REASONS TO BUY
Strong reathability
UPF 30
Portable
Great updates
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the most wind-resistant
Brooks Canopy - Women's Review
A packable and semi-affordable jacket that offers sun protection and great breathability so you can focus on your run and not your clothing
A true hero for variable weather, the Canopy provides breathability during warmer runs and acts as a shield during cooler ones.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
By Ally Arcuri ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 17, 2025
Contributions From: Lauren DeLaunay
RELATED: The Best Running Jackets for Women
Our Verdict
The Brooks Canopy is an ultra-breathable running jacket with notable scores across our different performance metrics. Despite providing less weather resistance than some of the best running jackets on the market, the fabric offers UPF 30 sun protection, which we love for high-altitude excursions. The Canopy provides just enough warmth to keep you cozy without feeling stifled. But it also allows for heat dissipation, which is crucial when you're working up a sweat. We love the Canopy because of its breathability. If you want a jacket that you won't be tempted to shed mid-run, this is the jacket for you. The UPF rating helped secure this jacket's standing since it ensures functionality in cooler, higher altitude locales and also in sunnier, warmer climates. To see how it stacks up versus the competition, check out our review of women's running jacket.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Brooks Canopy has long been a go-to layer for runners seeking protection without restriction, and the latest update continues that legacy, only better. This version builds on everything that made previous Canopy models great: lightweight weather protection, reliable breathability, and thoughtful packability. At just 4.83 ounces, it's featherlight yet functional—ideal for runners who want a jacket that adapts as quickly as they do.
The Brooks Canopy is an easy-breezy jacket to pack for variable days on the trail.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Breathability
The updates to the Brooks Canopy make it one of the more breathable jackets we tested this time around.
While the Canopy doesn't use mesh panels or vents, its fabric performs so efficiently that we never felt clammy or trapped in heat. This isn't a jacket designed for warmth—it's designed to let you move comfortably when the pace (or the temperature) picks up.
The thin, lightweight body of the Canopy maintains its breathability as your body heats up.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
If you're looking for breathable, all-conditions versatility, the Canopy delivers. The updated version of this jacket quickly became one of our trail running go-tos thanks to its breathability and mild protection.
The rear cinch of the hood helps ensure a snug fit so the hood remains in place when deployed.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weather Resistance
The Brooks Canopy has average weather resistance in some ways and poor protection in others.
The wind resistance is excellent for the weight, keeping that cold bite off without sacrificing breathability. Brooks also improved the hood with a new adjustable cinch cord that seals in better coverage without flapping, which is a key update. When it comes to rain, the Canopy provides short-term defense against mist or light drizzle. Water beads up initially, but will soak through under prolonged exposure. For runners who value packability and airflow over waterproofing, this tradeoff is well worth it. On blustery, gray days, the Canopy offers just enough protection to keep your stride smooth and your focus forward.
Thoughtful details like the zipper cover help enhance this versatile running jacket's comfort.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Mobility
The Canopy sits in the sweet spot between comfort and performance. Its ripstop polyester fabric is soft against the skin, never plasticky, and remains quiet while you run. Brooks has fine-tuned the cut this year, lengthening the torso slightly and improving the sleeve fit for a more natural feel in motion.
While the fit isn't slim or form-fitting, it's intentionally designed for layering flexibility. The split back panel adds mobility without bulk, and the elastic cuffs keep the sleeves secure yet comfortable. We especially appreciate how easily the sleeves push up during tempo efforts. This is a small but meaningful detail in the world of running jackets. Whether layered over a long sleeve or tossed on over a tank, the Canopy feels just right, no matter the pace or season.
It is worth keeping the Canopy stashed in your pack in case the weather turns on your runs.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Portability
The Brooks Canopy is one of the moderate-to-lighter jackets in this review; it weighs 4.83 ounces for a size small.
More often, we found ourselves using the traditional stuff sack, which compresses the jacket down to a fist-sized bundle that disappears easily into a vest or pack. Because of its portability, we found that we were constantly stuffing this jacket into our hydration pack for long days on the trail. The key takeaway? The Canopy is easy to bring along, even when you're not sure you'll need it, and that makes it a clutch piece for long days in unpredictable weather.
Each pocket features a media port so your tunes can accompany you on your run.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Features
The details make each jacket unique, and the Canopy has quite a few of them. It's the small details that make it stand out. From its smartly placed pockets to its sun protection, this jacket is built for real-world function.
Brooks smartly redesigned the hood to include an elastic cinch piece on the rear. This is in addition to elastic edging that encircles the face opening of the hood before giving way to a slight visor. The bilateral pockets are big enough to hold essentials. They are made of soft mesh that adds to the jacket's overall breathability and function. Each pocket has a small media port, making it that much easier to use your OG wired headphones on your runs.
Our favorite Brooks feature is its sun protection. The fabric's UPF 30 rating makes it great for high-altitude runs. Its breathability, coupled with its sun protection, is perfect for chilly days under harmful rays.
Should You Buy the Brooks Canopy?
While not the least expensive jacket in this review, the Brooks Canopy is one of the more affordable options, making it a great value. All in all, yes, you should buy this versatile and breathable running jacket if it meets all your desired features. No single jacket scored perfectly, and if you've determined that breathability, a functional hood, pockets, and a UPF rating are your priorities, then we don't hesitate to recommend the Canopy for your running needs.
The Canopy is an ideal jacket for tackling foggy trails.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Running Jackets Should You Consider?
The Brooks Canopy is a comfortable and relatively lightweight jacket full of helpful features and easily packable into its own little backpack. This is one of our first-choice running jackets for days when we really want to put in the miles. Because of its breathability and comfort, we never want to take this jacket off. If you want a slightly more portable option that is a bit more rain-ready, check out the Patagonia Houdini, which weighs 3.1 ounces and can be packed down to the size of a small fist. The Asics Fujitrail Packable is another highly versatile running jacket that offers slightly more weather resistance plus a few additional travel-ready features.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Brooks Canopy - Women's versus top competing products:
—Ally Arcuri & Lauren DeLaunay
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