#Note: Full Arc'teryx review list is at the bottom.
CAUTION: I WOULD NOT recommend you EITHER ONE OF these jackets if you won't be running and/or training with them at least, say, 80% of the time.
So, if you're now thinking "Oh, I'd better look for a more all rounder, equally breathable piece, then"...
...then I'd recommend you to check out other alternatives in my Best Arc'teryx Jackets post. Especially take a look at this hoody from Arc'teryx.
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- Best Arc'teryx Ski Jackets: Rush is ideal, Sabre SV is overkill
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- Beta Insulated Jacket: Pit zips AND two way zipper
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- 5 things all Arc'teryx newbies should know
- #A sidenote here: Arc'teryx's PDF guide to jackets is GOOOLLLLDDDDD. Absolutely check that out too if you're interested in buying one.
Now, as of Oct 2023, Arc'teryx currently employs 6 different running / training jacket lines:
Non-insulated:
Very comfortable, rock solid Trino SL would be my top recommendation. PS: Some women do find wearing the Men's Trino SL comfortable.
- Trino SL Hoody (Men's): This is an amazing piece, and would be my top overall pick for most of you.
- Breathable, wind resistant, water resistant, and fully featured (offers 4 pockets, mechanical venting and other running specific touches). Overall the most well-balanced, and the best piece in my humble opinion.
- At 12 oz (340 grams), its two times heavier than its alternatives. Still, if portability is mostly not going to be a major concern for you, I don't think it's a deal breaker. It's still quite a bit light.
- My main gripe with this piece is that it doesn't look that pretty (at least to me, and some of my other folks). Still, this isn't a fashion oriented jacket... Functionality it offers is phenomenal. Which, I think, should be the main axis of decision making.
- My second gripe with this is that Arc'teryx doesn't offer a women's counterpart of this (only offers an Anorak version of it - which I didn't have the chance to review yet). Hopefully they will start doing so in the near future (AW2022).
- Until then, I'd recommend the Incendo Hoody for women. It's my second favorite running jacket from the Arc.
A good alternative to Trino is...
- Incendo Hoody (Men's - Women's (Cita) - read my review): If Trino is a bit too expensive for you (although I bet it's worth every extra penny for many (all?) of you), OR if portability will be a concern for you for at least, say, 50% of the time when running... then Incendo is probably the right pick for you.
- Although its performance metrics are fairly below the Trino & it doesn't offer that much features (only 1 pocket), it's much more portable (weighs almost one THIRD of the Trino!).
- As you can guess, this performance vs portability is a trade-off - it's a give or take. Your preference will come down to your own needs and desires - so I'm not the one to tell you which one you should get. Only you can answer that since only you know your own priorities.
- Lastly, if you're interested in seeing its other versions, Arc'teryx also offers a hoodless version (Incendo SL - Cita SL) and a vest version (Incendo Vest - Cita Vest) of the Incendo.
And finally my least favorite...
Norvan SL in action. Not gonna lie, looks bomb.
- Norvan SL Hoody (Men's - Women's): Think of this piece as an a little more weather resistant and a little less breathable version of the Trino. Norvan SL is probably the jacket that I recommend the least in this round up.
- My main gripe with this piece surprisingly is not the lack of breathability (it's not all that noticeable, after all - at least for most of us). My main gripe with this is the absence of pockets.
- It's understandable that Arc'teryx aimed to create a super minimalist piece with this one - but I think it's a little too minimalist for me (and many others). I mean, when I can get an Incendo Hoody (not to even mention for half the price!), I probably wouldn't get the Norvan SL.
- The only exception I can think of where I'd recommend this piece would be running in damp areas for at least, say, 70% of the time. Only THEN the superior weather resistance this jacket has to offer would be able to compensate its drawbacks and extra price.
These 3 lines make up the non-insulated running jackets.
Insulated:
- Norvan SL Insulated (Men's - Women's)
- Argus (Men's - Women's (Gaea))
I'll review these soon in another post.
PS: I always recommend opting for the non-insulated jackets when in doubt between insulated vs non-insulated.
Because, if you happen to regret your decision, you're always able to revert it back by under layering it with a base layer.
