Winter Running - Gear advice?

BChanFit

This will be my first winter running and I'm in Minnesota so need some good gear. Looking for any advice on layering techniques and specific brand suggestions. There's just so much information out there it's hard to sort through it all! Thanks!

BrianSharpe

I run all year 'round and it gets cold here.........(hence my abominable snowman profile pic)

Base layer........I like merino wool for really cold weather, it's light but warm (and wool stays warm when wet) and doesn't itch. Merino wool socks are great too.

Tights / running pants - I buy whatever is on sale (for compression tights I like the 2XU products) and tend to use mid weight running pants (tighter than track pants but not as snug as tights) that way you're covered for colder fall / spring runs as well as milder winter days without the base layer and with it you can handle even the coldest days.

Top - long sleeve technical jersey (with merino wool base layer on the coldest days) and either a mid weight half zip top or, for really cold days, a polartec fleece top and the outermost layer is my running shell.

and, of course, hat & gloves.

I wear my normal running shoes and have YakTrax if the roads are really slippery.

Try to dress so you're actually chilly at the beginning of your run otherwise you're likely to overheat. Shorten your stride to reduce the likelihood of landing on your butt and have fun!

BrianSharpe

I should also add...........think bright, highly visible colours and lots of reflective trim (I have a pair of Under Armour gloves that have reflective accents and an Asics toque with reflective thread stripes knitted right in) and, if you're running in low light conditions a headlamp can help you see and be seen.