FINAL VERDICT

The best here are excellent. But which one ticks the most winter run boxes?

THE QUALITY OF the run jackets tested here is generally high, and we’d have no qualms about recommending half a dozen for running this winter.

THE HAGLÖFS PUTS the hard into hardshell and for serious trail runs in heavy rain or snow (with a heavy duty base layer below) we can see the appeal. But for the day-to-day runner, that price is prohibitive and there are other hardshells here – the Brooks, Saucony and Inov-8 – that offer water-resistance at half the price. Of that trio, the Saucony and especially the Brooks suffer with breathability, but the Inov-8 is ideal for both warmth and windproofing. We’d pass on both the Pearl and North Face for their lack of versatility.

ALTHOUGH ITS USP is the reflectivity, the Proviz is a hard-to-fault and well-crafted creation that performs well in a number of conditions. Likewise, the Asics ticks nearly every box apart from superior warmth, and ditto the stylish Odlo, which is the jacket we’ve worn more than any other on test but will require more warmth for low single-digit runs.

THE TITLE CHARGE is led by two jackets that can handle the cold, wind and water. The Gore, like most of the brand’s output, is understated, high-performing and well-crafted. If the price seems high, we can vouch for their durability over time and we know this’ll last a number of seasons. At £45 less, the Zoot just edges the Gore to the post. It’s slightly leaner for a wider variety of temperatures and also does everything you want a run jacket to, with the surprising waterproofing the icing on a very fine cake from the tri pioneers.