I live in Portland, Oregon, where it rains nearly every day and the sun sets at 4:30 pm. But no matter how grim, dark, and damp it gets, I would still rather bundle up and head outside than putter on a public treadmill that has norovirus splashed on every surface. (Sorry! I also don’t have a gym membership.) That’s why I’ve updated our running gear guide with some of the best wet-weather sports gear that has kept me heading out the door.
Be sure to also check out our Best Fitness Trackers and Best Running Shoes guides—and all the gear that helped WIRED’s editor in chief run faster marathons in his forties.
Updated January 2020: We’ve added wet-weather gear and other items like a headlight from BioLite.
When you buy something using the links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. You can also support our reporting and reviewing by purchasing a 1-year print + digital WIRED subscription for $5 (Discounted).
-
Photograph: Topo Athletic
Best Running Shoes
Topo Athletic Ultraventure
Everyone has different running shoe preferences, but Topo Athletic’s fit mine—their roomy toe boxes accommodate my wide toe spread, the result of years of barefoot running, and they don’t let my skinny heels slip. The plush, 3-layer EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) midsole and 5-mm heel-to-toe drop offers cushioning on a variety of surfaces, from mud or hardpack to blacktop. The drainage gills squish out water quickly and efficiently, and they’re also gaiter-compatible.
-
Photograph: The North Face
Best Rain Jacket
North Face Futurelight Flight Jacket
The North Face’s Flight is technically a lightweight rain jacket. But I’ve found that the nanospun Futurelight fabric works just as well as a light outer shell in colder temperatures. It breaks the wind, and it doesn’t have pit zips or perforations that let any cold air or rain in.
I run in 30-degree temperatures with this jacket and a Smartwool base layer and don’t get cold. If I were to buy it, I’d probably get a version in a brighter color for better visibility in rainy weather.
-
Photograph: Showers Pass
Best Gloves
Showers Pass Waterproof Knit Gloves
Showers Pass makes cycling gear, but I’ve found the company’s waterproof gloves work well as running attire. The gloves feel like a lightweight knit glove. But they actually have three layers: a durable knit exterior, a waterproof Artex membrane that lets moisture out, and a wicking Coolmax lining. They don’t do a great job of insulating, so I’d switch to a heftier pair in colder temperatures. But for rain in the 30s and 40s, they keep my hands dry, and the knit outer layer is handy (ha!) for wiping my nose.
