Here at iRunFar.com we’ve been hearing more and more Lululemon Athletica running apparel. We’ve seen it on roommates, transcontinental enviro-charity runners, and fellow running club members. One of those fellow club members, Elyse Braner, enthusiastically uses Lululemon apparel on her runs and has graciously provided iRunFar with its second guest review of women’s running apparel. (see also iRF SkirtSports MarathonGirl Ultra running skirt review) Read on to learn more about Lululemon and Elyse’s review of its Sergeant Jacket for women.
Lulelemon Athletica Sergeant Jacket Review by Elyse Braner
Lululemon, the Canadian based, eco-friendly retailer know for their trendy, but functional line of yoga gear is making a splash among running circles with their line of running clothes which includes everything from running gloves, running socks, and jackets, to arm warmers and running tights. The store and line not only caters to the runner who is looking for functionality, comfort, and style in his or her running clothes, but to the athlete who is truly trying to live the lifestyle.
Lululemon stores are closely connected to the communities in which they reside, and take on a number of charitable causes unique to each store. Additionally, they offer free yoga classes and running clubs. Lululemon retailers do their best to stay in touch with their customers, as each employee (including those at the highest executive level) are required to work at least eight hours a month in the retail stores. The customer is taken very seriously because, as one Lululemon staffer told me, “We believe our best method of advertising is by word of mouth.”
I recently product tested the Lululemon Sergeant Jacket. This was not only an easy jacket to run in–it looked great–and was functional–for everything. I wore this jacket on runs, to the Civil War battle fields of Antietam, with jeans on several occasions, and even over a strapless dress to run an errand on Thanksgiving. I got compliments on this jacket from trainers at my gym, running partners, and friends who don’t even run. It is very well fitted, and looks just as great with running tights as it does paired with jeans.
Most importantly, the Sergeant Jacket was great on the run. It kept me warm, did not restrict my movement in any way, and kept me dry due to the moisture wicking material that the jacket features. The back air vents in the jacket allowed for air flow, which was fantastic half-way into my run. Due to the fitted nature of the jacket, not a lot can be worn underneath, probably just a base layer, but the jacket can easily serve as a middle layer, with a heavier jacket or fleece over it, if needed. In addition, the jacket has the Lululemon signature cuffins–a thumb hole at the bottom of the sleeve– with a piece of fabric that folds over your hand to make mittens.
The jacket also features several notable accessories. It has a great sleeve pocket that can fit a key or credit card, as well as a side pocket, for an ipod, with a wire holder on the neck part of the jacket, so the wire will not get in the way. The zipper pulls on the jacket also double as hair ties.
The jacket held up great in the washing machine; however, it should not be washed with towels, due to the nature of the material, which could make the jacket pill. I also recommend air drying it (as with most running clothes) to preserve the material longer.
Overall, I would rate the Lululemon Sergeant Jacket as an excellent product. Not only was it functional, but it made me look and feel great while running. And hey—who said that athletes can’t think a little bit about style, too!
Thanks for the great review, Elyse! Anyone have any questions about the Sergeant Jacket? FYI, the jacket retails for $108.
Any other readers worn or run in Lululemon apparel? If so, what did you think?
