Cold Weather Running Clothes

[tlenzendorf]

I am on the hunt for cold weather running clothes. Just started running this year, so I have to start for scratch. I went to Endurance House to check clothes out this weekend and had some sticker shock! Running pants/tights averaged about $80/pair! Base layer shirts starting at $70.

I'm not a huge fan of Under Armour, while it is good at wicking away sweat it doesn't release it from the fabric and I get cold. I need something for Wisconsin winters that will wick sweat away and release it quickly.


Wondering what you use that isn't break the bank expensive and feels good? I saw a Columbia shirt on Amazon that wasn't too badly priced and is one of those reflective shirts for warmth, but I'm worried about the sweat factor.

 

[wiigirl]

I wear a lot of Columbia when I run and love it and I am what you would call a heavy sweater.

 

[kristenrice]

I just started running too so I am interested in cold weather gear as well. Right now, I'm using some compression pants from Old Navy as my bottoms. Then I layer my tops...sports bra, compression t-shirt (it's an old one from Target), long-sleeve active tee from Old Navy and a compression jacket from Old Navy. If it's particularly chilly, I will put on my fleece vest from ON as well. I also have some windblocker gloves and a headband that I bought for work (as a paramedic) so they are UnderArmour. I didn't want to skimp on the gear I use for work so the gloves and headband were not really "budget".

I like the ON active clothes because it is pretty decent quality and quite affordable when it goes on sale.

 

[Sandi]

Smart Wool is worth the money. My running gear store runs a couple of big sales a year and that is when I buy my Smart Wool shirts and socks. For pants, I have synthetic pants from Lands' End that have been discontinued. Under those, in winter, I wear synthetic long underwear. I'm in Michigan -- lower middle part of the mitten; this is what I wear when visiting my sister in the Minneapolis area, too.

 

[DonaldDuckFamily]

I'm also new to running and need to invest in cold weather clothes. Right now it is about 45 for the high, but when the wind blows, boy does it feel chilly. I layer my shirts to, light long sleeve, thicker fitted t-shirt and then another fitted long sleeve that covers my neck. I will still need to get a fleece jacket as the weather gets colder. I'm going to try layering my compression capris and pants to keep my thighs warm. I've also just been wearing regular mittens. Kohls department stores also have some nice, budget friendly clothes.

 

[wgeo]

I am on the hunt for cold weather running clothes. Just started running this year, so I have to start for scratch. I went to Endurance House to check clothes out this weekend and had some sticker shock! Running pants/tights averaged about $80/pair! Base layer shirts starting at $70.

I'm not a huge fan of Under Armour, while it is good at wicking away sweat it doesn't release it from the fabric and I get cold. I need something for Wisconsin winters that will wick sweat away and release it quickly.


Wondering what you use that isn't break the bank expensive and feels good? I saw a Columbia shirt on Amazon that wasn't too badly priced and is one of those reflective shirts for warmth, but I'm worried about the sweat factor.

For inexpensive, I go with the C9 brand sold at Target. It seems like the Target here always seems to have lots of stuff on clearance. I'm too leary of buying stuff on Amazon, since I want to try it on before I buy. I feel like for the price, they do a fair job of wicking, and they have quite a variety of different layering pieces.

 

[4GoofyCrew]

For inexpensive, I go with the C9 brand sold at Target. It seems like the Target here always seems to have lots of stuff on clearance. I'm too leary of buying stuff on Amazon, since I want to try it on before I buy. I feel like for the price, they do a fair job of wicking, and they have quite a variety of different layering pieces.

Most of my running clothes are C9, and all of them have been purchased over the years on clearance (is there any other way to shop?!?). My favorite for cold weather as some black running leggings. They are nylon/spandex on the outside and soft, thin fleece inside. I can sweat like crazy in those and yet they don't seem to make me cold afterwards. I even wear them under my thing powder/snow pants to cross country ski too. In addition to these pants I have several combinations of shorts, tanks and t-shirts. Just beware before their fitness clothing has different fits. I can do the semi-fitted and the relaxed fit but I cannot do the fitted (a few too many 'curves'...).

 

[Princess on the Run]

I know you said you don't like UA because it doesn't release the moisture, but have you tried their ColdGear or UA Base lines? I couldn't survive Chicago winters without them!

 

[Elleshoodat]

I just started running too so I am interested in cold weather gear as well. Right now, I'm using some compression pants from Old Navy as my bottoms. Then I layer my tops...sports bra, compression t-shirt (it's an old one from Target), long-sleeve active tee from Old Navy and a compression jacket from Old Navy. If it's particularly chilly, I will put on my fleece vest from ON as well. I also have some windblocker gloves and a headband that I bought for work (as a paramedic) so they are UnderArmour. I didn't want to skimp on the gear I use for work so the gloves and headband were not really "budget".

I like the ON active clothes because it is pretty decent quality and quite affordable when it goes on sale.

I live in Florida, where the cold is "mild" (but I still don't care for it), and I second the Old Navy Active and Target C9 lines.

 

[naomi78155]

Old Navy stuff is pretty nice. I love the compression pants and racer tanks with built in bra. Also have their running jacket. Good quality, comfortable and inexpensive.

 

[hops&dreams]

I, too, have built up my cold-weather running wardrobe from Target's C9 clearance section. My favorites are the fleece pants. I wear them outside before a race with the C9 running tights underneath. Then I take those off before I start really running. The fleece ones are really great when I'm at home having a "feeling crummy" day too. I throw those on, they are light and snuggly soft!

I do love the pants that are black spandex-y material on the outside and with the fleece inside. They are tight enough to stay in place, but soft and warm enough to run in.

I also have a C9 hat with reflective band on it, and gloves. A company at work just sent me a hi-vis (neon yellow/lime) beanie with 3m reflective in it to wear for winter months. They know I'm a runner. Well, was a runner. have to get back into training next month for my spring mini marathon!

 

[tlenzendorf]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
I don't like the UA Cold Gear because it really retains moisture and I get cold. That's what I've been wearing and I just don't like it.
I think I will check out Old Navy and Target C9 stuff this weekend.