Cold Weather Running

October 8, 2009 7:29 AM

What should I know about running in cold weather? What should I wear when I run in cold weather? (Specific brand recommendations and places to buy things in New York especially appreciated.)

I recently moved to New York after spending my entire life in Texas and California, where the Winters are almost non-existent. I'm excited/apprehensive about dealing with my first Winter, and I'm trying to prepare.

I run two or three times a week, not usually more than 30/45 minutes. I'm not a very serious runner, but I'd rather not give it up when it starts to get cold. So: what do I need to know about running in cold weather? And, more specifically, what should I wear? (I'm a guy.)

I've looked at a bunch of websites, so I have an idea of general suggestions about types of clothing (layers, breathable material, etc). I don't know, however, where to buy good quality running clothes or any good brands. I'd really appreciate suggestions from people who don't have anything invested in what I ultimately buy.

Also: should I just give up and join a gym with treadmills over the winter?

posted by hapticactionnetwork to health & fitness (18 comments total)

Go to Paragon Sporting Goods and look around.

It depends on the winter, but my boyfriend bikes almost all winter, so you should be okay running. Once in a while, it gets too stormy or slushy to do much of anything outside.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:36 AM on October 8

There was this recent question. New York should be a pretty good place to run in the winter, since lots of paths get cleared. Can't beat the central park loop. The main thing about winter running is that you produce a lot of heat by yourself, and the common error is to over dress.
posted by Mngo at 7:36 AM on October 8

I can't recommend underarmour Coldgear tights and shirts as a base layer enough. I'm a huge wimp about running in the cold, but these keep me warm and dry, giving me no excuse not to go. Pricey, but mine have lasted a couple years now, i just don't put them in the dryer.
posted by zara at 7:57 AM on October 8

When I was young and hale I used to run in the winter near Boston -- cross-country lasted until maybe December, and then during winter track the distance runners kept running outside unless it was under around 10 degrees. In my experience if you go out for your first jog in the middle of February you'll definitely fuck yourself up, but if you start now you'll be fine by the time February comes around. Just wear lots of layers, preferably zip-up things, so you can keep adjusting as you run -- you don't want to sweat too much. You should be cold when you leave the house because within 2 minutes you'll be warm. Put socks over your hands. The biggest decision you need to make is what to put on your head -- just earmuffs, or a real hat? A hat might make your head sweat too much and you may have to keep taking it off at intervals.
posted by creasy boy at 7:57 AM on October 8

Which part of New York? The city or some place like Syracuse that gets tons of snow? If the latter I would consider a gym, but I personally cannot stand running in snow (cold, soggy shoes, blech). Cold and dry, though, is completely manageable.

In general, as Mngo says, the problem is usually over dressing, particularly the legs. As the weather gets colder, use a long-sleeved running shirt. Then, add a fleece cap. Then gloves. Shorts should be fine until it gets a fair bit below freezing. You'll be cold at first but rapidly warm up.

As it continues to get colder, you can switch out the long-sleeved running shirt for something more form-fitting like an Under Armour shirt. They're not very flattering, so you may want to toss a light running t-shirt over it. You'll definitely want to continue to use breathable material (as opposed to, say, cotton). If that's not warm enough, use a long-sleeved running shirt as the top layer.

If you run at a time of day when it's getting warmer (say, the morning), then you may want a small pouch to stash your hat & gloves in if it warms up substantially. A hat can be great when you need it but become a hot, sweaty burden when it's not necessary.

Learn to enjoy the cold. Use it as an incentive to run faster, get home sooner, and enjoy a nice cup of hot tea to warm up.
posted by jedicus at 7:59 AM on October 8

Make your first top layer a t-shirt made of Coolmax fabric (or something similar) and the bottoms synthetic. You'll be much more comfortable if the sweat isn't pooling into a cotton fabric. Coolmax sounds counter-intuitive because of the name, but it just pulls our sweat away from your body which is even more critical in the cold.

I don't run on pavement anymore, but when I did here in Boston I wore a Coolmax t-shirt and a fleece winter sports top-- you can buy tops with extra-long sleeves and a hole cut out for your thumbs that keep the sleeves taught. I found it indispensable when it was below freezing. A couple of terrible days I've also worn a nylon jacket to keep the wind from cutting through me.

For bottoms, I wore my regular synthetic running shorts and fleece runners pants for the very cold days, and nylon shell pants other times.

I still dress like this when I cross-country ski, and I'm very satisfied. You can buy all of this online from LL Bean or probably even Amazon.
posted by Mayor Curley at 8:05 AM on October 8

Female Boston runner here. You'll need to experiment with what layers work for you. In my arsenal, I have cold weather running tights, fleece pants, a fleece vest, a running jacket, various long sleeved shirts, with and without zippers, gloves, mittens, an ear warmer band thing, and a fleece hat. Synthetic socks. My regular running shoes. At the beginning of the winter I always overdress, it can be really hard to get out there and know that you're going to be cold for five minutes, but you need to do that to be comfortable later.

Vaseline on the lips, they chap. Throw a few paper towels in your pocket, I prefer blowing my nose in those to using the old sleeve. Be consistent. A running partner is AMAZING when it's cold out: she's gotten me out on 13 degree days when I would have stayed home for sure if I didn't know there was someone waiting for me on the corner. Be careful running in the dark, be alert, and watch for icy patches. Running in the winter can be challenging, but it's hugely rewarding. Be sure to get out there while it's snowing, it's beautiful. Have fun!
posted by teragram at 8:12 AM on October 8

I have a chart that works for me after some experimentation. In degrees (F) at time of run:

55 +: T-shirt & shorts
50: Long-sleeved T-shirt & shorts
45: Long Underwear Top, Long-sleeved T-shirt & shorts
40: Long Underwear Top & Pants, Long-sleeved T-shirt & shorts
35: Long Underwear Pants w/ shorts, Thermal Hoodie, gloves (usually take them off midway)
30: Long Underwear Top & Pants w/ shorts, Thermal Hoodie, gloves
25: Long Underwear Top & Pants w/ shorts, Thermal Hoodie, gloves & hat (usually removed miday)
20 or below: I don't run.
posted by yeti at 8:38 AM on October 8 [5 favorites]

The flip side to not over-dressing is that once your run is finished, you will get cold very quickly. Try to finish your run near your home or somewhere else fittingly warm. You should put on more clothes for a cool-down walk.
posted by cardboard at 8:52 AM on October 8

Yeah, good advice from cardboard. I am more careful in the winter than the summer to bring some cash, a credit card, and my T pass (subway/bus pass) in case I need to stop sooner than I anticipated. Rarely an issue though.
posted by teragram at 8:56 AM on October 8

mngo & yeti pretty much have it. You will warm up very quickly so you don't have to bundle up. When I ran it was sweatpants, T-shirt and a hoodie or knit cap, that was it. Gloves if it was cold. Thermal underwear only for the very coldest days.

Granted I'm a native New Yorker so I am more used to cold. As a matter of fact when I was younger I ran and I took the summers off in New York (Queens). Never had a problem in the winter unless there was snow on the ground. Then don't run. That is dangerous and you could slip on ice hidden below the snow that you don't see and break your neck.

Personally I think you should only buy the cheapest cold-weather accoutrements you can, so if you lose them or ditch them it won't be a loss. If you're like most people you'll lose a ton of gloves/hats etc. as cold mornings evolve into not as cold afternoons. Not worth spending the bucks on in my opinion. (also good advice in general about cold weather gear in urban areas)

Also note that New York City is cold (esp. compared to Texas) , but not even in the same league as say Chicago, or Detroit, or Cleveland. You might find it is actually not so bad.
posted by xetere at 9:09 AM on October 8

2nding that cardboard has a good idea. Also keep in mind that your (not literal) mileage can vary a *lot*...I'm sure that what yeti wrote works for him/her (some of the members in my running group dress like that), but oh my god, I would die in long underwear unless it's below 25, and I don't break out the long sleeves/pants until 40 degrees.
posted by charmedimsure at 9:11 AM on October 8

I absolutely love running in cold weather, so I can't give a lot of advice for those not used to it, but I did want to second the recommendation to check out Paragon Sporting Goods; I've always found them to be very well-stocked and helpful.

Also, if you have a beard sometimes icicles form on it from your breath-vapor after a long run in sub-freezing temperatures and that's fucking BADASS so have your camera ready to record that so you can show it to your children and they'll be all, "whoa, dad was such a badass"
posted by Greg Nog at 9:16 AM on October 8 [2 favorites]

Oh, also! I forgot that my hands get dry in the winter, and that's exacerbated by running. If you're not wearing gloves, you might apply a little bit of Aquaphor to the backs of your hands prior to your run.
posted by Greg Nog at 9:18 AM on October 8

My suggestion is about keeping your hands warm. Instead of gloves I wear "tubes" over my hands. I took a large pair of white knee-length men's athletic socks (from the '70s!) and cut the feet off them, leaving just the leg portion. I wear them over my hands and under my sweat shirt.

They do a good job of keeping my hands warm. If my hands start to sweat, which they usually do, then I just pull/roll them up. It can be done instantly which is very helpful if I need to push a button on my watch or MP3 player, blow my nose, tie my shoes, or get something out of my pockets.

I also like wearing turtlenecks of some kind. I hate it when I get a blast of cold air on my neck or down my shirt. I also hate it when I start to overheat. If that happens then I can just roll down the turtleneck (or unzip it).

Watch caps are also good. You can easily pull them down, push them up or put them in your pocket - depending on how warm or cold you are.

One more thing - don't try to run on ice or other slippery surfaces. It's too easy to fall and get hurt, or develop a injury because your form or stride's is going to be different.
posted by 14580 at 9:57 AM on October 8

Vaseline on your entire face. YakTrax or sheet metal screws for slippery surfaces. EMS's Techwick line is often on sale and fits skinny runner torsos. Treat yourself to a nice pair of pants (I'm partial to Nike or Hind) that won't soak up water. I switch to SmartWool socks when it's below 20°.
posted by djb at 10:35 AM on October 8

Wind undies = no frozen junk. If it's -20C or colder, and there's any wind, you need them -- like these ones from Patagonia.
posted by liquado at 11:12 AM on October 8

And remember to keep hydrated. In Texas summers, you drank water because your body lost water from sweating. But in NY winter weather, the air is dry and your body is breathing in dry air, breathing out water vapor with every breath.
posted by exphysicist345 at 8:27 PM on October 10