Running Windbreaker: 4 Fall-Weather Jackets + How to Pick One

Looking for a running windbreaker to help you put in the miles?
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You know...

• To take the chill off and keep you from getting soaked when you go for a run this fall and winter.
• Not all running windbreakers are created equal. The truth: Some do the job better than others. 
• WeeViews Ambassador Brynn Cunningham put 4 running windbreakers to the test for some fall-weather running.

In this post, you're going to learn:
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👉How to pick a running windbreaker and what to look for...
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You'll also get Brynn's review + list of pros and cons for the following running windbreakers:
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🏃‍♀️The Oiselle Wallace
🏃‍♀️The Patagonia Houdini
🏃‍♀️The Salomon Agile Wind
🏃‍♀️The Outdoor Research Helium Hybrid

It’s autumn in the northeastern United States and many parts of the world.
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With the changes that autumn brings comes a change in the way we dress for running.
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This time of year (and in the springtime) calls for my favorite trail running uniform: 

• Shorts (favs here)
• Crew socks
• Lightweight t-shirt or long-sleeve shirt
• Hat (favs here)
• Trail running shoes, of course (fav here)
• Windbreaker

You need a running windbreaker to...

• Cut the chill of the first mile
• Block the wind, hence its name, which picks up this time of year
• Shed easily, like tying it around the waist
• Stow well in a running pack 
• Be versatile and, for the most part, three-season friendly 

If you're looking for a running windbreaker, these 👆👆 are the things you need to look for.

The first type of running specific outerwear I owned was a stretchy, hooded Under Armour zip up, given to me in my early 20s.

• It was more like a shirt than a jacket, and it’s what I wore for all chilly runs. 
• At that time, I didn’t run much more than half marathon distances and never ran for more than an hour in the winter. 
• Mileage and duration of runs began increasing in my late 20s. 

Around that same time, I was given a red Mountain Hardwear rain jacket, model unknown.
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It lasted five years before the insides began peeling away. I used it for running, biking, hiking, rock climbing, commuting and everyday.
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After the demise of the Mountain Hardwear jacket, it was time to test out some new running windbreakers....Wear tester’s measurements:

• Height: 5’ 3 ¾”
• Weight: 120-125 pounds
• Waist: 27.75 inches
• Chest/bust: 34 inches
• Hips: 34 inches
• Typical shirt size: XS
• Typical pant size: 2, sometimes 0 if the brand runs large

Despite some drawbacks, I like this jacket for several reasons...

• I wear it when coaching/ volunteering for the local high school track team and for 30-to 45-minute easy road runs around my house when the weather is cool but tame 
• I use it for cool weather, muddy bike rides because the dark color doesn’t stain from the mud
• The back pocket fits a phone, which I like taking in case of emergencies when biking (not running, see why above), plus accessories like gloves or beanies
• I like the looks of it more than the functionality, so I wear it while running errands or to a trail head then remove it before running 

What I don't love about the Oiselle Wallace:

• Size small is baggy - the armpits are huge, sleeves floppy and torso too wide - I should have exchanged it for an extra small
• The hood is useless - it does not cinch, is not fitted around the face and simply flies off the head; thus, I removed it and have no idea where it is at the moment, it’s that useless 
• The jacket itself does not zip up to the neck - I don’t know about you, but having my throat exposed makes me COLD (see pic above) 
• The neck hole is large and gaping - again, this brings in wind and cold air
• The main zipper is challenging - it’s small and not easy to grip or line up to begin zipping up
• The back pocket fits a phone, but the pocket is detached from the back material and beats against the back the entire time

Perhaps these days Oiselle makes a better fitted, elements-ready jacket with more attention to detail.

• Or perhaps I was looking in the wrong place for what I wanted.
• Either way, I was not prepared to find out, so I sought long-standing, outdoor-specific brands more in tune with trail running for my next windbreaker investments.

When the Wallace was not meeting my needs season after season, I finally bought the Patagonia Houdini and highly recommend it to anyone who asks.
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Purchase details:

• Price paid: $69
• Retails for: $99

Note: I wear size extra small in all Patagonia tops but went with small for the Houdini, which is slim-fitted and fits thermal-weight shirts underneath without becoming too tight.

• Extremely lightweight
• Simple, minimal, no hand or back pockets
• One small chest zipper pocket for keys or thin gloves
• Long-enough sleeves that go just below the wrist
• Fitted hood that stays in place
• A go-to for light rain, autumn mornings, and even below freezing temperatures layered on top of thermal running clothes
• Folds up into the chest pocket/ stows easily 
• Many color choices 
• Zips up to the chin, covering the throat
• Four-season friendly 
• Fits well underneath a Patagonia Nano Puff Vest for very cold days
• My go-to for drizzly summertime camping trips
• Hat and beanie fits well under the hood
• Bottom hem has a toggle that cinches around the hips
• Dries quickly - I avoid overwashing my windbreakers and like to hang them up to dry for the next adventure; the Houdini dries the quickest of all three; within 24 hours of being drenched, it is ready to go the next day

The Houdini was getting a lot of wear, and even though I only wash it after every four to five uses, when it is washing and hanging up to dry, I find myself scrambling for something to wear.
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Then the Agile Wind went on clearance. I bought it and am happy I did.
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Purchase details: 

• Price paid: $40 during an online Salomon sale
• Retails for $100

Note: I wear size small in most Salomon but an extra small in some shorts and hoodie dresses

• Extremely soft, cozy and comfortable - the fabric feels oh so nice
• Stretchy 
• Long-enough sleeves that go just below the wrist - I can even ball my hands into fists and stick them in the sleeves
• Hood hugs the face with elastic and stays in place with a slight, soft bill that blocks rain
• Two hand pockets - I stash extra hand warmers and mittens if I’m not running with a pack
• Fits well in my collection of windbreakers as it is a bit heavier and warmer than the Houdini
• Size small fits true to size
• Hat and beanie fits well under the hood
• My go-to for very cold runs, such as below freezing, with thermals layered underneath 
• Zips up to the chin, covering the throat

The reasons I added yet another running jacket to my collection: 

• The blaze hunter orange color, because hunters hunt where I run and mountain bike for a third of the year
• It was advertised as waterproof and finding an affordable, actually waterproof/ running specific jacket is a challenge (turns out it DOES NOT withstand two-hour downpours, which is why I’ve classified it as a windbreaker/water resistant)

Even though the Helium Hybrid is not as waterproof as I wanted, Outdoor Research really got it right with the details, and I highly recommend it.
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Purchase details:

• Price paid: $57.98 on closeout from enwild.com
• Retails for $144.95

• Stretchy, breathable side and under-arm panels
• Slim fit that hugs the body 
• The blaze hunter orange color 
• Hood adjusts in the back with a toggle and cinches very closely to the face
• Hood has a structured bill, which keeps out snowflakes and rain
• Withstands hail as much as a jacket can!
• Two hand pockets and one chest pocket 
• Zips up to the chin, covering the throat
• Easy-to-grip zippers
• Velcro panel that covers the zipper when zipped all the way up
• Packs into its chest pocket
• Sleeves cinch at the ends, keeping wind and water out 
• Waterproof for about 1.5 hours in heavy rain, but after a two-hour backpacking trip in torrential downpours, it was saturated through the side-panel areas and slightly on the chest. 
• With that said, it is the warmest and most weather and wind resistant compared to the Houdini or Agile Wind - I wore it on a 20-mile trail run through strong, intermittent snow storms, hail storms and high winds once and was very glad I had grabbed the Helium Hybrid from my closet that day. I was dry underneath at the end of that run.

I hope this helps you find your favorite running windbreaker or windbreaker collection to keep you outside year round.
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Happy all-season running!

 Let us know in the comments! Or create a WeeView and tell us more about your favorite running windbreaker.