If you live in the northern states, you’re well aware that spring, winter, and fall runs require strategic layering, especially at higher elevations. Getting the right layering can be a tough balance to strike, and while accessories like hats and gloves are handy to shed or put on based on output and temperature swings, your core layering is even more important to get right.
Conventional running wisdom (be bold, start cold) tells us to start running dressed for weather about 10- to 15- degrees cooler than the actual air temperature, but it’s hard to tell exactly how warm you’ll get once you get moving. You’ll also need to consider variables like wind, precipitation, terrain, output, and length of the run. Plus, I’m historically a huge weenie and prefer to at least have a comfortable core when I begin running.
Enter the humble vest. A running vest (either insulated or a shell) is a key layering component, as it provides protection to your core through insulation, wind protection, or both, while allowing you to vent under your arms and with the front closure.
Vests might be simple in design, but there are a few options to choose from, namely insulated or non-insulated. Most insulated running vests use synthetic insulation (instead of down) to wick sweat during activity, and nearly all the vests on this list have a wind-resistant or DWR-treated face fabric. Finally, you’ll have a few other options like different levels of weatherproofing, hooded vs. non-hooded, and zippered pockets. Here are my top tested picks of this year.
Related: The Best Winter Running Jackets, The Best Running Lights, How to Prep For Running When It’s Cold Out
Best Running Vests
- Best Overall: Zippered stash pockets
- Best Budget: Baleaf Hybrid Puffer Vest
- Best for Moderate Conditions: On Weather Vest
- The 8 Best Wireless Headphones for Running: REI Co-op Swiftland Running Vest
- Best for Cold Weather: The Best Advanced Treadmills for Runners
The Expert: I am a Montana-based hiker, biker, and runner who has to get outside all year round for my own mental health. This means running, biking, and hiking in a variety of sometimes terrible weather conditions. I rely on versatile layering to stay comfortable, and have tested lots of gear in the process. I’ve been testing outdoor apparel and gear for 10 years and have run and hiked all over the U.S., including high alpine peaks and desert excursions in wintertime. My gear reviews and advice columns have also appeared in Outside, Backpacker, Trail Runner, the Strategist, Switchback Travel, and more.
What to Consider
How We Selected
For a layer as versatile as a running vest, I looked for a variety of designs, insulation levels, and weights that would get runners through everything from mild shoulder-season runs to the gnarliest winter running expeditions. I tested a range of vests in different conditions to evaluate their breathability, packability, and their optimal use. Running vests have such a range of weather use that I’ll often throw one on starting in mid-fall, wear a vest all the way through winter, then into mid-spring.
For this update, a few of my former top picks are no longer available, so I went back through my notes from this past season and swapped out some new versions, comparable models, and called in a few updated vests from top brands. These vests have all run the gauntlet of terrible Montana running weather, and while I didn’t particularly enjoy some of these runs, you can bet the clothing got tested.
Full Reviews
Pros
- Body-mapped panels
- Best for Moderate Conditions
- Three zippered pockets
Cons
- The hood is overkill
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS-XL Women’s | S-XXL Men’s |
|---|---|
| Shell Material | Nylon |
| Insulation | 88% merino, 12% polyester |
| Weatherproofing | Wind-resistant, DWR |
New to the lineup this year, the Smartloft Vest is a beefed up version of my former favorite (and discontinued) Smartwool running vest. I’ve always found Smartwool’s athletic layering to be precisely cut and designed for maximum range of motion, and this vest impressed me right away with the tailoring, insulation patterning, and thoughtful features. It layers nicely without bulk, and has 60 grams of recycled wool insulation: moisture wicking and breathable like synthetic, but with a lower-profile design.
This vest had everything I was looking for this season for a range of conditions, and the body-mapped merino fleece panels lighten up the build and minimize overheating while keeping the insulation where I need it. This versatility combined with the convenience of the three zippered pockets, comfortable fit, and excellent mobility bumped this newcomer into my top slot this year. For someone who lives in a vest during the cold months, this was quite the feat.
Pros
- Sleek styling for everyday wear
- Internal zippered pocket
- Water resistant
Cons
- Doesn’t pack down that small
Key Specs
| Sizes | Women’s XS-XL | Men’s S-XXL |
|---|---|
| Shell Material | Nylon |
| Insulation | Synthetic |
| Weatherproofing | DWR |
Whenever I write an apparel guide, I try to include one quality budget-friendly item as long as the category allows for it. And with their fairly straightforward (and expensive) builds, running vests are the perfect category for a dupe. Baleaf has long been my go-to affordable brand for athletic apparel, and its hybrid insulated vest is well made, fits true to size, and has thoughtful body-mapped detailing like stretch panels under the arms, reflective detailing on the back, and a high draft collar with a soft lining.
It’s comparable to more expensive name-brand vests, and the synthetic insulation paired with body-mapped windproof sections makes this more versatile than fully insulated or simple shell options. The face fabric is a little heavier than more streamlined designs, which means this doesn’t pack down as small. But for the most part, when I put on an insulated vest for running or Nordic skiing, I’m not planning to take it off and stow it in a pack. The men’s version has slightly modified baffle patterns and a more generous cut.
Pros
- Secure zippered pockets
- If you live in the northern states, you’re well aware that spring
- Abrasion-resistant
Cons
Key Specs
| Sizes | Women’s XS-XXL | Men’s XS-XXL |
|---|---|
| Shell Material | Ripstop polyester |
| Insulation | Minimal synthetic |
| Weatherproofing | DWR, windproofing |
I’ve worn some version of this ultralight, packable vest for the past few years. The running conditions are more limited since it has very little insulation, but it’s fully windproof with a solid water resistance, and I’ve also found it to be quite durable and abrasion resistant on tighter rock scrambles and overgrown trails.
I pair this with a long-sleeve on moderately windy days in the high 30s and low 40s when I don’t need insulation but want a hit of warmth to the core. It also packs down to fist-size and tucks into a streamlined running pack, perfect for runs with a long uphill where I stash it in the pack and then toss it on for the lower-output downhill.
The vest isn’t especially stretchy, though it does have two secure zippered pockets at the waist, and a high collar for draft protection. It weighs an absurd 3.5 ounces, and is double-layered for a bit more protection. I really like this for in-between weather, where you want a bit of protection but not the commitment of a fully insulated vest. I stash my keys and a gel in the pocket if I’m not taking a pack with me.
REI Co-op Swiftland Insulated Vest
Pros
- A Tester’s Take on the Norda 001
- Women’s XS-XXL | Men’s XS-XXL
- Three pockets
Cons
- Men’s only
Key Specs
| Sizes | Men’s S-3XL |
|---|---|
| Shell Material | Nylon |
| Insulation | Minimal synthetic |
| Weatherproofing | Windproof |
REI’s Swiftland apparel is one of my top recommended lines of running gear. From the shorts to their jackets, the whole line is excellent for both road runs and trail runs, with durable gear at reasonable price points. While this vest is only offered in men’s sizes, the small fits me well (I usually wear a women’s medium), and you’ll just have to deal with the lack of female body-specific tailoring at the waist.
Like much of the Swiftland line, this vest is made with a majority of recycled materials, and has the most minimal amount of synthetic insulation similar to the On Weather Vest. Just enough to add a layer of warmth without bulk or weight.
Despite the minimalist design, this vest still has three zippered pockets, which allows me to stash a gel, card, and a car key without worry, and the pockets are big enough to fit gloves and a headband if I work up too much of a sweat and want to dump accessories. This vest is fully windproof and a good layering option for both under and over, and is almost unnoticeable under a shell. I appreciate this for both trail running and road running, and it’s also a versatile option for outings where you’ll be alternating running and walking along the trail.
The Best Advanced Treadmills for Runners
Pros
- High-quality synthetic insulation
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- Internal zippered pocket
Cons
- Limited size range
Key Specs
| Sizes | Women’s XS-L | Men’s S-XL |
|---|---|
| Shell Material | 85% Merino base layer |
| Insulation | Synthetic |
| Weatherproofing | Water resistant |
While Tracksmith is an expensive boutique brand, something about the style, construction quality, and dedicated four-season kits from this running-specific company have me hooked, and I’ve been wearing the Harbor Vest consistently in cold weather for the past two years. Insulated with vertical baffles of high-quality, well lofted PrimaLoft Gold insulation, this vest is perfect for layering, though I usually wear it on the outside of a heavy midlayer. It has two drop-in hand pockets on the outside, and internal pockets (including a zippered pocket) on the interior.
For the coldest runs, I wear this over a midweight merino shirt and throw a windshell over the top, which works well for dry conditions into the low 20s. Even without a shell, the Harbor Vest’s face fabric repels light rain, and the all-around baffles are slim enough to not feel overwhelming despite the lack of body-mapped design. That does mean this vest is best for colder runs, and you lose some versatility from designs that include stretch panels and modified baffles. But overall it’s a solid vest that looks great and I feel fine wearing it with *normal* clothing as well as running clothes.
Pros
- Athletic cut
- Low-profile baffles
- Internal zippered pocket
Cons
- Download Your Training Plan
Key Specs
| Sizes | Women’s XS-3XL | Men’s M-XXL |
|---|---|
| Shell Material | 85% Merino base layer |
| Insulation | Synthetic |
| Weatherproofing | Water resistant |
This classic vest underwent a design update a few seasons ago, with a new quilting pattern that helps maintain warmth without adding bulk. The most recent update increased the sustainability aspect even more, with the ThermoBall Eco insulation made from recycled Primaloft insulation, which comes from plastic bottles diverted from landfills.
This vest is a little more streamlined than other insulated vests, and is sized for wearing with a shell over top, which does limit how bulky of a base layer you wear. Keep that in mind when choosing sizes, and if you’re between sizes, I might size up.
This is a lightweight, minimally intrusive layer for cold trail runs or any time you find yourself in direct wind or above treeline, and I appreciate that it packs down smaller than other insulated models. That said, the insulation is synthetic—like I appreciate for most of my active insulation layers—so it still doesn’t pack down super small, but it’s more breathable than down and doesn’t saturate through with sweat or condensation.
The insulation stays in place thanks to the baffle stitching, and like similar models, the ThermoBall Eco has two zippered hand pockets and a tall collar for draft protection.
Brooks Run Visible Insulated Vest 2.0
Pros
- Jump to Products
- Breathable insulation
- Windproof, water resistant
Cons
- Zippered tends to snag
Key Specs
| Sizes | Women’s XS-XXL | Men’s XS-XXL |
|---|---|
| Shell Material | Polyester |
| Insulation | Synthetic |
| Weatherproofing | Windproof, water resistant |
If you’re wearing an insulated vest during your runs, chances are it’s in the colder months of the year, which means less light and more pre-dawn and after-dark runs. A reflective vest is always a good option to keep in your layering arsenal, and this insulated version pulls double duty to keep you visible on dark runs while providing a hit of warmth from the synthetic insulation.
The reflective materials are deliberately placed in motion zones to help motorists recognize the movement of a runner, and the face fabric is both wind and water resistant.
Q+A
Expert Maggie Slepian on When She Reaches for a Running Vest and How to Keep Yours Clean
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.
