GoLite Ready Set Go

Our take For areas of the country that experience “winter lite,” the Ready Set Go strikes a Goldilocks balance between comfort, weight, and protection. Its three-layer fabric combines good breathability with a water- and windproof membrane that shed everything from driving rain to 30-mph gusts. But there’s no hood, which means it’s not the pick if you’re going to be out in extended bad weather.

The Details The supersoft, four-way stretch polyester material never inhibited movement, and also let the trim-cut jacket layer comfortably over a midlayer. The chest pocket fits a large smartphone, and the shell squishes down to grapefruit size. Though it stood up to hauling heavy packs, its 20-denier material can’t handle ski edges or rough bushwhacking.

Trail cred “I especially like the reflective tape on the chest and back, which helped cars see me on predawn runs,” one tester says.

7.7 oz.; m’s S-XXL, w’s XS-XL;