Waterproof Running Jacket (trail / ultra?) advice

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Oct 2020
8:11am, 25 Oct 2020
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Homer
Sadly... all really good options.

If you could get to Hathersage (Alpkit and Outside) Ambleside (every shop) then you could maybe try a lot of them on and see what fits you?
Oct 2020
7:16am, 26 Oct 2020
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Derby Tup
If Hathersage is like the lakes you might struggle. Many of the shops in both Keswick and Ambleside were thin on stock when we were there recently
Oct 2020
7:17am, 26 Oct 2020
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Homer
Wonder why...? The hangover from the summer rush? Lack of imports?
Oct 2020
7:21am, 26 Oct 2020
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Derby Tup
Hangover from spring / summer rush I think. The more specialist outfits were better placed than the bigger more general outdoor shops
Oct 2020
7:24am, 26 Oct 2020
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Derby Tup
I don’t know if you’ve fully picked up that the OMM fabric is knitted and as such really quite different to the other two? It’s as different in feel to sweatshirt fabric to denim or chinos. I’ve had one and it’s not like a traditional ‘hard shell’
Oct 2020
7:37am, 26 Oct 2020
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Homer
I've still never tried the Kamleika stuff but I know a lot of people love it
Oct 2020
7:46am, 26 Oct 2020
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Derby Tup
I bought one of the plain black first generation ones back around maybe 2009 and wore it for my Bob Graham in 2011. They are as I said before markedly different to conventional waterproofs based on woven fabric. The fabric is inherently warmer, with vastly improved movement. I wore mine as a warm outer layer in winter even when it wasn’t raining
Oct 2020
1:57pm, 26 Oct 2020
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Kieren
Covid meant lots of factories closed, so many clothing suppliers did / could not order sufficient stock. I lost some weight in lockdown so have become aware of that trying to buy trousers that fit.

As for the jacket, the stretch fabric was appealing over a hardshell but the main draw for me were a few features on the jacket to allow me to dump heat when active but also be a bit thicker than the ultra light jackets to help keep me warm when not running (like waiting on a train platform).

Hopefully it fits when it arrives & I'll give my first impressions. I'll have to wait for a downpour before I can test it though. I'm pretty sure that will mean it's not going to rain when I'm scheduled to run.
Nov 2020
1:53pm, 14 Nov 2020
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Kieren
It took about 3 weeks to arrive but the OMM jacket is finally here. OMM cancelled their race just before my order due to covid restrictions and they said a lot of runners chose to use store credit instead which put some strain on delivery.

It came in an A4 envelope, so packs a bit smaller than expected. There is a paint print on the inside to indicate it's a 2.5 layer fabric as most in this class seem to be.

The small fits me perfectly, with a size 38 inch chest. I'm short (170cm) but the arms have some length, so should suit taller runners. I don't have huge biceps by any means but often find size small too tight on the arms but there is room on this jacket without being too flappy.

I just need it to rain now to test it out. Hopefully tomorrow morning on the long run.

My main compromises were:

3-layer to 2.5

packability in favour of venting to dump heat

Things that swayed me were stretch in the fabric, rather than a stiff hardshell membrane &

37.5 added to fabric which (remains to be seen) should help cooling - I'm slightly sceptical on this but we'll see.

I changed my mind on chasing an outright breathability (RET / MVTR) figures where goretex rates highest. I figured the differences between these types of jackets doesn't really matter too much - in order to "breath" all of then need you to be damp inside, so that the micro climate inside the jacket is more humid than outside. All the main brands are battle tested in the field on ultra races in tough conditions.

In the UK, it's quite humid all the time, so breathability is important at rest to me but on the move it made me think being able to vent to dump heat is perhaps more worthwhile and jackets that can do that can't be ultra packable. For my use that doesn't really matter but it might for runners trying to squeeze a lot of kit in a pack for racing. That meant I could also consider heavier jackets for hiking which have more vents. Ultimately though, I thought the OMM jacket seemed to have the best balance, especially at reduced price from £190 to £130
Nov 2020
3:06pm, 14 Nov 2020
13,816 posts
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Homer
Let us know how you get one with it please

About This Thread

Maintained by Kieren
Normally when running in the rain, I just get wet and am fine with that when finishing at home / so...

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