Monday, January 02, 2023

Winter 2022-2023 Women and Men's Brooks Run Warm Apparel Round Up Review

Article by Allison Valliere and Jeff Valliere

Shield Hybrid Vest 2.0 Women’s ($115)

(Allison)

The Women’s Shield Hybrid Vest 2.0 is an excellent layering piece made with an updated, lighter, warmer Thermolite insulation.  Available in sizes XS - XXL and in two colors, black or “Run Raisin/Copper” (as tested), this vest is perfect as a stand alone piece on moderate days, or for layering on colder days, as it provides good warmth with little bulk.  Wind resistant paneling in critical zones provides targeted protection.


Fit and Style: 

The Shield Hybrid Vest 2.0 fits me perfect in size medium (I am 5’6”/113lbs), though I normally wear size small tops and am glad I sized up.  Style is very nice in my opinion, with a flattering cut and I like the colors.  I wear this vest for running, hiking and casually around town.  


Performance:  

The Shield Hybrid Vest 2.0 is lightweight, quick drying and breathable, packing a lot of warmth into a lightweight package.  The vest has two nice warm hand pockets, though I wish they were zippered.  There are also two stretch stash pockets on either side where you can more securely stash some food, gloves, or a beanie.  I do appreciate the zippered inner chest pocket which is perfect for my phone (and keeping it close to my body keeps it warmer and reduces battery drain in the cold).  I’ll typically wear this vest in temps between 40-60 degrees and vary what I wear underneath.  Any colder than 40 and I am for sure reaching for the Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 instead.



(my daughter Amelie modeling the vest on a recent snowy run)


Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 Womens ($160)

(Allison)


The Women’s Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 is exactly like the vest, but has sleeves.  Like the vest, it is an excellent layering piece made of an updated, lighter, warmer Thermolite insulation.  Available in sizes XS - XXL and in two colors, black (as tested) or “Run Raisin/Copper”, this jacket is perfect as a stand alone piece on moderate to colder days, or for layering on colder days, as it provides great warmth with little bulk.  Wind resistant paneling in critical zones provides targeted protection.  If I had one wish though, I would love to have a hood.


(my daughter Isabelle modeling the jacket)


Fit and Style: 

The Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 fits me perfectly in size medium (I am 5’6”/113lbs), though I normally wear size small tops and am glad I sized up.  Style is very nice in my opinion, with a flattering cut and I like the black, as it is sleek and classy looking, great for running, hiking or just around town.


Performance: 

The Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 is lightweight, quick drying and breathable, packing a lot of warmth into a lightweight package.  Like the vest, the jacket has two nice warm hand pockets, though I wish they were zippered.  There are also two stretch stash pockets on either side where you can more securely stash some food, gloves, or a beanie, leaving the hand pockets free for your hands.  I do appreciate the zippered inner chest pocket which is perfect for my phone (and keeping it close to my body keeps it warmer and reduces battery drain in the cold).  I will reach for this jacket when the temperature is below 45 degrees, but anything below 30, I need to add another layer over it, especially if windy.


Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 Mens ($165)

(Jeff)

The Men’s Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 is exactly like the women’s, though with a few small differences, such as the men’s having zippered hand pockets, but no side drop pockets or zippered chest pocket and that its fit is more baggy.  Like the women’s version, it is an excellent layering piece made of an updated, lighter, warmer Thermolite insulation.  Available in sizes XS - XXL and in two colors, black or “Run Raisin/Copper” (as tested), this jacket is perfect as a stand alone piece on moderate to colder days, or for layering on colder days, as it provides great warmth with little bulk.  Wind resistant paneling in critical zones provides targeted protection.  Like Allison, I would love to have a hood for those windy days to keep out the draft.


Fit and Style:  

I wear size medium always (I am 5’9”/145lbs) and size medium here fits me well.  The fit is somewhat baggy, with extra room and I think even a small would fit me in this instance if I wanted a more sporty fit, but I do appreciate the extra room if I want to layer underneath or just wear casually.  Styling is nice and I like the Run Raisin/Copper, though I think the black is more masculine and would be my preference given the choice.  As I mentioned, in my normal size medium, the fit is a bit baggy and thus gives off a somewhat boxy appearance vs. a more athletic cut (the women’s version is much more athletic and sleek in styling).



Performance: 

The Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 is lightweight, quick drying and breathable, packing a lot of warmth into a lightweight package. I will reach for this jacket when the temperature is below 45 degrees, but like Allison says, anything below 30, I need to add another layer over it, especially if windy.


Momentum Thermal Tight Men’s ($95)

(Jeff)


The Momentum Thermal Tights are made of a stretch fabric that is fleece lined for a nice soft, comfortable fit.  The design is very simple, light and streamlined, with no paneling or zippers for the ankle cuffs.  There is a pocket on either side, a nice zippered pocket on the left side which I use for securing a car key or a few gels, plus a stretch slide pocket on the right side which easily accommodates my phone.



Fit and Style:  

I have a 34” inseam and always need to size up for pants/tights and that is the case here.  They fit quite well and are comfortable and stay put, helped by a draw cord around the waist.  Being tights, they are, well, tight and style is debatable depending on your preference/comfort level.  I reach for tights for function when I am planning faster runs in the cold and not so much for style, but for tights though, they look stylish.


Performance:  

Performance is excellent for high output running in temperatures down to about 30, but they do feel somewhat thin to me and if below 30, I need to reach for tights or pants that are a bit thicker, insulated or have some sort of paneling.  They are very comfortable and allow for a nice stride and range of motion, are soft inside, breathable and quick drying.  They do get quite wet though in snow/rain, so are best for dry conditions.


Momentum Thermal Pant Womens ($95)

(Allison)


Made with an updated DriLayer Threshold fabric, the Momentum Thermal Pants are great, as they ride the line between pants and tights, with less baggyness than normal pants and cuffed ankle collars for streamlining and less draft.  Additionally, the waistband is wide to give more comfort and does not dig in.  I also love that they have two nice generous, soft, zippered hand pockets.



Fit and Style:

Fit for me is perfect in my size medium for waist and length (I am 5’6”/113lbs and wear size 2-4 in normal pants).  Style is good overall, but they have a bit to much fabric in the front below the waist band, more like a men’s cut in that one spot.  


Performance:  

The Thermal Pant is quick drying and breathable, offering a nice range of motion for running or hiking.  I do find them to be on the thin side compared to other winter pants that I use, so prefer them in temperatures above 35 degrees and not when windy.



Notch Thermal Hoodie 2.0 Men's ($95)

(Jeff)



Made from a thermal soft notched, antimicrobial fabric, the Notch Thermal Hoodie is a full featured, warm, comfortable layering piece.  The fabric is warm, breathable and quick drying and is resistant to odor.  It has a hood of course, which I like to keep out drafts, plus the hood can be secure with a small hook/loop when not in use, plus has thumb holes in the sleeve to keep in place and double as a partial mitt and also a small overlapping watch cutout on either wrist.  Additionally, there is a small zippered pocket near the hip, perfect for a key, gel or headphones.


Fit and Style: 

Fit in my normal size medium is a bit big, sort of long and baggy, so I think a small might be more appropriate for me, but it is really comfortable and works fine.  I also wear it often just around the house, so it has some range.  Style is nice.



Performance:  

The Notch Thermal Hoodie 2.0 works very well as a middle layer. I often wear a long sleeve merino wool top underneath and wear the Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 on top if cold, or just a windbreaker kind of shell if less cold.  The material is warm, quick drying and breathable and comfortable enough to wear as a baselayer (though I prefer to use it as a mid layer).


Notch Thermal Long Sleeve 2.0 Women’s

(Allison)


Like the Men’s hoodie, the women’s Long Sleeve is made from a thermal soft notched, antimicrobial fabric and is a full featured, warm, comfortable layering piece.  The fabric is warm, breathable and quick drying and is resistant to odor.  It does not have a hood, but has a nice high neck collar, almost like a turtle neck, but not tight or constricting and like the men’s version has thumb holes in the sleeve to keep in place and double as a partial mitt and also a small overlapping watch cutout on either wrist.  Additionally, there is a small zippered pocket near the hip, perfect for a key, gel or headphones.


Fit and Style:  

Fit is great in my size medium and style is nice, though I find it to be a bit short and wish that it came down to my waist or a little more, as it almost feels like a crop top.  It looks cute and stylish, but a few more inches of length would be more functional.


Performance:

I agree with Jeff, the Notch Thermal Long Sleeve 2.0 works very well as a middle layer, which I often use a long sleeve merino wool top underneath and wear the Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 on top if cold, or just a windbreaker kind of shell if less cold.  The material is warm, quick drying and breathable and comfortable enough to wear as a baselayer (though I prefer to use it as a mid layer).


Shield Hybrid Hat 2.0

(Jeff)



The Shield Hybrid Hat 2.0 is the perfect way to top off this line of fine Brooks clothing.  This hat is awesome for those cold winter mornings/days where you would normally wear a beanie, but that pesky low angle winter sun is always in your eyes and the bill helps to shield so you can see.  It also helps in driving snow or when fresh snow is falling off the trees to keep the snow off your glasses.  The earflaps can fold up/down depending on temp/preference and there is a draw cord to keep it snug in the wind.  The hat is warm, but breathable and not too warm, so great for any sort of effort.  While not the most stylish hat, it is  so functional. I highly recommend it!


Tester Profiles


Allison Valliere is a 5th generation Coloradan who is passionate about the outdoors and has been hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing and running in the mountains since she was young.  She has completed all but 5 of the Colorado 14ers (a dozen or so in winter), has many hundreds of year round ascents of 14ers, 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and the West.  Allison has also traveled the world and trekked to over 18,000 feet in the Himalayas, to high altitudes in Ecuador and has worked for the National Park Service mapping plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California .  Her almost daily routine involves runs/power hikes in the foothills above Boulder, or 4-5 mile flatter runs at 8-10 minute mile pace if schedule necessitates.  But what really keeps her on her toes is working as a nurse and taking care of her 12 year old twin daughters who are also growing to share her love for the outdoors.


Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better.  He has summited all of the 14ers in the state and can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not.  On the side he loves to bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his 12 year old daughters to the outdoors.  Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.


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4 comments:

Jeff Valliere said...

Following

Lisa said...

Do the leggings have any reflectivity? I wish brands would include this as standard on cold-weather garments, after all cold weather goes hand-in-hand with dark evenings. What about a DWR coating and if there is one, is it flurocarbon-free?

My personal preference would be for ankle zips, because they make it so much quicker to get leggings off with cold fingers, but this seems to be a minority opinion. I guess the money usually goes on adding pockets or on multi-panel construction.

Jeff Valliere said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jeff Valliere said...

Lisa, to the best of my knowledge, there are no reflective elements on the pants (not that I can detect in person or advertised in specs), nor DWR treatment. Not sure about flurocarbons.