Favorite Wind / Rain Running Jacket

David Leventhal

I'm registered for a local half-mary this weekend & the forecast is looking cold and possibly wet.  I figured it might be a good time to upgrade my outer layer.  So....I'm looking for y'alls favorite cold weather / rain running jacket. 

Thoughts?  Thanks!

Scott Alexander

Yep, I'm definitely contemplating multiple layers for "White Rock" this weekend. Brrr...

Joe Matchette

For a race -- Glad trashbag, with holes for neck and arms. Amazing insulative properties. able to be discarded when no longer necessary.

Woody Freese

And the Glad trash bag does NOT make your a$$ look big at all!

Dino Sarti

Try this! The thing packs down to next to nothing. I just ordered one....

http://www.artscyclery.com/descpage-ENMPJ.html

Al Truscott

Yikes - 35-40F and hail??

Remember the rule: you can be warm and wet, or you can be cold and wet. Take your pick. There's no such thing as a fabric that will breathe out all the sweat you'll generate during the race.

Living, and thus running/racing, in the Pacific NW, I've got a bit of experience with doing races in the 30s, precipitation, black ice, etc. For me, I generate enough heat while running, so I don't worry about my upper body much. A couple of layers of tech material, one short sleeve and one long, is what I use. No jacket, not worth it. Thin gloves are a good idea when it's near freezing. A thin cycling beanie makes a good head/ear cover without heating you up too much. It's my feet that end up bothering me - there's nothing you can do to keep them dry if it's raining. Especially if I can't avoid a puddle.

The other big things are staying warm/dry before the race - that's where a garbage bag is perfect - and staying warm after the race. Know in advance how the "dry clothes" bags, or mylar sheets, or parking is handled after the race, so you don't have a chance to cool off. Bring fleece pants, multiple fleece pullovers, gloves, wool beanie, dry socks and shoes, etc for after. That's much more important than worrying about whether you're going to get wet during the race. You're going to get wet during the race.

William Jenks

I have found, oddly enough, that two trash bags can be surprisingly warmer than one. I imagine this is just a matter of having an insulating air layer between.

Al is right about the racing, but I get a terrible problem if I get cold/wet waiting around in the pre-race time. THAT is what the trash bags are excellent for.

For what it's worth, I spent the $$$ and bought a Gore cycling jacket, and I LOVE it. It's just a Gore shell...nothing else. It and the hood keep me as dry as anything ever would in rain and is a great windbreaker too. I'm not sure I would wear it before a race because there's no way I'd ever be willing to discard it...but I wear it all the time for cold/wet runs or rides.

David Leventhal

Good feedback guys! Appreciate the data...sounds like a garbage bag will be in my near future!

rwsmith96

@Al:

Also a PacNW dweller, I've found that wool running socks are indispensable for running comfort over long distances. I like Defeet Woolie Boolies.

Anu Rao

I ran the White Rock marathon a couple of years back cold and rained the entire race. Body glide the heck out of every potential spot on your body that could chafe, plenty of it on your feet. I didn't have a single spot that chafed or blistered. Wear a hat or visor, helps keep the rain out of your eyes, assuming its not sideways coming at you. If its really cold you can wear a thin beanie under the hat.

If I had o change anything it would be to wear surgical gloves over my warm gloves. My hands were cold the entire time, even though a friend gave me fresh ones at mile 15. they get wet and your hands are cold again. Of course this is an issue only if you are like me and have cold hands.

Don't overdress, unless you plan to walk it. Especially for a half you will generate plenty of heat.