Should I Buy a 2018 Boston Marathon Jacket?

I've had mine for 24 years and have probably worn it 20 times.

Might have to pull it out soon, Boston's just around the corner.

If you really want one just wait a year.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Adidas-Mens-Boston-Marathon-Celebration-Jacket-XLarge-2017-New/152967574892?hash=item239d93f56c:g:IzAAAOSwsTdassLn

ez mars wrote:

If you really want one just wait a year.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Adidas-Mens-Boston-Marathon-Celebration-Jacket-XLarge-2017-New/152967574892?hash=item239d93f56c:g:IzAAAOSwsTdassLn

XL? Doesn't count if you buy it from a charity runner

i have a few jackets from boston over the years.

the bright orange/red ones are nice as a running jacket in the dark/winter. i don't wear them around town, but use them as neon jackets so i don't get hit by a car in the city or shot in the country.

i did get a black jacket in '10. it has green stripes but compared to many other boston jackets, its nearly useable as a simple black waterproof jacket around town and such.

my favorite is the classic blue/yellow. i rarely wear it though. its very loud/bright.

I was really only the fence about buying one -- It seemed expensive to me for a running jacket and my race didn't go very well last year, so I questioned if I "deserved" it. In the end I did buy it, realizing that this was the first and last time I'd likely ever run the Boston Marathon (it's way too expensive as a Canadian). So it's nice hanging in my closet as a souvenir, but it's also a great winter running jacket! It's surprisingly heavy. Perfect weight for -10 to -20 C. So if you live in Canada/the northern States, buy it and you'll surely wear it during the winter. The 2017 jacket unfortunately has the weird bandaid coloured strip on the shoulders for the women's style, I prefer the 2018 colours.

I did see the previous year's jacket for like $16 in Marshall's when I was in Boston, but you'd have to luck out on sizes... It was XL, I needed an XS.

Are charity runners entitled to wear one of these? Thoughts?

If you want a 2018 BAA Marathon jacket buy one.

simple

wineturtle wrote:

If you want a 2018 BAA Marathon jacket buy one.

simple

If you want to wait for a few months they can be had on eBay for half or less with different sizes available. I opted for a Tracksmith technical long sleeve top with a custom Boston 2016 logo. It’s much more useful and about 40 dollars cheaper. Any Boston Marathon gear is a good opener with the ladies but you still need game to see it through.

Karl Hungus wrote:

Are charity runners entitled to wear one of these? Thoughts?

Yes, Karl, you can wear one.

Wearing the hats and shirts appear to more acceptable than wearing the jacket, because the jacket looks ridiculous. The NYC marathon jacket is more presentable, and you wouldn't look like a douche in it.

I think jackets in general come off as being over the top, and is perceived as advertising your accomplishment.

Again, just go with a hat or a shirt. I see runners training in gear that they got from races ( including myself) all the time, or sport hats and beanies.

I got on in 2008 well after the race when they were basically on clearance. It's an okay jacket, I used it as a emergency jacket at work.

Plus I can brag to my fatty co-workers.

I was all excited about it, then second guessed about spending actual money on it. But glad I did.

Mine is 9 years old, but I still wear it somewhat regularly in winter. It's a practical jacket for weather in the 20s-40s, and light precip. Mostly, and preferably, I wear it at times wear I hope it doesn't draw any attention: early morning or late runs, XC/BC skiing ,trail runs where others around my pace have clearly run Boston and it's not as special and saves me from buying some other jacket, etc.

(The material is kind of slippery enough, if that makes sense, that it doesn't get snagged by brush/branches)

It is fun at times to strike up conversations with people that recognize it, either because we ran the same year or they are stoked about upcoming qualifying/running attempts.

Now you could also say or think that wearing it after so many years (what is the cutoff?) is a loser move of someone trying to recapture the glory days. There could be some general truth in that impression. I don't care, because I am more of an Old Guy and had kids and become a lame Dad. Yet am faster than I was 10 years ago at longer distances, so it doesn't represent any particular nostalgia of youthful ability. Now it is a piece of clothing along with a bin of all kinds of other race shirts which many of us keep/wear pragmatically based mostly on condition and color/fit of the shirt than the particular significance of the race, but every once in awhile brings up a fun conversation and memory.

I’d do it

Best marathon on the planet.

It’s a pretty fun day.

Buy one, but keep it packed away. Its something you'll enjoy seeing again in 20 years, but don't wear it around because you look like a tool.

I don't do bumper stickers and I don't do race jackets. Some people like to advertise. The Boston Marathon jacket is just another bumper sticker that you wear. Not for me.

If you earned it and want it Buy it If running is your passion.

This is my first Boston and you could not pay me to wear a finishers jacket. Once someone else finds out you ran Boston, they only have to hear that once to forever associate you with running they race. You are a Boston Marathon guy.

Instead just have the unicorn shaved into your pubes.

UsedToBeKnowItAll wrote:

I don't do bumper stickers and I don't do race jackets. Some people like to advertise. The Boston Marathon jacket is just another bumper sticker that you wear. Not for me.

Omg. You are so f@@king cool. Can I be like you one day.