Cold Weather Running

Good post, I've been wondering the same myself as this will be my first winter running! Will be keeping a close eye on replies! My last run gave me such chills I had numbness in both arms and had to have a bath after to warm back up!

The trick is to dress in layers.

For really, really cold weather I have a lightweight merino wool base layer (warm, wicking and not itchy) on top of that I'll wear my tights and a long sleeve tech shirt with a long polartec fleece layer as well as my running shell, toque and gloves. I also have merino wool socks for those really cold days.

In my profile picture it was about -15C and I skipped my base layer, wore a long sleeve tech shirt under a medium weight long sleeve half-zip (Asics thermopolis) and running shell and, as you can see from the damp patches on my chest and icicles on my toque was perspiring while running a half marathon.

You should be chilly at the beginning of your run; trust me, you will warm up. Watch your stride, keep it short and watch your foot placement (one added bonus I found with winter running was that improved my running form)

It takes a bit of trial and error as everyone has a different level of cold tolerance.

Running in the winter, if you're dressed properly, is fantastic. I love running in freshly fallen snow. Have fun!

I'm from SD so I kinda know what you're up against. I started running this year in January so I got in on a little cold weather running. Again layers is what I found best too. I suggest keeping track of what layers you wore when. For me it's nice to look out and see what the temp is and know which particular layers to wear without guessing if you are putting on too much or too little. Have fun!!

go to north face's web site and get out your credit card! Great stuff but not cheap.

Even though I live in Southern California, we do have a family farm up in northern Manitoba so I have run in pretty cold weather conditions.

I typically don't run in temps below zero (F), but for 0 - 20, I will wear:
- moisture-wicking hat (fleece or a polypro one will work well)
- I like a fleece neck gaiter (I have a Turtle Fur) but any fleece scarf will work well
- a light merino wool base layer (I like Patagonia's Cap 2 Merino line) -- if you're allergic to wool, there are many synthetic options (just be sure that the base layer closest to your skin does a great job wicking moisture)
- an expedition weight layer over the merino (again I like Patagonia -- their Cap 4 line is great or their R1 pullovers for really cold conditions)
- wind-resistant shell (this is a bit tricky as total wind resistant shells don't "breathe" -- the North Face and Patagonia make some nice breathable ones)
- CW-X insulator tights (I like the compression of CW-X but any good insulating tights will work well)
- Wind pants (I like Brooks wind pants but there are a number of good options)
- Some good wool socks (SmartWool makes some nice ones -- or I recently picked some up a 3-pack at Costco that are great for the $$$)
- if it is very snowy out, I might add some Gore shoe gaiters

A little money saving tip -- I have found that I only need to wash my Patagonia merino base layer once a week (it doesn't retain stink at all) so I typically will wear it 4-5 times before washing it (no need to buy a huge wardrobe). Same for my CW-X tights (I just rinse them out after each use -- they dry super fast).