Customer Reviews Brooks Carbonite Jacket

I was shopping for a high visibility running jacket for early morning runs as the days get shorter. I picked up the Carbonite Jacket and have given it a few test runs. The jacket is well made and the fabric seems very durable. It is as reflective as advertised. It fits true to size. The material is advertised as breathable but that wasn't my experience. It is a heavier material than the awesome Canopy Jacket. It may work well for lower temps (< 40 degrees F) but in the humid and relatively mild Pacific Northwest, it is too warm.

Super thin and slim fitting. I always have Brooks size large but this is so tapered that it's really hard to get my hands through the ends of the arms. I have to peel it off to inside-out to remove it. Pics don't show that the white part is actually see through--transparent! Whatever shirt you wear underneath the jacket will show through, and I can clearly see my watch through the sleeve. I was afraid it would disintegrate when washing-I didn't. I can't wear this jacket in temps over the 30s F, like all jackets. I tried in 46 and light rain for a 90 min. run and I was overheated--soaked more from sweating than the rain I think, which beads up and runs off nicely. Yes, it's highly visible, yes it's thin, and yes it holds more heat than you would think. It's vented under the black part, but that leaves those scotch brite strips to move around when washing. I do have some doubt about how those will hold up. Will be my go to for cold and dark conditions. If you're between sizes, definitely go up, but this is supposed to be sleet/slim fitting. If it were baggy it would be uncomfortable. The material is already loud when running. I haven't figured it out totally yet, but some movements make it rub and it's plasticky loud at unexpected moments. Swoosh swoosh. I spend a lot on shoes bc I have to, but this fancy apparel was a splurge and a first. Reality check says: Good shoes should be a priority for runner, and brooks has cheaper jackets if you need apparel for distance in the winter. As neat/fancy/funny as this material is, it seems not even as functional as a basic reflector vest.

Perfect jacket for cool, wet or windy Spring days. Very lightweight. And of course visible.

I'm 6'2" and have a pants waist size of 34". I ordered a medium jacket and it fits me, although the sleeves just barely are long enough. I have worn this jacket on every run since I got it and it does exactly what I wanted it to do: I am very visible, and I'm protected from the rain. I am washing this jacket on machine wash cold after each run and it's held up well. It's basically a plastic jacket so there's no waterproof coating that would wear away. That said, this jacket is like a tiny greenhouse so it will always be a little wet on the inside after running due to sweat. This jacket is perfect for Seattle winter weather.

I love this jacket. It fits incredibly well and is extremely comfortable. The reflective strips are a must for these short days. I don't really use the thumb loops because the sleeve covers up my fitness watch.

Liked the idea behind this and the reflective/high visibility trim. However, the white part of the jacket is almost translucent. My husband did not like how it showed every last thing worn under it. He's 6 feet tall and weighs 175. The large size, which he usually gets fit a little too tightly. This is a slim cut.

I mimic the comments of the some other runners. This jacket is super light weight and warm. I run in WI in Sub 32 degrees with a base layer and come in soaked like a August run. I mean, it really captures the heat and doesn't seem to vent went at all. It's so light weight - I worry about a tear. As far as night glow, it is perfect and meets that night visibility challenge fine. It's a nice piece to have but I think next time out I might wear a short sleeve shirt or even a tank top under it.

Jacket fits nicely and well made. I purchased to be seen when running early or in the evening and this is definitely the case. After almost being hit in a crosswalk one evening, I had to get something that is as reflective as possible. This jacket has worked well so far but cannot help with distracted drivers so be on the lookout too.

Doesn't breathe, doesn't wick. Feels like a running in a greenhouse.

Well made, fits great. Unlike the Canopy jacket, the Carbonite material is just not sufficiently breathable even in 20F temperatures. I very much wanted the jacket to work as the Carbonite jacket being high visibility would be perfect for running in the early morning but had to return because of nonbmreathable material.