Article by Dominique Winebaum
Brooks Nightlife Jacket ($160) and Tight ($96)
The Nightlife jacket is designed with integrated fluorescent color and retro-reflective panels that are strategically placed to help keep you safe when running in low light. With the power to illuminate as its main selling point, smartly layering up in the Nightlife jacket takes the edge off of running under less than optimal visibility and weather conditions.
Additionally, there is no risk of wardrobe malfunction as Brooks has got you covered with this performance focused, sleek, weather resistant, lightweight, breathable, and packable jacket with plenty of innovative and functional details.
The women’s version of the Nightlife jacket has reflective panels made of DriLayer Bolt fabric along the length of the outer sleeves as well as small slivers of retroreflective material placed along the bottom seams in front and back of jacket (4 slivers).
The visual effect of combining fluorescent fabric with retro reflective print in “critical motion zones” optimizes illumination in the dark with a “wow” factor to boot.
Safety first, this is an eye-catching piece day or night that will get you noticed when you need it most, running and yes even walking the dog, and it is a conversation piece too!
Sleek and well designed, the Nightlife jacket is lightweight and soft, as well as breathable. The material for the shell is DriLayer Seal, which is water and wind resistant, as well as moisture wicking, and slighlty stretchable. True to size - it is a comfortable fit without being too snug.
The DriLayer Seal fabric appears to be a lighter version of the fabric in the Canopy jacket, which Des Linden wore at the 2018 Boston Marathon. She dressed smartly for the horrendous weather conditions and won the race and we can too!
Mixing functionality with elegance, the cuffs are made of gathered fabric in a technique called “ruching,” adding textural reinforcement, elasticity, and visual interest.
With six inches long “ruched” cuffs, ripping at the edge of the sleeves should be minimized and tightening around the wrists enhanced. An important detail as this is where my running jackets tend to fall apart -- around the wrists!
The hood provides just the right coverage so as not to impede peripheral vision and can be rolled and tucked in place with a snap strap loop at the middle of the neck.
Inside the right side zippered pocket, a mesh pocket is designed to tightly store a phone with a wired headphone exit hole on the inside. As someone who has not gone to wireless headphones yet, and likes to run with music, I appreciate the lack of bouncing in my pocket. However, it can be a bit tricky to place the phone in the tight mesh pocket while getting the cord to loop through the hole. The tight from the Nightlife Collection, which has a roomy zippered pocket in the back of the waistband, is another option for stowing away a phone while running.
The Nightlife jacket packs into a mesh hanging pocket that can be worn like a mini backpack -- an innovative and secure way of carrying a jacket on a run when not wearing it.
The mesh pocket hangs flat inside the top of the jacket so there is no chance of loosing it.
Additionally, the straps on the backpack can be tightened for a snugger fit. It’s a practical way of carrying a jacket as opposed to wrap it around the waist when not wearing it.
Two side front zippered pockets are perfectly positioned and quite roomy.
Several of my running jackets have breast pockets which create bulk in the wrong place -- not the case here.
The Nightlife jacket is perfect for fall and spring. It is quite novel on many fronts and ideal when running in low light.
Well designed and well made, it is a very comfortable jacket to wear when weather conditions require layering up.
It is definitely a favorite of mine -- running mostly in good daylight, I appreciate being visible on the road and being smartly dressed for the weather. Now that I have the gear to do so, it might entice me to fit a run under less than optimal visibility conditions. Priced at $160, it is quite an investment for a jacket, but well worth it if running in daylight is not an option -- or to be more visible in dreary short days' light. Given the distinctive and flashy look of the jacket - and purpose - it can be difficult to match with a tight or pant. Pairing with the Nightlife tight complements the look as well as the safety component -- if financially feasible! Feeling safer on the road and grateful for the Nightlife jacket!
The Nightlife Tight ($96)
The tight have similar fluorescent side panels with retroreflective print as the jacket has -- providing 360-degree retro-reflectivity.
Like the jacket, the tight are extremely well made with a great deal of attention to details. Made with DriLayer Horse Power, which is 81% polyester and 19% spandex and provides a touch of slimming support, the fabric is soft, moisture-wicking, and supportive. The wide waistband is comfortable and keeps the tight in place.
A pocket with a slanted zip opening, placed in the center back of the waistband is roomy enough to stow away my phone and a few other small essentials. There is also is a small size drop in pocket on the side front of the waistband for extra storage.
I really like the fit and feel of the Nightlife tight and they work well in keeping me comfortable in windy or slightly wet conditions. They are true to size with a slimming fit. They are priced at $96 -- within the price range of high performance tights with as a bonus the added safety features.
The tights call for a matching jacket from the Nightlife Collection ($254 for both), which makes the pair quite an investment for a running outfit but a great combo!.
Stayed tuned for Sam’s review of the men’s Nightlife Jacket and Tight.
Dominique has run for over 35 years, consistently about 25 miles per week at paces between 10 and 11 minute miles on the windy coast of New Hampshire and in the mountains around Park City, UT. She races rarely, but when she does always surprises more hard core runners in her age group when she does. She has a 1985 marathon PR of 3:16 in her second marathon which at the time put her on the top 10.Swiss women’s lists. She is the mother of two grown children, both runners post college, and enjoys nordic and alpine skiing, hiking and trekking, and gardening.
The product reviewed was provided at no cost. The opinions herein are the authors'.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below!
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1 comment:
sportswear look so nice, can I order online?
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