Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Brooks Canopy Jacket Review: Desi Linden Made the Right Call!

Article by Sam Winebaum
As spectators and fans surely noted, Desiree Linden flew to victory at the 2018 Boston Marathon wearing a jacket, The Brooks Running Canopy Jacket in Hansons-Brooks Team colors. No singlets and sleeves for this tough and clever runner on such a cruel weather day!

Above a photo and below a video I took of Desi's spectacular and focused Boston finish.

Brooks Running Canopy Jacket  PC: Running Warehouse
I have been testing Canopy since December in all conditions and I can say it was for sure it was a fine choice.
The Canopy is made of a very soft, stretchy breathable material backed in the weave by a grid of fine ripstop thread on the front side and a lighter yet more breathable almost mesh light fabric across the back. The feel is more like a stretchy shirt than a plasticky windbreaker.

While very light and seemingly open in weave I have continually been surprised by its decent wind and water resistance, while remaining very, very breathable. It  would have not absorbed a lot of water but of course would have soaked through as it is water and sweat resistant but not near water proof. As it is stretchy and somewhat form fitting, it would have kept in a bit of warmth in without overly weighing things down fir  Desi, something I also experienced on breezy winter runs.

Fully featured, Canopy includes:
  • DriLayer Seal fabric which "let's air in, keeps rain out"... to a point anyway on the rain.
  • a great fitting stretchy hood
  • thumb holes
  • waist drawstring
  • 2 large zip pockets one of which has an internal elastic strap so that once stuffed the jacket can be hand carried.
  • a substantial zipper pull with earphones cord lock notch
  • drop tail
  • plenty of reflective hits thoughtfully integrated into the retro look design.


Brooks Canopy Jacket . PC: Brooks Running

Conclusions
The Canopy is a comfortable, versatile run jacket loaded with features which, without weighing things down, provides decent wind protection while remaining highly breathable, its key strength. Its classic retro style is extremely well executed with the gray highlights reflective. 

Reviewer Bio
Sam Winebaum is the Editor and Founder of RoadTrailRun. He has been running trails and roads and run shoe and tech geeking for 45 years. As he turned 60 in 2017 he was thrilled to clock a 1:35.24 half as well as 2 days after his birthday a 3:40 marathon.  

The Canopy was provided at no cost. The opinions herein are entirely the author's.
Comments Questions Welcome Below!

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9 comments:

Jeff Valliere said...

I was wondering what that jacket was, I knew you would be on top of it! Very sharp, looks like a great addition and proved itself on the biggest stage in the worst weather.

Dan said...

Any insight to what shoes she was wearing? That all black and laceless(?) design looks pretty cool on a day where everyone else had bright orange.

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Dan, they are a prototype of some kind. Of course I asked and Brooks had no details beyond that it was created with input from their elite athletes. I hear elsewhere it has more cushion than their typical race shoes such as Hyperion. Sam, Editor

Unknown said...

Any idea about critical millimeters and grams ?
i.e. the hydrostatic head in mm's (for keeping the water out)
and the breathability in grams of water vapor/m2

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Jussi, I don’t but suspect about 5 for water resistance and 25-30 for breathability so very light water resistance, very high breathability
Sam, Editor

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Jussi,
More on water proof breathable jackets in the 2 review articles below. Note ratings are listed when we could get them. Some companies don't disclose full ratings as test methods may favor certain membrane constructions over others.
Hybrid S/Lab Jacket: http://www.roadtrailrun.com/2018/03/salomon-slab-hybrid-jacket-review.html
Multi Jacket Review Article: http://www.roadtrailrun.com/2017/02/winter-run-jackets-review-thin-and-warm.html
My pick for Boston this year likely would have been the Columbia Montrail Outdry Exteme reviewed above very light, totally waterproof with no fabric all membrane and quite breathable over a light merino top or Compressport 3D Thermo top.
Sam, Editor

Sam Winebaum said...

Sorry jacket review posted was a 2016
Here is the multi jacket review for 2017
http://www.roadtrailrun.com/2017/11/light-weight-breathable-waterproof-run.html
Sam, Editor

Anonymous said...

I think this video shows the shoes in greater detail too....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzMqu_XtrVY

Yayukata said...

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