Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. As winter turns into spring, it’s a great time to consider a multi-purpose lightweight jacket. Packable jackets are a valuable piece of gear when dealing with dramatic variability in spring weather conditions, and will get extended use into summer and fall if venturing into mountain environments. We tested a number of options that provide varying degrees of weather protection, all of which stow nicely into a pack when not in use.
Patagonia Houdini
Patagonia Houdini ($109)
Weight*: 105g (3.7oz)
The original lightweight-packable jacket has justifiably been the gold standard for virtually all other companies to try and match. It has undergone a steady evolution over the years, most of the iterations focused on sustainable material innovation while maintaining the minimalist functionality and performance aspects that made the model so famous. Current versions of the Houdini are made from a featherweight 100% recycled nylon ripstop fabric with a non-PFAS durable water repellent (DWR) finish that sheds light moisture well, but easily gets saturated in a steady downpour. A hallmark of Houdini jackets is their amazing insulation to weight ratio, and we are comfortable wearing this above a t-shirt during temps into the mid-30s. Insulation is enhanced with a drop tail hemline and drawcord to retain body heat, and an adjustable hood that cinches easily to keep your ears warm while staying out of your peripheral vision. The slim fit torso has a sleek profile under a hydration vest and is easy to layer under a waterproof shell. This is our go-to layering system for extreme mountain conditions, rather than relying on a single heavy jacket. Houdini jackets have the lowest packed size of this test group, zipping into its own chest pocket that is about the size of a soda can, with a carabiner loop. There’s wide latitude to customize your color profile here, with nine solid color options to choose from. Material construction is Bluesign certified, and the Houdini is a Fair Trade Certified garment. Available at www.patagonia.com.
rabbit Swish 2.0
Rabbit Swish 2.0 ($112)
Weight: 181g (6.4oz)
Chock full of eco-friendly technology, the Swish 2.0 is our favorite option for days of scattered showers and variable temperatures, as it combines strong weather resistance with effective breathability. We have also worn it comfortably on dry mornings when temps are in the low 30s. A key material innovation here is the use of 100% recycled polyester with AIRMEM technology, which utilizes coffee oil extracted from recycled coffee grounds. The resulting membrane layer has a water resistance rating of 10K (moderate to heavy rain) and also has millions of micropores to let sweat moisture pass from the body to the exterior surface. The size of the pores enables simultaneous air exchange with a waterproof exterior and for good measure, a Carbon Zero DWR treatment on the exterior enhances the exterior resistance. This jacket has the most comfortable internal surface in our test group, with a plush feel and a high stretch component for easy range of motion. A scuba-style hood rests just right on the lower end—high enough to shield your chin, but not too high to be obstructive when opened. Two hand zip pockets provide convenient storage options, along with a large chest pocket that doubles as the storage container when the jacket is compressed into a softball-sized shape for storage. In addition to this jacket, Swish 2.0 also comes in vest and pullover styles, in solid colors for both genders plus a cool wildflower pattern for women; all are available at www.runinrabbit.com.
Path Projects Graves PX Shell
Path Projects Graves PX Shell ($104)
Weight: 272g (9.6oz)
This is our jacket of choice for long training runs that start in sub-freezing darkness and end with temps in the 60s, as its thermoregulatory range includes insulating well in the cold, and breathing very effectively when it’s warm. The Graves PX also has a cool minimalist style and relaxed fit that make it equally suitable for wearing over a flannel shirt on the town or a dress shirt for rainy days at the office. These jackets use the same Bluesign certified Toray Primeflex polyester fabric used in the company’s Graves PX running shorts, with laser cut ventilation holes below the armpits. The fabric has the highest stretch of the group, and a very smooth feel against the skin. The material provides wind and water resistance with a DWR coating, shedding light moisture for a short period of time. During our testing, it held off water perfusion for 20–30 minutes in a steady downpour. It also dries very quickly on days when showers are intermittent, and transfers sweat moisture very quickly from the interior surface. The fit of this jacket is somewhat roomy in both the torso and the hood, and there’s a drawcord cinch mechanism at the waist. We found the hood stayed in place well thanks to an elasticized hem. Pockets on this jacket are generous and thoughtful, including an interior sub-pocket inside the right pocket for valuables. The entire jacket compresses into the left chest pocket for storage with a comparable softball-size pack size. Available at www.pathprojects.com.
Salomon Bonatti Trail Jacket
Salomon Bonatti Trail Jacket ($230)
Weight: 195g (6.8oz)
Another innovative fabric is featured in this sleek jacket specifically designed for high intensity pursuits in challenging conditions. The key technology is Pertex Shield 2.5, which combines a tightly woven face fabric with a hydrophobic microporous interior membrane that provides protection against rain and snow while allowing moisture to escape and maintaining breathability. The resulting fabric has mild stretch capacity for flexibility, but more impressively, it remains lightweight, soft and highly packable, as the entire jacket compresses down into its chest pocket for easy storage. Bonatti Trail jackets have a waterproof rating of 20K/20K: the first number indicates it is resistant to heavy rain, and the second number indicates high breathability for thermoregulation. We tested the Bonatti during rainy trail runs in the Pacific Northwest and appreciated the breathability combined with the superior moisture repellant fabric, as there was little-to-no moisture buildup on the interior. The jacket has a number of trail-specific design elements such as seamless shoulders for full range of motion, a vent button on the front that allows you to maximize airflow without the jacket flapping and a gusseted back panel that expands easily over a loaded hydration vest. A dropped back hem provides additional coverage with a drawcord waist to secure the torso in place. There are no hand pockets on the torso, which keeps the slim fit sleek but limits the overall storage capacity. The skin fit hood is particularly clever, with elasticized bands that hold it in place at the neck and forehead, but with a minimalist overall profile that stays in place without a drawcord. Bonatti Trail Jackets are available in five color options for both men and women at www.salomon.com.
Janji Zephyrunner Wind Shell
Janji Zephyrunner Wind Shell ($138)
Weight: 134g (4.4oz)
This is the closest comparable jacket to Patagonia’s Houdini we have tested over the years, and the Zephyrunner matches and even exceeds that standard in some elements of construction and performance. It provides similar insulating capacity for temps into the low 30s, with a CFM rating of 16 (on a zero to 100 scale with lower numbers being more resistant; Patagonia doesn’t list a CFM spec for the Houdini), and combines this with open vents on the back panel to maximize air flow and ventilation when the sun comes out. Fabric construction consists of ultrathin 100% nylon plus a Carbon Zero DWR treatment to repel light water, and the material has a silky feel that glides smoothly over the skin. Bungee cords at the hem and hood keep the fit secure in windy conditions. The hood has a sleek fit on the top side, and the bottom of the opening is below chin level, which limits you from tucking your chin into the hood for warmth, but on the plus side, the flaps of the hood don’t graze against the neck when they are unzipped. A slim fit through the torso is similar to the Houdini jacket for easy layering, but one advantage here is the presence of dual zippered hand pockets for storage in addition to the chest pocket that converts into a stuff sack. The addition of zippered pockets only adds a few grams to the overall weight—we’d say it’s worth it—and doesn’t compromise the packability, as the Zephyrunner compresses down to soda can size. Janji frequently creates eye-catching colors and patterns and this is true here as well, with artistic options in addition to solid colors available at www.janji.com.
Craft ADV Essence Wind Jacket
Craft ADV Essence Wind Jacket ($120)
Weight: 115g (4.0oz)
This is one of two jackets in our review that doesn’t have a hood, in favor of a mock turtleneck height zipper that lands just below chin level. Without a hood, our comfort zone with this jacket is a slightly warmer range than the other lightweight options here; our comfortable low point is in the low 40s instead of mid 30s. The lightweight, woven polyester fabric consists of 60% post-consumer material, with mild water protection for drizzly days, and good wind resistance on the torso (no CFM rating). Extended ventilation zones start at the lateral chest and under the shoulder, and run down the entire length of the arm for enhanced breathability. Fit through the torso is semi-relaxed, although Craft is known for its “long and lean” sizing, so if you’re in between sizes, going up is recommended for maintaining range of motion. An adjustable drawstring at the hem keeps the fit secure, and the torso doesn’t have a drop tail, but its overall length lands in our mid-gluteal area as a drop-tail design would. We appreciate the stretch elastic fabric at each wrist hem that expands easily to read a watch or when removing the jacket, but holds its position well otherwise. Dual zippered pockets provide external storage, and they are fully attached to the hemline, so they serve a dual purpose as stash pockets on the interior side. Curiously, there isn’t a designated stash pocket for this jacket, but it’s easy to scrunch into one of the zippered pockets turned inside out and tuck it into a pack. The ADV Essence Wind Jacket is available in solid color and patterned options at www.craftsports.us.
GOREWEAR Concurve Windbreaker
GOREWEAR Concurve Windbreaker ($100)
Weight: 142g (5.0oz)
Gorewear’s Concurve Windbreaker is the latest addition to their running lineup with a light, low air permeable fabric that protects against wind while maintaining breathability. We tested this jacket during spring showers, high winds and cooler temps and found that the interior was soft, while keeping the chilly air at bay. The 3D fabric structure provides next-to-skin comfort that won’t stick while layered over a light shirt, which we found worked well during the transition from winter to spring. This particular model is intended for three-season comfort and protection against wind and while it’s not designed to be fully waterproof, it protected our testers extremely well against light rain and snow due to the durable water repellant (DWR) treatment. The semi-relaxed fit offered a comfortable layer over a long-sleeve t-shirt that wasn’t too snug, along with a relaxed hem that can be adjusted with a drawcord. The lined collar protects the neck against colder conditions, along with the elastic around the cuffs. Roomy zipped pockets are included on both sides to keep hands warm or store loose items. This jacket also packs away to pocket-size for easy storage in a pack when not in use. Available in solid color options in both men’s and women’s at gorewear.com.
*Weights are for men’s size medium unless otherwise specified.