Winter wear for runners??

[indimom]

I'm very new to running, only started in the spring, and I'm trying to keep up my routine through a cold, Indiana winter with no indoor gym. I'm signed up to run the Indianapolis Mini in May and can't afford to let my training slide because of weather or I'll never make it (I really want to run the entire thing. )

I found out last night (drizzling, windy and about 50) that I'm going to need some new or additional clothing because I wasn't real comfortable in what I had on. I thought I'd be okay with my 'track suit' and a long sleeved under armour-style shirt because the running would warm me up, but I was still pretty chilly. And, it's going to get a lot colder by February!

AND, I generally buy shoes with the vented toes, but my socks were soaked to the heel after this run. My feet weren't cold last night, but I'm thinking I need a more water-proof shoe for running when it gets really cold??

So, what should I be looking for? Do you wear an extra layer of under armour? Does brand make a difference? The shirt I wore last night was just Champion brand. Or do I just need a more waterproof/wind-proof jacket & pants? No doubt about it, I'm going to have to add gloves and a hat, my poor ears and hands were COLD last night. For you northerners, do you cover your face in any way?? I don't think I'll find that comfortable, but I imagine it could get just as uncomfortable leaving your face bare?

Oh, one more thing? What's the best option for making yourself visible to traffic? It's getting dark earlier and earlier.

Please share what works for you and what does NOT. I don't want to go out and spend a mint on clothes that I won't be happy with. Thanks!

 

[SAHDad]

It varies from person to person, and depends on conditions, length of run, etc.

If it is a sunny day, and I am running less than 6 miles or so, I wear a tech T down to 40 or so, and then a long sleeve if it is colder than that. If it is below 30, or there is significant wind, snow, or a light rain, I generally wear two layers - T underneath, long sleeve over. Usually race shirts or Champion, no underarmor.

Again, down to 30 or so, I wear shorts, although below 40, I switch to my "winter" shorts, which are thicker and heavier. Below 30, or outside for more than 45 minutes or so, and I wear wind pants over the shorts.

Shoes don't change. Last winter, my outside runs were fairly short (not more than 5-6 miles), and I was often wearing Vibrams (without socks). In previous years, I have worn Mizunos, with socks. Unless it was wet, or I went through lots of puddles or snow, my toes were fine.

Somewhere below 40, I add gloves (the thin stretchy kind), and my hat switches from my 3-seasons race hat to a wicking winter hat.

I run warm, however - 70 degrees is already uncomfortably warm, and running in 80 degrees is misreable. But running in a light mist, when it is 40 degrees? Glorious. And some of my happiest and fastest runs have been in the snow, rain, and cold weather.

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

I also have a wide range of winter gear.
A winter day here can be anything from sunny and 50 to 0 and sleeting sideways.
My progression is usually:

My champion long sleeve gear - not much heavier than the usual stuff but long sleeved. It goes with shorts and will keep me warm to about 45 degrees.

Then I break out my Underarmour compression coldgear. Tights and the top. This is also about the time the Drymax cold weather socks and the Brooks Vapor Dry gloves appear. This is comfy to temps down to below freezing assuming I'm not dealing with wind or snow.

When I starts blowing and we get "weather" then I throw on an outer layer. I have a Brooks Nightlife rain jacket and a sadly discontinued Nike/Livestrong Jacket.

If there is snow in my way, I go to a pair of trail shoes and when it's ice, it's Yaktrax time.

Honestly, keeping warm isn't the biggest challenge to winter running, it's staying hydrated. You will still be sweating, although in the cold you won't notice the normal body signals for getting dehydrated. Carrying water becomes problematic since it can freeze. You can carry sports drink and that won't freeze but then you'll be drinking a super cold liquid and lowering your body's core temperature. Currently, I wear a small hydration belt under my outermost layer but I'm not happy with that solution...like I said, it's a challenge.

 

[FireDancer]

I have a couple of thermal-type jackets like this and a very thin shell I could put over that thermal layer if I need to be wind or water proof like this.

For pants I either wear lined wind pants or, if it is colder, a thermal pant like this.

I would also invest in some running gloves and a hat that is made of wicking material. I get pretty warm and also have a running headband that covers the ears but lets my head get rid of more heat. If it is too cold for a single tech layer but not cold enough for a jacket I double up and wear a tight base layer (think Under Armour) and then a long sleeve tech shirt like you get at a half marathon over that.

I wear the same shoes and have never had a problem with my feet being cold. For visibility you could go with reflective vests, flashing LEDs, or even headlights. This page has a lot of options.

I really like winter running, especially around Christmas when everyone has their lights up.

 

[crewmatt]

The trick to winter running is layers. It allows you for more flexibility as far as the weather you're equipped to run for and allows you to adapt mid run if your too warm you can just remove a layer.

You always want to have a wicking base layer as it will pull the sweat from you. I normally build up layers based on the following clothing:

Brooks Nightlife Equilibrium - and older version of http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRA-BMUNEQ2.html. This is without a doubt my favorite long sleeve running shirt, its a very smooth feeling and is great for long runs as it doesnt chafe. I use this one with some sort of short sleeve running shirt down to like 40 degrees.

Mizuno Breath Thermal - http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRA-MMBTHZT.html I have 2-3 of these they work well down comfortably to low 30's.

Below that I have compression Mizuno Breath Thermal which I can also couple with another sweatshirt or just long sleeve T.

Hats and gloves make huge differences, as are the headbands

For my legs I either have running shorts, tights, and a few sets of just general workout pants. Tights for racing and other long runs, the wind resistant ones if its very windy, and some normal ones. With the pants I also wear running shorts under them, and sometimes with the tights - keeps things comfortable.

 

[indimom]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to a running store this weekend to have my run evaluated. (?is that the right word? I've never had that done before...but I think it's time.) And after our chilly run last night, I thought it would be a good time to look for some cold weather clothes too.

An hour long run in a steady drizzle plus wind was more than I bargained for. I'm cold-blooded to start with.

I appreciate all the tips and advice, particularly on brands and styles. I looked online before posting here and didn't know where to begin. What brands were cheap, which were good quality, and which are just overpriced "names". It helps to know what real runners find useful.

Thanks again!

 

[crewmatt]

The competition in the running space has been growing quite a bit over the last few years with the whole new running boom. A lot of the just names at this point dont get any space in your local running store. I'd recommend trying a few different things at your running store to see what you like the best. Seeing as you're new to this, don't buy 10 of 1 thing, buy 1 of a few things, chances are you'll like well enough most of them, and you'll love 1 and hate 1. I even find stuff that works well for running made by rowing companies/etc - especially for stuff that keeps you warm while wet.

I'm a big fan of mizuno, brooks, saucony, acis, and roadrunnersports.

 

[walkdmc]

I have a silly question about runners who wear layers and remove them as they heat up. What do you do with the thing you've removed?

And I don't recall seeing anyone recommend a Gaiter (sp?). Is this piece of clothing a good purchase, in your opinion?

 

[FireDancer]

I have a silly question about runners who wear layers and remove them as they heat up. What do you do with the thing you've removed?

And I don't recall seeing anyone recommend a Gaiter (sp?). Is this piece of clothing a good purchase, in your opinion?

When I "remove layers" on a run I pretty much just unzip the top layer or remove my hat and/or gloves and put them in a pocket. Only once did I dress way too warm and had to totally remove a layer and I just looped back past my house and threw it in my mailbox.

I have never used a gaiter but I've also never really seen a need for one. Most people I know that use them do so while cycling not running.

 

[walkdmc]

Great, thanks!

 

[SAHDad]

I have a silly question about runners who wear layers and remove them as they heat up. What do you do with the thing you've removed?

And I don't recall seeing anyone recommend a Gaiter (sp?). Is this piece of clothing a good purchase, in your opinion?

If it's a race, and I am wearing layers, I take stuff that I don't ever need to see again - because I will toss them aside (typically, at an aid station or the start). At home, I know that I warm up after a mile or two, so I might do a lap around the neighborhood and toss things at home - it's still early enough in the run that I am not tempted to quit, but I am warm enough that I don't need them.

I have seen gaiters, but only on trail races, and even then, not often. Haven't felt the need for a pair, though I have been looking at some different trail shoes, since my road shoes don't always handle trails well.

 

[walkdmc]

I have seen gaiters, but only on trail races, and even then, not often. Haven't felt the need for a pair, though I have been looking at some different trail shoes, since my road shoes don't always handle trails well.

The gaiter I'm talking about is the thing you wear around your neck and it has a triangular section that points up and covers your mouth and nose. I think it's a gaiter, maybe I'm thinking of something else.

 

[FireDancer]

The gaiter I'm talking about is the thing you wear around your neck and it has a triangular section that points up and covers your mouth and nose. I think it's a gaiter, maybe I'm thinking of something else.

I've only heard of shoe gaiters. I have no idea what the thing you are talking about is called. It could be a gaiter too but that isn't what I was referring to earlier.

 

[IamTrike]

I have a silly question about runners who wear layers and remove them as they heat up. What do you do with the thing you've removed?

And I don't recall seeing anyone recommend a Gaiter (sp?). Is this piece of clothing a good purchase, in your opinion?

I think what your talking about is called a neck gaiter.

I haven't ever seen the need to use one.

 

[Swmr359]

I think what your talking about is called a neck gaiter.

I haven't ever seen the need to use one.

I run with one when it's really cold, but I usually take it off by the end of the run. It's a huge pain if you wear glasses (fogging), but it does help when the wind is blowing!

(two years ago, winter in Ohio!)

I also have used yak traks when the paths are covered in packed down snow.

Other that that my winter running gear is pretty basic, long pants, jacket, hat, gloves.

 

[crewmatt]

Usually I only have to shed 1 layer on a run, usually a shirt, so depending on the weight of the shirt I either tie it around my waist, or if I can tuck it into my shorts/pants.

 

[harleys mom]

My husband has gone to the Blue Mountain store, and the Running Connection and they are both really helpful with suggestions. He is also a member of the Indy running club. If the weather gets really bad, lots of people speed walk in Walmarts, the malls, and the high schools. He also runs the Mini each year and didnt start his real training until March last year so dont panic... He is running the Disney Marathon so he will be training in all the weather this year!

 

[indimom]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I managed to snag two pairs of compresion tights on sale and I'm loving them (not how I look in them, but how they wear. ha ha.). The weather has been pretty good the last couple weeks so I really only needed them once, but I know I'm gonna be getting a LOT of use out of them as things really cool down.

I also found a section of 'wicking' (is that the right term?) gloves and hats at Target. Totally by accident, I was just bumming around while my sis shopped, and they jumped out at me. So I picked up a pair of gloves to try out. I hate when my hands get cold and wear gloves a lot in the winter so I'm pretty sure I'm gonna need em.

harleys mom - Thanks for the local tips. We do have access to the local high school if the weather gets too bad, but we're trying to avoid that. It's a small area of the school, so a lot of turns and you can't see what's around the corners until you get there, and sometimes a lot of walkers. It's not ideal, but we'll use it when we have to.

Our "trainer" (who handles organizing our community group that goes to the the mini) also told us not to worry, that most runners don't start training until 12 weeks out or so. But, I think most of them are probably long time runners who are accustomed to running and training. We're sooo new to this and don't want to lose any momentum (or fall back on old lazy habits) during the winter months. So, we're really trying to stick to our schedule and build our runs over the winter.

On a side note: Do any of you run in the DARK, as in NO street lights?? We like to run in the country/out of town and on the middle school track. But, I work until 5:30 pm and there are no pole lights in either of these places. Last night was our first evening run since time change, and it was pretty dark from the get go. The moon was out and helped, but my night vision sucks and the occasional pot hole or rough patch was freakin' me out. Are there some sort of small lights we could wear that would help??

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it!

 

[SAHDad]

On a side note: Do any of you run in the DARK, as in NO street lights?? We like to run in the country/out of town and on the middle school track. But, I work until 5:30 pm and there are no pole lights in either of these places. Last night was our first evening run since time change, and it was pretty dark from the get go. The moon was out and helped, but my night vision sucks and the occasional pot hole or rough patch was freakin' me out. Are there some sort of small lights we could wear that would help??

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it!

If I run around my neighborhood in the winter, or out onto the roads, yeah, it can be pretty dark. There are plenty of wearable lights - I know that ZombieRunner has a decent selection (it's a store, not a brand), and most running stores should have something, or at least be able to point you in the right direction. If you are running in the dark, don't just think about flashlights - you will want some sort of relfective gear, just to help make sure that you can be seen by cars.

 

[moonbill2002]

I run at 4:30am-5am and it's pretty dark. We don't have any street lights, etc. These things are great!

http://www.knucklelights.com/

I like 'em better than headlamps and it helps others see you as well. I am planning on running the Extraterrestrial Full Moon Half Marathon down in Rachel, NV come October 2012 and it's sure to pretty dark out there. Knucklelights will come in handy (along with some cool glow sticks!)