Running & Trail Shells
Running shells live or die on grams and breathability. We build them from 80 gsm 3L tricot with a 10K/10K rating, fully taped and packable into a pocket, with reflective detailing placed where it reads in headlights. Trail versions add abrasion panels at the shoulder and hip for pack contact, and a hem and cuff that seal without restricting stride.
Running shell styles we produce
From an emergency layer that disappears into a pocket to a training shell built for winter mileage.
Packable running shell
80 gsm 2.5L or 3L, 10K/10K, packs into its own pocket. The emergency layer.
Trail running shell
Reinforced shoulder and hip panels, 3L, 10K/10K to 15K/15K.
Windproof running jacket
Uncoated windshell with high air permeability, no membrane.
Running vest shell
Sleeveless wind shell for core protection with full arm freedom.
Insulated running jacket
Light synthetic fill at the core, stretch fleece at the sides.
Running tights & shorts
Stretch woven or knit, with the reflective system matching the shell.
Weight, breathability and the trade-off
The single most useful conversation to have before specifying a running shell.
Buyers often ask for the highest waterproof rating available. For a running garment that is usually the wrong target: a 20K membrane at 200 gsm is heavier and less breathable than a 10K membrane at 80 gsm, and a runner generates more moisture than either can move. The result is a jacket that is waterproof from the outside and soaked from the inside.
What we recommend instead
- For road running: 10K/10K at 80-110 gsm, prioritising breathability and packability over rating
- For trail and mountain: 15K/15K at 130-160 gsm, with abrasion reinforcement where a pack sits
- For winter training: windproof softshell with stretch panels, no full membrane
- Always: mechanical venting — a back yoke vent or laser-cut perforation does more than a higher rating
Reflective placement
Reflective detail needs to sit where it moves and where a driver sees it: sleeve cuffs, the lower back, and a chest band. A logo on a static chest panel does almost nothing. We place reflective elements on moving joints and provide the placement on the tech pack for your review.
Fabric and construction
| Face fabric | Polyamide or polyester 15D-40D, ripstop or plain weave |
|---|---|
| Membrane | TPU or ePTFE; 2.5L or 3L |
| Weight range | 80 gsm to 160 gsm |
| Ratings | 10K/10K standard, 15K/15K for trail |
| Backer | Tricot, printed or embossed |
| DWR | PFAS-free C0 standard |
| Reflective | Segmented heat-transfer film or reflective piping and print |
| Features | Packable pocket, elasticated hem and cuffs, thumb loops, laser-cut vents |
| Recycled | GRS-certified recycled polyamide and polyester options |
Compliance and documentation
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 on fabric and trims
- GRS transaction certificates for recycled content
- PFAS-free declarations for C0 finishes
- ISO 811 hydrostatic head testing per batch
- EU fibre composition and care labelling
- BSCI-audited partner factories
MOQ, sampling and lead times
| MOQ | 400 pcs per colour, sizes mixed within the colour |
|---|---|
| Sampling | 7-10 days in stock fabric, 15-20 days if fabric must be sourced |
| Bulk lead time | 35-55 days after PP approval |
| Quote turnaround | Within 24 hours |
Questions buyers ask
What is the lightest running shell you can produce?
Around 80 gsm in a 2.5L or 3L tricot construction — roughly 150-200 g finished weight in a men's medium, packable into a pocket.
Should I spec 20K for a running jacket?
Usually not. At running output a heavier, less breathable membrane makes the wearer wet from the inside. We recommend 10K/10K with good mechanical venting unless the garment is for trail or mountain use.
What is the MOQ for custom running jackets?
400 pcs per colour with sizes mixed inside that colour. Styles on one fabric platform can often share the minimum.
Do you offer recycled fabrics?
Yes. GRS-certified recycled polyamide and polyester in most running weights, with transaction certificates against your order.
Can you place reflective detailing to our design?
Yes. We can follow your artwork or propose placement on moving joints — cuffs, lower back and chest — where it actually reads in headlights.
Do you make running tights and shorts as well?
Yes. Stretch woven and knit bottoms with a reflective system matched to the shell.
Tell us what you need
Send a tech pack, a reference sample or just a target price. We reply within 24 hours with a fabric suggestion, a cost indication and a sampling plan.
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