You may have noticed a bright yellow jacket in many of my race pictures over the last two years. My Brooks Nightlife Essential Run Jacket is perhaps my most frequently used piece of running gear.
I first encountered this jacket when my mom lent me hers at the last minute for the trip to the Dust Bowl Series. I was not planning to take a jacket, but the weather predictions indicated cooler weather than I was expecting, plus, umm, the Dust Bowl was named because of the huge windy dust storms in the 30s. So, yeah, cool to cold and windy.
I ended up wearing the jacket at every.single.race. It made the perfect windbreaker. It also made the perfect winter running jacket with multiple layers underneath. I loved it so much I was loathe to give it back to my mom. But I’m a good daughter and I did return it.
And immediately go out and buy one for myself. And my dad. And Beer Geek. Yes, we all have basically the same jacket, which is highly amusing when my 6’0″ tall husband tries to put on my jacket over his biking jersey.
I have now worn this jacket (or my mom’s LOL) in everything from rain to snow to wind. With layers under it, it has served me well in as low as a feels like of 19 degrees.
Brooks has continued to update this jacket, but the main features remain the same. (My mom has the first version, Beer Geek and I have the second, and my dad has the newest version. They are all very similar.)
Features include:
• Wind- and water-resistant fabric
• Side stretch panels at shoulders and back
• Back pleat
• Front zip draft flap
• Two side zip pockets
• Internal media pocket
• Reflective front zipper
I love this jacket. It’s incredibly versatile, packs in next to no space, weighs nothing, and is holding up amazingly well. If you are a night time runner, the yellow one is super bright and shiny. I don’t generally run after dark, but on grey days, I feel like I’m extremely visible in this jacket. I purposefully bought a size bigger than I wear in most jackets, knowing that I’d often have layers underneath. I think that if I didn’t also own the Sugoi Firewall Jacket, I could make it through the entire winter with this jacket as my outer layer! It’s gift giving season and I highly recommend it for the runner in your life. (Yes, that’s a sneak preview of my gift guide on Tuesday.)
[Tweet “Looking for an awesome running jacket? Check out the @brooksrunning Essential Jacket!”]
(Disclaimer: I bought this jacket. In fact, I bought it 3 times. All opinions are my own.)
I love how bright it is! Does it fit true to size?
RFC recently posted…WEEK 1: Shape & Men’s Fitness Fitbit Blogger Challenge
I think so. I can fit a small and usually choose a medium for comfort, but I bought this in a large to allow for lots of layers. It works very well for me that way…
I love the bright color! Who says you need to wear dark colors once the weather gets colder, right?! 🙂
Maureen recently posted…Where to Go From Here
I hate wearing dark colors when it’s winter. It’s already grey, I don’t need to be grey and gloomy too!
I too have a favorite bright neon yellow jacket. I think that the color totally motivates me to get out and run when it’s cold!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Gifts for Yoga Lovers
This really does look like an awesome jacket and the perfect gift for a runner for the holidays! Love it!
Annmarie recently posted…Fit & Fashionable: Vegas Style Baby!
This kind of jacket is perfect for this time of year. I have a Brooks vest that is similar to this that I love. Wearing bright yellow on the road for better visibility is key especially now that the daylight hours are extremely limited. Thanks for sharing your great review! I love Brooks!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Happy Hug a Runner Day! November 20th
Ooooh! That looks like something I could use in my running wardrobe!
Betsy recently posted…HelloFresh Review: October 2014
I have one in pink (wore it this morning)! Brooks makes amazing running apparel in my opinion. And I really appreciate their nightlife line.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted…Miles with Friends
So good to find something you really like and I appreciate your sharing… it is always good to find out what others are using and loving, I think. That color is great. I have a technical tee that color and although I don’t care for it on a ‘pretty’ basis, it certainly is effective and VISIBLE.
Great review!
Elle recently posted…My 10 Travel Musts… I Don’t Leave Home Without Them!
That is a nice and bright jacket! I only wish it was colder here so I could get it for dear hubby.
Erica G recently posted…Book Review: Unstoppable – Running the Race you were Born to Win
I need a bright jacket like that so I can be better seen in the dark during my early-morning runs. I like the thought of multiple layers to keep the heat inside.
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…Iâm Up for the FRS Challenge + Giveaway
I do recall seeing you wear that jacket in lots of your pics. You can’t have too many jackets for bad weather or can you? Good review
Deborah@confessions of a mother Runner recently posted…What’s an “Undress”? Do you need one?
That DOES look like an awesome running jacket! Bright. Warm. Comfortable. WInning! 🙂
Rachel recently posted…Traveling With Kids: The Centurion Lounge
Ah, I love this Jacket! Really, I love Brooks! They have such good shoes and some of my favorite running clothes are Brooks. I have some of their nightlife vests too!
That jacket would go great with my favorite Brooks Pure Cadence 🙂 You look so happy in that pic. Love it!
jill conyers recently posted…I Could Never Do That
Wow, i’ll have to check this out! I have so many jackets, but I don’t have one that I absolutely LOVE.
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…The Orangetheory Challenge