Best Waterproof Running Jackets for 2026: Tested in British Weather
Living in the UK means accepting that a significant percentage of your runs will happen in the rain. You can either skip those runs or invest in a jacket that keeps the worst of it out while letting you move and breathe. After testing jackets across two winters of northern English weather, here are the ones that earned a permanent place in my kit bag.
What Waterproof Actually Means for Running Jackets
There is a critical difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Water-resistant jackets handle light drizzle for 20 to 30 minutes. Waterproof jackets, rated at 10,000mm or higher hydrostatic head, handle sustained rain. For running in the UK, you want waterproof. But waterproofing creates a problem: the more waterproof a fabric is, the less breathable it tends to be. Running generates serious heat, and a jacket that keeps rain out but traps sweat in leaves you just as wet. The best running jackets balance both.
The Jackets That Actually Work
Gore Wear R7 GTX Shakedry — Best Performance
This is the gold standard for waterproof running jackets. The Shakedry membrane is bonded directly to the outer face fabric, so water literally beads off the surface rather than soaking in. It is the most breathable waterproof jacket I have tested — even at tempo pace, I do not overheat. It weighs just 150g and packs into its own pocket. The downside is the price (around £200) and durability — the membrane can degrade if stuffed carelessly into a bag. Treat it well and it is extraordinary.
Inov-8 Stormshell — Best for Fell Running
Designed specifically for UK mountain running, the Stormshell is fully waterproof, weighs around 200g, and is tough enough for brambles and rough terrain. The fit is athletic rather than boxy, and the hood works well with a cap underneath. It meets fell race kit requirements (important if you are entering UK mountain races where a waterproof is mandatory). Not the most breathable option, but when the weather turns nasty on an exposed ridge, this is the jacket you want.
On Weather Jacket — Best Looking
On makes a jacket that looks good enough to wear to a cafe after your run. The design is clean and tailored, the fabric handles light to moderate rain, and the stretch allows full range of motion. It sits in the water-resistant rather than fully waterproof category, so it is not the choice for heavy downpours. But for autumn drizzle and cool morning runs, it combines function with a style that most running jackets completely ignore.
Decathlon Kalenji Run Rain — Best Budget
At around £30, this jacket is waterproof, lightweight, and perfectly adequate for most training runs in rain. The breathability is limited compared to premium options, so you will get clammy on harder efforts, but for easy runs and as a just-in-case layer in your pack, the value is hard to argue with. I keep one as a backup in my car for unexpected weather changes.
What to Look For
- Hydrostatic head: 10,000mm minimum for UK running. 20,000mm+ for mountain running in sustained rain.
- Breathability: Measured in MVTR (moisture vapour transmission rate). Higher is better. Look for at least 10,000g/m2/24h.
- Weight: Under 200g is ideal for carrying when the forecast is uncertain. Over 300g and it starts to feel cumbersome.
- Fit: Running jackets should be close-fitting without restricting arm movement. A boxy fit flaps in the wind and creates drag.
- Hood: Should fit over a cap and stay put in wind without blocking peripheral vision.
- Packability: If you carry it in a belt or vest, it needs to compress small.
A good waterproof jacket means you never have to skip a run because of weather. In the UK, that alone makes it one of the most worthwhile kit investments you can make.
