BUYING GEAR for WINTER RUNNING
You should always have lots of options. I’m not going to give you some chart that says wear X when it’s 0 F, and Z when it’s -20 F. You have to PRACTICE your layering because everyone is different and everyone FEELS cold differently. It’s a trial and error process.
DON’T go the cheap route. Running in the cold can be dangerous, especially if you aren’t dressed properly. Quality gear costs more but it’s worth your life. Test out your gear on shorter runs or run loops close to home. Remember that you can’t rely on your cell phone – it will shut off when it gets too cold.
And remember, warming up beforehand will help you TREMENDOUSLY; so will your mindset.
Below are brand recommendations. Some are specific recommendations if I really like a specific item. Figure out what works for you. Track the weather, track what you wear and track if you were hot, cold or just right. Then adjust your next run. Pretty soon you’ll have a good idea of what YOU need.
Bottoms
🔹️Merino wool for your base layer
🔹️Patagonia Wind Shield Pants (the BEST wind & water protective material)
🔹️Craft ADV SubZ Warm Running Tights (warmth + wind)
🔹️Craft ADV SubZ Running Wind Tights
🔹️Janji Aurora Fleece Tight
🔹️Brooks Switch Hybrid Tight (has wind & water protective material)
🔹️Brooks Highpoint Tights
🔹️Brooks Highpoint Waterproof pants (VERY waterproof)
🔹️Athleta Polartec Fleece Lined Leggings (only for warmth) – if you have a small waist but big glutes/thighs, these will not work
🔹️UnderArmour Heatgear (only for warmth)
🔹️Nike Shield (has wind & water protective material)
Tops
🔹️RAB Cirrus Flex Jacket / Cirrus Hoody (THE BEST, warmth and wind)
🔹️Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody (my favorite for 0-30 degrees)
🔹️Outdoor Research
🔹️Cotopaxi
🔹️Janji Thermalrunner Insulated Jacket
🔹️Merino base layer
🔹️Heavier merino or fleece for a middle layer
Head/Neck/Face
🔹️Skida neck gaiters, neck warmers, balaclavas, hats, headbands, etc.
🔹️Smartwool Thermal Merino Reversible Neck Gaiter
🔹️Outdoor Research
🔹️BackStrap
🔹️Gorewear Windstopper Face Warmer
Hands
🔹️Craft Core Insulate Mitten
🔹️Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex
🔹️Smartwool Smartloft Mittens
🔹️Janji Vortex Wind Block Gloves
🔹️Burton Gore-Tex
🔹️Gordini Gore-Tex
Feet
🔹️Merino wool socks
🔹️Darn Tough socks
🔹️Creeper toe socks
Safety
*Cold batteries drain fast. Rechargeable batteries, specifically, lithium-ion, are better at holding their charge
🔹️UltrAspire Waist Light
🔹️Cobiz LED Headlamp (Amazon) – has big battery pack
🔹️Petzl NAO RL or Swift RL
🔹️Noxgear Tracer2 (CODE JACI_NOXGEAR for 35% off)
🔹️IceSpike screws for shoes
🔹️Any clothing with reflective gear
