Dressing for winter runs when you like to stay cool

[fluffycookie]

I know there have been a lot of threads about winter gear recently so I apologize for adding another, but I am at a loss.  I hate to be too warm/hot when I run. I did a race yesterday and most people had on tights and long sleeve tops and I ran in capris and a tank top and felt awesome.  I bought the Brooks nightlife vest that says its good for 40-65, but I am wondering if the temp range could go lower for me if I have a thicker tech shirt on underneath with a hat and gloves.  I am also looking at the Brooks Adapt Vest, but I don't know if I should have both or only need one of them.  I have the under armour cold gear tights and plan on getting 1 or 2 shirts from their new line for christmas. I just remember running my first 5K last year in March (high that day was 50, low 36 and the race was at 9:00) and it was still colder out and my friends said to layer a tank with a long sleeve tech shirt which I did and I was miserable because I felt so hot.

TIA!

[mrshandy]

I would just wait and see. Don't get gear before you need it. I run in cold weather and don't own any vests, just long sleeve warm weather compression shirts. I wear running tights (no fleece) when it's below 40. Unless you are going to be running in sub-20 temps. I would just go with tights, long sleeve shirts, ear warmer, gloves. That's all I need for most cold weather temps.

Just dress light and don't listen to others advice. You know your body best.;

[bostonmichelle]

I think it depends on your body. I am always cold and always have been. I would just do what you think works for you. If you want to get some colder gear, get one piece at a time so if they don't work you aren't out a terrible amount of money and build slowly. That's what I have done and it works, yes you build your collection of running clothes faster but they become more usable pieces. I'll wear a short sleeve tech shirt over an under armour base layer plus tights and will be a bit chilly while a friend will wear a tank and shorts and be sweating during the race.

[al320]

I overheat fast. This time of year, i just start out a race/run cold. Its still fall, so im in tech tees and shorts or capris. A tank if its sunny. I dont run im long sleeves until its colder than this.

[oreos]

I like to be cool when I run as well.

I dress in such a way that I am cold when I first step outside and then a little chilly for the first 10-20 minutes of my run. I'd rather be too cold at the beginning than too hot for the majority of my run.

[fluffycookie]

Oct 20, 2014 10:01:50 GMT -5 bostonmichelle said:

I think it depends on your body. I am always cold and always have been. I would just do what you think works for you. If you want to get some colder gear, get one piece at a time so if they don't work you aren't out a terrible amount of money and build slowly. That's what I have done and it works, yes you build your collection of running clothes faster but they become more usable pieces. I'll wear a short sleeve tech shirt over an under armour base layer plus tights and will be a bit chilly while a friend will wear a tank and shorts and be sweating during the race.

The irony is when I am not running I am always cold, but when I run if I get overheated I am miserable.  I ran two weeks ago in the morning and the real feel outside was 34 and I started with a tech short sleeve shirt and a long sleeve shirt over it and ended up having to take the long sleeve shirt off about half way in because I was getting warm. I think this winter is going to be a lot of trial and error for me. 

[spunkypenguin]

For shorter runs, I need my warm stuff the whole time, but on long runs, I wear layers and peel away as I heat up. Typically, I leave in Jacket, gloves, headband, long sleeves and pants/capris. I can usually get away with Capris as long as it's above freezing (maybe a little below). Slowly the gloves come off, jacket around the waist, sleeves get rolled up. Then when I stop I have to layer it all back on b/c I get cold fast!

[arch01]

I agree with PP-don't buy stuff before you need it.

It was 42* this morning when I ran (and dark), I was in shorts and a thin dri-fit shirt. A tad chilly to start, but fine after a mile.

I rarely run in layers, but I'm also the freak with no gloves or hat when it's in the high 20s, so... I get hot super fast and would much prefer to be chilly/cold at the start and comfortable after 1-2 miles.

[patches31709]

Oct 20, 2014 11:26:57 GMT -5 arch01 said:

I agree with PP-don't buy stuff before you need it.

It was 42* this morning when I ran (and dark), I was in shorts and a thin dri-fit shirt. A tad chilly to start, but fine after a mile.

I rarely run in layers, but I'm also the freak with no gloves or hat when it's in the high 20s, so... I get hot super fast and would much prefer to be chilly/cold at the start and comfortable after 1-2 miles.

This is me too. I run outside all year, so it's definitely been below zero with the windchill before. I might start out with gloves, an ear warmer, and something over my mouth/nose, but within a few miles, I end up stuffing all that stuff in my pockets. It's also common to see me with my tights rolled up to my knees and my sleeves pushed up. I just get really, really warm when I run.

All that said, I agree with the others, and would only get new items if you need it. 

[Wines Not Whines]

I also prefer to be a little chilly, except for my hands, feet, and ears, which I have a hard time keeping warm. I add gloves and ear warmers before I add long sleeves and tights.

Last winter was very cold, so it was an exception, but for milder/normal winters, I rarely even need a jacket. If it's above freezing, I'm usually fine wearing regular-weight tights or capris, a thin long-sleeve wicking tee, gloves, and ear warmers.

[labbie]

Agree with pp's and it really will depend on you and your body, weather or not there's wind, the length of your run, etc.
I need to be cool as well when I run.
It sounds nerdy, but as my mileage increased last winter I added notes in my workout tracker re. temps and what I wore/how I felt until I could get a good handle on what the temp outside meant to me. I had to go through a lot of sweaty 30 degree runs in 2 layers, and freeze during 20 degree runs with not enough layers to understand where my bod's happy spot is.
Wearing my SpiBelt helps, since I can always start out with gloves and headband/hat and then shed them along the way in my pocket if needed.

[fluffycookie]

Thanks everyone! I like the idea of keeping a log about the temps and what I wore and how it worked. I typically go more by the real-feel temp than the actual temp because the wind can definitely make a difference. I know yesterday it said it was 57, but with the wind it felt a lot colder. I'll hold off on buying anything right now for winter until I see how stuff works, except the vest because its on close out and is a steal and the stores return policy is great if I end up not using it.

[bostonmichelle]

Oct 20, 2014 12:50:14 GMT -5 labbie said:

Agree with pp's and it really will depend on you and your body, weather or not there's wind, the length of your run, etc.
I need to be cool as well when I run.
It sounds nerdy, but as my mileage increased last winter I added notes in my workout tracker re. temps and what I wore/how I felt until I could get a good handle on what the temp outside meant to me. I had to go through a lot of sweaty 30 degree runs in 2 layers, and freeze during 20 degree runs with not enough layers to understand where my bod's happy spot is.
Wearing my SpiBelt helps, since I can always start out with gloves and headband/hat and then shed them along the way in my pocket if needed.

This is brilliant!!

I know Garmin records the temperature, wind, and humidity already but I'm going to add in the description field what I wore I think.

[labbie]

There's also this tool from Runners World that can be a good starting point- you plug in all the variables and it tells you what to wear.
I still found that I didn't wear as much as they said, but it helped at first
www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear