The Sealskinz Eaton running jacket promises “a technical reimagining of a classic running jacket.” Lightweight and packable – folding down into it’s own pocket-sized pouch – while still offering a balance of shower protection and breathability, could this jacket really deliver on everything it promises? Or would it be yet another packable running jacket that’s all hype and no performance?
To find out, we tasked RUN247’s Aaron Newton with putting the Sealskinz Eaton jacket through its paces in the wet and windy conditions that you can always count on Yorkshire to deliver. Read on to get his verdict!
HOW WE TESTED THE SEALSKINZ EATON PACKABLE RUNNING JACKET
Typically running 2-3 times a week, and not adverse to heading out in all weathers, Aaron has been testing the Sealskinz Eaton jacket on his early morning and late evening runs during a spell of wet and windy late winter/early spring conditions.
Sealskinz Eaton running jacket: Key features
| Unisex water-repellent running jacket | Packable – self-stowing with a stretchy strap for easy carrying |
| Breathable materials with mesh inserts | Adjustable hood with peaked visor for protection from the wind and rain |
| Two-way zip for additional ventilation | Reflective details |
| Bungee-cord adjustable hem | 2 hand pockets and 1 chest pocket |
| Thumb-holes on the sleeves | Available in unisex sizing: XS-XL |
| Colourway: Black | RRP: £110 GBP / $140 USD |
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Summary: The ‘TL;DR’ overview
For runners looking for something to stash in their back pocket when the weather is unpredictable, the Sealskinz Eaton jacket is an ideal choice – offering enough water-repellence for brief rain showers, while remaining breathable enough that you don’t feel ‘boil in the bag’. It’s comfortable to wear, packs down small, and overall the quality combined with clever features more than justifies the premium price tag. But with the limited water resistance and a slightly un-secure hood in high winds – if you’re a runner who feels the cold or you’re looking for a jacket to wear in sustained bad weather, you might want to forego the packable design for something a little hardier.
- Comfortable and unrestrictive fit
- Breathable – ideal for changeable conditions
- Super lightweight, easily packable and versatile
- Reflective details ideal for dusk/dawn runs
- Limited water resistance – likely to need something more heavy duty for sustained bad weather
- Hood didn’t always stay put in high winds, despite adjustable design
- Only one colourway available/basic design
best for…
Taking out as an additional layer in changeable conditions where you want the option of additional weather protection without the commitment of hauling a heavy garment around. Ideal for mild to moderate weather conditions, and/or for runners who tend to overheat in heavier duty jackets.
First impressions
The jacket arrived in a recyclable bag, which is always a nice thing to see from a brand. Out of the box (well, bag) I was impressed by how incredibly lightweight this jacket felt. The fabric is soft to the touch and has a slightly stretchy feel. And the subtle, matt finish gives it a premium look too. Not your typical stiff and scratchy anorak-like material you sometimes find with a packable jacket.
The fit was true to size, and at first try on the jacket felt comfortable with no obvious points of irritation. The reflective strips are a useful addition too, given I do a lot of running in the dark – though they are fairly subtle so I was interested to see how effective they’d actually be. So far, so good but I was curious to see how well this jacket would stand up to wet and windy conditions, and whether that would be at the cost of breathability. True to form, Yorkshire has delivered plenty of wet and wild weather recently so it was time to head out and see how this jacket performs on the run.
Performance
Overall, I’ve been suitably impressed with this jacket. It’s performed well as a lightweight layer – providing a good balance of breathability and protection against the wind and light rain. Though for heavier rain, I have found the water-resistance is limited. And in high winds, the hood could do with being a little more secure – though the peak has proven useful for keeping the drizzle out of my eyes. These slight niggles haven’t been a huge issue for me, as my run sessions lately have mainly been short-medium runs that I’m fitting in before/after work. But if you’re planning to use this jacket for longer runs where you know you’re going to get rained on from start to finish – you might want to forego packability for more waterproofing.
Comfort and function
The Sealskinz Eaton jacket has been really comfortable to wear. The stretch in the fabric has allowed full range of motion, and the strategic ventilation such as the mesh vent across the back has meant I’ve not found myself overheating at all. The packable design has also worked well ‘in the real world’ – on the few occasions where the temperatures have been milder it’s been easy enough to pack down and carry with me.
Quality
The premium feel I noted in my first impressions has rung true during my test runs in this jacket. It feels well-constructed, and after several runs and washes it’s still holding up well without any signs of wear or deterioration – though as ever, time will always tell on that front.
This jacket does come with a relatively premium price tag. But you do get plenty of attention to detail and versatile performance for your money. Having two hand pockets and a chest pocket means you’ve got plenty of storage options for nutrition etcetera on longer runs. And the two-way zip gives you more ventilation options for those weird in-between weather days. The main thing you’re paying for here is a jacket that can withstand wind and light rain, without feeling like you’ve gone out running wrapped in cling film, or having something super bulky you’ve got to lug around.
Verdict: The Sealskinz Eaton running jacket is an ideal, versatile choice for unpredictable weather
If you’re looking for a jacket that is lightweight and packable to deploy as required in changeable weather conditions – the Sealskinz Eaton running jacket is an ideal choice. Suitable for mild to moderate weather conditions, its water-repellent fabric and strategic ventilation offers enough protection on cooler, drizzly days without causing you to overheat. And it packs down small enough that you won’t mind carrying it when the weather clears up. The stretchy fit and soft-touch fabric also makes this running jacket comfier and more enjoyable to wear than other lightweight water-resistant options out there.
It’s only moderately water resistant, and I did find the hood wasn’t quite secure enough when the wind really picked up. So if you’re looking for something heavy duty to see you through long runs in proper gnarly conditions – this won’t be it. But overall, if you’re after a lightweight layer that delivers enough weather protection in changeable conditions without being overly bulky – you won’t go wrong with the Sealskinz Eaton jacket. The quality, design features and high-quality construction make it worth the slightly more premium price tag.
Ratings
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