Cold weather running gear for active teen

October 6, 2016 10:18 AM

My nephew is turning 15 this week and he has been really into running and training with his school track team. I want to get him some gear to help him keep up the habit into colder weather and beyond! I'm considering a fitbit but I think he would require a wrist version and my budget is closer to $50-60 rather than $100-150.

Other ideas are running leggings (brand recs?), pants, headgear. We're in Minnesota, so it's going to get cold soon! I'm not a runner by any stretch of the imagination, so I don't have good intuition about this. For REASONS I'd like to buy things that will feel special, maybe even cool! This kid's been dealt a rough hand and I want him to feel taken care of this year.

If the consensus is the fitbit is a game changer I can try to scrape together the necessary funds. If that's the case, model suggestions are welcome. I've been looking at the Charge HR or the Charge 2 based on watch-like look with a good set of features.

Help me help him keep moving!

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

Sugoi and Smartwool are my two favorite brands. Also, Craft baselayers are very good.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:20 AM on October 6, 2016

Previously:"What do I wear to run in January weather? Shells, layers, base layers, break it down for me."
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 10:34 AM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

If he has a smart phone, there are a lot of GPS type apps that I think would be more rewarding and motivating for a runner than a Fitbit, so maybe a nice armband for the phone would be a good gift. If he doesn’t have smart phone, a Fitbit’s not going to be very useful anyway because I believe many functions are app based. Any watch-type device with GPS is going to be out of your budget as far as I know.

I think your idea for cold weather gear is better.
posted by Kriesa at 10:40 AM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Agreed that a fitbit isn't particularly useful for runners. For me, the game-changers in terms of running in the winter were a very good pair of warm, thin gloves (I have an Icebreaker merino wool pair) and a merino wool headband to keep my ears warm. I got both on Sierra Trading Post for a pretty good discount. I'd probably go the route of getting him nice gear, but maybe focusing more on things like gloves, socks, and headband/hat that aren't as likely to have potential fit issues.
posted by iminurmefi at 10:46 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Smartwool makes wool glove liners that are fantastic. I almost never need a layer over them all winter, yet they tend not to get too hot.

Ear protection is key. I've been using a polarfleece earband, but it's kind of tight with earbuds underneath. I like to have just my ears covered most of the time rather than my whole head. This winter I'm trying a Buff wrap.

A running belt might be good. Leaves both hands free in case he has to catch himself from face-planting on an icy sidewalk, and keeps the phone close to the body and thus warm. They can shut down in extreme cold.
posted by lakeroon at 10:48 AM on October 6, 2016

Best answer: These 4ucycling men's windproof running pants were a big hit with my runner-in-Minnesota-winter.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:01 AM on October 6, 2016

Yaktrax?
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 11:02 AM on October 6, 2016

If he has no running watch, a Garmin Forerunner 10 is a real-deal GPS running watch (no phone required) which doesn't have any super fancy features and they're going for $50 at Kohl's online right now. From there he can take the data anywhere (Strava, Trainingpeaks, etc etc) if he's nerdy like that, and he can track miles and pace and stuff.
posted by ftm at 11:09 AM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

We had Yaktrax, and they broke really easily. We have these now and they're great - bit tight to get on, but once they're on they don't fall off. They also feel less lethal on non-snow surfaces - the coils on the Yaktrax are really slippy on smooth surfaces.
posted by tinkletown at 11:57 AM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Seconding thin warm gloves. I have several pairs of these and they are the best running gloves. The mitten part is wind and water resistant and can tuck into a pocket on the back of your hand if your hands get too warm. The other piece of winter running gear I can't leave the house without is a hat or something to cover my ears on those cold winter days. He'll also need a lightweight windproof jacket of some sort. Lastly, if he is going to run after dark, a running flashlight or headlamp is essential. It's going to get darker earlier and visibility is always important. I have this . It helps you be more visible to cars from the front and rear (it has a rear facing red strobe light at the butt of the handle) and will illuminate your path. It's also comfortable to hold. I'm a firm believer of running safely and comfortably.
posted by ATX Peanut at 12:52 PM on October 6, 2016

Waterproof running shoes made my winter running about ten times more cosy. Mine look just like regular running shoes, and I can't recommend them enough if you're somewhere where winter includes slush and occasional almost-freezing puddles.
posted by MangoNews at 1:22 PM on October 6, 2016

I'd also consider a really nice long-sleeved technical running top - the kind of thing it's easy to skimp on but to be bought a good one would be great. He'll use it through the winter, but also be able to wear it in spring and autumn too. Or if you want something specifically for winter there are also some that are a bit fleecy on the inside.

Brands - Under Armour seems fairly popular with the teenage boys I see at athletics events - plain designs with a small logo rather than big printed slogans (though this is in the UK so YMMV). Also Nike and Asics.
posted by penguin pie at 1:28 PM on October 6, 2016

Oh - also on brands - if you know any famous athletes he likes, look for photos of them online and see who their kit sponsor is (ie. see what kit they're wearing) in most of the pics. Chances are he'll be pleased to have kit of the same brand. Or if you don't know about favourites, look for whoever the best-known athletes are in the US at the moment, especially in his chosen discipline.
posted by penguin pie at 1:37 PM on October 6, 2016

Response by poster: Thanks so much everyone! I got him some pants, gloves and a headband. Your reassurance that a fitbit isn't a must-have for runners is also appreciated!
posted by deadcrow at 1:42 PM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]