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Review: Lululemon Spring Forward Jacket & Run With Me Toque

12.04.2014 by Jennifer // 14 Comments

I typically do not run in jackets and hats in winter because I overheat easily. Last year, I ran in a jacket and hat only a few times during the frigid polar vortex, single-digit-degree days. But it seems that every runner I pass has on a jacket and hat. Have I been missing something? I will say that on my warm-up and cool-down walks I’m a popsicle, and during runs cold wind can be brutal. So I started wondering if I should buy a lightweight shell.

Lululemon releases new products weekly, and for the past month they’ve been releasing new winter running jackets. The newest ones are insulated or softshell or both, and it makes me sweat just looking at the pictures. Several weeks ago I found an older jacket that I thought might be better for me and ordered it. It’s the Spring Forward Jacket ($148) released this past spring and billed as lightweight. I figured that I could wear it both for cold weather running and as a casual jacket, since the beauty of Lululemon is that their clothes are cute enough that they can be worn both working out and for casual wear.

I didn’t take the tags off because I was still debating keeping it, but when my weather app said the temp was 26 and felt like 21 degrees Tuesday morning, I decided to try it out for my run. Underneath I had on a Race Your Pace Long Sleeve Top (a Lulu winter running top), Lulu tech fleece Speed Tights, and a Lulu neck warmer. I also wore the Run With Me Toque reviewed below, which I got on markdown for $24 (original price is $32).

Note: Sorry for the poor photo quality of those not from the Lululemon site. I left my camera at my mom’s house on Thanksgiving, and my phone apparently takes awful photos without the flash in dim lighting. 

Layered in up in Lulu for a 26-degree morning run. Would I be too hot?

Spring Forward Jacket

Details
The exterior of the jacket is made with Lululemon’s Swift material, which is lightweight and breathable. It is lined on the inside with fabric so isn’t just a shell. I wouldn’t call it lightweight since it’s lined, but it’s definitely not heavy weight either. I have the color shown in these pictures, Purple Fog. It also comes in solid black and two prints.

The interior lining

There is an interior drawstring in the back so that you can cinch the back for a more figure-flattering fit.

Shown with the back slightly cinched

There are two exterior pockets that are very deep and fit my gloved hands, as well as a small interior pocket inside the bigger pocket.

Small interior pocket inside the main pocket

The hood zips into the collar and is cinchable to be very tight around your face.

There are reflective details, but they are subtle enough to make it a casual-wear jacket too.

I don’t listen to music when I run, but there’s a hole for a cord so that you can have a device in your pocket and feed the cord underneath the jacket and up through the neck (most Lulu jackets have this feature.)

It has Cuffins, extra material built into the sleeves that go over your hands like mittens.

There is subtle venting under the arms and in the back.

Performance

  • I was able to keep my hands in the pockets on my warm-up walk to the trail, and that really helped to keep me warm since my hands get coldest the quickest. 
  • When I started the run, I pulled the cuffins over my gloved hands. Between my gloves and the cuffins, my hands were very warm. They got a little too warm when I was doing speedwork, so I just took them out of the cuffins and put them back in on my easy cool-down mile. 
  • When I first started out at a slow, easy pace, I immediately started feeling hot. Of course, I was also wearing the toque and a neck warmer, so maybe that was too much. I planned to shed some layers after my warm-up mile. But after that mile, I stopped to adjust my watch for a different auto lap alert to run intervals, and I got cold again when I stopped. At that point I was right beside the river, and it was very windy. I was grateful then that I had on all the layers, so I left them all on.
  • I ran fast intervals near the river where it was very windy, and while I was sweating a lot, the jacket really helped block the wind and cold so that I didn’t get cold from the sweat. 
  • On my cool-down walk back to my house, when I’m usually freezing from having sweaty clothes on in the cold, I wasn’t cold at all. 
  • The jacket didn’t feel heavy or bulky and didn’t get in the way of my running. 
  • When I got home and took off the jacket, I saw that the interior lining had gotten nearly completely wet with sweat, which it had wicked from my top. As I result, I had less sweat next to my skin and stayed warm in the cold.

The Verdict

  • I declare this jacket a winner! While I did get hot at first, it may have been because I had too many layers in general. It really kept me warm on my warm-up and cool-down walks and was a great barrier overall for cold and wind.
  • I personally would not wear this (or any) jacket above 32 degrees. Between 20-30 degrees, I would probably switch to a lighter top or even a tank. I’d only wear a warmer top below 20 degrees. 
  • Winter running jackets in general are expensive, so I don’t think the $148 is too much for this jacket, maybe because it’s not actually designed for winter but spring running. Because of the cute style and color, I will also wear this casually as a light layer. 

Because these are older jackets, some have shown up in my local store for a reduced price, so check your local store if you’re interested. They will probably also go on sale on Lululemon’s website soon. New items are uploaded to the We Made Too Much section every Thursday, so be sure to check.

 

Run With Me Toque

Details

  • It’s available in several different colors. 
  • Check the We Made Too Much section of the website for the colors that go on markdown. I got mine on markdown.
  • The hat is reversible, giving you two styles for the price of one.
  • You can wear the hat either unrolled, for a slouchy look, or rolled at the bottom so that it fits close to your head.
  • There is a slit in the back for ponytails, but it completely closes when not in use.
  • It is made of soft, warm, Rulu fabric.
Shown unrolled
Shown rolled
Shown with the ponytail hole used

Performance

  • I wore this with the bottom rolled so that it fit close to my head. It was so thick against my ears that it actually muffled noise, and I could barely hear the alerts from my Garmin. It definitely kept my ears warm.
  • This hat was actually a little too hot for me, but again, I don’t typically wear hats. When I got home and took it off, the entire hat was soaked in sweat.
  • It wasn’t too tight against my ears and was very comfortable.

The Verdict

  • Another winner! I think this is my favorite hat. It’s extremely warm, so I would probably only wear it below 20 degrees, or would wear it slouchy so it’s not so fitted and warm. 
  • The bottom stayed tight against my head, which was great in the wind, but wasn’t tight and uncomfortable like other hats I have. I think this is my most comfortable hat.
  • I love that it’s reversible for two different styles. I got the one shown in the picture, which is grey on one side and grey with white stripes on the other side.

Final Thoughts

While I love both the jacket and toque, I will only wear them for cold days below 20 degrees or with the adjustments I noted between 20 and 32 degrees. Granted, I was doing speedwork, but when I got home I saw that my clothes and hair was as soaked in sweat as I’d be on an 80 degree, humid day. This was a good reminder why I don’t usually wear jackets and hat for winter running!

Am I the odd one out? For those in cold climates, do you generally wear jackets and hats in winter?

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Categories // Activewear, Lululemon, Uncategorized Tags // Lululemon, performance review, winter, workout outfits

Comments

  1. Sara says

    December 4, 2014 at 2:44 am

    I do ear warmers a lot but usually not jackets unless really cold.

    I prefer a vest if a long sleeve top isn't enough. I have a craft vest from years ago that is fleece and has windproof on the front. I wear a windbreaker-no lining-if it's windy but not too cold. Lined jackets with tank top if really cold.

    It's getting a little tight as I get further in my pregnancy so I might end running on the treadmill or using the elliptical at the gym 🙁

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

      December 4, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      So you're like me then! I've never tried a vest though. Hmmm…

      I know the treadmill and elliptical have many benefits, especially in winter, but my gym has a 30-minute time limit so I pretty much don't have a choice but to love running outside year-round.

      Reply
  2. Fairytales and Fitness says

    December 4, 2014 at 11:12 am

    Looks like a great jacket w alot of cool features. However that is still a little pricey (well for me anyways). -L

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

      December 4, 2014 at 9:38 pm

      It's on sale in stores but hasn't gone on sale on the website yet.

      Reply
  3. Jennifer @ Run Jenny Run says

    December 4, 2014 at 11:51 am

    I love the color of the first jacket. I went to Lulu yesterday and was proud of myself for not purchasing anything 🙂 I almost bought the purple tank top that was on sale (striped lining on top and eggplant color on the bottom).

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

      December 4, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      That's always something to be proud of, ha ha! I, on the other hand, just bought that tank when it went on sale. Oy!

      Reply
  4. Carina says

    December 4, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Lol, I wear jackets and hats all the time and I think it's about once every 3 years that we go below 20. I wear ear warmers under about 45, and jackets anything under 40. Most my jackets are pretty lightweight, but I have one heavy and one that is purely a shell.

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

      December 4, 2014 at 9:40 pm

      Wow! Wonder if that's because you're used to a warmer climate?

      Reply
  5. Chaitali says

    December 4, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I went for my first run with a new running group yesterday and the temperatures were in the mid 40's. I was surprised at how many people wore jackets! I wore a long sleeved top and capris with an ear warmer and gloves and was warm by the end. I do have a running jacket I love that I wear when it's in the 30's or below. I usually just stick with the ear warmer instead of a hat since I always get too warm with hats.

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

      December 4, 2014 at 9:41 pm

      I guess some people just need to wear jackets and hats! I think I'm the same as you.

      Reply
  6. shirley says

    December 4, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Each person is different and I used to never run with a hat, just the ear warmer band, even in single digit weather. But last year, while training for a marathon, I noted that I got more chilled and tired during long runs. I started wearing a hat and it really made a difference. Now I wear one when the temps dip below 30.
    It's always windy here on the prairie, so I normally wear a light, wind resistant shell with a layer or two underneath. That LLL jacket is really cute. I like their running tops, as you noted – they look great as casual wear, too.

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

      December 4, 2014 at 9:43 pm

      Interesting that it changed for you! Yes, I am always interested in what people are wearing. On the same day, I will see one runner in shorts and another in long tights, jacket, and hat. I think it also depends what kind of workout. I think if I'm doing speedwork, I should definitely not layer up so much.

      Reply
  7. Amanda says

    December 4, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    I LOVE the color of the Spring Forward jacket, and have added it to my Christmas List!

    I like to be warm when I run, but I also really like wearing shorts when I run so I hold off for as long as possible before switching to pants. As long as I can keep my head and core warm I don't mind cold legs. Once the temps dip past 35-ish though I put the pants on!
    I've always read to dress around 10 degrees warmer than the temps outside, so that's normally what I try to go by.

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

      December 5, 2014 at 12:15 pm

      So funny that we are opposites. I would be more likely to run in long tights and a tank in cool weather, ha ha.

      Reply

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Running is no fun if you don't look cute doing it! In this blog I share my passion for running and activewear. I'm chronicling my ever-evolving journey as a runner. I also post activewear reviews, healthy plant-based recipes, and pictures of my greyhound and kitties. Read more about me. Thanks for visiting!

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