The following review was written by Sarah Barber and features Nathan’s Hypernight Stealth Jacket. Gear was provided at no cost for the review and gear test.
The winter solstice rapidly approaches, and with the cooler weather comes fewer hours of sunlight leading to longer nights. Indeed, “hypernight” seems like a good way to describe it because as a prefix, “hyper” means “excessive” or “more than normal.” It’s fair to say that in North America, we are officially in the season of excessive nighttime, and depending on one’s exact location, it might also be excessively frosty outside. I don’t know about you, but my current shopping obsessions run counter to these trends: I’m looking for excessive brightness and excessive warmth. Outdoor gear and apparel company Nathan specializes in equipping runners to deal with just these conditions, and they’ve piqued my interest with the new Hypernight Stealth Jacket.
Nathan Hypernight Stealth Jacket in daylight.
Feather-weight
Not all jackets are created equal, of course. A polar expedition demands wool, eiderdown, and maybe a hot toddy to keep you warm. But if your holiday vacation plans include a more moderate version of winter, the Hypernight Stealth Jacket could be your perfect cup of tea. As a feather-weight barrier, it provides no insulation, but it is the layer that might get you out the door when the chilly air assaults, when your breath is visible, and when your cheeks redden instantly.
It will make the first few miles tolerable, and then you’ll tie it around your waist or stuff it in your hydration pack and wonder why you thought you needed a jacket today. Or maybe you’ll leave it on, marveling at how well it breathes and appreciating the hood if the clouds erupt with a light shower.
Nathan Hypernight Stealth Jacket in darkness using a flash. See the jacket come to life.
Best traits
Either way, it’s a sharp-looking vampire cape in daylight whose best traits are brought to life only by darkness. The moment a dim light is cast, the raven-colored Hypernight Stealth Jacket goes from understated to obvious in the best possible way. What was once a pitch-black shell becomes a kaleidoscope of vivid reflection alerting the world to its presence. If this safety feature stifles your inner ninja, just wait. It gets better.
Trail running rarely meets criteria for covert operations, but the “stealth” in the Hypernight Stealth Jacket cannot go unacknowledged. Many technical fabrics announce their presence with a whoosh-whoosh-whoosh when the wearer jogs by, elbows grazing ribcage and inner thighs brushing against each other. But the Hypernight Stealth Jacket keeps its presence secret with its near silence.
In a race situation, this is a huge advantage—competitors won’t know you’re about to overtake them with a well-timed surge. Perhaps more important, though, is the fact that the person wearing the jacket will be able to tune into the surroundings and have awareness of auditory cues that won’t be drowned out by their well-intentioned garments. As a woman who often runs in darkness with only the company of her dog, I like the idea of being able to hear others approaching.
Pictured outside, no flash, at dusk.
Quality and safety
Nathan is perhaps best known for its hydration packs and lighting systems, but their foray into apparel promises success. With an overarching commitment to quality and safety, Nathan is also committed to its customers and looks to reward us with Black Friday deals that are friendly to a blue-collar budget. Whether I’m in secret Santa mode or enjoying a little selfish indulgence, Nathan has a presence on my shopping list: presents for all!
Editor’s Note: Enjoy Sarah’s gear review of the Nathan Vaporairess 3.0 Hydration Vest here.
