With its striking panelling design, the Janji Rainrunner certainly knows how to make a statement. But while it may look like a women’s running jacket that favours style over substance, it has some weighty performance claims. The 20,000mm waterproof and breathability rating aim to keep you both dry and cool, ensuring sweat does not build-up on the inside. It's also incredibly light at just 204g making it a great piece of kit to pack just in case the weather turns foul.
While it is perhaps a lesser known brand, Janji has an impressive collection of jackets, including our tester’s favourite funky windproof the Zephyrunner windshell. With winter coming in fast and a Highlands ultra on the horizon our tester Lily Canter took the Rainrunner through its paces. But did this superlight waterproof running jacket live up to her high expectations? Let's find out...
LFTOuk.janji.com
Pros
- Breathable panels
- Moderately high waterproof rating
- Stowaway hood clip
- Pocket mesh to reduce bouncing
Cons
- Lacks waist and hood adjustments
- Soft peak cap
- Pockets a little small
| RRP: | £120 / $148.13 |
| Women's sizes (UK): | XS - XL |
| Men's sizes (UK): | S–XL |
| Waterproofing: | 20,000mm |
| Weight: | 204g / 7.2 oz (Women's small) |
Design and features
The Rainrunner visually stands out from other waterproofs with its eye-catching overlay design, which not only adds a fashionable look but also serves a practical purpose. The panels enhance airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable, making it ideal for Indian summer runs and winter downpours.
While it lacks the trim fit of more tailored options like the Compressport Hurricane, the Rainrunner offers a relaxed, loose fit that’s easy to wear and doesn’t feel restrictive. Though there are no cinchable drawstrings around the hip to seal out the elements, the tapered, elasticated sleeves are a well-thought-out feature. They effectively prevent those annoying drizzles from seeping down your arms.
The hood is elasticated and non-adjustable, with a softer peak that provides moderate rain coverage, although it lacks the sturdiness found in jackets like the Montane Minimus Lite. Small pockets on either side are just big enough for essentials—a small phone or a few snacks—adding a convenient touch for those looking to travel light.
When fully zipped up, the Rainrunner’s zip tucks away neatly, ensuring it doesn’t flap around or cause distractions while on the move. One handy little design feature is the hood tidy which lets you clip the head covering away. This prevents the interior from getting wet, which is a smart addition for rainy trail runs when the hood isn’t in use.
Performance
Constructed with a 2.5-layer laminated shell and treated with a C6-DWR water-repellent coating, the outer layer effectively causes water to bead on the surface and roll off, keeping you dry during light to moderate rain. The design ensures excellent mobility and breathability, thanks to the innovative 360-degree panel venting system around the core. This feature excels at releasing heat during high-intensity efforts, preventing you from overheating.
However, in heavy, windy downpours, the venting design may allow some water to seep in, which is worth considering for extreme weather runs. The jacket also boasts a thoughtful dropped back hem, offering enhanced protection against mud splatter during strides. This keeps your backside clean and transfers the mess onto the jacket itself. Overall, the Rainrunner strikes a fine balance between lightweight protection, functional breathability and rain resistance.
Fit and comfort
Offering a slightly looser fit the Rainrunner is comfortable but perhaps not as snug as competitors. I like my waterproofs to feel like a protective barrier and the Rainrunner felt more like a fashion choice. Having said that, the loose design is a deliberate choice to enhance ventilation and heat release. This ensures you stay cool and comfortable during runs, with no unpleasant sweat build-up inside the jacket.
Patagonia take a similar approach with their Houdini Stash jacket, but this option is much better for rain protection. The scuba-style hood provides excellent 180° visibility but lacks adjustability or tightening options. I found the elasticated tension sufficient to keep it securely in place during most conditions, though strong winds could be a challenge.
The soft micro-visor, however, struggles in heavy rain, allowing water to drip into your face—a downside compared to the sturdier peak on jackets like the Montane Minimus Lite. But the small things did win me over. The protected zip garage, which tucks the zip neatly away, is a simple solution to prevent it flapping and irritating my chin. Fully zipped, the jacket fabric remains gentle against the face, but a pin-back option for partial zipping would improve versatility. It is not seen on many waterproofs but is feature I would love to have!
Sustainability and price
Janji appears to be making solid headway towards sustainability. Jackets are free from harmful chemicals and the company has a commitment to durability. As a small, independent company it focuses on creating limited-run collections that encourage mindful consumption. Their philosophy emphasises producing apparel that lasts longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and helping customers consume less overall. All of its fabrics meet high environmental standards, with certifications from bluesign, OEKO-TEX, and RWS.
The jacket incorporates 100% recycled polyester and uses manufacturing and dyeing processes designed to consume less water and energy. While their claims of continuous improvement are encouraging, they remain somewhat vague about the details. Retailing at £120 this is at the lower end of the scale for a jacket with a moderately high waterproof rating. It’s durability and ripstop fabric mean it should last years of all weather running, making it a valuable investment.
Verdict
The Janji Rainrunner jacket offers a great mix of style and practicality. Its unique panel design helps keep runners cool, while the water-repellent outer layer works well in light to moderate rain. However, strong winds or heavy downpours might let water in through the vents. The hood is lightweight with a good view range, though it can’t be adjusted and doesn’t block heavy rain well. Made with recycled materials, it’s a durable, stylish waterproof option.
About the author
Lily Canter is a freelance journalist and running coach (among a myriad of other jobs, including competitive ultra running) who contributes to LFTO with expert coaching advice and granularly detailed gear reviews. She also founded women’s running club Great Bowden Runners. As a qualified England Athletics running coach, Lily loves nothing more than seeing women achieving their running goals.