Reviews You Can Rely On

Nike Windrunner Woven - Women's Review

A functional jacket that doesn't pack down but performs decently and has a sporty-chic vibe
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Nike Windrunner Woven - Women's Review
Credit: Nike
Price:  $100 List
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Manufacturer:   Nike
By Maggie Nichols ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 27, 2019
57
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Wind Resistance - 30% 7.0
  • Breathability - 30% 6.0
  • Weight and Packability - 20% 3.0
  • Versatility - 10% 5.0
  • Water Resistance - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Nike Windrunner is a classically sporty windbreaker that makes a great layer on your way to the gym or an addition to the wardrobe of an athleticwear junkie. It has a big back vent, wide, comfortable sleeve cuffs, and full-sized zippered hand pockets. With a short front and longer back, this jacket is a fashionable throwback that comes in bold colors. It lacks many of the techy features of its competitors - like the ability to pack into a pocket, a versatile fit for layering, or an exceptionally light weight — but still retains a lot of features we enjoy and a look we love.
REASONS TO BUY
Wide cuffs
Large back vent
Comfortable fabric
Bold color options
REASONS TO AVOID
Doesn't pack into pocket
Short fit is harder to layer
Sleeves on the short side
Nike no longer makes the Windrunner Woven.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Nike Windrunner is a full-zip, hooded windbreaker made of 100% polyester. It features full-sized zippered hand pockets, a hood drawstring, and a large back vent.

Performance Comparison


nike windrunner woven for women - we like the look and functionality of this non-technical windbreaker...
We like the look and functionality of this non-technical windbreaker from Nike.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Wind Resistance


The Nike Windrunner provides pretty good wind resistance and a good ability to keep your extremities protected. The bottom hem is elastic on the front, which helps to keep this jacket secured against the wind. The hood is quite large but with a traditional string tie option to keep it on in a gale. The sleeve cuffs are wide and comfortable elastic bands, which protect against the wind while being more comfortable than most of the competition to push up when you're hot. Our 5 foot, 4-inch, 117-pound main tester tested the XS, which she says could have longer sleeves — though she also self-identifies as a woman with particularly long arms.

nike windrunner woven for women - the super wide cuffs of the windrunner are very comfortable, though...
The super wide cuffs of the Windrunner are very comfortable, though we think the sleeves could stand to be a bit longer.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Breathability


The entire top section of the Windrunner's back is mesh covered by a flap of fabric. This goes a long way toward adding breathability to this jacket with fairly closed hems. The wide sleeve cuffs are very appreciated for those moments in which pushing up your sleeves is needed. The fabric is also less plastic-feeling than many of the DWR-treated options we tested. The large hood helps to hold the top open wide for easy venting but also rests against part of the back vent, semi-restricting airflow.

nike windrunner woven for women - the whole back pink section lifts up and is just mesh underneath.
The whole back pink section lifts up and is just mesh underneath.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Weight & Packability


At 7.4 ounces, the Windrunner is one of the heavier jackets we tested and simply can't compete with some of the light and ultralight models we tested. This jacket doesn't pack into any of its pockets, further decreasing its score in this metric. The wide elastic cuffs, while making this jacket more comfortable in our opinion, are also more difficult to compact when you're short on space. But it's not a huge jacket and is relatively simple to stuff into the bottom of your bag if it's hotter on your way home than it was on your way there.

nike windrunner woven for women - not our top choice for backpacking, but a short hike on a crisp day...
Not our top choice for backpacking, but a short hike on a crisp day isn't bad.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Versatility


The Windrunner gives the wearer a fairly specific look and isn't the easiest to layer over any longer or loose-fitting clothing. It's not our first choice for overly technical outdoor activities like climbing or backpacking, but it is decently versatile for less intense and urban activities. With two full-sized zippered hand pockets and a comfortable fit, we love throwing this jacket on for errands, dog walks, and even short hikes. We think it's a good everyday option and definitely has a certain style that we just love.

nike windrunner woven for women - we enjoyed having everyday adventures in this classic look from nike.
We enjoyed having everyday adventures in this classic look from Nike.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Water Resistance


This jacket doesn't have a DWR finish to help repel water, like many of the more technical options we tested, but it does decently in a brief shower. We found that in light rain, drops will bead on this jacket pretty well, though after too long or in a more intense shower, the Windrunner will eventually get wet. This isn't too surprising for a windbreaker, though, as any jacket with true water repellent properties tends to lose a lot of breathability and even some comfort. For what it is, the Nike Windrunner does an okay job in a pinch.

nike windrunner woven for women - the water did make this jacket wet during our controlled testing...
The water did make this jacket wet during our controlled testing, but it still beaded even when it was wet, which we think is pretty good.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Value


The Nike Windrunner is about an average price among models we tested. If you love the style, we think its performance nearly matches its price. However, if you're after a more technical piece with increased durability or extreme packability, this one is unlikely to fit the bill.

nike windrunner woven for women - full-sized zippered hand pockets make this jacket handy for everyday...
Full-sized zippered hand pockets make this jacket handy for everyday use, though a bit heavier and less technical than some others.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Conclusion


This windbreaker is a fun new take on a classic look. It works decently well, though it doesn't blow us away with its functionality. It is superbly comfortable, though, and we think it makes a great addition to the everyday garb of the gym rat or activewear junkie.

nike windrunner woven for women - the windrunner is great for adventures outside your city.
The Windrunner is great for adventures outside your city.
Credit: Kats Kitagawa

Maggie Nichols