This jacket doesn’t simply glow, it actually shreds the darkness. It’s also comfortable and well fitted, if a little less breathable and slightly heavier than its Ron Hill rival. But it’s highly recommended if your runs take you around busy city streets during twilight hours.

Stockists: 01903 817009

Let’s get one thing straight – this jacket is not going to help you train for the marathon. It’s warm to the point where you will probably melt if the temperature outside rises above freezing, and if it rains you may as well be wearing a fleece. So, good for the bleak mindwinter, otherwise… not good.

Stockists: 0800 305050

The Asics is so snug that the initial concern is whether it’s going to be possible to move, but its shape turns out to be an advantage. It’s the most fitted jacket on test, which means there’s nothing to flap about, ride up or stick out. It’s warm, too, if perhaps not the most breathable of fabrics.

Stockists: 01925 243360

This jacket does the lot. It’s comfortable and light yet warm and dry – and it even made MF run faster. There’s no irritating collar flapping about (the neck is perfectly shaped to allow for ventilation) but it does have reflective strips and pockets inside and out for essential items, all for a great price.

Stockists: 0161 366 5020

It’s a little baggy round the stomach (the jacket, not the MF tester), which means it has a tendency to ride up, and the collar flaps about irritatingly, but it’s bre athable and the thumb straps hold the sleeves over your wrists in a satisfying ‘thumbs in your braces’ sort of way.


Stockists: 0800 389 4350

It stops the wind, certainly – the wind gave up and went elsewhere, in fact – but that’s not what this jacket is really about. It’s actually a matter of style, because it looks great and may even make you feel superior to other runners in their tatty old jackets. This, we presume, explains the price.

Stockists: 01924 425555

We had a little trouble running in this – children screamed and there was nearly a car crash. But to be fair, Nike ACG points out this jacket is better suited to adventure racers than pavement pounders. Big pluses: it folds into its own chest pocket, it has a hood and it comes in other colours.

Stockists: 0800 056 1640