10 best women’s running jackets for all weather

Running in the dark as well as the rain always makes us feel vulnerable when crossing roads, as it’s doubly hard for drivers to see clearly. But when we were clad in the Proviz jacket, we felt safe knowing the fluorescent fabric is seven times more visible than other materials. In addition to that, there’s a huge amount of Reflect360 highly reflective strips, which light up like the Blackpool illuminations when headlights shine on them.

We couldn’t fault this jacket, as the fabric is also breathable and has a waterproof rating of 20k, so you could run through a storm without getting wet. The two side pockets are a decent size and zipped to keep belongings nice and dry, too.

We love the two-tone contrast of chalk-white and cirrus-grey in this longline jacket. We’d easily wear it to stay comfortable in both showers and blizzards in the city, as well as wearing it for running, which makes the £65 investment decent value for money.

Made from 100 per cent polyester, it can be folded up really small, so it’s a great option if you want to run to or from work and store it in your bag during the day. Another bonus is the drawstring hood, which stayed up and in position a lot better than hoods without adjustable strings.

If being outside in cold weather is just as motivation-sapping to you as rain, you need to try Lululemon’s down for it all jacket. It features zoned-down insulation panels where you need them the most, plus stretchy fleece to keep you moving freely.

Wear it in the mornings and it feels like you’re swapping your duvet for something just as warm but more fitted. We have to admit this did make us worry about overheating when we first tried it on, but we underestimated Lululemon’s high-tech Glyde fabric – breathable stretch nylon that’s wind and water resistant.

This jacket hugs the figure better than any of the other designs we tested, so you could also get away with wearing it as your casual jacket. The blue pyschic colour would look equally good with jeans as it would with leggings.

At first glance, we fell in love with the lime-green colour of this multi-functional running jacket. It cheered us up in the morning and made us feel alive, even before we’d touched a drop of coffee.

Once outside, we fell for it even deeper, thanks to the warm fabric that’s also super soft next to the skin. We really loved how the hood packs into the neck so that it doesn’t flap if it’s not needed, and this super-high neck gives you extra protection from the frost in the winter. That said, you could wear it with a sports bra in summer, too, as the fabric did well to emit all the heat we generated on a long run. And, as a further bonus, it’s machine washable at 40C.

Weighing just 190g, this jacket is one of the lighter options available, which we appreciated. It will give you a little protection from the wind, as well as solid protection from the rain, and it will also motivate you to run faster to warm up.

We were very impressed with how chic the jacket looked. The all-black design fits close enough to the body to look shapely without feeling restrictive. When worn with black leggings, we felt slimmer when we looked in the mirror and it boosted our confidence before getting out the door.

Even during the run, we felt lighter on our feet, which goes to show how much a new jacket can affect mental performance, which then impacts the physical.

When we slipped on this jacket from Yorkshire-based brand Tog 24, we could really tell it had a shaped cut, which felt very flattering. It’s a versatile jacket that we’d wear for more than just running – we’d feel good wearing this for a wet school run or walking the dog, just as much as we would running.

It’s a little longer than some of the other jackets we tried, falling down to the bottom, which made us less self-conscious about going out in leggings. Also, the longer length kept the top of our leggings dry, which was much appreciated.

Not so much as a drop of water will get near a runner in this. It’s not only waterproof but has a water-repellent coating for good measure. And, as the piece de resistance, the seams are taped, which means the holes from the stitching are covered, so no water can leak through.

Castore specialises in high-performance clothing with the sole aim to make athletes better, hence the brand’s catchline “better never stops”. Whether you’re a park runner or you’re training for an ultra-marathon, Castore jackets take care of all the technical details needed to keep runners of all abilities comfortable, so they can unleash their full potential.

Originally a men’s sportswear brand supplying elite athletes such as Adam Peaty and Andy Murray, Castore recently expanded to provide activewear for women too, all of which has been rigorously tested to ensure it performs. We noticed lots of premium details, such as flatlock stitching for ventilation, mesh panelling and ergonomic seams. And let’s take a moment to appreciate the removable sleeves.

Yes, this jacket is clearly on the higher end of the cost scale, but you’ll be getting a waterproof running gilet and a waterproof running jacket in one cute monochrome package.

Asics is the sports brand of choice for Scottish athlete and multi-record holder Eilish McColgan, so we were keen to try the jacket to see if we could emulate some of her speed. The jacket did not disappoint. The hood stayed completely in place during a 60-minute run, thanks to a smart back adjustor that kept it up near the chin as well as over the forehead.

With clever Japanese engineering, it has multiple layers to keep out the rain and wind, while allowing body heat and steam to exit. All seams are sealed, so there’s no chance of rain entering any gaps in the stitching. Next to the skin, it feels comfortable and stretchy, meaning you can move freely, and there’s a good-sized zipped chest pocket as well as two side pockets.

Every time we ran in this jacket, we noticed a new feature. Firstly, we were impressed by how lightweight it was. This is the jacket to buy if you’re aiming for a PB, where every second counts.

Made from ultra-lightweight Japanese performance fabrics, it features 360-degree advanced breathability, so you can push yourself hard without feeling damp and sticky. If the sun comes out mid-run, you’ll find that it’s incredibly fast-drying and will most likely be bone dry by the time you get home. Should you wish to take it off during a run, it folds down into its own pocket, which is small enough to slip down the waistband of your leggings.

Want to protect your face from the elements? This jacket features a peaked cap in the hood, which weighs it downwards, so it stays put around your face and over the front of it.

Yes, it’s another of the more expensive jackets we tested, but it is one that you can comfortably wear for summer showers as well as winter downpours.

We’re constantly impressed by Tu activewear, as the performance fabric is high-quality while the prices are low. This active jacket is shower-resistant, breathable and fits close to the body, giving you full freedom of movement when running.

Despite costing just £25, it has some features found on more-expensive jackets, such as a stylish grey back panel and a decent reflective trim, which we appreciated on early morning runs. It even has two zipped pockets that could easily fit a phone and keys. It doesn’t have a hood but it does have super-long sleeves that kept our hands toasty when the temperature dropped.