Advnture Verdict
The perfect super-light, super-packable, well-designed jacket for popping in your pack just in case, and meeting mandatory kit requirements.
Pros
- +
Peaked hood
- +
Thumb loops & glove-compatible zip cord
- +
Water-resistant main zip
- +
Reflective logos
Cons
- -
No hood adjustment
- -
Small stormflap behind zip
- -
No hem or cuff adjustment
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OMM Halo jacket: first impressions
The OMM Halo is one of the lightest jackets we tested for our best lightweight running jackets buyer’s guide, and it’s a firm favorite for many because of its tiny, tiny pack size – no bigger than a tennis ball.
It’s incredibly well thought out, with only the essential features present so you can be sure you’ll be warm and dry when that sudden rain shower hits. It uses Point Zero H2O two-layered waterproof fabric and slimline tape behind the seams to provide a 10,000 mm hydrostatic head, which works well for heavy rain.
The hood, while not adjustable, fits very well with elasticated sides and a peaked front to keep the rain from your face. In high winds this can bend as it’s not reinforced, but that feature would add weight.
The one main YKK AquaGuard zip is water resistant with a small storm flap behind the zip, this could be larger to prevent eventual rain ingress but again, we’re saving weight here.
The elongated, articulated arms are long enough for the thumb loops to be very comfortable, and the drop tail is a nice touch for extra protection at the rear. In a strong piece of design, the adjustable hem runs partly across and above this drop tail so when tightened rain water runs off without running straight down your behind. The jacket also meets all FRA and ultra distance race requirements.
• RRP: $183 (US) / £140 (UK)
• Weight (Men’s size M): 105g / 3.7oz
• Colors: Men’s: Grey / Green & Grey / Blue & Grey Women’s: Grey / Pink & Grey / Navy & Grey
• Hydrostatic Head: 10,000mm
• Breathability: 10,000 g/m2
• Compatibility: Super light, packable and waterproof for use just in case it rains
OMM Halo jacket: on the trails
This super-light, super-simple jacket has been stuffed in our packs so many times for those will-it-or-won’t-it-rain? days in the Lake District and Scotland. The only thing we would have sacrificed a little more weight for is a pocket – and, after listening to runner feedback, OMM have now added side pockets to the latest male and female versions of this jacket, which is a significant improvement.
There’s also a smock version with a half-zip but we think the full-zip is the best option for ease of taking off and putting on again while wearing said running pack.
The fit is true to size, and the men’s and women’s designs are excellent for fitting the different male and female forms without any riding up because of that well-designed drop tail.
The only downside of such a lightweight jacket has been slight wear to the stitched area of the thumb loop on the left hand cuff after two years of pulling it roughly and quickly off and on to look at your GPS watch underneath. Be more gentle with it and you shouldn’t have any such problem.
