As much as I hate to admit it, we’re finally at the time of year when the temps are not going to be hitting 65 any longer. And as much as I would like to think I can run outside in shorts all winter, I realize that’s a delusional thought.
So when my friend Sara asked for advice on what to wear for her Turkey Trot next week, I thought it was high time for a post on mid season/winter running gear.
The first thing you need to consider is your sweat level. Do you run hot or cold. I tend to run hot (and sweat a lot) which means I like minimal layers.
You need to be comfortable with the fact that you’re going to be cold at the start. It’s just a fact.
Whether you’re meeting friends for a casual run or waiting for the gun at a race, you’re outside and it’s winter, deal with it. The good thing about a race vs. a casual run is that at most races you can check a bag which means you can have a nice heavy and dry jacket waiting for you at the finish.
My mantra when layering up in the cold is, “Always dress for the second half of the run.” Again, you’re going to be cold at the start, you can’t control. What you can control is how comfortable you are while you’re running – and I don’t know about you, but I get hot when I run no matter what it’s like outside.
I wear the same basic gear when I run from 40 down to 15 degrees – tights, tech shirt, pullover, hat, gloves and in extreme cold a buff. I wear the same socks and sneakers regardless of temp, so I never consider them when thinking about winter running gear.
There are lots of tights to choose from, every running brand makes them and they’ll all tell you why their technology is the best. I take two things into consideration when I buy tights, how thick are they and how long they last.
Tights
Some people prefer running pants and some tights. I’m a tights guy. I’ve never understood why you wouldn’t want the material clinging to your legs keeping you warmer, but it’s a matter of personal opinion I suppose.
For light weight tights (anywhere from 25-45 degrees) my favorites are Sugoi RSR Race Tight. While they’re on the expensive side they’re my go-to since it’s rarely colder where I run.
If it gets colder (I’ve run in races as cold as 10 degrees), I switch to Sugoi’s MidZero, virtually the same material only micro fleece lined so my legs stay a little warmer.
I have three pair each of these tights, they’re super comfortable and I love the fact they they both have an internal pocket as well as a zip pocket on the butt. As a side note, my wife is the first person to veto running clothes (either for odor or tatter factor) and after four seasons of running five to six days each week, these are still going strong.
Tech shirt (as base layer)
Rarely do I wear something more than a short sleeve shirt. It has to be REALLY cold. I stick with a random assortment of tech shirts that were given away at races I’ve done. And as I’ve said before, if you don’t have a drawer fill of race shirts, you’re not doing enough races. That said, I’m still waiting for Lululemon to sponsor a race somewhere – just for the shirt.
Rarely will I put on a long sleeve. Like I said, it has to be really cold and with no sunshine. I’m talking teens.
Pullover
My friends and I go through a debate every year about what’s best for cold weather runs, a jacket or pullover. Both have merits (and I have a closet full of both items – I buy a jacket at almost every marathon I run) but I prefer the pullover. Why? They tend to fit a little more snugly, have thumbholes in the sleeves, a higher neck and pockets in the back.
I’ve never worn more than a pullover as an outer layer in temps ranging from 50 down to teens. And like the tights, I take weight and longevity into consideration when making a purchase. My favorite brand for the lighter gear is Zoot and their Performance Run Microlite+ 1/2 Zip. While I prefer to have pockets in the back, the chest pocket is unobtrusive even with two gel packs inside. I love the 10″ zipper, it gives me the option to vent some of the heat if I’m hot or keep zipped up when I’m cold. I have three pullovers from them and they’ve lasted me more than four years each (side note, if you’re in NYC, check out Paragon Sports on 17th and Broadway, they usually have some on sale downstairs).
When it gets a little colder, I like products by a small company out of the Pacific Northwest called SportHill. I have a few of their SwiftPro tops and I love them. They have thumbholes, 12″ zippers, pockets in the back, and are micro fleece lined. I still have one that I bought when I first started running (7.5 years ago) and to this day it passes my wife’s smell test so you know they’re doing something right up there.
If I go with the cap, I stick with what I know. I love the Sugoi Zeroplus Tuke. It’s always been more than I need for a long or short run. In fact, I ran the 2011 NYC Marathon wearing this cap and while I was a little hot when the sun came out, it was perfect for 99% of the race.
Hat
Again, depending on the temps and the amount of sun that will be out, it can be anything from a simple running hat (baseball style) or a cap. The deciding factor is whether I need to cover my ears or not.
Gloves
No brainier, go with the cheapest ones you can find. I buy synthetic-fabric gloves from vendors on the streets of NYC — ~$5 a pair. If I’m feeling extravagant, I’ll plunk down $10 at my local running store for a pair, but that’s it. I find that I don’t need thick gloves. In fact, regardless of the temp, I wind up taking them off during any given run. So why bother to buy an expensive pair?
Buff
I like these because I feel like they’re just a versatile piece of fabric. You can wear them as an extra layer on your neck, as a hat, to cover your face, as a muffler for your hands, the list is endless. I wear one at the beginning of a run and when I warm up, I stuff it in my pocket so I can use it as a hat after the run when whatever I’m wearing on my head is soaking wet and sometimes, literally frozen. And I’ve never bought one either, the NYC Marathon gave them away at the 2010 and 2011 races. With the way I hang on to gear, I’lll have these for the rest of my life.
Hope this has been a help.
Think I left something off the list, or have a favorite piece of cold weather gear? Let me know in the comments.
Great list! I dread running in the cold.
Thanks, me either. It's been hard to motivate the last couple of days (harder than usual that is).
I am the same way, I run hot I sweat so badly even in the cold weather. I run with long sleeves but nothing too heavy.
Glad I'm not the only sweaty one out there in the cold!
Another cold weather runner here! I run pretty warm, too, so I've had to figure out what I like to wear. I keep track on my blog and I still haven't seen a definitive pattern…
For people running in/with snow, I would add some sunglasses, maybe clear or orange lenses to help with the glare and keep cold wind off your eyes. It can cause them to tear up, and if you're running on a road, you need to be able to pay attention to your footing.
Another HUGE fan of Buffs here as well! I have the regular ole' full buff, but they make merino wool and fleece ones, too.
I've started to move towards a jacket, but if I ever find a pullover that keeps me as warm, I'll go there. A nice vest can be a good compromise, you can always unzip as you go – plus, it adds some pockets to the ensemble.
Nice post.
What about socks? I use warmer, wool socks in my sneakers when it is cold. Last year I splurged on a pair of OR mittens and they are my favorite accessory – sorry I didn't buy them sooner.