What gear should I wear to run in the winter?

November 9, 2007 8:51 AM

What gear should I wear to run in the winter? I've always moved indoors and run on the treadmill or just quit for the season and got fat but I want to try to keep running outside this winter.

I live in cold snowy, sleety, freezing rainy Pittsburgh so it can get pretty nasty during the winter and some days I'm sure that I just won't be able to go out but if I can get out three days a week, I'd be happy. I looked around the REI website and got a little baffled about all the choices. Pants, shirt, jacket, hat, gloves, socks? I'm not sure how to dress so that I'm not freezing at the beginning and/or roasting and drenched in sweat by the end. My typical run is 3-4 miles along a river trail. What do I wear?

posted by octothorpe to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (14 answers total)

Back when I ran 5k 3xweek in Toronto in weather that could hit -30 Celsius, my kit included:

* long tights (you may prefer something more modest -- maybe silk long underwear and loose, zippable shell trousers?)
* turtleneck
* water-proof shell with front zipper (you'll need this for both wind and damp)
* standard socks and running shoes

In the coldest weather, I'd add a fleece top with a front zip, a hat or earmuffs, and gloves. I usually found I was toasty enough with the minimum for all but the coldest days.

No matter what, LAYERS are vital. No matter how nasty the weather gets, you will warm up as you run.
posted by maudlin at 9:01 AM on November 9, 2007

A good pair of thick running tights made with a wicking fabric is what you really need. You don't need any more in terms of pants than that. On top, you can layer a jacket over a long-sleeved wicking shirt, and then tie the jacket around your waist when you get too warm. (I used to overheat so much that I ran in just a long-sleeved shirt and shorts until it got below zero, but it really hurt for the first mile or so. And I got a lot of weird looks. But a good wicking base layer is a good investment, and you can figure out what you might need to add as winter goes along.)

Heavier socks than usual, not cotton. Oh, and gloves are a must. You could shell out the cash to get a nice pair of running gloves from a specialty running store. I think they're worth it. I personally never liked running with a hat, but I had to wear at least a headband or I got the most terrible earaches.

A couple of other points I learned running in Minnesota winters: put a little slick of Vaseline on your face and any other exposed skin, or you'll pay for it with chapped, angry, red skin later. And the cold air burns your lungs a lot less if you're well-hydrated before you step out the door.
posted by adiabat at 9:03 AM on November 9, 2007

Wear a soft shell jacket, something like this (on sale at REI) might be good. Even though it's cold outside, you'll be surprised at how warm you'll be even with this jacket. Wear earmuffs, obviously. You don't want an earache with all that freezing wind blowing in your face.

I just read a short blurb in Men's Health magazine saying that you shouldn't wear gloves when you run, unless it's very, very cold. Those who wear gloves in the winter run 20% less than those who don't.

Wear wool socks (Smart Wool from REI are good) or a synthetic blend that isn't absorbent the cotton is.
posted by HotPatatta at 9:03 AM on November 9, 2007

I like to be just a little chilly when I start my run, and I usually peel off one layer before the end of the run. This is what I wore last year on the coldest run (~10 degrees, sleeting, slight wind):

socks (longer than normal, so they can go under my tights)
longjohn underwear
tights (windproof/breathable)
baselayer t-shirt
longsleeve polypro shirt (thin)
windproof fleece top
waterproof/breathable shell
gloves
balaclava
beanie

Experiment. I try to look at the current temperature and wind chill and dress accordingly, and then remember at the end of my run how that felt. Ok, it's 50 degrees, I'll wear this....ok, that was a little chilly at the end, next time I'll wear something else.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 9:03 AM on November 9, 2007

I'm so excited you asked this question. Now I don't have to ask it :) I recently moved to Chicago from San Diego, and the weather is quickly dropping. I hate running on treadmills, so a nice winter running guide will be key! (winter sucks! wtf are these "seasons" things anyways?)
posted by Arbac at 9:04 AM on November 9, 2007

Not much help to say it, but I was wondering the same thing. This will be my first winter as a runner (I'm in Massachusetts).

From what I've been able to accrue over the web/books, here's my current plan:

25 to 40 degrees:
Pair of moisture wicking pants on the bottom
Tight fitting, moisture wicking base below a breathable windbreaker for the top
Pair of thin, moisture wicking gloves

Below 25 degrees, add:
Pair of wicking thermal underwear on the bottom
A middle layer of something breathable on the top (possibly two middle layers in extreme cold)
Breathable mittens over the gloves
Hat/earmuffs/scarf

Having an outer upper layer with zippable pockets is a good idea so you can strip down and store some of the smaller items if needed.

That's my initial plan anyway, anxious to hear what the more experienced out there say...
posted by Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific at 9:07 AM on November 9, 2007

I do the same distance in a similar climate (Philadelphia).
I wear:

Fleece Hat or Headband (to cover my ears!)
Top
Pants
underoos
regular athletic socks
running shoes

I'm pretty content with that. The only thing that I think I'd really like is a balaclava - but I've never found one that was comfortable and unrestrictive while also providing warmth. So for now, I just go without it.

I don't wear a t-shirt underneath the top because it would hold the moisture close to my body without permitting it to evaporate the way these garments are meant to permit. I start out a bit chilly, but ultimately heat up quite a bit and this outfit keeps me at a very constant cool temperature through the jog down to somewhere between 10 and 20 degrees and up to probably 70. I also like half-zips because if you feel yourself getting a little too warm, you can open them up a bit.
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:24 AM on November 9, 2007

Yaktrax make running possible when streets and sidewalks are covered in snow and ice.
posted by driveler at 9:26 AM on November 9, 2007

In response to the post about not running in gloves, I find that gloves are the perfect way to regulate your temperature when running in the winter. I always start out with gloves (just the cheap cottony ones from Target) and then take them off about halfway through my run once I've warmed up. You cool down right away when you remove them - plus they're a lot easier to carry around than an extra pullover.

Also, I recommend getting one of those fleece neck-warmer things. They're really useful for keeping the wind from blowing down your neck once it's really, really cold. Again, you can just push it down or remove it if you get too hot.

Also, instead of vaseline, I've been using this natural Johnson and Johnson baby balm on my face before I go out. It's less greasy,smells good, and comes in a handy stick.
posted by jrichards at 9:37 AM on November 9, 2007

I actually like running in a wicking underlayer and a fleece vest, at least when it's not too windy. I find the vest makes it easier for me to feel not-too-cold at first but not-too-hot at the end, since my arms are ventilated and I can unzip it a bit as I heat up.
That's just for the top, obviously; I'm still looking for my ideal pair of running/cycling tights.
posted by bassjump at 10:06 AM on November 9, 2007

Hat and gloves are the most important thing. Get a nice thin pair of gloves and a nice thin hat (a lycra toque with a little warm lining around the ears is ideal) that you can easily take off and stuff in your pocket or whatever will help you avoid being too cold at the start of your run and too hot at the end. The hat makes a very big difference.

My feeling has always been that the most stylish outfit for cold weather running is shorts and t-shirt over long underwear, but this isn't ideal for wetter weather.
posted by ssg at 11:12 AM on November 9, 2007

Previously and also previously.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 11:20 AM on November 9, 2007

I live in michigan and used to run along a river trail. The river trail had the nice effect of being shielded from most of the wind, I would imagine that yours is similar.

When I went out running in the winter I would wear:

A water resistant nylon anorak to block the wind.
A long sleeved polypro shirt
A short sleeved polypro shirt
A pair of loose fitting running "tights"
A light wool hat, which often didn't stay on during the whole run
A pair of 200 weight fleece gloves, which also often didn't stay on during the whole run
My normal running socks and shoes

Obviously the first ten minutes of the run were very cold and I found that weather below 20 F was too cold to run in because my nose and lips would get the beginning stages of frost bite on them.

Have fun, it's great to be out when it's snowing so hard that you can't see the footprints you left on your way out when you're coming back in.
posted by 517 at 1:02 PM on November 9, 2007

Dress as if it's about 10-15 degrees warmer than it actually is.

If you want a little bit more specific advice, Runner's World has a nice tool to help you decide what to wear.
posted by jknecht at 7:50 PM on November 9, 2007