Article by Sally Reiley
In the article I test and review Janji’s Thermalrunner Jacket ($198), Aurora Fleece Tights ($118), Repeat Merino Long Sleeve ($88), all winter focused high performance apparel over the last several weeks in definitely cold Marblehead, MA.
A bit more about Janji.
Janji evaluates the design of its apparel and gear following three D’s — Durable, Dependable & Deployable.
They are a mission-driven brand and have supported water causes since day one by giving a percentage (2%) back from every single purchase to sustainable water projects in the places that inspire each of its collections.
Janji W’s Thermalrunner Jacket ($198)
Janji's Thermalrunner Insulated Jacket provides winter protection without the bulk. It features targeted PrimaLoft® insulation for warmth where you need it, and only where you need it. It is incredibly lightweight and amazingly warm for its weight.
The insulation is on the front, shoulders, sleeves, and lower back, allowing ventilation on the back and under the arms.
There are three zipper pockets, two along the side seams and one on the chest, all large enough to hold an iphone 15 Pro in a case.
The main front zipper is a two way zipper, great for added venting if you overheat on the run.
I received the Thermalrunner in my usual size W XS, and I find it runs generously, which is great for adding layers underneath.
Yet I also found it is so deceptively warm that numerous layers are not necessary! I did make use of the shock cord at the bottom hem to snug up the hemline which extends below my butt.
There is no hood, but I do not miss one. The soft and comfortable fabric is water resistant, and kept me dry in snow showers. As a road runner, I love the red (“nova”) color, refreshingly visible in a sea of black running apparel.
I tend to “run cold” and wear more layers than the average runner as the temperatures dip, and I feared the Thermalrunner would not be warm enough for me during the recent Arctic blast here in New England. How wrong I was! As temperatures dipped into the teens with howling winds that rendered subzero feels like temps, this jacket kept me warm on all but the coldest days. Admittedly I wore two merino base layer shirts (the Repeat Merino on the bottom and a heavier midlayer on top) AND an insulated vest (Arcteryx Atom), and threw on a neck gaiter and warm hat (both Skida) and my warmest mittens (Craft Core), but I was reasonably comfortable. The jacket could not block the wind, but these winds were extreme and I would not expect that of any running jacket.
All in all, the Thermalrunner jacket is a big win for winter running. It is extremely light weight, soft, and quietly comfortable but also amazingly warm. It fits generously and comfortably, and disappears on the run (and very positive attribute). The three zip pockets hold snacks, gloves and a phone. My only wish would be for a large rear zip pocket to stash a hat or mittens on a warming day. I know I will wear this jacket often for cold weather running!
Janji Women’s Thermalrunner is available now
REI
Janji Aurora Fleece Tights ($118)The Aurora fleece tight is a warm fleece-lined winter running tight featuring two large hand pockets, a nice wide waistband, and a butterfly soft thick fabric of 77% recycled polyester, 23% spandex. There is a stretchy drawstring at the waist (though I found the pants stay up well enough without the need of a drawstring) and flattering topstitching down either leg. There is no stitched hem at the bottom and no need for a zipper because of the stretch. There is even a loop inside the pocket to clip in keys or whatever.
These tights fit comfortably true to size, and are simply super comfortable. They do not bind at the waist, nor do they slip down. The legs are snug but not constricting. The full length is exactly what you want in the cold weather.
The two pockets are big enough for an iPhone, and smartly angle back and hold the contents toward the back of the hip rather in the front.
With so many cold days of late I have had plenty of opportunity to wear these tights, and I can honestly say they are perhaps the best winter running tight I have ever worn. They are super warm and super comfortable and fit nicely without binding. My legs were warm enough on the run even during these recent extremely cold, windy days. The tights are comfortable enough to want to wear all day long instead of my trusty sweatpants. Janji does make a model with reflective details for those that run mostly in the dark, and the men’s version of this tight is called the Boreal Tight.
My recommendations to improve this almost perfect winter running tight would be
Add a pocket at the rear waistband (it is plenty wide)
Use larger zipper pulls on the two hip pockets to facilitate opening the pockets while wearing mittens or gloves
Aurora Fleece Tights
REI SHOP HERE
Janji W’s Repeat Merino Long Sleeve ($88)
An excellent base layer for cold and transitional weather, the Repeat Merino Long Sleeve is made from a light-yet-mighty odor-resistant Merino blend that's as soft as it is strong using the new 37.5® Technology. Lighter than many merino base layers and super soft and comfortable, it can provide day after day performance with no need to launder.
I am wearing my usual size womens XS and find it finds true to size, and the fit is neither loose nor snug and the integrated thumb holes are perfectly situated (I love thumb holes!). The super soft ultra-fine merino (47% merino wool, 38% 37.5® nylon, 15% nylon) feels great against the skin.
I have worn this shirt time and time again these past few weeks of cold winter running, and I must say it is an ideal baselayer. I always felt dry and comfortable, and found it surprisingly warm on its own despite its light airy feel.
Many days I wore it as a baselayer under a heavier midlayer, and the thinness of the fabric makes the layering easy. I was nervous to wash it my first time due to the stated chance of shrinkage, but honestly the shirt never stinks (even though I am 100% certain I do after a long run), and in the end it did not shrink at all.
I will wear this often all winter as a baselayer, and also during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall as a long sleeve top on its own. I only wish Janji had more of them in stock so that I could buy some other colors (loving the look of the pale blue).
This top is similar to my beloved Tracksmith Brighton top, though I find it not as snug fitting as the Brighton. The other benefit is that the Janji Repeat Merino has longer sleeves with thumb holes, the lack of which I have always thought to be the drawback to the Brighton.
My Oiselle and Smartwool merino tops are heavier than this one, and fit like a midlayer in comparison to the Janji. On some very cold days I wore the Oiselle Wazzie wool or the Tracksmith Downeaster Hoody over the Janji Repeat Merino and was comfortably warm.
Shop for the Repeat Merino Long Sleeve at Janji
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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