Brooks Trail Apparel: Three Pieces Built for the Trail Season

Introduction

Brooks’ Highpoint collection was designed around a simple idea: trail running apparel that keeps you dry, protected, and comfortable without getting in the way. The lineup covers the three essentials, a waterproof breathable jacket, a two-in-one trail short, and a lightweight sun-protective top, all released together with trail-specific colorways. Here is what each piece offers and who it makes sense for.

Highpoint Waterproof Jacket

The Highpoint jacket is built as a waterproof two-and-a-half-layer design, with a breathable membrane on the interior that keeps moisture from sticking to the inside while letting it breathe through. The outer face carries a DWR water-repellent treatment, and the interior seams are fully taped with a waterproof zipper, so the protection is meant to be genuinely waterproof rather than merely water resistant.

There are several thoughtful details for trail use. A snap draft flap lets you open the front to dissipate extra heat while keeping the jacket secured. The hood has a visor with interior shaping to hold it near the top of the forehead, plus space for a headlamp when you are out on the trail in low light. A mesh panel on the back adds breathability and allows the jacket to be worn over a running pack, which makes it practical for the moment you pull it out of the pack mid-run.

If you run in areas where weather can turn quickly, this is the piece in the collection doing the heaviest lifting.

Highpoint 7-inch Short

The Highpoint 7-inch short is a two-in-one design: a ripstop outer shell with a lightweight compression short on the interior. The ripstop front panel is treated with DWR to help keep you dry, and the weave is chosen so that snags on branches do not turn into spreading tears. Breathable mesh panels add airflow where you need it.

Storage is a clear focus. Two drop-in pockets on the back sides are sized for quick grab-and-go access to gels or other fuel, and there is a rear storage pocket big enough for a phone. The pocket pull is deliberately oversized so it is easy to find and use with cold hands, something you will appreciate on a summit push. The interior compression layer holds everything in place while staying lightweight and breathable.

Atmosphere Short Sleeve

The Atmosphere short sleeve rounds out the kit as an ultra-lightweight trail top with UPF 50 sun protection. Mesh construction delivers fast drying, with a claimed dry time under four minutes. The paneling is designed so the shirt works with a pack without rubbing or chafing, and the raglan sleeve construction removes seaming around the armpit for a cleaner, more protected fit.

One detail that stands out is the hanger loop on the back: after a sweaty run, you can hang the shirt up and it dries quickly. The back keeps a sleek look, and the colorways are trail-specific to this collection, built in natural tones with bright, vibrant pops so you still stay visible on the trail.

How to Choose

If you buy only one piece, match it to your biggest pain point: wet weather points to the Highpoint jacket, storage and snag-prone terrain point to the 7-inch short, and sun exposure or pack compatibility point to the Atmosphere top. Worn together, they are designed as a complete system, from the jacket’s pack-friendly back panel to the shirt’s chafe-free paneling, so the pieces complement each other rather than overlap.

Conclusion

The Highpoint collection shows a clear focus on trail-specific problems: waterproofing that actually vents, pockets you can use with cold hands, and sun protection that does not chafe under a pack. For runners preparing for the trail season, these three pieces cover the essentials with thoughtful details throughout.