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Don’t let downpours dampen your spirit

The UK’s relentless rainfall can wash out your cardio motivation. But the best waterproof running jackets will allow you to enjoy al fresco workouts without ending up drenched and disheartened.

Now, while an old-school jog may have fallen out of fashion in some fitness circles, incorporating running into your weekly workouts is a failsafe way to soup up your engine.

Whether it’s a 5k for time, or intervals integrated into a CrossFit WOD, racking up the miles can crush calories, boost your aerobic capacity and relieve stress. A study from the US Army’s research institute even found a cardio session can spike growth hormone secretion.

So, what are you waiting for? On your marks, get set… grow.

As with any bit of fitness kit, to find the right running jacket you need to consider the wider context.

What do you plan to use it for? Do you prefer a loose or tight fit? When and where will you be wearing it?

Keep these in mind when taking your pick:

Fit - If you’re a regular race-goer whose 10K time tends to leave people’s jaws on the floor, you’re going to want a tighter fit. Excess material is only going to get in the way and slow you down. More casual runners might consider a looser fit so they can layer-up underneath their jacket when temperatures drop.

Waterproofing - With Britain's weather as reliably unreliable as ever, we made sure every running jacket could withstand a sudden shower. Take a look in each jacket’s key specs, below, to see which ones achieved a perfect waterproofing score in our lab test. Those with top marks will protect you from the heaviest downpours.

Packability - The weather has a tendency of changing like, well, the weather. If grey clouds do decide to give way to a spot of sun, you don’t want to be stuck lugging a cumbersome coat with you as you run. We’ve identified which featherlight jackets can be packed down into a palm-size pouch, so it won’t get in the way as you try to shave seconds off your PB.

Additional features - Whether it’s toggles to adjust the fit or a peaked hood to keep the rain out of your face, a cleverly placed pocket for your phone or reflective strips to make you more visible when running at night, this section is dedicated to innovative features that can make the world of difference.

To ensure your running plans aren’t derailed by bad weather — something Brits are all too familiar with — the Men’s Health Lab sought out the best waterproof running jackets on the market.

We sent our panel of 24 runners a selection of top jackets to find out which products’ rain-beating claims hold water, and which ones left us high and not so dry. They wore the jackets for at least three outdoor sessions, testing them in different weather conditions while running at a range of paces. Here’s how they were scored:

Ease of use - Jackets had to be made from flexible materials that made them easy to put on and take off, providing a comfortable fit without restricting our movement or getting in the way when running.

Design: Our panellists were asked to rate the comfort and aesthetic of each jacket. Points were also awarded for practical inclusions like zipped pockets, reflective panels and toggles to adjust the fit.

Performance: We used a hydrostatic head machine in our lab to put each jacket’s waterproofing claims to the test. A perfect score means the waterproofing was foolproof, while those with four out of five will protect you from most rain but may struggle with the heaviest downpours. Our panel also ran in light and heavy rain to make sure there were no weak spots.

With its subtle, patterned finish, this jacket won’t be beaten for style and simplicity. It’s incredibly light and packs away easily too — handy when running in unpredictable weather.

The lightweight, flexible material makes it a good fit for fast-paced track sessions. Our lab tests found it’ll shield you from showers too but, with no hood, it won’t hold up in the heaviest downpours.

Key specs Materials: Nylon Lab waterproofing score: 4/5 Weight: N/A Packable pouch: Yes

Montane designed this jacket with speed and performance in mind, claiming to use one of the lightest breathable fabrics around. Its race day credentials are enviable, though the absence of pockets will be a miss for some.

It packs away into a natty bag that can fit in the palm of your hand and offers protection from both wind and rain, making it a trail runner’s best friend.

Key specs Materials: Polyester Lab waterproofing score: 4/5 Weight: 115g Packable pouch: Yes

This jacket is made to withstand harsh mountain weather, so it’ll take a jaunt around the countryside or city in its stride. It‘s under 110 grams too, so won’t weigh you down as you push for a PB.

With its well-fitted hood and cuffed wrists, the OMM Halo is sure to keep you dry, scoring top marks in our waterproofing tests. We liked the design, though some said the looser fit flapped about on faster runs.

Key specs Materials: Polyurethane Lab waterproofing score: 5/5 Weight: 105g Packable pouch: No

An affordable all-rounder, Decathlon designed this jacket to shield runners of all abilities from inclement conditions — whether you’re a newcomer bagging your first few kilometres or a seasoned strider boasting some serious mileage.

We liked the fit, which provided enough room to layer up underneath without feeling too loose. The reflective stripes helped panellists feel safe and the elasticated waistband made sure it didn’t ride up.

Key specs Materials: Polyester membrane, polyurethane Lab waterproofing score: 5/5 Weight: 210g Packable pouch: No

Regular race-goers, this ultra-light jacket might be more your speed. It’s built for the fleet-footed among you, with Inov-8 even using semi-transparent material so your race number will be visible at all times — smart thinking.

Impressed testers said the material was so lightweight and breathable it was easy to forget they were wearing a jacket at all. Some found the zipper was uncomfortably high and tight around the neck, but this was easily remedied by not doing it up fully. The clean design won plenty of admirers too.

Key specs Materials: Polyester with polyurethane membrane Lab waterproofing score: 4/5 Weight: 100g Packable pouch: No

Whatever the weather, this Nike jacket has you covered. Despite only claiming to be water repellent, it scored top marks in our waterproofing tests and can be packed down into a wearable bag if the sun decides to make a cameo appearance.

The Windrunner’s looser fit is brilliantly comfortable and gives you the option of layering up underneath in chilly conditions. The pockets are a tad too roomy to reliably store our wallet and phone while running, but the soft material and top waterproofing credentials more than make up for this.

Key specs Materials: Polyester, elastane Lab waterproofing score: 5/5 Weight: N/A Packable pouch: Yes

This jacket will suit runners and cyclists alike. The Flylite Aqua fabric is lightweight and waterproof, while velcro straps and toggles around the neck and wrists allow you to customise the fit — though the arms were a bit too baggy for our liking

Our testers found the Keela could stand up to the test of heavy rain and driving winds, and we were big fans of its adjustable elements and handy back pocket.

Key specs Materials: Flylite Aqua Fabric Lab waterproofing score: 5/5 Weight: 260g Packable pouch: No

Unlike race-day running jackets from the likes of Montane and Inov-8, this waterproof layer has a more casual fit and (much to the joy of some testers) plenty of pockets. This makes it great for everyday wear, with space to store your phone and keys as well as ample room to layer up underneath if the mercury plummets.

The looser fit wasn’t as well suited to faster runs, however, with the excess material rustling noisily and getting in the way when we pushed the pace. Despite this, our testers liked the reflective elements for helping them feel safe during recovery runs after dark, and praised the jacket’s ability to pack down into a small, portable bag.

Key specs Materials: Nylon Lab waterproofing score: 4/5 Weight: N/A Packable pouch: No