Cold weather running gear requires a little more sleuthing to get right than summer. It’s not just about wicking, now we need things that will keep us dry, warm, upright on the snow and enjoying the miles despite the wind.
Of course many of the items from my summer guide can be used year round like the GPS watch and electrolytes, but we know there are definitely a few things that need to change when it comes to cold weather running gear.
The right winter running clothes can make those chilly mornings (or shoot afternoons!) far more enjoyable.
Winter Running Clothes Must Haves
Enjoy winter running a WHOLE lot more by gearing up the right way!
From preventing slipping and sliding on the roads, to feeling your fingers for the entire day. Here I’ll outline the pieces for a winter running outfit that will help get you out the door and back again with all fingers and toes happy.
I started running as a poor college kid, which meant I simply layered one cotton shirt on another and then spent hours post run shivering. I couldn’t figure out how other people looked so comfortable…ya no one was talking about wicking yet!!
Luckily, within a few years, I learned about the power of QUALITY gear and how to dress for running so that I wasn’t miserable…and suddenly it was enjoyable!
Before we get started, one of my favorite quick tips is this: Do a short warm up run of 10-15 minutes near your home or car, so you can shed a layer once you realize you’ve overdone it. I know I’m not the only one who tends to overdress based on just knowing it’s cold!
One of the tricky things about running is that starting out you feel every bit of the cold, but within about 20 minutes it actually feels 20 degrees warmer because of the heat you’re generating.
Then if you tend to overdress like me, you begin to sweat and the longer you run the colder you feel as your now damp clothes are meeting the air and creating a whole different problem. Solution: Layers…and stop overdressing.
Step 1: Winter Running Gear For Your Feet
We’re starting from the ground up, to ensure we stay standing up!
Shoe Spikes (Ice Cleats)
Grip it, grip it real good.
While many runners have advised putting nails in my existing running shoes to turn them in to spikes, I just feel more comfortable pulling something on over them. These are a great cheap way to gain some traction when running in the snow…they are not however going to save you on an icy day!
I like the cleats a little better than the original YakTrax which are a metal cylinder and for me still slid sometimes.
Trail Running Shoes
Some days you don’t need spikes, but you need a little more grip and that’s where trail shoes come in to play. They’re great for running on snow and provide better traction than your everyday road running shoes due to the larger ridges…it’s like putting snow tires on your car!!
I’ve run in the Saucony Peregrine on many different surfaces and love the traction they provide!
Smartwool Socks
Our feet go from cold to hot faster than we plan on many runs.
The benefit of good wool running socks is that they can handle both! They first keep you warm and then as you begin to warm they quickly wick away moisture keeping your feet dry and breathing.
Step 2: Winter Running Clothes
Time to move on to our legs, arms, hands and head! So ya basically covering the rest of your body.
Remember that if your body will first send blood to your core. It’s primary focus is to protect your organs, so that’s why you might be able to get away with running in shorts, but still need gloves.
That’s right, your fingers and toes get colder when you are under dressed because your body is going to conserve heat around your organs first. Ah ha!!
This is why you see a lot of hikers embracing the big puffy vest. That core warmth actually helps to keep the rest of their limbs toasty as well.
Winter running Jacket
Priority one is a jacket or a vest based on the note above! We want to keep your core warm, so that the body isn’t working so hard to heat up and therefore you have more energy to run and feel your fingers.
- Outdoor Research Vigor – The hood on this stays secure around my face and the vest provides wind blocking. I wore this like crazy last year through the Colorado winter.
- On Running Weather Jacket – This is my all around jacket winner. It’s not warm, but is waterproof and blocks the wind. So I can pull on a base layer and fleece layer then top with this…or just the base layer depending on the temps.
Winter Running Tights
I have a few friends who loathe running tights, but honestly if they mean I’m warmer and will run farther then whatever. I’m happy to pull them on!
✅ These Daehli pants have become my absolute GO TO for winter runs.
- Warm
- Wind Blocking
- Stay put
- Water repellent when it is snowing
- Worth every single penny for the amount they have been used and excuses eliminated.
CW-X Stabilyx Compression Tights
The first reason to love these on race day is the compression which helps to keep blood flowing and for me can ward off some calf cramping. The second reason is the style of the pant provides additional support around the knee which provides support to the IT Band.
These are a thicker tight, which for me makes them an optimal choice for winter running when it’s in the 40’s or a sunny colder day. They are not lined, just a thicker material.
Base Layers
Yup layers are key in the winter and I have a few different methods that I like to keep it toasty. Base layers are a thin light layer that sits next to the skin which helps to wick away moisture.
Base layers are designed to keep you from getting cold, not so much to keep you warm. Make sense? They are…well…a layer.
- ✅ Wool is an ideal base layer, but can cost more. However, they last forever and are great at combating the smell that comes from hours of sweating.
- Under Armour is usually cheaper and I’ve always had good luck with the quality of their clothing. Remember in a compression layer to size up if you don’t want it too snug. Many like the compression option because it may move around less under other layers.
- A running tights base layer is great to put under another layer of running tights to double up without the bulk.
What to wear for running in the winter?
General rules of thumb to help with temperatures:
- 45 degrees and above: shorts or capris
- 35-45 degrees: average leggings to capris
- 30-35 degrees: base layer with wind pants potentially
- below 29 degrees fleece lined tights (possible second layer depending on wind or below 10 degrees)
Running Gloves (NO COTTON)
My fingers are notoriously cold even when the rest of my body is feeling all toasty.
Luckily in recent years most fitness gloves now come with touch fingers so I can still operate my iPod or phone without pulling them off mid-run.
One of the tricks to gloves is they come in a variety of weights!
- Nike Women’s Dri-Fit Tempo – my go to glove when it’s just started to get cool or sunny winter days
- Brooks Cascadia Mittens – When the temps really drop these are what you want. Mittens keep your fingers together, thus in creasing the warmth.
Wicking Running Hat
Don’t wear your stocking cap, the wet material will make you feel cold even faster.
Many people like to do the headbands which cover your ears, but if I’m cold I want to hold on to all the heat possible, so I like the thin caps.
Ladies I’m also excited to say that now most of the running versions come with a spot for our ponytails to stick out…I don’t know why but this is every bit as thrilling as thumbholes!
- Winter running beanie with ponytail spot and fleece lined for maximum warmth
- Asics Headwarmer for those of you who prefer to let the top of your head keep you from overheating.
- New Balance lightweight beanie – because let’s be honest i start sweating super fast
Bonus Winter Running Accessories
Neck buffs are another great option for covering up an area that is often left exposed!
The best thing about a buff is its versatility as well, so I can pull it up over my mouth and nose at the beginning of the run or when turning in to a strong wind.
StuffIts
I love these for after a rainy or snowy run to help dry out the shoes and maintain shape. As the name implies, post run you stuff the foot shaped cedar filled items in your shoe and it speeds up the drying process.
Nathan Vapor Howe Hydration Pack
You know what super sucks is to head out on your run and find that you water keeps freezing in the tube!! Yup, the right winter hydration pack is a must have. This one has an insulated pack so you won’t find your water frozen and it keeps you from getting cool because you aren’t carrying a bunch of ice on your back!
As an addition, I like to but an insulated cover on the tubing where it will freeze even faster.
Nathan Light Spur
I received one of these while in Kona and I’m in love!! It clips around the heel of your shoe and like all lights has the steady on, the blink and the strobe.
Personally I have issues with most clip lights because they weigh down my shorts or shirt, so this is awesome! {Stay visible in the dark winter months of running!}
Checkout all of my picks for best reflective running gear.
Winter Running Guides
Need a little more to get you going in the winter?
- Best running gloves
- Surprising reasons you SHOULD run outside in the winter
- Tips for running on snow and ice
- Full body indoor warm up for winter runs
What’s a MUST for your winter running?
Don’t forget to checkout my layering guide for more tips >>
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Allie says
The Stuffits are interesting! I always use newspaper and it sucks the water out like a charm but I have a feeling the Stuffits probably leave the shoes smelling better :-) I also use hand warmers in my mittens when it’s really cold because my hands are usually the only problem for me.
Great stuff here and love most of the products you recommended.
amanda says
newspaper totally works!! I found this helped with shape and yup smell a little more!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Coach Rachel turned me on to trail shoes for winter running, but I did have my husband put cleats in my old shoes & it’s been such a game changer for me. There are so few places to run during the winter here, and now I can run places in the past I really couldn’t because of icy/snowy patches. I have Yaktrax, but they’re just not as comfortable for me — I hate feeling that my toes are pinched!
My North Face Thermoball is my most have! Although pricey, sites like 6pm.com usually have a good deal on them.
amanda says
That’s awesome!!! I love stories like that because I think it helps other runners see that these things work and just make you feel safer.
Suz says
Running indoors just gives me the heebie jeebies. For me inside means treadmill. Not indoor track. So outside I go. Dressing right makes a difference.
I adore my Goretex ski mittens when it hits zero F. Comfortable and toasty. Pretty good for circa 1992 mittens. If it’s warmer, I’ve got a pair of insulated wool gloves. I sometimes just curl my fingers up into the palm area until my hands warm up if they get chilled.
For my ears, I’ll pop on an UnderArmor Balaclava, then a fleece or wool beanie. If it’s windy, I’ll put the hood of my wind breaker up.
It’s often quite windy where I run during the week. I picked up a pair of wind pants – Columbia, I think. With a pair of brushed fleece lined tights under, it helps keep me warm by cutting the wind. Thankful that it’s just been windy a couple of times since we’ve had chilly weather.
I gave in and picked up a pair of Topo Hydroventure waterproof trail shoes. The waterproof and wind proof part makes a huge difference due to the windy nature of where I run. With a pair of yaktrax knock-offs I picked up at Menard’s hardware store, I can run easily on the inevitable snow and ice during the week. I can’t wait to wear the new shoes tomorrow on a trail race my running club is running.
Dress right and running outside is manageable. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with running on the treadmill when the weather is terrible.
melila says
what about dealing with Raynaud’s but on your nose?
I am wishing so hard for a face mask that is insulated only on the top of the nose :|
amanda says
I really wish I had a great answer on this. Unfortunately I think some of the balaclavas that cover the whole face is probably the best option. I know the cold nose sucks!