Best Women's Running Jackets 2021

Finding the best women’s running jacket can be tricky. Whether you're battling cold winter weather or dreary rain, the right running jacket needs to fit well and perform even better.

Rain jackets need to keep precipitation out without feeling like you’re wearing a trash bag, while winter running jackets require insulating layers to hold warmth without the bulk of a traditional puffy. Luckily, there are some outstanding women’s running jackets that fit the bill.

There are tons of great options on the market today—and so much depends on the features, fit and style you’re looking for—but we think these are the best women’s running jackets for most people:

• On Weather Jacket
• Nike Essential Jacket Filled
• New Balance Heat Loft Jacket
• rabbit Breezy Back Jacket
• Mizuno Breath Thermo FZ Jacket

[This article is part of the Best Running Clothes 2021 Buyer’s Guide.]

High-tech but low profile, the women’s On Weather Jacket is an ultralight running jacket built to keep the elements off your back.

On built the Weather Jacket from a feathery Japanese fabric that’s a blend of polyester and elastane. The fabric is stretchy for a full range of motion and breathable to keep you from feeling clammy during a late spring shower.

Designers gave the jacket a DWR (durable water repellent) finish to shrug off rain and snow, and it packs down to the size of a sandwich. Even without insulation, the Weather Jacket helps keep your body temperature up in cold weather.

One key feature of the women’s On Weather Jacket is the hood. On designed the hood with an adjustable strap to fit it to your head and an angled bill to keep rain off your face.

In cold weather, the women’s Nike Essential Jacket is exactly that—essential.

Nike pumped the Essential Jacket full of insulation to keep you toasty on the coldest days. The polyester fill covers the chest and upper back to help warm your core, and a high collar zips closed to seal out icy winds.

A pair of hand pockets give you a place to warm your mitts, while zippered closures add security to stash your essential items. Plus, a full-length, asymmetrical zipper adds a touch of style of the jacket.

Built from premium materials for an athletic fit, the Nike Essential Jacket is one of the best women’s running jackets for cold weather.

Don’t let cold temperatures keep you inside. Wrap up in the women’s New Balance Heat Loft Jacket for warmth on all your winter runs.

New Balance made the Heat Loft Jacket from a cozy quilted fabric. The small, diamond-shaped baffles trap your body heat to wrap you in warmth.

But the Heat Loft Jacket isn’t just warm—it also performs. The stretch fabric moves with you and wicks away moisture to keep you dry when you really get going.

Cuffs with thumbholes secure the fit and zippered hand pockets hold your phone, keys and cards. With an asymmetrical front zipper and high collar, the women’s New Balance Heat Loft Jacket is perfect for when the weather isn’t.

For lightweight protection against foul weather, zip into the women’s rabbit Breezy Back Jacket and keep running.

Rabbit designed the Breezy Back Jacket to protect you from Mother Nature without weighing you down. The featherweight jacket is made from 100 percent ripstop nylon that sheds water to keep you dry.

To improve the fit, designers included an adjustable hood with a bungee pull cord and a drawcord hem. The adjustable details mean every woman can find the right fit.

Reflective details pop in low-light situations, and elastic cuffs give you a more secure fit. The Breezy Back Jacket doesn’t pack any insulation, but it does stuff down small into its own side pocket for easy transport.

For a relaxed fit and protection against the weather, the women’s rabbit Breezy Back Jacket has you covered.

Brave the elements in Mizuno’s Breath Thermo FZ Jacket, specially designed to protect you from all sorts of nasty weather.

Mizuno’s signature Breath Thermo thermal fabric technology traps heat against your skin to keep you extra toasty on bitter cold runs. A DRYLITE textile blend throughout the jacket works to wick moisture away from your body, keeping you comfortable and dry as you work up a sweat.

The outer shell is wind- and water-resistant, so nothing can slow you down. Plus, with 360-degree reflectivity, the Breath Thermo FZ Jacket is perfect for keeping you visible on low-light winter runs. Zippered pockets at the side seam and chest allow you to securely store your belongings while you’re on the go.

The Mizuno Breath Thermo FZ Jacket is one of the best women’s running jackets that’s sure to become a sleek staple of your cold-weather running kit.

How We Picked the Best Women’s Running Jackets

The best women’s running jackets for you comes down to personal preferences. Fit, features and style all play a role in finding the right one. But there are things that set some jackets apart from the rest.

We picked the best running jackets for women based on a combination of real-life use, quality of materials, details and our own top-sellers lists. Our guide includes picks for all weather conditions, whether you are looking to combat the rain or need a winter running jacket for cold-weather runs. With all of that in mind, we picked women’s running jackets that lived up to our own personal (and professional) expectations.

Standing Behind Our Picks

We’re confident this gear is some of the best you’ll find, but we don’t want you to get stuck with running shoes or apparel that don’t work for you. That’s why we offer our Happy Fit Guarantee.

Our return policy means you have 60 days to put your gear to work. Wear it, run in it, wash it. If you’re not satisfied with the way it looks, fits or performs, we’ll take it back within 60 days and give you a full refund.

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