Road Trail Run 2016 Holiday Gift Guide and Mini Reviews-Running Apparel

We scoured the world for classy, highly technical, super functional running apparel. We focused on emerging brands from Switzerland Compressport and ON Running along with Oiselle and Altra Running from the US. 

We think these gift ideas truly represent the state of the art in protective, high performance run apparel. 

Women

1. ON Running Weather Jacket (Switzerland) $240

2. Compressport 3D Thermal Seamless Hoodie (Switzerland) $115

3. Oiselle Classic Lesley Tights $92 (Washington, USA)

4. Altra Running Lone Peak 3.0 (Utah, USA)

Men

1. Compressport 3D Thermo Ultralight (Switzerland) $94

2. Compressport Hurricane Vest (Switzerland) $145

3. ON Running Pants (Switzerland) $170

4. ON Running Cloudflow (Switzerland) $140

5. Altra Running Tokala (Utah, USA) $90

The Details...

The ON Running Weather Jacket $240, available in men's and women's styles, is designed in Switzerland. It  is made of featherweight, soft, premium Japanese fabrics. It has a weather resistant fully bonded shoulder cape, not waterproof but water resistant, with front and rear ventilation and includes a whisper thin mesh liner over the shoulders.  

ON Running Weather Jacket

The zippered chest pocket zipper is bonded and doubles as a stuff pocket for the jacket. There is a pass through port on the inside for headphones. The chest pocket will hold an iPhone 7 in a thinner case.

ON Running Weather Jacket

All of the black accents front, back, and on the sleeves are actually reflective. The engineered hood and even sleeves have brims. 

ON Running Weather Jacket

The Weather Jacket is a beautifully crafted, light high performance jacket which will keep you protected and stylish. 

ON Running Weather Jacket

The Swiss Engineered Compressport 3D Thermal Seamless Hoodie $105  is designed to provide thermoregulation and a touch of compression "Spin Control" compression support  through its elaborately knitted 3D very soft, chafe free fabric. The perfectly fitting hood is ready when the weather gets nasty or on those runs where the hat comes off on the uphill and back on at the ridge. Lifestyle really meets high performance here. Comfortable over a wide range of temperatures and stylish on the run, nordic skiing, hiking or anytime.  This unisex piece is a versatile addition to any runner's wardrobe.

 Compressport 3D Thermal Seamless Hoodie, Oiselle Classic Lesley Tights, Altra Running Lone Peak 3.0

 Compressport 3D Thermal Seamless Hoodie, Oiselle Classic Lesley Tights, Altra Running Lone Peak 3.0

Compressport 3D Thermal Seamless Hoodie

We love the detail, the wide thumb holes and variable knit which gives the Hoodie a sophisticated deep look. The "Born in Switzerland" detail is much appreciated by Dominique... who was born in Switzerland!

Compressport 3D Thermal Seamless Hoodie

ON Running Pants $170

ON Running Pants, ON Running Cloud

The ON Running Pants, available in men's and women's styles, are the most technically advanced running pant we have ever used. The technical meets practical here. The front on the pants are made of a very fine weather resistant Japanese ripstop line with a very fine mesh behind the ripstop.  The knee is articulated and open for maximum mobility but protected. Below the knee and the entire back side is a very fine not constricting jersey type fabric. The ankles are snugged by an elastic gusset behind the zipper and short zipper.  You will need to take your shoes off to get them off. There are two front pockets one zipped, one open and a wide soft waist band with tie. Difficult to see but front and back has plentiful "black out" reflective accents.  We have been surprised at how comfortable the Running Pants have been in more moderate temperatures where usually shorts are in order. 

Compressport Hurricane Vest  & Hurricane Jacket

Compressport Trail Hurricane Vest $145

Compressport Hurricane Vest, ON Running Pants

Compressport is well known and a leader in Europe for its bold and colorful socks, compression sleeves and clothing for  runners, triathletes, trail and ski mountaineering. The Vest and Jacket combine wind resistant fronts with a soft stretchy knit and very breathable back for superb ventilation. And in a super neat twist the back stretches the jacket and vest over a hydration pack without taking the pack off!  Feather light we have found both pieces to be incredibly comfortable over a wide range of temperatures and especially useful when windy colder stretches combine with warm climbs. 

Compressport Hurricane Vest

The rear pocket holds an iPhone 7 without any bounce and doubles as a stuff pocket for the jacket.

Compressport Hurricane Vest, Oiselle Classic Lesley Tight

Compressport Hurricane Jacket $155

Compressport Hurricane Jacket

Compressport Hurricane Jacket, Oiselle 

Compressport Hurricane Jacket

The jacket and vest have unisex styling with black red and white red the color choices. The vest fits  snugger than the jacket at equivalent sizes.

Compressport 3D Thermo Ultralight Long Sleeve $99 Short Sleeve $89 Tank Top $79

Photo: Compressport.com

Compressport 3D Thermo Ultralight Short Sleeve

Almost impossible to illustrate, this knitted thermoregulating base layer is by far the lightest at 70g and most comfortable we have ever worn, even more comfortable than Compressport's ON/OFF.  Here is Compressport's press release announcing Ultralight with all the technical details.

Incredibly Thin Yet Insulating and Evaporating

Whispy thin, stretchy and soft it gently hugs the body insulating through its elaborate 3D knit structure while at the same time evaporating moisture brilliantly. There is so little material it is actually hard for it to accumulate moisture. Caution is advised in removing it and washing it The material tears easily and sizing is based on Europe which is generally a size down so our Medium was more like a Small and we should have thus gotten a Large.We have been comfortable over a broad range of temperatures and never damp feeling, or chilled. It pairs well with the Compressport Hurricanes or the Compressport Hoodie to create a complete system.  Available in black and white and long, short, and sleeveless styles. 100% European materials and manufacture.

Altra Tokala $90

The Tokala available in men's and women's styles has literally not come off our feet since Altra sent them to us. Incredibly versatile it is equally useful as a slipper around the house or a decently dressy shoe.  Zero Drop and incredible light at 7.4 oz forget the socks this year and give your runner some multi use "slippers". 

Altra Running Tokala

For Road Trail Run's review of the Altra Lone Peak 3.0 click here

See our 2016 Running Accessories Gift Guide here

See our 2016 Run Tech Gift Guide here

Shop Compressport at their e-Shop International. We've had flawless quick service to the US.

Shop the entire Oiselle collection including the Classic Lesley Tight at Running Warehouse here