THE BEST SEAM SEALED JACKETS FOR TRAIL RUNNING

What’s the best seam-sealed running jacket for trail running?

That’s a question that regularly pops up in running groups on Facebook.

People will then vouch for the trail running jacket they use…but finding side-by-side comparisons so you can get an idea of what the different jackets offer isn’t easy.

This is what this post will address this.

I’ll provide a description and the vitals of five of the seam-sealed jackets I see mentioned (I have one of them).

If you only want the vitals, you can check out this spreadsheet here with all the details.

The jackets we’ll be covering in this post are (from left to right) the Marmot PreCip, Macpac Tempo, Montane Minimus, Montane Minimus Stretch, and Inov-8 Stormshell.

Personally, I have the Macpac Tempo so for this you’ll get some of my own personal opinions. For the other jackets, I’ll summarise the jacket’s features and specs.

5 OF THE TOP SEAM SEALED RAIN JACKETS FOR TRAIL RUNNERS

1. MARMOT PRECIP

The Marmot PreCip rain jackets have been a mainstay for Marmot with this their best selling jacket having gone through continuous innovation since it hit the market over 20 years ago. And yes, it’s 100% seam taped/sealed.

The Marmot PreCip is made of PFC-free Marmot NanoPro™ recycled nylon, meaning the jacket is more environmentally friendly than ever.

This doesn’t mean any compromises though, with its durability thanks to the microporous coating. Add in the dry-touch finish and the jacket is going to last a long time whether you use it on the trails or as a day-to-day jacket.

The functional features include a stowable hood, and heat-releasing PitZips, which combined with the jackets Angel-Wing Movement allows for lots of mobility.

I do like the DriClime™-lined chin guard which removes moisture so you don’t get chafing where it can be bothersome.

If you like hand pockets, there are two that zip up, one of which the jacket stuffs into. And the little features like velcro cuffs and elastic drawcord hems complete the jacket.

Having read a bunch of reviews about the Marmot PreCip (it helps they sell this jacket on Amazon), the most popular concerns about the jacket are:

• The hood is big so as soon as there’s a little wind people often find they have to hold the hood down as the elastic drawcords don’t work as well as intended.
• There’s no internal pocket.
• Marmot has changed the fit of the jacket from previous versions. So it might be best to try this on in person before committing to it.
• A few people mentioned that they find it’s really crinkly and noisy.

JACKET SPECS

Where to buy: Men’s, Women’s
Breathability rating: 17,000
Waterproof rating: 10,000
Weight: 290.9 grams
PitZips: Yes
Pockets? 2 hand pockets
Hood? Yes
Men’s? Yes
Women’s? Yes
Main Fabric: NanoPro™ Eco 100% Recycled Nylon Ripstop 2.4 oz/yd

MACPAC TEMPO

You can read my Macpac Tempo review here.

The Macpac Tempo is the brand’s most breathable seam sealed rain jacket, perfect for the most active of people.

The jacket is minimalist with only one chest pocket (plus the internal one it packs into) so they could keep the weight as low as possible.

The main material, Pertex® Shield Air fabric technology, helps maximise breathability while ensuring the jacket is still waterproof. As it’s designed for active people, the storm flap is on the inside of the zip, so you can undo the jacket to increase ventilation, but it’s not loose and flapping about.

The hood has a mouldable hood that works in tandem with the rear velcro adjustment to keep you covered.

Other functional features include reflective details on the back and lower sleeves for visibility at night, a roll-away hood, thumb loops, and a single-point hem adjustment.

There aren’t many reviews of the tempo around the web, but the main critique is of the collar which is stiff and when fully zipped up can be a bit annoying (I agree).

JACKET SPECS

Where to buy: Men’s, Women’s
Breathability: 40,000
Waterproof rating: 10,000
Weight: 220 grams
PitZips: No
Pockets? 1 chest pocket and 1 internal
Hood? Yes
Men’s? Yes
Women’s? Yes
Main Fabric: Pertex® Shield Air Nylon (12D)

MONTANE MINIMUS

The Montane Minimus jacket is designed for people moving fast in the mountains. So it makes sense Montane aims to find the best combination of performance, weight, and breathability for this seam-sealed trail running jacket.

The close-fitting jacket’s shape has been refined for a better fit, including tailored arms. It’ is made from ultralight PERTEX® SHIELD which combined with taped seams offers breathability and waterproofness while remaining light.

Functional features of this seam-sealed rain jacket include:

• fully adjustable helmet (with wired peak) that packs away
• internal storm flap
• Mesh lined, map-sized chest pocket
• Reflective detailing
• Adjustable cuffs and hem
• Nifty external Montane hang loop on the rear

And it does stuff away into its own chest pocket.

JACKET SPECS

Where to buy: Men’s, Women’s
Breathability: 20,000
Waterproof rating: 20,000
Weight: 190 grams
Pits: No
Pockets? Yes
Hood? Yes
Mens? Yes
Womens? Yes
Main Material: 20 Denier PERTEX® SHIELD with dry touch backer

MONTANE MINIMUS STRETCH ULTRA JACKET

You can probably guess why the Montane Minimus Stretch Ultra is different from the Montane Minimus, the stretch!

It’s hard to understand the stretch until you see it in person…but it allows for greater mobility and a closer fit.

The jacket is made of 20 Denier PERTEX® SHIELD 2.5 layer fabric which is designed to be both breathable, and waterproof thanks to the micro-taped seams and Durable Water Repellency (DWR) meaning the water sheds off the material.

They’ve really aimed to make this a jacket you can wear while active with the arms tailored in a way that means the jacket doesn’t lift off the arm so much when reaching out. And they’ve even created elbow darts to enhance the fit.

The low-profile hood is designed to fit with headwear. You can adjust the face aperture, and the pre-elasticated rear compression allows for a close and comfy fit. And it has a wired edge. What a fancy hood 🙂

Other functional aspects include:

• Two hand pockets with one pocket having an exit point inside for phone cords/MP2’s etc.
• Internal storm guard behind the zip, with dome closures
• chinguard with a brushed fine microflleece finish to prevent irritation around the mouth and chin
• partial elastication on the cuffs for a close fit
• Adjustable hem with easy to use cordlocks
• Reflective detailing
• Stuffs into its own pocket
• Rear external Montane hang loop

That seems like a lot of features for a minimalist rain jacket for trail running :p

JACKET SPECS

Where to buy: Men’s, Women’s
Breathability: 20,000
Waterproof rating: 20,000
Weight: 192 grams
Pits: No
Pockets? 2x hand pockets, 1x internal mesh pcoket
Hood? Yes
Men’s? Yes
Women’s? Yes
Main Material: Pertex Shield 20D x 20D

INOV-8 STORMSHELL

The Stormshell is made from Pertex so you know it’s a great material that when combined with seam-sealed tape will offer comfort and protection from the elements.

The jacket is designed to be fully mobile, and like the other jackets, it’s surprisingly lightweight meaning it packs down small inside its own pocket.

Other functional features include:

• Internal stormflap
• The taped chest pocket
• 360° reflectivity
• An adjustable hood with a wired peak to keep the rain out of your eyes
• Thumb holes to anchor sleeves
• Roll-away hood with wired peak and single multi-directional adjustment
• LYCRA® bond cuffs for comfort

JACKET SPECS

Where to buy: Men’s, Women’s
Breathability: 20,000
Waterproof rating: 20,000
Weight: 150 grams
PitZips: No
Pockets? 1 chest pocket
Hood? Yes
Men’s? Yes
Women’s? Yes
Materials: Pertex®Shield 2.5L: 100% polyamide with PU membrane, Material Shell – 100% Polyamide with PU membrane

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There are a host more seam-sealed jackets for trail running available, but these are five of the most popular I see mentioned in FB groups.

In general, the more information people have the better. It’d be awesome if you could leave some of your thoughts on the rain jacket you own in the comments below, especially if you’re a regular hiker/trail runner.

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