Cold Weather Running Apparel

Cold weather running apparel is vital in preventing your body from losing heat when you run in cold weather. Layering is the key to keeping warm while running in cold weather.

To keep warm and dry at the same time, you can now choose fabrics like Gore-Tex, Lycra and Dri-Fit, among others. 

Fabrics like cotton tend to collect perspiration, get wet and maybe freeze and lower your core temperature.

Newer synthetic fabrics make the best cold weather running gear as they are waterproof to keep the moisture from reaching your skin while keeping your warm by trapping a layer of air betweeen the fabric and your skin. 

Tips On Cold Weather Jogging Gear

1) Undergarments

Select undergarments that are made from fabrics that keep your body warm, while removing moisture that tends to make you feel colder. Select undergarments that fit you snugly and protect your skin from chafing. Fabric type is key – select a soft yet comfortable product that gives you the layered support you need.

2) Windbreaker, Jacket, Vest And Shirts

To keep your torso warm, you may want to have some kind of a windbreaker, whether it’s a full zip or some kind of a half zip that only goes down to your chest. Zip up to protect your neck when you are just warming up. As you start to feel warmer, you can let some of the heat out just by unzipping it.

On a mild winter day, you could choose a vest in place of a jacket. Underneath you can wear one shirt, or add another shirt for layering. You can first wear a short sleeve shirt beneath, followed by a long-sleeved shirt over it. Layering allows a warmed pocket of air to collect between each layer. Long sleeves are a great way to protect your arms from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

As you warm up, you can remove some layers, push up your sleeves, or unzip your jacket. If you hit a particularly windy stretch or as the conditions change you can put the layers back on and zip up your jacket.

3) Legwear

For the legs, it is common knowledge that tights can keep you warmer while running in cold weather. Manufacturers have now developed a Lycra-based compression fabric that also helps reduce soreness. Snug-fitting tights provide greater muscle support while you run.

4) Headgear

To keep your head warm, the easiest thing to wear is to just have a ski or skull cap, preferably in a fabric that can wick sweat away from your head. A terry headband can provide some relief from sweat getting into your eyes.

If the weather is not that cold, you can just use a normal running hat which will also  keep the sun out of your eyes. A head band can keep your ears warm while still letting a little bit of heat escape through the top of your head.

For those really cold days you can wear a balaclava, which will cover not just your head but also your neck and shoulders. You can wear your balaclava over the back of your jacket to keep the snow from getting down your shirt. The balaclava can also cover your face and keep your face warm.

Add a scarf to keep your neck warm or you can wrap it around your head for some extra warmth. You can also drape the scarf over your nose to warm the cold air before letting it enter your nose.

5) Gloves

To keep your hands and fingers warm, wear a light pair of gloves that allows the skin to breathe and not become too warm in mild weather. As the temperature drops, use a warm pair of gloves made from a fabric that provides wicking to remove moisture from your skin.

Some gloves have an outer mitten shell that protects from moisture and can also be pulled back when your hands become warm. You can also choose gloves containing a sweatband that is useful for removing sweat and moisture on cold days.

6) Sunglasses

Do not forget your sunglasses. They help block out harmful rays from the sun, preventing you from squinting and straining, protect your eyes from bugs and help aid your vision to watch for hazards while you are running. You will also lower your risk of suffering from cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunglasses will also keep your eyes from drying out or freezing shut in windy weather.

When buying sunglasses for running, make sure they provide adequate safety and 100% UV protection for your eyes. Wrap-around sunglasses offer outstanding protection as they also block peripheral UV rays from the side. Dark lenses (brown/amber) suit runners running in bright areas or near large bodies of water. A lighter lens (yellow) can increase clarity in low-lighted areas and are great for running on shaded paths.

7) Reflective Running Apparel

It is best to run in daylight. But some places experience long winters with very short hours of dailight. If you find yourself running either before or after sunlight hours, be sure to wear reflective apparel such as reflective jackets or vests to keep you safe from traffic.

For information on running socks, go to running accessories.