Warmest COLD! Weather running coat for men

Layers are really your best bet. How you feel when running depends not just on the temperature but the sun, the wind, how far into the run you are, how intense your run is, etc. It takes some experimentation to see what works for you under different conditions.

I generally run cold, but when running I don't actually need a lot of clothes. A long sleeved shirt and light wind jacket are comfortable from 40 to 30 degrees. If I add a light fleece or vest, I'm sweating at feels like of 10 degrees or less. Having layers means I can take off a layer, or at least unzip a couple of layers. When it's cold I take two pairs of gloves - one pair for the first two or three miles, when my hands need more protection and a lighter pair I change into when they start sweating as they always do. I wear an ear band for under 40, a fleece hat if it's under 32, and add a light balaclava when the feels like is below 5 degrees.

I don’t have huge amounts of experience, I don’t tolerate cold well (in that one cold weather run takes its toll on my body, sometimes for weeks, but I hate indoor exercise so I take my chances sometimes)... I have found this year that breathable is key! I wore a light rain jacket for my first below freezing run of the year and ended up soaked by the end, perspiration and condensation running between my vest and jacket. It was nasty! The last run I went with a thicker fleece and that was a much better option... unfortunately I tried new mittens I had just found at a thrift store - waterproof, not a good plan, my hands were dripping with sweat. I am liking the idea of two pairs of gloves! Brilliant!

There are some good visual guides for how to dress for different temps that have really helped me... at freezing or below I have fleece lined leggings, socks that cover my ankles, a thicker UA base layer longsleeve, vest, jacket, gloves/mittens, hat over the ears, and this last time a light buff over my mouth until my lungs acclimated. I can’t imaging running in temps below 20*F... I think my body would make it for the run, but shut down for a month afterwards!

Centigrade of Fahrenheit?

You really do run cold. I'd be sweating buckets in all that at 20 degrees colder. The fact that you don't run for long does make a difference though. It takes me 15 minutes to warm up completely as well, though I am usually only cool, not cold when I start out. I know if I'm comfortable leaving the house, I'll be too hot in a very short time. Have you tried warming up before you leave the house?

I think running in cold weather is fun. I made ice shoes by screwing sheet metals screws into an old pair of running shoes. Actually, I hate hot days!

Maybe I can summarize my approach (degF). I do adjust for wind or if I just want to start warmer. (Sometimes you pay for that later in the run!)

>60+ Shorts, T, running hat

50-60: Shorts, compression shirt, running hat

45-50: Tights, compression shirt, gloves, thin beanie (Gloves come off once I get warm)

32-44: Joggers, compression shirt, fleece vest, gloves, thin neck gator, thin beanie. (Vest can be unzipped if I get too warm.)

<32: Joggers, wool socks, compression shirt, 2nd upper layer, (maybe) fleece vest or coat, heavier gloves, fleece gator, fleece hat.

I've carried hand warmers on colder days (my hands are a problem). The coldest I've gone so far is about 15degF on a windy day. I wore a full windbreaker over the other stuff!

NorthCascades wrote: »

moonangel12 wrote: »

I don’t have huge amounts of experience, I don’t tolerate cold well (in that one cold weather run takes its toll on my body, sometimes for weeks, but I hate indoor exercise so I take my chances sometimes)... I have found this year that breathable is key! I wore a light rain jacket for my first below freezing run of the year and ended up soaked by the end, perspiration and condensation running between my vest and jacket. It was nasty! The last run I went with a thicker fleece and that was a much better option... unfortunately I tried new mittens I had just found at a thrift store - waterproof, not a good plan, my hands were dripping with sweat. I am liking the idea of two pairs of gloves! Brilliant!

There are some good visual guides for how to dress for different temps that have really helped me... at freezing or below I have fleece lined leggings, socks that cover my ankles, a thicker UA base layer longsleeve, vest, jacket, gloves/mittens, hat over the ears, and this last time a light buff over my mouth until my lungs acclimated. I can’t imaging running in temps below 20*F... I think my body would make it for the run, but shut down for a month afterwards!

If fleece is working for you, try a grid fleece. It'll be sightly less warm but lots more breathable. Eddie Bauer makes one that's a good value and goes on sale regularly.

I will check that out - thanks!

spiriteagle99 wrote: »

Layers are really your best bet. How you feel when running depends not just on the temperature but the sun, the wind, how far into the run you are, how intense your run is, etc.

Yes layering is the key.

I would add that the 'jacket' should just be a good wind/water shell rather than padded. Then you can use it through 3 seasons by changing your sub layers. The jacket should be easy to adjust the zip/venting while running, or easy take it off and tie around your waist after you've warmed up.

@BrianSharpe -40 deg! You'd have to wear a space suit! Man, that's extreme. Post a picture!

Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »

@BrianSharpe -40 deg! You'd have to wear a space suit! Man, that's extreme. Post a picture!

Think LAYERS, not a coat!

Why would you want 2 run in a coat anyway?

Also think about "breathability" of the material of the layers.

Synthetic materials like polypropelene is good for the base/mid layers and Gortex (or similar) is best 4 the top layer, especially if it's raining bc it's waterproof and breathable.

I'm currently wearing 3 layers, bottom and top, and I don't EVER run and don't ski anymore but I usually wore 3 layers when I did.