent product if you want a jacket for your training sessions or fairly short races. It provides excellent insulation in windy conditions. However, it doesn't have a hood.
On the other hand, it's easy to slip into a bag after use. So you can run unencumbered.