Article by Renee Krusemark, Sally Reiley and Jamie Hershfang
Firecracker Insulated Full Zip Jacket ($178) and Say Anything Jacket ($148)
Sally; Oiselle was founded in 2007 in Seattle by Sally Bergeson when she wanted a decent pair of non-poofy running shorts. Oiselle (French for Bird) is a BY WOMEN, FOR WOMEN performance-oriented running and athletic apparel brand that makes premium clothing for women who prefer quality, seek styles that endure, and fabrics that go the distance.
They were the first women-only brand to sponsor female college athletes and the first brand to sponsor a pregnant athlete in 2013. Oiselle not only designs and makes great running tops and bottoms and jackets and accessories for women, but they aim to make more women confident in sport and they support women of “all faces, all places, and all paces.”
I have owned and loved a number of pieces of Oiselle clothing over the years (I especially like the Lux long sleeve crew top for cold weather - softest fabric ever) and my three adult daughters are all fans. My Colorado school administrator daughter swears by Oiselle (Wazzie Wool tops are her favorite) not only for skiing and running and hiking but for work. Their tights with plenty of pockets are legendary. And they make the best ever running mittens!
Oiselle generously provided the products for these reviews at no cost.
Firecracker Insulated Full Zip Jacket: ($178)
Renee: The Firecracker Insulated Full Zip Jacket is a jacket, not a “coat.” However, I was surprised at how warm the jacket felt during well-below freezing temperatures.
Sally: I run outdoors all winter here in northern New England and need cold-weather running apparel that performs well. It is always a bonus when it looks great as well. Was initially skeptical that this jacket could be warm enough for the recent cold snap here because it feels so light and thin, but I was pleasantly surprised that it is much warmer than expected.
Oiselle has thought out the details for this jacket with Polartec insulation on the front of the body and along the shoulders to keep your core warm, and then a soft stretchy nylon/spandex blend for the back and sleeves.
The back and the sleeves are fully reflective with Oiselle’s distinctive bird print, and there is a zip-out hood in the collar to keep you dry in that possible rain shower or snow flurry. We’ll go into the details, but five zippered pockets are so appreciated, as is the great fit and looks of this jacket.
Features
Renee: Pockets! A key feature of the jacket, especially compared to similar jackets, are the pockets, all of which have zippers. The two side pockets are a good size for gloves. The back pocket works for gloves too, although I prefer to have them in the front side pockets for easier access. The back pocket is large enough for a stocking hat or even a lightweight, packable rain coat (very small and packable).
The two chest pockets are big enough for my iPhone 15 Pro Max. The fit is snug so it’s not quick to get in and out. However, that tight fit means the phone is snug, and I had little bounce when running with my phone in either chest pocket. Gels and small snacks easily fit in these pockets too. The hood fits into a zipped pocket around the collar, which is hardly noticeable when packed.
I used the hood when running in snow and the cord and bungee kept the hood tight around my face.
Sally: Renee describes the pockets well with photos of how nicely they hold the gear runners need to carry, particularly the phone, the hat, the mittens/gloves, the gels, etc.
I likewise really appreciate good pockets and found they were all ideally placed and sufficient in capacity. I found the center back zip drop-in pocket in particular was a lifesaver to stash multiple accessories (both hat and mittens) as I heated up on a warmer run.
I tested out the stowaway hood and found it fit and performed well, and cinched down nicely with the bungee cords. And did we mention the thumb holes on the sleeves? I am a huge fan of thumb holes and long enough sleeves to cover the hands. The only thing missing is a window for my sports watch!
Fit and Style
Renee: I wore my usual size small. The style is listed as semi-fitted, and it has good volume. The sleeve length is great for me, i.e. long, and the thumb holes are a useful feature. The body length is a bit short, but fairly standard for a women’s cut jacket. On Oiselle’s website, a size small jacket is shown on their 5’11” model. I’m about 4.5” inches shorter and the jacket looks the same length. If you have a long torso, expect the jacket to hit a bit short. For style, the jacket looks great in the black color and can double as a casual jacket.
I’ve washed it once during the course of four runs just to test the durability. On cold/delicate and using the dryer on low heat, the jacket showed no wear. I was a bit worried about the insulation coming through the seams, which happened with my Gorewear R5 Infinium insulated jacket.
Sally: I wore my usual size XS and it fit nicely. I find all Oiselle pieces fit generously on my petite frame, and this jacket was not snug but also not too loose.
At only 5’2” with a shorter torso than Renee, I liked the length, not too short at all on me and yet not too long.
The reflectivity of this jacket makes it very visible at night, but while the black color is nice and makes it versatile, I personally like a bright color for my running jackets for daytime visibility.
Performance
Renee: While the jacket’s fit is a bit short for my apparently long torso, its performance is great. The jacket is fitted but with good volume for movement. The reflective “birds” cover a good portion of the back and sleeves.
The insulated portion covers the chest and shoulders only. I normally find Polartec products warm despite being thin/lightweight. My warmest run was at 30-33°F and my coldest was 19°F in the snow (feels like temps at 9°F). I was surprised that the jacket worked well at those temps with only a base layer (the coldest run was with a cold gear shirt, the warmest just a regular tee.
I was cold during my warmups, and I wouldn’t casually wear the jacket at those temps. For running, it provided just enough warmth.
The hood has a bungee cord and cord lock. After some fiddling, I was able to pull and cord lock to get the hood tight around my face. I wish both sides of the hood had a cord lock.
Initially the jacket feels like a long-sleeve shirt with a vest. I didn’t expect it to be warm for running at 19°F. For comparison, my Gorewear R5 Infinium Insulated and OR Deviator Hoodie jackets have a similar fit and use. The Gorewear jacket is warmer and lighter, but without zippered pockets. The Deviator Hoodie is warmer too, but much more expensive. Neither jacket has as much pocket storage.
Sally: This jacket performed very well for me on numerous runs. I wore it with a very thin baselayer on more moderate days, over my Oiselle lux long sleeve on other days and over my heavier merino Oiselle Wazzie Wool long sleeve on the coldest days. As I said earlier, I was surprised to find I was warm enough with just this jacket in 20 degree weather (I run on the cold side).
In conclusion, I would say the Insulated Firecracker Jacket checks all the boxes for me in a winter running jacket: warm without being bulky, fits well, and looks good. It has plenty of reflectivity elements, and has loads of pockets to store anything you might need on the run. The biggest compliment I can pay this jacket is that I forget I am wearing it and it feels like part of me as I move. A great jacket for all but the coldest winter conditions from a great For Women By Women company! I give it 5 stars and a solid recommendation.
Great gift idea for your favorite Running Gal!
Say Anything Jacket ($148)
Jamie: Oiselle created such a lightweight waterproof and breathable running jacket. Living in the Windy City, the Chicago winter can bring some wild weather, including wind and freezing rain. We’ve had a cold start to the season and this jacket has been the perfect addition to my wardrobe. I never wear more than 2 layers while running, which is why having such a light and waterproof shell is critical. The Say Anything Jacket is just the perfect choice.
Features
From the scientists at Schoeller, a global leader in high performance, technical fabrics, Schoeller's -ecorepel® is designed for high intensity output in high intensity weather. As you heat up, the interior doesn’t stick to your skin while the laminate exterior helps water just roll away.
The jacket is created with a four way stretch material that moves well in all directions. All the zippers are also waterproof with the seams sealed to prevent moisture from leaking in. The hood is adjustable which makes it great for anyone and anything. When you take it off after your run, it dries in just minutes and doesn’t absorb odor like other materials would.
Fit and Style
Being 5’4, I went with a size small and it’s absolutely perfect. It’s lroomy enough to wear a baselayer underneath but close enough to the skin to keep me warm. There aren’t many bells and whistles to this jacket, simple in design, yet complex in function. I love the simplicity as something I can wear on the run or during the day to keep me warm and dry.
Performance
When I first got the jacket, I didn’t expect it to perform as well as it did. For being so lightweight, it works incredibly well at keeping me dry and warm. It works great on windy days, rainy days, and as someone who runs warm, I don’t overheat in this jacket. It doesn’t feel restrictive in any way like some jackets may feel, especially around my wrists where my watch sits and gloves can sneak in underneath without feeling tight.
While I do sweat a decent amount, I was incredibly surprised with how fast the inner insulation and outer shell dries. I typically have to wash all my clothes after a run with how much I sweat, and the way this jacket dries and doesn’t absorb odor is a huge plus. I can wear it multiple times without any issue. It’s definitely been my go to the past couple weeks and will continue to be a game changer!
Overall, this jacket is simple in design, yet has incredible versatility. It is lightweight, breathable, waterproof, wind proof, and quick to dry. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a core outer layer for this winter or simply to get out in the elements. 5/5 stars!
Shop for Oiselle Jackets at Oiselle HERE
Sally is a lifelong runner and mother of five who agreed against her better judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the past eleven Boston Marathons, three NYC Marathons, two Chicagos, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights (Berlin in 2025). With a Boston PR of 3:25:55 in 2022 (9th place in AG) and three consecutive 2nd place in Age Group awards in NYC, she has competed in several Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships and placed 6th in the world in W 60-64 when she ran an all-time PR of 3:24:02 at age 63 at the 2022 London Marathon. She also competes in USATF races of all distances with the Greater Lowell Road Runners team. To add meaning to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Team Eye and Ear and has raised over $320,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally stands tall at 5’2’’ and 105 pounds, and lives in Marblehead, MA where she trains outdoors year round. She blames her love of skiing out West for any and all Boston Marathon training challenges.
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