Yesterday’s gorgeous, snowy run was impeccably beautiful… but it might not have been so pretty if I hadn’t worn the right running gear. Here are some thoughts on dressing right for those snowy runs!
Some Tips On Figuring Out What to Wear:
If you’re not sure what you should be wearing, do a test run around your neighborhood as your warm up, and loop back to the house to ditch or pick up mittens or gloves. It’s a good way to find out if you’ve layered correctly, too.
Check out the guide from Runner’s World for what you should be wearing – they have it down to a science!
Keep notes on the temperature and what you wore and whether it was comfortable for future reference. This sounds a little type-A, but I’m pretty sure I figured out my winter running wardrobe last year, and then forgot what I wore for different temperatures. If you have some notes somewhere, you’ll know what’s comfortable for YOU, not just what an online guide somewhere says.
Remember to adjust your wardrobe based on whether it’s windy, sunny, cloudy, or precipitating. If you’re going on a long run, remember that the temperature may change while you’re out there, particularly if the sun is going up or coming down. Layering and getting comfortable tying a lightweight jacket around your waist is a good idea.
Questions to Consider When You’re Buying Winter Running Gear:
Will I have enough pockets to stash the things I like to carry on my runs?
Will this be comfortable once I’m moving – ie, are there zippers too close to my ankles, or are they just a little too short so I’ll get cold if I don’t wear long socks, etc.
Does this coordinate with my other running gear, or will it sit in the bottom of the drawer because it clashes with my favorite running hat?
How often will it be cold enough to wear this? Would I be better off saving some money by layering, or is this item a good investment for me?
I find it helpful to buy one of any particular item, and see how much I like it before I purchase a second one. If you’re running 3-5 days a week, chances are you’ll need more than one pair of tights and a couple different running tops. Getting them all at once is tempting, but giving them a test run (run, hah!) is a great idea.
Here are my current favorites for Winter Running Gear:
A Winter Running Hat With a Pony-tail Slot: Mine is from REI and was a Christmas gift, I love it. I don’t see it on their website anymore, but any running hat (running = breathable fabric so you don’t get too hot) that covers your ears, is machine washable, and has a pony tail holder if you need one will become your best winter friend. I like mine because it’s thin and fitted, so it doesn’t feel bulky, fall over my eyes, or make me too hot. I can also put a baseball cap on over it to block snow from my eyes if I’m running in really snowy conditions. Wearing two hats doesn’t look incredible, but it keeps my ears warm, and increases my visibility and running comfort. Priorities.
Sugoi Sub-Zero Running Tights: I got a birthday gift certificate to Marathon Sports in Boston from a close friend, and I put it towards a new pair of winter running tights – they’re awesome. Sugoi Women’s Sub-Zero tights were less expensive than some of the other brands, and they were fuzzy on the inside, just enough to feel like a soft second skin that you want to have between you and the cold. They don’t have a zipper at the ankle, so nothing chafed while I ran, and they’re long enough to tuck under your socks so your ankles don’t get cold. You can find them online at Amazon and other sports retailers, or check your local running store so you can try them on! They’re my new favorite winter running item, right up there with a winter running hat from REI that has a pony-tail slot. (Sugoi, if you’re reading this, please feel free to send me another pair for free 😉 They don’t have pockets, so you’ll need to have another place to stash phone or fuel. I’ve warn them in 10 degree weather and in 37 degree snowy weather and they’ve been perfect both times. I tend to be colder than some people, so if you’re on the warm side, you might enjoy their mid-zero tight.
A thermal, zip up running top with thumb holes: These come in a variety of weights, pick yours based on your weather conditions and how warm or cold you tend to be when you run. I like having one that zips up, because you can really change how warm or cold you feel by adjusting the zipper to get cold air to your neck. Thumb holes are great because you can put gloves or mittens on, then pull the sleeves down over them and hook your thumbs through so that you don’t get any freezing cold air around your wrists when it’s super cold out. You can also skip mittens or gloves in borderline temps if you have that extra coverage over your knuckles.
Mittens or lightweight gloves: Mittens are great because your fingers aren’t separated, so they stay warmer. But they’re bulky, so you want to make sure that it’s cold enough for you to want to keep them on – if you’re taking them off midway through a run, they’re harder to just tuck into your waistband. That being said, when it’s 10 degrees out, they’re the only way to go. Lightweight gloves are awesome for winter running because on those borderline days they fit easily into a pocket, and they’re not cumbersome and aren’t likely to make your hands sweat.
A wind-breaker / lightweight jacket: These are a great layering piece, because they’re often so thin that you barely notice them when you wrap them around your waist mid-way through a run. When it’s windy or raining, nothing protects you more than a lightweight jacket designed to protect you from those conditions. I have the Brooks Women’s Nightlife LSD Lite Jacket III, mostly because it was over fifty percent off at my local running store when I was looking for a windbreaker. It’s not incredibly flattering on me, but it does the trick.
Sunglasses: Don’t forget this summery item on winter days – the sun reflects off the snow and can reduce your visibility and comfort, not to mention the potential sun damage. Cataracts, anyone? I’ll even throw them on during windy but overcast conditions to protect my eyes from the wind. Goggles would just be a little too much… even for me.
Happy running!
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