RUX 40L Gear Box joins the lineup with a more compact, rugged design
A carry-on-ready gear box built for overlanding, travel, and everyday use. It's waterproof, collapsible, and modular with the full RUX system.
Cold-weather running gear is tricky; you need enough insulation to stay warm, but too much and you overheat as soon as you pick up the pace.
I’ve been testing the GOREWEAR Concurve Windstopper Insulated Jacket, and it manages to strike that balance better than most.
The cut and fit are excellent, the warmth is reliable, and it has quickly become my go-to jacket for cold-weather runs, just like the Concurve LE4 Gore-Tex Waterproof running jacket is for my wet-weather days.
There are more great new releases in GOREWEAR’s Concurve performance running range; check them out here.
Key specifications
- Price: $280 at gorewear.com (hooded version; also available in non-hooded $260 and vest $200)
- Weight: 12.1 oz.
- Fabric technology: WINDSTOPPER® by GORE-TEX LABS with ePE membrane
- Insulation: PrimaLoft® Active Evolve Insulation (adaptive warmth)
- Face fabric: Air-permeable recycled lightweight nylon woven
- Panels: 56% recycled polyester / 44% polyester
- Attributes: Totally windproof, Reliably breathable, Water-resistant, Trim, athletic fit (GOREWEAR’s Kinetic Garment Design), ISPO Award-winning
Performance review
Warmth and weather protection
The Concurve Windstopper Insulated Jacket is designed for cold, dry, and windy conditions, and that’s exactly where it excels.
The PrimaLoft Active Evolve insulation adapts to your activity level: when I’m standing around or easing into a run, it holds warmth close; once I pick up the pace, heat escapes without leaving me sweaty.
The WINDSTOPPER by GORE-TEX LABS fabric blocks out windchill completely, and it shrugs off light drizzle or snow flurries due to its water resistant protection layer.
It’s not meant to be a full waterproof shell (that’s where the Concurve LE4 Gore-Tex shines, see my video below), but for most dry winter runs, the protection is spot on.
Breathability and comfort
What impressed me most is how well this jacket regulates temperature, given the level of insulation.
The air-permeable face fabric keeps airflow moving without letting the chill in. I’ve done both steady aerobic runs and shorter tempo sessions in it, and I never felt like I was overheating.
Body-mapped insulation ensures warmth where it’s needed most, while lighter zones allow heat to escape.
Fit and style
As with most GOREWEAR gear, the cut is excellent and fits me well. The Kinetic Garment Design makes the jacket feel trim and athletic without being restrictive, and it moves with me rather than against me.
It has adjustment toggles to tighten or loosen the fit around your waist, depending on fit preference and whether or not you want to keep heat in or let it vent out more.
The stretch panels under the arms add to that freedom.
Style-wise, it looks clean and minimal, the kind of piece I’m happy to wear casually as well as on the run.
I love the fitted cuffs that keep cold out, the front pockets for keeping your hands warm or storing essentials, and the fitted hood for keeping your head warm.
Real-world use
This jacket has become my default choice for cold weather runs. On still mornings, it holds warmth without weighing me down.
At 12.1 oz, it’s light enough to not feel bulky but substantial enough to inspire confidence in the elements.
It packs down into its own hood reasonably well too, so I’ve tossed it in a pack when I wasn’t sure how conditions would unfold.
My verdict
The GOREWEAR Concurve Windstopper Insulated Jacket lives up to its billing as an award-winning cold-weather running layer.
What it is:
- A reliable, breathable, and warm jacket built for dry, cold, and windy conditions
- Trim, stylish, and comfortable enough for both performance and casual wear
- A smart complement to the Concurve LE4 Gore-Tex jacket for runners who want a two-jacket system: one for wet weather, one for cold
What it isn’t:
- A rain jacket—if heavy rain is in the forecast, you’ll still want waterproof protection
- The lightest option on the market (though the warmth-to-weight ratio is excellent)
For me, this jacket strikes the rare balance between warmth and breathability that makes winter running more enjoyable.
It’s not cheap at $280, but considering the performance, build quality, design, and versatility, it’s a worthy investment if you run through the colder months.
