OutdoorGearLab.com Announces Best Men’s Running Jackets

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Feb. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Over the years, OutdoorGearLab.com has posted reviews of down coats, wind breakers, and hard shells, but today it released its first-ever Top Men’s Running Jacket Review. Testers logged dozens of miles running in each of the six models they tested, braving single digit temperatures, rain showers, and blustery wind. Throughout the testing process, most of which took place in Upstate New York, OutdoorGearLab developed a series of metrics that would help rank the pieces side-by-side: breathability, wind resistance, water resistance, weight, and features. Additionally, reviewers developed a series of head-to-head tests to ensure that all field tests were corroborated in a controlled environment. Following this process, OutdoorGearLab honored three products with its Editor’s Choice, Best Buy, and Top Pick Awards.


Here are the winners:

Arc’Teryx Incendo
The Arc’Teryx Incendo won the review’s Editor’s Choice Award. This layer is lightweight and offers advanced wind and water resistance. Thanks to the mesh panels located under the armpits, the Incendo also earned high marks in breathability, one of the key metrics gear editor Jared Dean used to rank the products. In his review, Dean noted that the Arc’Teryx Incendo is an excellent choice for runners who are concerned about weight and bulk, but still value high performance in inclement weather. Thanks to its slim-fitting design, he also suggested that it is an excellent choice for trail running. The Incendo has some reflective material to maximize safety in low-light conditions and it packs down into its own pocket. In every review, OutdoorGearLab strives to identify the top-performing product across a range of metrics and award it its Editor’s Choice Award. In this review, the Arc’Teryx Incendo was the obvious pick, as it combined breathability, weather resistance, and some features - four of the most important metrics.

The Saucony Sonic

The Saucony Sonic took home OutdoorGearLab’s Best Buy Award. According to Dean, some of the Sonic’s best qualities are its water resistance and breathability. Although this product is heavier than many of its competitors, much of the additional weight is allocated to extra material for pockets and features. It even comes fitted with a rechargeable LED light perfect for the urban runner. Additionally, this piece is fitted with lots of reflective strips, which also add to the overall safety level. Throughout his tests, Dean found that the Sonic repelled water extremely well and provided significant protection from the wind. He also explained the layer’s classic vent system: one long horizontal flap across the back. Combining this vent with the product’s breathable fabrics the Sonic provided plenty of airflow.  At only $100, Saucony Sonic also combines performance with affordability, which is just what OutdoorGearLab seeks in its Best Buy Award winners. Although some if its competitors were even less expensive, Dean reported that most of them didn’t breathe well, which, in his opinion defeats the point of purchasing a running jacket. He recommends spending just a little bit more for a higher-performing product.

The Marmot DriClime Windshirt
The DriClime Windshirt earned OutdoorGearLab’s Top Pick for Cold Weather Running Award. Throughout his testing process, Dean wore the Marmot DriClime Windshirt on numerous single digit days and found that he stayed warm throughout his run. He also tested it in temperatures of up to 50 degrees and was pleasantly surprised when the piece did not leave him feeling intensely sweaty. This unique product includes a layer of ultra-breathable insulation that easy wicks away moisture. The high-tech threads essentially pull sweat away from the body, instead of trapping it inside, a key feature that allows the body to regulate its temperature. Although this piece was not as water resistant as many of its competitors, the DriClime Windshirt did offer stand-out protection from the wind, even in the blustery weather of Upstate New York. According to Dean, the major downfalls of this product are that the extra insulation makes it heavier and bulkier, and that it lacks reflective strips for extra visibility.

The full review contains detailed individual reviews of each of these award-winning products, as well as three other contenders that didn’t quite make the awards cut. These include the Sugoi HydroLite, the Brooks Infiniti IV, and the Montane Featherlite Marathon. Here, you can learn more about the metrics in which each piece excelled and read about details like pocket configuration and fit.

For example, the Sugoi piece repels water better than any of its competitors; however, it also traps moisture inside, leaving the runner feeling sticky and slimy. The Brooks Infiniti IV has a number of useful pockets, including a waterproof media pocket. Similar to the Sugoi, though, the Brooks piece does not offer much breathability. Finally, as one of the lightest layers, the Montane Featherlite Marathon earned top marks in OutdoorGearLab’s weight category, but it didn’t come with any pockets and it too struggled with breathability.

Dean’s Best-In-Class review also serves as a stellar resource for consumers in the market for a running jacket. In this long write-up, Dean explains why each metric is important, and he highlights the pieces that earned that highest and lowest marks in each of these categories. Combining technical research into the technology behind each piece with his hands-on experience of testing them for three months, Jared Dean does an excellent job of comparing these products side-by-side and reporting on their flaws and strengths. Finally, he has put together a buying advice guide that walks consumers through everything they need to know before heading to check-out. If you have questions ranging from “Why do I even need this product?” to “How can I choose the right piece for me?,” the Buying Advice guide is the best place to start.

About OutdoorGearLab:

Headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, OutdoorGearLab LLC is dedicated to creating the world’s best outdoor gear reviews. The company’s website is a free resource for people who love the outdoors and participate in activities such as hiking, climbing, backpacking, and camping. The company specializes in testing outdoor gear side-by-side and publishing the results in comparative reviews. Each product is scored across a range of weighted categories, competitors are ranked, and awards are given to top-performing products. See more at http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/.