Janji’s new Chile Collection is Bringing the Heat

We have been reviewing Janji items for a while now and they continue to impress us with their style and functionality. On top of that, we also love their take on the running world – that it’s a universal connector of people and that their apparel should strive to express that. Their most recent collection hails from designs from Chile, which is “inspired by the country’s radical geography, from lush rainforests in the south to the world’s driest desert in the north. The latest release is full of lightweight layers that balance comfort with performance“. We recently checked out a few items!

Rainrunner Pack Jacket

Whether you’re looking for a jacket that’s bold or blends into your wardrobe, the Rainrunner Pack Jacket is available in quite a few color options. The Winter Mountain Reflective option, however, is a bolder choice than the others, and it was designed with SAINTROBOT, a Santiago-based artist for the Janji Chile Collection. SAINTROBOT uses archeological depictions or natural objects and artifacts in design, and the Rainrunner design definitely reflects this. The pattern on this jacket is absolutely gorgeous in real life, and it’s functional too, as it’s reflective elements will help you be seen when the lights go out in the streets and you need to be seen by cars.

As mentioned above, The Winter Mountain Reflective material does just as described in the title in that it is reflective for those dark nights. In addition to that, the Rainrunner is the lightest waterproof jacket I own that actually does what it claims. Most “waterproof” jackets are either too heavy or they are lightweight but don’t truly keep the rain out. This jacket hit the mark in both objectives, as it’s made from a lightweight ripstop fabric that protects you from the elements and  it features 360º panel ventilation. What that translates to is that I barely feel this jacket while it’s on and I’m left with dry clothes underneath even when I’m out in the rain for a couple of hours wearing it.

The vent holes are in very strategic places so your body can breathe without letting the water in. Taped seams can sometimes signal a sweatbox inside a waterproof jacket, but that’s not the case with this one. The beauty of this jacket is that there’s amble ability for heat release as well as breathability. There are two zippered hand pockets with nylon pulls, plus an inset mesh sleeve in the left pocket that’s perfect for a phone. Pockets are essential for me, and it’s even better if I feel like everything will stay secure like they do in this jacket.

This jacket has a laminated shell with a C6-DWR long-lasting water repellency. The fabric not only keeps you from getting wet, but it dries really fast too. Typically, I come home after a wet run and hang this up and it’s dry long before I’d need it again, even if I’m double dipping on runs for the day. The Rainrunner fabric is also bluesign® certified meaning it is free from harmful chemicals and is fabricated in a way that meets a high environmental standard. The hood has a roll-down function with an elastic band that stows it away when not in use (and duals as an integrated locker loop also.) The “scuba” shape of the hood provides 180º visibility and the jacket’s zipper pulls all the way up over your chin with a protected zipper garage to keep your face from getting irritated.

The Rainrunner is also a great travel jacket. Not only is it extremely packable, but it has a self-stowing pocket with an elastic carry strap. In my opinion, this jacket fits very true to size. It’s meant to have a streamlined fit so it hugs the body a bit. It would be very easy to layer under something and there’s not a ton of extra material weighing it down. It feels like it’s meant to be an extension of your body, and no one wants to feel the weight of material swishing around when they are trying to get their run in.

Stormrunner Jacket

Here in the PNW – warmth is necessary 3 seasons of the year. While Springs and Falls can be beautiful here, we often need to be prepared to keep warm both on our runs and out and about. But unlike many other areas of the country – we don’t necessarily need or want heavy options to do so. The Stormrunner Jacket provides a really nice option that can keep the core body temperature warm and wicks moisture without adding bulk. The sleeves are long enough even for me, and have the added thumbholes to keep you covered.

This jacket is beautiful and super soft to the touch – making it an option to use as casual activewear as well. We always find it awesome when an item can be multifunctional – technical enough to tackle the trails but nice and comfortable enough to wear out in public. The shell is wind-resistant and also has a water-repellent fabric to keep you covered from light rain, sleet and snow. The mock turtleneck keeps the cold out and the zipper goes both ways to allow for ventilation when you need it.

Repeat Long Sleeve

Dressing to run in cooler weather is a little bit tricky, especially when you live in a state that receives a lot of moisture like Oregon does. Things can start out and end very chilly, but the hard work our bodies do in between can render us hot and sweaty in a hurry. Selecting layers of clothing that provide warmth without a lot of weight while wicking away moisture, is essential to keep warm and comfortable. In the fall and winter, I like to wear a long-sleeve top over a tank or tee when I run outside. I get hot easily and I don’t want to have to strip off a lot of layers just a few miles in, and then have to tie them around my waist. Anyway, the point I’m making is that if ONE layer can do it all, I’m a happy person.

I did find that the Repeat Long Sleeve seemed to be fitting relatively shorter on the body. I am taller and (as seen in the picture above) the bottom lays near the waistline. This isn’t a problem when standing around, but raising arms higher causes the shirt to rise as well and showed my belly. While this won’t really be much of an issue during runs or if you are using it as a layer, if you desire it as a standalone or with a larger torso note the length.

Atlas Tech Pants

One of the main changes in my running “career” has been shifting from shorts to pants. It used to be that, regardless of the temperature, it was only shorts. Maybe its age or the desire for comfort, but I have made a change and I am mostly in running pants until the temperatures really warm up. That’s what makes the Atlas Tech Pant so exciting – its all-season capabilities (77% recycled nylon, 23% spandex with PFC-free DWR finish) while still providing you coverage.

I don’t know why, but I generally associate Janji with summertime running. I know that’s silly, as we have reviewed pants and longsleeved items before, but only recently delved into their more cooler temperature items. And dang, are these pants super amazing.

They fit true to size at the waist and are a nice middle ground between too snug and too loose. Honestly, I found this about the ideal comfort level fit. The cuffs sit just above the ankle and are tight but not overly constricted. They do have a zipper at the bottom. Speaking of zips, there are two zipped pockets and a small additional zip option on the back middle as well. As far as the feel goes, these are super light (7.7 ounces in a men’s medium and very plush feeling inside and out.

I honestly feel and look great call on and off the road. I was really impressed.

Vortex Wind Block Gloves

To truly be a competitive runner in the Pacific Northwest takes a determination to get out there regardless of the weather. Although our weather is milder than say, North Dakota, it can still be less than pleasant at times. I have always had a pair of gloves sitting in my running box that get plenty of use in the winter and the Vortex Wind Block Gloves are a great addition.

They are super lightweight and wick away moisture, meaning dry hands, even after my longer runs. The inside of each glove is lined with a power stretch fleece, keeping my hands super warm, but never too hot. Another feature I really appreciate is the touch screen capability, as I have been using a running application on my phone to track my mileage. I thoroughly enjoy not having to remove a glove every single time I need to access my phone or the running application like I had to with the acrylic gloves.

It also has a foldover mitten shell, made from ripstop nylon, that can be used when the temperatures need a little extra warmth (and covers the thumb too!). They also provide some reflective detailing for those dark and cold morning and evening runs. They seem to fit a little further down the wrist as well – providing additional coverage against the cold. For the times where you may opt out of using the wind-resistant covers, the wrist band on each glove offers a nice stowaway pouch that you can simply tuck the covers in.

Overall, Janji has nailed it with their new Chile collection. The designs are fun, functional, and (at the very least) provide some eye-popping conversation pieces. The price and quality are definitely there and we are happy to add these to my rotation. You can feel good knowing that proceeds from your purchase go back to their selected nonprofit organization to fund clean water projects and they collaborate with local artists in the collection designs.