Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Running Jacket Review: Big Protection, Small Price

Introduction

Harrier Trail is a British trail running brand based in the Peak District, known for race vests, running poles, soft flasks, bladders and clothing. The brand’s whole pitch is great value for money, cutting out the middleman and backing it up with strong customer service, which has earned it a loyal following in the UK and overseas. The Exmoor is its first running waterproof jacket, and it arrives packed with features for just £89.

On paper you get fully taped internal seams, a 15,000mm hydrostatic waterproof rating, a 15,000 breathability rating, a three-way adjustable hood with a soft peak, thumb loops, pit zips, generous storage, and compatibility with a race vest worn under or over the jacket. It is a lot of jacket for the money, which raises the obvious question: what’s the catch?

Who the Exmoor Is For

This is a jacket for runners who care about protection and versatility more than shaving grams. It suits anyone who wants a genuinely waterproof, adjustable shell for hostile British weather, whether that’s driving rain and wind on the fells or the drizzle that never quite stops. If you want a jacket that plays nicely with a race vest and can be thrown on over your pack in a short shower, it fits that brief well.

If, however, every ounce of your mandatory race kit matters and you want an ultralight waterproof that packs down to the size of your fist, this probably isn’t the jacket for you. More on that below.

Main Strengths

The fabric choice is the headline. Some waterproof running jackets sound and feel like you are running inside a plastic bag, but the Exmoor uses a very soft four-way stretch polyester with a PU internal membrane that protects the inner layer from sweat and dirt buildup. It feels plush and comfortable when running, and it works as an everyday jacket too.

Ventilation is handled unusually well at this price. Pit zips are rare on running waterproofs, and Harrier has added them alongside an airflow press stud: unzip the front when you overheat on a windy day and the jacket flaps around like a parachute, but clipping the press stud shut stops that instantly. It is a simple design that genuinely works.

Storage and fit details are also thoughtful. There is a large, well-placed rear zip pocket that doubles as the stow pocket for the jacket itself, so you can pack it down and carry it like a running belt or bum bag. The back uses a clever pleated design that expands to let the jacket fit over a hydration pack, with a secondary front zip so you can still reach soft flasks and snacks on the move. Rubber grippers on the shoulders help when running with a race vest, and the dual front zips give the neckline a soft, comfortable feel. Weather protection has been top-notch through months of testing in driving rain and wind.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The feature list comes with consequences. Counting the two side pockets, a chest pocket, two pit zips and the pack-access front zip, there are seven zips on the front of this jacket. That is a lot of zip action, and the two front side pockets feel unnecessary when the rear pocket is so well placed and roomy. Losing them would trim the design without losing anything useful.

The plush stretch fabric also makes the jacket heavy. It weighs 340g, so it does not pack down as small as lighter waterproofs. Stowed in the rear pocket, it is still quite bulky and takes up real space in a race vest, leaving less room for mandatory kit. To be fair, the jackets that pack smaller cost nearly three times the price, so this is a reasonable trade-off rather than a deal-breaker.

Buying Advice

If weight and packability are not your obsession, and you simply want a waterproof that protects in all conditions, adjusts well, works under or over a race vest, and comes from a British brand that clearly cares about its products at a great price, the Exmoor is an easy recommendation at £89.

Before you buy, be honest about how you pack. If you run ultras with a stuffed mandatory kit list, the bulk of the packed jacket will eat into that space. If your runs are day hikes, training runs, or races with a light kit list, the versatility and comfort will outweigh the extra grams.

Conclusion

The Harrier Exmoor is a genuinely well-thought-out first waterproof from a brand that knows trail runners. Soft, stretchy and comfortable, properly waterproof, and loaded with useful features like pit zips, an airflow press stud, a stowable rear pocket and race vest compatibility, it delivers far more than its £89 price suggests. Accept the weight and the zip count, and you get one of the best-value waterproof running jackets around.