Running outfits for this winter

pusanisa03pt · November 1

Hi. Can anyone please recommend affordable gym clothes for running outside this winter (as a college student)? I already have my gym clothes but I don’t think it is enough to warm me while I run. Thank you so much in advance.

(sorry if I put this question in the wrong category)

claireychn074 · November 1

I could give you recommendations but I’m in the UK - where are you based? I’ve got winter run leggings from Sports Direct and they were cheap; I also have a merino long sleeved base layer top and leggings I bought cheaply in a sale, and they’re great for working out in sub zero under my usual leggings or top. Often a thin hat or gloves can make a huge difference when running, and they’re great as they won’t be too heavy to carry when you warm up. Have you got any charity shops near you? They can be a good source of kit. Again, it depends where you’re based really.

westrich20940 · November 1

I use the TSLA brand yoga pants from Amazon. The high-waisted thermal yoga pants with pockets. I can't imagine using leggings that don't have pockets though. I think the listing on Amazon says they are 'fleece lined'....but I don't think they actually are (at least the ones I have are for sure not, they are just good legging material (squat proof lol) but I live in SW Ohio and haven't really ever felt the need for anything warmer necessarily when running. They are affordable, hold up well IMO...and are warm enough.

I will say I do not run rain/shine/no matter what - if it's very windy and that makes the wind chill miserable I simply wouldn't run that day and change to another day but my running sched is pretty flexible/low key.

I tend to dress as if it's ~15 degrees warmer than it actually is outside to avoid having to strip layers and figure out a way to keep them with me or leave them somewhere and hope they are there when I'm done.
If YOU tend to get cold easier I'm sure there are brands of leggings that are actually fleece lined and those would be quite warm....too warm likely for me. Most I really have ever ran in is leggings, a thermal vest over a long-sleeved t-shirt...and *maybe a running coat/jacket over top IF it was super duper cold...but again, if it's really too cold I just don't go. Haha...I'm a baby.

EDIT: I must have speed-read through your post bc I see now that you mentioned sub 0 temps (do you mean F or C?)....and my area doesn't get that cold often. So I'd def not run if it was 0F where I live...maybe if it was sunny and not windy at all, but not otherwise.

SweatLikeDog · November 1

Layers. Thermals. T-shirt underneath, long socks underneath. Sweats pants, hoodie, ski hat, gloves on top. For sub-zero add sunglasses and ski mask/balaclava.

AnnPT77 · November 1

I don't run, I row and bike, so I won't give specific advice. I'll just say this: A not-super-tight windbreak layer over the top adds a lot of comfort and a surprising extra increment of warmth, especially in cold, windy conditions. I use pretty inexpensive polyester wind pants I got at Costco (they probably cost less than a decent pizza). My windbreaker jackets are a similar material, but they cost more because rowing requires some specialized features that running wouldn't. A drawstring hood on the jacket potentially is a good thing.

spiriteagle99 · November 2

Again, it depends on where you live and how cold and wet it is there. I live in Pennsylvania, so it gets cold, but not sub-zero. Most of my mid-winter runs are in the 30s or 40s since I run in the afternoon. What I have found is that I need a lot less than I ever thought I would for winter runs. I mentally add 20 degrees to the temperature and dress for that, so usually it ends up being a polyester shirt, a light wind jacket, nylon warm-up pants or Lands End Activewear pants, with gloves and either a hat or fleece headband on my head, depending on how cold and windy it is. If I am protected from the wind, I am usually more than warm enough. Generally, if I am comfortable when I leave the house, I am wearing too much. I expect to be a bit cold the first half mile, but then I'm fine.

WarmJellyfish · November 3

Mid west Canada here Meaning it gets COLD. I usually get my el cheapo running clothes from thrift stores. Fleece mid layers and wind resistant shells are your friend. Fleecy sweatpants. Plenty of deals there. Not out to make a fashion statement. It's freezing I don't care about looks. Make sure you get good headwear like a beanie. Depending on how cold, I pair that with a buff to keep the wind out. Dollar store winter gloves. My winter running shoes are usually half size bigger so I can double up on socks. If the road/sidewalk/trail is icy might need cleats. But if your locale not as cold as here, can get away with less layers.

yirara · November 4

I don't care about functional clothing. Once temperatures go towards 5C I might pull out some thicker winter leggins and maybe start wearing a thin thermo base layer and some simple gloves, a fleece headband. But otherwise I just run with some wider cotton pants, whatever shirt I wore during the day and a simple cotton jacket, as I do for most of the year.

Hobartlemagne · November 20

https://lifehacker.com/health/what-to-wear-to-run-in-the-cold
The writer, Beth Skwarecki, is really knowledgeable

Mrscanmore · November 30

I'm in central Canada and it gets very cold! I have a couple pairs of thick leggings. But really I rely on layers!! 2 pairs of leggings or leggings with pants over, wind jacket, fleece with hood, long sleeved shirt or 2, t shirt. I like using buffs because I can put one on my head and one on my neck. When its cold, my goal is always that I'll at least go around the block and if it is too cold still I'll come in, but usually I've warmed up a bit by then and can keep going.

Running outfits for this winter

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