New Balance Storm Striker Jacket

Lightweight Waterproof Jacket

I walk in a rainy climate, so I need a waterproof, breathable jacket that will keep my dry from the inside out as well as the outside in. The New Balance Storm Striker jacket is made of soft fabric that you might not expect to be waterproof -- but it is. It is comfortable to wear whether it is rainy or not.

Hood: I'm a native Oregonian, and we don't use umbrellas. Instead, we have hoods on our jackets to keep the rain out. The Storm Striker's hood is detachable and held on by magnets. The hood cinches around your face with a drawcord, but there are no straps to adjust it in back of the head like on some hiking jackets. This means that it may fall forward over your eyes.

Waterproof Finish: This jacket's outer layer is soft fabric rather than a hard finish or a slick finish. Yet, the water beads up and rolls off. I like this texture for wearing even when it isn't raining.

Breathable: The fabric must allow moisture from your skin to escape, as well as keeping the rain out. Otherwise, you end up wet from your own sweat being trapped. I wore this jacket on several hilly walks and I didn't get wet and clammy from sweat.

Pockets: The Storm Striker has side zippered pockets that are fully lined. I prefer that to mesh-lined pockets. It also has a zippered vest pocket with a cord port for your MP3 player. This is perfect for my Blackberry or wallet as well. I rate this jacket highly for its pockets.

Zipper: The front zipper works well, and zips all the way up to the chin.

Visibility: The jacket has subtle reflective logos on the front and back, and a line of reflective dots on the sleeves. The jacket is only available in two drab colors -- black and dark gray. It needs the reflectivity for night safety, as you will be an invisible ninja without it.

A shell jacket like the Storm Striker is versatile for layering your clothing for cool weather walks. You want to start your walk feeling cool, as you are going to warm up. As you warm up, it helps to have layers to take off so you don't overheat. I like my shell jacket to be lightweight so I can carry or stow it if the day is dry and I am still warm without it. The Storm Striker is lightweight and bundles up small to stash in a backpack.

My usual cold-weather walking outfit is a sports bra, long-sleeved shirt of sweat-wicking fabric, and the shell jacket. Once it is below 40 F, I add a microfleece vest under the jacket. If you are going to be layering your clothing, be sure to try on the jacket with all layers or go up a size.

I also ensure that my walking pack will fit under the jacket, as my Camelbak hydration backpack isn't waterproof. I had a soggy half marathon walk in Germany when I discovered just how non-waterproof it was. My pack fits under the Storm Striker. Yes, I look like Quasimodo, but my gear stays dry.

Men's and Women's cuts: The Storm Striker comes in a men's and a women's version. The women's version is a bit more fitted. I chose a men's version so I would have more room in the torso for layering over my Camelbak backpack or a fanny pack.