Hardshell Jackets
Product 2025
Femme, Homme, Enfant
The Inov8 Stormshell jacket narrowly missed winning the First Test4outside.com Award. Indeed, its overall performance positions it as an excellent piece of gear for trail running and fast hiking. However, one small design flaw — the thumb loop construction — slightly mars an otherwise flawless picture. The thumb pass-through system, designed to offer better protection for the back of the hand, feels uncomfortable, as the fabric pulls too tightly at the base of the thumb. On the plus side, the outer flap over the thumb provides good waterproof coverage.
Let’s move past that minor detail to focus on what makes the rest of the Inov8 Stormshell truly outstanding.
First and foremost, this is a lightweight protective jacket, weighing in at just 170 grams. Designed for endurance sports, it strikes a fine balance between waterproofing and breathability. You shouldn’t expect full waterproof performance under hours of torrential rain, but its protection level is excellent for its category. Despite its light weight, it features a high-quality waterproof main zipper. It requires a bit of care to start, but once engaged, it runs smoothly.
In terms of protection, we especially appreciated the high collar — something rarely found on trail running jackets, which tend to have much lower necklines. Another strong point of the Stormshell is its well-designed hood. Its volume is just right, allowing you to wear a beanie or a headlamp underneath without compromising lateral vision. Despite its minimal weight, the hood includes an adjustable head drawcord. The soft visor completes an effective setup, though it can deform slightly in strong winds.
The fabric feels great against the skin and moves well with the body thanks to a bit of stretch. The cut is fairly close-fitting, which means you can’t comfortably wear a trail pack underneath. The back hem extends nicely to cover the lower back. We also appreciated the use of Pertex fabric, which offers solid resistance to abrasion and snagging.
Elastic adjustments are used at the cuffs and hem, ensuring a snug fit. Both Inov8 logos are reflective for visibility at night.
A very good protective jacket for trail running and fast hiking. Lightweight yet reliably waterproof, with an excellent hood and durable fabric — the Inov8 Stormshell delivers solid performance, only slightly let down by its thumb loop design.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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