Outdoor winter runners

nikkohli
nikkohli Posts: 311 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
What do you wear to run in the winter? The treadmill is just too boring to run on so I might try to head outside. I live in PA and I would consider running at 30 degrees and above. Thanks!

Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I'm in Ontario Canada and I usually wear a pair of heavy running tights with a long sleeve tech shirt under my running jacket. I often end up unzipping my jacket part way along. I also always wear a wide headband over my ears, sometimes a beanie toque if it's really cold or windy and a pair of fluffy gloves for snot wiping that can go in the wash when I get home.
  • workout_junkee
    workout_junkee Posts: 473 Member
    30 degrees would be awesome right now:). It was 8 degrees this morning... Very cold start to my run.

    In 30 degrees I would do compression tight, 3/4 zip running shirt, smart wool socks, hat and running gloves. If it is windy I will do a wind breaker over my shirt.
  • nikkohli
    nikkohli Posts: 311 Member
    Thank you both! Are your running tights lined? I have a standard pair and am not sure if I should wear leggings or windbreaker pants over that.

    8 degrees? Yipes!
  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    For 30 and above, I wear long tights (no need for special thermal tights at that temp, but add a pair of compression shorts underneath if it's windy or you just want extra warmth for your thighs and butt) on the bottom, and a long-sleeved tech shirt plus a vest or light jacket on top. Gloves at that temp are a matter of personal choice--for instance, on today's run the temperature was 28 at start rising to 30 at the end and I wore gloves, but had to take them off after a mile. I always wear a hat of some sort, and for me 30 is around the line between billed running cap and knit cap. For me, I think wool socks are nice if I'm definitely going to get my feet wet and am going to be out for more than 1.5 hours, but otherwise (which is most of the time) my usual thin tech socks are fine--my feet just don't get cold while I'm running.

    I much prefer running in the cold to running in the summer heat!
  • Carolyn_79
    Carolyn_79 Posts: 935 Member
    I'm in Ontario Canada and I usually wear a pair of heavy running tights with a long sleeve tech shirt under my running jacket. I often end up unzipping my jacket part way along. I also always wear a wide headband over my ears, sometimes a beanie toque if it's really cold or windy and a pair of fluffy gloves for snot wiping that can go in the wash when I get home.

    I'm also in Ontario and this is what I wear as well. You can see my base layer in my avatar pic.
  • hbm616
    hbm616 Posts: 377 Member
    Great advice! I've been meaning to test out cold-weather running...I even received an Under Armour long sleeved winter running shirt but I've yet to test it out....I think I need at least 35* to make sure my asthma doesn't knock me out.
  • Colleen1980
    Colleen1980 Posts: 148 Member
    I wear running pants, long sleeve shirt, lightweight sweatshirt, headband that covers my ears, gloves, and 2 pair of socks. :smile:

    I also wanted to say, don't give up and go right back in if you walk out the door and think, holy crap, I can't do this I'm freezing!! After you've been running a few minutes you'll be amazed how warm and comfy you get. I've found I love running in the cold!

    Have fun! :flowerforyou:
  • workout_junkee
    workout_junkee Posts: 473 Member
    Part of this is personal response to the cold. If my fingers/feet get cold my entire body is cold so wool socks & light gloves are a must for me. It my top half gets warm I will overheat so I tend to dress lighter for a top.
  • Ashiieepuff
    Ashiieepuff Posts: 90
    Right now I'm upstate ny. It was 16 degrees yesterday. I wear:

    Under armor leggings
    Yoga pants
    High socks
    Sports bra long sleeve thermal
    Pullover sweatshirt with hood
    North face zip up
    Ear muffs
    Scarf for my nose/mouth otherwise my lungs hurt
    Gloves

    Sometimes if there's a windchill ill throw in an extra loose fitting long sleeve shirt.
    I look like a hot mess going down the street but I'm warm, and I break a sweatband I actually feel like I accomplished something when I get back
  • Nykki71
    Nykki71 Posts: 72 Member
    I live in Fairbanks Alaska and I run when it is -10 no more.. layers..layers ..layers. I always get a winter running shoe ½ size larger than usual, so a thicker, warmer sock will easily fit. Having good traction is important, so a trail type tread works best for me. Some people even get shoes with spikes or add spikes to their shoes if they are going to run on a lot of ice. The very light type of foam gets very hard and stiff in very cold weather, so asking about flexibility in the cold and even testing shoes by getting them very cold and seeing how flexible they are can help. The thicker the upper shoe fabric, the better they will hold heat. Wearing a plastic shopping bag between the sock and shoe can add about 10° of warmth. Good luck.
  • natalie412
    natalie412 Posts: 1,039 Member
    I live in PA - lately it has been in the teens and 20s, and for that I wear 2 pairs of running tights, a sleeveless shirt and 2 long sleeve shirts, a fleece jacket, a buff I can pull over my face, a light knit hat, and light running gloves. Today was 21 and sunny and I was actually over dressed.

    More normal weather around here is 30's and 40's and for that I wear running tights, a long sleeve shirt and a fleece vest for 30's. Usually gloves, and a head band to cover my ears. I have run in shorts in high 40's and above. You want to be chilly to cold when you start out, but after 1/2 mile to a mile, you really warm up. I usually end up shedding the gloves, even in 20's weather.

    Wear layers you can take off and tie around your waist if you get too warm. If you dress too warmly (like I did today on my 11 mile run), you will sweat more, and that can actually make you colder towards the end of the run.

    You will get tougher the more you run in the cold! I really prefer winter running to summer running. Optimal temps for me are mid-40s to mid 60s.

    Oh, and a looong hot shower when you get back - once I cool down, I usually feel pretty chilly for awhile unless I spend extra time under the extra hot shower. This really just applies to long runs (1 1/2 hours plus).
  • LisaO85
    LisaO85 Posts: 152
    For 30 degrees and above running pants will be fine, long sleeve shirt and either wind jacket or lightweight jacket depending on conditions Hat/headband and gloves, and don't forget the sunglasses.

    The one thing you want to remember is you should be slightly chilly when you walk out the door, believe me you will warm up soon enough. If you are comfortable to warm when you leave the house you are overdressed.

    It was 18 degrees today but the sun was shining and no wind. It's amazing how good it can feel when the sun is out.
  • debi_f
    debi_f Posts: 330 Member
    Such good advice! You all make me feel like such a "weather wimp" though! ;-)

    It's 30-something degrees here today, and I'm seriously thinking about hitting the gym for strength training rather than running just to stay inside and warm...
  • hulkweazel
    hulkweazel Posts: 36 Member
    I just wear short sleeve and shorts throughout winter with no problems.

    I live in California btw
  • nikkohli
    nikkohli Posts: 311 Member
    Thank you everyone! It is 16 degrees right now (Brrr---you Canadian and Alaskan runners are hardcore!) so I am going to wait until it warms up a bit and head out :)
  • nellyett
    nellyett Posts: 436 Member
    I'm in Ontario Canada and I usually wear a pair of heavy running tights with a long sleeve tech shirt under my running jacket. I often end up unzipping my jacket part way along. I also always wear a wide headband over my ears, sometimes a beanie toque if it's really cold or windy and a pair of fluffy gloves for snot wiping that can go in the wash when I get home.

    I'm also in Ontario and this is what I wear as well. You can see my base layer in my avatar pic.

    I'm in Ontario as well and am heading out for my run shortly :)

    My feet and face are usually the only things that get cold...

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