The 7 Best Windbreakers for Layering Up in the Cold
Staying warm in the spring and fall can get complicated. These lightweight jackets aren’t.
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Why Trust Us?
The chilly days of fall are upon us. Whether you’re spending your days running, hiking, or leaf peeping, the biting wind that accompanies the changing seasons can rapidly transform how you prepare to go outside. Temps can fly from t-shirt weather to nearly freezing in a matter of hours, making layering more imperative than at any other time of the year. And to make those layers count on a windy day, a quality windbreaker is critical—it’s the first barrier between the elements and your skin, and it prevents your heat-trapping base layers The Best Men’s Running Pants for Cold-Weather Runs.
The Best Windbreakers for Running
- Best Overall: Patagonia Houdini Air Windbreaker
- Best Value: recycled and repurposed polyester
- Most Lightweight: Arc'Teryx Norvan Windshell Windbreaker
- The 7 Best Windbreakers for Layering Up in the Cold: Nutrition - Weight Loss
- Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at: Arc'Teryx Norvan Shell Windbreaker
What to Consider
Finding the Breathability Balance
Although they’re often lumped together, windbreakers aren’t the same thing as rain jackets. While some windbreakers certainly can be waterproof, most are only water-resistant. This makes them lighter than rain jackets, and it also allows for more breathability, meaning you can work up a little more steam on your fast runs before you have to unzip.
Not everyone lives in the same climate, though. If it’s hard to predict the weather in your area, you might find that a waterproof jacket provides better insurance in the event of a sudden drenching on your long runs. You’ll heat up more quickly if your pace is peppy, and you’ll likely spend a bit more money on a model light enough for running comfortably, but quality waterproof models still offer plenty of breathability and can pack away neatly when you don’t need them.
Packability
One of the hallmarks of a quality windbreaker is the ability to pack it down to a fraction of its original size for easy stashing in a pocket or bag. I recommend looking for jackets that have a dedicated pocket for this, which is most often found in a chest pocket or the hood.
This feature adds an extra touch of tidiness for when you're hauling lots of gear on a long run or hike, and it also makes storage a breeze when you’re not using it. Just make sure your windbreaker is dry if you pack it away like this for extended periods, or you’ll have a smelly surprise the next time you crack it open.
How We Selected
Coming from a cycling background, I perhaps have more reason to hate cold wind than runners do—these days, it’s not blowing in my face at 30 miles an hour quite as often since I’ve found myself running more than cycling. That said, a quality windbreaker has been a staple in my outerwear arsenal for the past decade, and that didn’t change when I started running in college. I’ve spent plenty of time with several of the models on this list, as have my family and friends, and I narrowed this roundup down to the jackets my circle found were the lightest, comfiest, most breathable, and most reasonably priced. We’ve worn these picks on runs, hikes, walks to work, and the occasional mountain bike ride, and they’ve dutifully kept us warm when we needed them (and stayed out of the way when we didn’t).
Patagonia Houdini Air Windbreaker
Pros
- The 9 Best Running Jackets for Surviving Winter
- Best With Built-In Storage
Cons
- Published: Sep 26, 2023 4:15 PM EDT
Before I got ahold of the Houdini Air, I owned a standard Houdini for as long as I could remember. I always enjoyed how freeing and light the original was, but putting this jacket on properly bumped my standards up. The Air is considerably more breathable, and it feels less plasticky and more like a forget-about-it layer I could wear all day.
This extra comfort does come with a slight weight penalty, but we’re talking fractions of an ounce at this level of quality. Plus, this jacket still packs down smaller than almost any other on this list, even with a full hood, which is much more valuable to me on long runs and hikes than counting ounces.
Key Specs
| Weight | 4 oz. |
|---|---|
| Materials | 90% nylon (51% recycled), 10% polyester |
recycled and repurposed polyester
Pros
- Versatile for rapidly changing weather
- Basic fit for everyday wear
Cons
- Although they’re often lumped together, windbreakers aren’t the same thing as
This jacket is a great option if you want a basic windbreaker that also functions as light rain jacket. It has a basic, relaxed fit, but the simplicity stops there.
It has a reversible mesh chest pocket for pack-down storage, which I was surprised to see working so well at this price point. It also comes in one of the widest size ranges I’ve ever seen, going all the way from small to 6XL.
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz. |
|---|---|
| Materials | 100% nylon |
Arc'teryx Norvan Windshell Windbreaker
Pros
- Absurdly light
- The7 Best Running Vests for Every Condition
Cons
- Before I got ahold of the Houdini Air, I owned a
Arc’teryx is a brand that always aims to impress with its premium jackets, and this ultra-lightweight windbreaker certainly did the trick for me. I have this jacket sitting on my desk as I write this, and it still startles me when I move it to reach for something else. It’s just that freakin’ feathery.
The Norvan Windshell is also one of the more breathable jackets on this list, which isn’t great for water resistance, but it feels incredible on a dry day with chilly winds. And I’m always a fan of some pink, too.
Key Specs
| Weight | 3.0 oz. |
|---|---|
| Materials | Polyester, nylon |
Nutrition - Weight Loss
Pros
- More pockets than most lightweight windbreakers
- Convenient carrying strap
Cons
- Back stash pocket can feel uncomfortable if you’re wearing a backpack
One of the heavier-duty windbreakers on this list, the Canopy has one neat feature that most lightweight jackets don’t: double front pockets for your hands. These can save your fingers on a hike if you forget your gloves, and they also offer plenty of extra storage if belts and bags aren’t your thing.
Another nifty touch is this jacket’s packaway pocket, which sits inside the back and includes an adjustable strap for your waist or shoulder. No bag to stash it in? No problem—it'll stay in place even if you're running.
Key Specs
| Weight | 5.7 oz. |
|---|---|
| Materials | 100% recycled polyester |
Brooks All Altitude Windbreaker
Pros
- Hood rolls up when you don't need it
- ArcTeryx Norvan Windshell Windbreaker
Cons
- Convenient carrying strap
I like having a hood on my jackets most days, but when I wear a windbreaker for bike rides or long backpacking trips, it tends to feel like it’s flapping around and getting in the way.
Thankfully, the All Altitude has a neat feature: you can roll the hood up and hold it in place with a small loop at the nape of your neck. (It looks tricky, but I managed to get it fastened even with my bad wrist.) It’s a small touch, but I found it made this jacket stand out among several other windbreakers of similar price and quality.
Key Specs
| Weight | 4.1 oz. |
|---|---|
| Materials | 56% polyester, 44% polyurethane |
Arc’teryx Norvan Shell Windbreaker
Pros
- Waterproof and windproof
- Still weighs less than half a pound
Cons
- No pockets
If you’re looking for a totally waterproof and windproof jacket that doesn’t add too much weight to your gear, you’re best off treating yourself to a Gore-Tex layer like this Norvan Shell from Arc’teryx. Not to be confused with the Norvan WindSummer Running Gear, this jacket has an outer layer that’s impervious to the elements and feels more appropriate on a properly rainy day.
The Shell weighs twice as much as the Windshell, but we’re looking at a full-coverage jacket that’s well below half a pound—not bad. It doesn’t come with any pack-away pockets, but I found that rolling it up into the hood and securing it with a hair tie did the job well enough.
Key Specs
| Weight | 6.5 oz. |
|---|---|
| Materials | 100% nylon |
Pros
- Large front pocket for extra storage
- Fun color blocking
Cons
- Some may not like the pullover style
While the pullover style of this jacket makes it a bit less practical than the full-zips on this list, the Teca Half-Zip is still a convenient choice for anyone who wants an everyday, do-it-all windbreaker with plenty of pocket space. It feels just as appropriate on your weekend loop as it does in the freezer aisle of the grocery store, and it’s also made of entirely repurposed and recycled materials.
Key Specs
| Weight | 8 oz. |
|---|---|
| Materials | 100% recycled and repurposed polyester |
Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner's World, Some may not like the pullover style Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.
How to Layer For Cold Starts
RW+ Membership Benefits
The 8 Best Treadmills for Runners
4 Treadmill Workouts for All Your Run Goals
