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Harrier is one of those British brands not many people know about, but they really should. The Peak District-based company produces some excellent value-for-money gear for trail runners, including the Exmoor Waterproof Jacket, the subject of this review.
I’ve been using the waterproof shell for a few months, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from a brand with roots in ultra-trail running. The Exmoor is comfortable and offers plenty of features to cope with interchangeable weather in the UK or elsewhere.
Does the jacket belong in T3’s best waterproof jacket roundup, or are you better off looking elsewhere? Who should buy the Exmoor, and who should avoid it? What are the best (and worst) features of this weather-ready shell? Let’s find out!
Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Jacket review
Price and availability
The Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Jacket is available in three colours in both men’s and women’s versions for a recommended price of £94.99/ $103/ AU$157. Harrier offers free Royal Mail Tracked 24 on all UK orders over £50. Sadly, the company doesn’t ship products anywhere else in the world apart from the Republic of Ireland at present. As such, US and AU availability TBC.
Specifications
- Type: shell
- Waterproofing (HH): 15,000 mm
- Breathability: 15,000g/m2
- Pockets: 3 zippered chest and side pockets, one large back pocket
- Pit zips: Yes
Design and materials
The Exmoor Waterproof Jacket is constructed from soft 4-way stretch fabric, which is soft to the touch and considerably waterproof with its 15,000 mm hydrostatic head rating. Some waterproof jackets, such as the Mountain Equipment Makalu Jacket, have much higher HH ratings; however, unlike the Exmoor, those are designed for slow-paced activities.
The Exmoor also has a 15,000g/m2 breathability rating, which is almost as important as the shell’s water rating, considering that the Exmoor is designed for trail running. To put it plainly, Harrier compromised some of the waterproofing so you don’t get too sweaty under the jacket when you tackle longer distances.
One of the Exmoor’s most unique features is the back pleat. This allows you to wear a decent-sized running backpack under your jacket without the front being too taut. Some compromise had to be made here, too, as the pleats don’t feel too snug if the backpack isn’t underneath. It’s far from baggy, but admittedly, it feels less body-hugging than the Patagonia Storm Racer 2024.
You’ll also find a large pocket at the lower back, similar to what you see on cycling jerseys. Again, the jacket was designed by ultra runners, and, therefore, it’s full of clever features to maximise storage. Along with the large back pocket, you also get a zippered chest pocket and two zippered side pockets.
The Exmoor features an asymmetric front zipper, which makes it easier to access the should area, where the end of the water bladder tubes is often located. This is yet another feature that proves the shell is designed with ultra runners in mind.
One of my favourite features is the Exmoor’s liner. Sure, it makes the jacket a bit warmer, but the pattern is lovely and makes you appreciate the craftsmanship much more. It also helps you stay a bit warmer when the weather isn’t great, which helps reduce unnecessary layers/bulk.
Performance
I really like the design of the Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Jacket, but I hate to say that I found the fit and the performance less impressive. I requested a medium, which is my usual size, and it feels much smaller than the waterproof jackets I tried before. For the record, I’m 6’0” and have a slim frame.
The arms are too short; the thumb loops sit where my running watch usually is, way up my wrist. The adjustable hood has a little peak, but because it is also small, it barely reaches my forehead, let alone keep the moisture away from my face.
Now, you might say that the jacket is clearly too small and that I should’ve asked for a large one. However, the front of the jacket, especially in the chest area, feels too large. I mentioned above that the Exmoor is designed to fit a running backpack underneath, but without said bag, it feels way too spacious.
The somewhat rigid asymmetric zippers, which make the front of the jacket push away from the body, also don’t help the situation.
This segues nicely into explaining why you’d need the asymmetric zippers in the first place. The Exmoor is tailor-made for rail running, especially long distances, and as such, the features, including the zipper, are optimised for that activity.
You can feel the tender, loving care that went into the jacket’s construction. There is plenty of storage to put away anything you might need when you’re on your own in the wilderness, and the liner adds that extra bit of warmth to help you avoid getting too cold when you walk into those long uphill sections.
Who’s the Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Jacket for?
I’d recommend the Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Jacket to trail runners who often tackle long distances, carry plenty of gear, and need a warm, waterproof, and breathable outer layer for interchangeable weather conditions.
Should you buy the Exmoor Waterproof Jacket?
One of the Exmoor jacket’s most appealing features is its price. It costs as much as an own-brand option (e.g., the H&M StormMove 3-Layer Shell Jacket), but it feels more premium than that. There’s nothing wrong with the H&M coat, though! Be mindful of sizing, and you should be okay.
Verdict
I’m in two minds about the Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Jacket. On the one hand, I like the quality of the jacket, and I can tell a lot of thought went into its design. On the other hand, the fit isn’t great, and it’s aimed at a niche (but growing) market of long-distance trail runners.
It’s affordably priced and has a lot going for it, so if you need a reliable waterproof shell for running in the Peak or Lake District at basically any time during the year, the Exmoor should serve you well. Just be very careful with the sizing and fit; that’s all.
