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ready to run despite the cold
You’ve just got into running, and your training is going perfectly, but now that winter is here and the temperature has plummeted, what are the best winter running clothes to wear? And with so much choice on the market, what winter running gear do you actually need?
winter running gear: an overview
- Hat/ear warmers
- Buff for your neck
- Long sleeve top with body warmer; or
- T-shirt with a long-sleeve jacket
- Wind or rain jacket if very exposed
- Gloves
- Running tights/leggings (with or without shorts on top)
- Longer socks
- Winter trainers
no fear
Once you fall in love with running, not much will get in your way when you’re desperate to get out there and train.
But if there’s one thing that could derail your enthusiasm for a run, it’s a cold, dark winter’s morning, especially if it’s wet and windy!
But fear not.
As with everything these days, there’s a product out there to suit your needs perfectly, and although an extra hour in bed would be nicer, you just know that if you miss your training, it will mess with your head all week!
Before you spend your money...
However, before you get your credit card out and start ordering all the cold-weather running gear you can, there are a few conditions you need to consider before you start adding stuff to your basket.
Check the conditions
Which of the following will apply to you on your run:
Will you be running in the rain or wind?
Will you be very exposed on a trail or sheltered within a city?
Will your run be short and fast or long and slow?
How much do you feel the cold in general?
Optimal running conditions
According to this well-researched article, the optimal running temperature is around 7ºC for most people.
(44.6ºF for all you imperialists).
That’s a bit on the cold side for me, and I’d definitely be thinking about wearing leggings and maybe even a pair of gloves and a long-sleeved top rather than a T-shirt.
But unless the temperature is close to freezing, I wouldn’t be tempted to wear much more than that.
If the temperature was around freezing, I’d add another layer on top of the long-sleeve top, such as a running vest, or wear a T-shirt as a base layer, plus a slightly warmer running jacket on top.
avoid overheating
To avoid overheating, I’d steer clear of thick, warm base layers and add thinner layers on top to make it easier to strip down if you get too hot as your body temperature warms up.
This 54-minute, 10k run along the river Danube in December was about 1ºC (33.8ºF) and I ran with a T-Shirt as a base layer, a Quarter Zip running top on top. I also wore gloves, leggings (with shorts over the top) along with warmer socks and my usual running shoes.
A hat or headband would have been nice as it was seriously cold alongside the river, but I didn’t have any with me for which my ears suffered!
winter running gear: Head to toe
Let’s look at a full range of winter running gear from head to toe, and you can decide for yourself if you think it might help to make your run a little more comfortable and, more importantly, actually happen.
1. Head
Ronhill Running, Classic Beanie
- Excellent thermal qualities
- Lightweight and breathable
- Reflectivity tab for night time visibility on the road
- Contoured design with great stretch and recovery to fit the head and ear line
Ronhill Running, Night Runner Headband
- Thermal Regulite Fabric
- Brushed Fabric – Sits comfortably against the skin
- Wicks away excess sweat
- Reflective print keeps you visible at all times
2. Neck
GripGrab, Running Tube Scarf
- 360° High visibility
- Multifunctional
- Breathable
- UV-Protection
3. Top
New Balance, Core Long Sleeve
- NB DRY fast-drying technology wicks moisture away from your body
- Breathable polyknit fabric
- Athletic fit built to skim your chest, waist and hip — perfect for active movement with a fit that’s not too tight
- If cold, use with a T-Shirt base layer or vest over the top
Under Armour, Tech 2.0 Quarter Zip
- UA Tech original training gear
- Quick-drying & ultra-soft
- Wicks sweat & dries fast
- ¼ zip front makes for easy layering
- Ideal with a T-Shirt base layer underneath
33,000ft, Lightweight Gilet, Wind & Waterproof
- High tech fabric that keeps you warm, comfortable and dry in light rain
- Drawcord hem to help seal out the elements
- 6 Functional pockets for essentials
- Stretch material for range of motion
- Great to use over a long-sleeve top
Montane, Featherlite Trail Running Jacket
- Lightweight breathable fabric which provides wind resistance
- DWR Treatment for effective water shedding
- External chest pocket
- MP3/Phone cord exit point
- Full length YKK zip with internal wind strip
- Great for more demanding conditions
Montane, Spirit Lite Waterproof Jacket
- 30 Denier GORE-TEX PACLITE PLUS
- Fully seam taped construction
- Fully adjustable hood with 3 point ‘quick release’ adjustment and stiffened peak
- Full-length YKK AQUAGUARD front zip
- Two hand pockets with YKK AQUAGUARD zips
- For long, exposed runs/hikes on the trails
4. Hands
Ronhill Running, Classic Glove
- Breathable
- Extra stretch to fit all hands
- Lightweight, yet offers thermal quality
- Extended wrist panel
- Reflective Ronhill logo for added night time visibility on the roads
5. Legs
Adidas, Running leggings
- Reflective properties
- Functional Design
- Phone holder
- Secure compression support
6. Feet
Danish Endurance, Running Socks
- Blister-free comfort
- Designed to reduce foot fatigue and perfect for long-distance runs
- Designed with Danish Olympic Runner
- Premium materials
- Anti-Hole Guarantee
When it comes to your running shoes, you probably don’t want to change too much, especially if you’re road running, although something with a slightly better grip and a waterproof upper may be required if it’s very wet or icy conditions.
Hoka One, Men's Speedgoat 5 Running Shoes
- Synthetic network upper that offers maximum breathability
- Reinforced tongue with strategically positioned holes to promote breathability
- Intersuola with new light foam that improves reactivity
- Sturdy sole and grip
Conclusion
So, there you have it. An essential list of winter running gear for men who won’t let a bit of cold weather get in the way of their running progress.
These products have been selected because I use them or have used them or because they are consistently ranked well consistently across several comparison websites.
Always remember to use care and discretion when purchasing recommended products, and don’t take any unnecessary risks by running in extreme weather despite having good running gear.
Happy winter running.
Next...
If you’re new to running and would like some information about nutrition, my post ‘Simple Nutrition For New Runners‘ covers:
- The basic food groups
- What to eat before running
- What foods to avoid before running
- When to eat before running
- What to eat before a race
- How to fuel during running (if you’re running more than a 10k)
- What to eat after running
- Hydration
- Alcohol and exercise
