This spring Outdoor Research is introducing some great new technical apparel designed specifically for trail runners. Yesterday I shared my thoughts on the new Throttle running shorts, giving them high marks for their quick drying properties, overall comfort and versatility – all important qualities for any piece of active gear designed for warm weather use. But spring weather is anything but predictable and just when you think things are looking good, Mother Nature throws us a curve and conditions take a turn for the worse. That's when you'll be glad you have the new Redline jacket in your gear closet, providing a super lightweight shield from the elements.

Available in four colors, the Redline is bright and easy to spot, even in low light conditions. The jacket weighs a mere 4.6 ounces but performs like a much more substantial shell, easily protecting the wearer from rain and wind. Made from lightweight ripstop fabrics, the Redline breathes nicely allowing for moisture to quickly and easily wick away, helping to keep the wearer more comfortable on longer runs.

With a close fitting cut, this jacket has been made to hug the body without restricting motion in any way. It features elastic cuffs that can extend to protect the hands and a surprisingly large chest pocket, which also serves as the stuff sack when you want to reduce the Redline's footprint for storage in a pack or large pocket.

A recent cool snap in the spring weather here in Texas gave me ample opportunity to really put the Redline through its paces. I wore this jacket both on the trail and on street runs and found it performed above and beyond my expectations. Most of those runs involved cooler temperatures, high winds and even a little rain that varied from a fine mist to a light, yet steady downpour. In all cases, I stayed comfortably dry and sufficiently warm throughout my workout. I was particularly impressed with how well it served as a wind shirt, keeping me from being buffeted from constant gusts that brought an unexpected chill to the air.

Despite its lightweight and very thin fabrics, the Redline is surprisingly durable. On more than one occasion while running a trail I thought that I had snagged it on a branch or bristly plant, surely shredding it wide open. At the end of the run, when I examined the jacket, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was the Redline intact, there wasn't even a mark on it. Outdoor Research is so confident in their products that they actually give them all a lifetime guarantee, and after testing out this jacket, I can understand how they can afford to do that.

As with the Throttle running shorts that I reviewed yesterday, the Redline jacket is a nice piece of gear that can be used in other outdoor excursions as well. It would make a nice shell for day hikes when the weather can turn unexpectedly bad, although it isn't fully water proof, so it is important to understand its limitations. But for breezy days with mild weather conditions or light rain, it is a great option.

The Redline jacket carries an MSRP of $85, a price I thought was surprisingly affordable considering the performance it delivers. In fact, not knowing what the jackets price was before I tested it, I would have guessed that it was considerably more. Any trail runner will appreciate how well the Redline performs and they'll be glad they have one in their wardrobe when they set out for a long run in spring or fall conditions.

This is another great piece of gear from Outdoor Research that only adds to their reputation as one of the best gear companies around today.

The North Face week continues here on the Adventure Blog with a new gear review today. On Monday, I shared my thoughts on the company's Runners Gloves and Pass Through Beanie and yesterday I posted my review of their excellent Flashdry Crew Neck Baselayer. Today I share my feelings about another great piece of performance apparel from TNF – the Radish Mid-Layer Jacket.

Snug and form fitting, the Radish is a fleece mid-layer designed to move with the wearer without restricting motion in any way. That makes it an excellent option for nearly any outdoor activity or for simply wearing around town.

The North Face incorporated its Flashdry fabrics into this jacket as well, delivering high performance in a great looking package. Flashdry imbues this jacket with the ability to not only shrug off moisture quickly and easily but it also allows it to breathe nicely as well. That combination of effects helps to keep us warmer and dryer no matter what kind of weather we face on our outdoor pursuits.

Since the Radish is designed to act as a mid-layer, it does an excellent job of working in conjunction with a baselayer to extend performance even further. I wore this jacket with the TNF Flashdry Crew Neck and found that thy were a perfect combination. In fact, they kept me so warm that I never needed an outer shell while hiking in colder weather. I tend to run a little warm in general, but I think most people will find these two products to be a great combination for cold weather trekking, peak bagging or trail running. Add in a shell and you have a complete layering system that will have you ready to explore all but the harshest environments.

When I first pulled on this jacket I was immediately impressed with how comfortable it is to wear. The form-fitting design might not be for everyone, but I appreciated how well it wraps around my body, keeping me toasty warm, without impeding my range of motion in any way. Even the fitted hood is nicely designed, stretching just enough to cover a helmet when needed, and swiveling with your head to avoid obstructing your view. North Face even cleverly integrated protective fabrics on the shoulders and hips to prevent unexpected abrasion damage when wearing a backpack.

I have been so happy with the performance of this jacket that I've even been wearing it when I don't need high performance gear. The Radish looks great, which makes it a nice choice to wear casually around town in cool or cold weather, and it even garnered a few compliments from friends who now want one for their own gear closet.

The Radish Mid-layer Jacket is a high performance piece of gear that outdoor athletes will simply love. Whether as part of a complete layering system or just as causal wear, I think you'll be as impressed with this jacket as I am. This is North Face apparel at its finest, comfortable, versatile and incredibly well made. Those who appreciate the kind of performance that this jacket delivers won't balk at its $230 price tag, but for those who hesitate at that kind of investment I have some advice. This is a jacket that will last you for years to come and provide unprecedented performance. In short, it is a product that is worth the money and one that you'll truly appreciate every time you put it on.