The next edition of Another Mother Runner Gears Up is here, and we’re featuring spring running jackets. We have #motherrunners put key running gear to the test, then deliver the results so you can grab the gear that works best for your running and body.

By Rachel Walker (Please help us welcome our new Gear Editor for Another Mother Runner!)

“I love running in the wind,” said no runner ever. Wind zaps energy, sends dust into eyes, and makes those long slogs that much harder. Add in other springtime elements like rain, hail, snow, and slush, and this time of year demands adaptability. Rather than complain about fickle spring conditions (or, for some of us, in addition to complaining about it), tackle the weather with a lightweight running jacket.

Often for these reviews, we narrow down what is featured by not sharing anything that scores less than a 3.0 with our testers.

What’s your favorite spring running apparel? Let us know in the comments below.

Tester Rating: 4

Review: Our tester loved the ability to unzip this jacket but keep a part of it buttoned so that she could add ventilation without removing it entirely. Lightweight and breathable, the Canopy shone on windy and light, rainy days, but fell short in cold and snowy conditions. “It’s great for those spring runs where you need an extra layer first thing in the morning, but might be warm by the end when the sun comes up.”

Size Range: XS to XXL

Fit: Runs small, size up.

Price: $130

Tester Rating: 4.5

Review: Our tester found little to fault in this jacket, which she describes as a well-designed gossamer, minimalist performance piece. The jacket stashes into its one zippered pocket and also has an elastic strap that lets you snap the tiny bundle around your waist. It ventilates well and cuts the wind, although it would not keep you dry in a downpour (but who wants a jacket that bomb-proof, a.k.a. a “wearable sauna”?). The only “flaw” is that it is built to European long and lean standards, so she urges prospective buyers to size up. “I especially love the lack of a hood. Yes, you read that right: I would never run in or wear a hood, so I hate having one flapping in the breeze. This jacket has a nifty adjustable strap at top collar for snug fit—especially great in wet or windy conditions.”

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: Runs small, size up.

Price: $130

Tester Rating: 4.5

Review: This fully sealed, waterproof jacket offers more rain protection than others we tested here, and while it ran warm, our tester praised the jacket’s fit and feel, especially the hood’s back-of-the-head cinch. However, the jacket fell short in the pocket department—there’s only one zippered chest pocket, leaving no good spot to store a phone or anything that might bounce on a run. “A chest area zippered pocket adds weight to an area where I don’t need it and I would have preferred lower pockets at the waist or back center.”

Size Range: XS to XXL

Fit: True to size.

Price: $199

Tester Rating: 3

Review: More of a workhorse than a show pony, the Houdini Daybreak Pullover protected our tester from the elements with its soft and thick (but not bulky) material (a blend of polyester and recycled polyester). She appreciated the two zipper pockets and the smaller stash pocket, but found the cut and color unflattering, leaving her uninspired. “I loved the material and the fact that it kept me warm and dry, but I can’t overlook the cut and color, so it wouldn’t be my first choice for a jacket.”

Size Range: XXS to XL

Fit: Runs large.

Price: $200

Tester Rating: 5

Review: This jacket is a charming blend of nostalgia—for anyone who ran track or cross country in high school—and innovation, blending modern materials and technology with an old-school cut. The sleek silhouette flatters the body, and the jacket’s design leaves nothing to improve upon. With two zippered side pockets, a back vent, reflection, and a soft four-way stretch polyester and spandex blend, the Vamos is windproof, water resistant, and comfortable enough to wear to the coffee shop after a run. “The stretchy fabric is so smooth and comfortable that I would wear it over everything from a tank top to a long sleeve shirt.”

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: True to size, slightly long in the torso.

Price: $100

Tester Rating: 5

Review: If a synthetic jacket can feel like a second skin, this gossamer jacket fits the bill. With a flattering cut, a hood that locks down, two zip pockets, and a strategically located elastic band to make for easy packing up and carrying if you end up not needing it, this jacket felt good worn over both short and long sleeves. “As much as I liked the fit, I loved how it blocked the wind. On multiple blustery runs, it cut the chill and made the weather more tolerable, and I also wore it biking on transitional spring days, and it kept me warm and comfortable.”

Size Range: XS to 3X

Fit: True to size.

Price: $134

Tester Rating: 5

Review: Our tester wore the Houdini in a typical Colorado March day: snowy, rainy, a bit of sun, and wind. The Houdini kept her dry without overheating and protected her from the wind, making it an ideal layering piece. The jacket packs up into a self-contained, fist-size bundle, and though it looked small coming out of its tiny bag, it fit great. “For $99, this is a great investment that will wear and wash well and will be used for many years to come.”

Size Range: XS to XXL

Fit: True to size.

Price: $99

Tester Rating: 4.5

Review: With vents under the arms, in the back, and snap openings along the side, this anorak is supremely adjustable. A longer flap in the back adds a flourish of style, and its technical properties—a nylon outer shell and an interior merino layer—safeguard against wind and moisture. The only flaw our tester found was the anorak’s lack of “pouchability.” “I wish this jacket had the ability to fold down into a pouch or be contained in its hood. It is not bulky and collapses down, but would be better if there was a specific feature to make it into a packet I can hold in a hand.”

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: Relaxed fit, true to size.

Price: $130

Tester Rating: 4.0

Review: At only $40, this inexpensive jacket held its own against pricier competitors. It came with a tiny stuff sack, had a buttery, smooth finish, and looked good. Against the elements, it offered unimpeachable protection. If anything, it was perhaps too protective. The tight-knit material, ideal for blocking UV rays, lacked ventilation and seemed to keep the body at one of two temperatures: warm and uncomfortably warm. “This would have been a perfect jacket for my BFR, who’s constantly cold when the temps dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I tend to burn warmer, so it wasn’t the best choice for me.”

Size Range: XXS to XXL

Fit: Relaxed fit, true to size.

Price: $39.90