Prepare wambam for winter running

[wambam]

I need to start budgeting for what I'll need for running in colder weather. I live in Ohio and its not usually brutally cold (below 0), but we've had a couple weeks the past two years where it has gotten very cold. When it's brutal out, I do have the option to run on a treadmill for $5 at the rec center.

What do I need? What can I live without? Teach me your ways.

Weird thing about me: I swear, gloves make my hands colder than no gloves. Are there running mittens lol?

[Wines Not Whines]

There are running mittens! I just bought a pair of mittens from Costco for winter running... they're not advertised as running mittens, but they're made of wicking material, so hopefully they'll work. Technically they're kids' mittens. (I have small hands.)

As for the other things, these are my winter running staples:

Regular running tights
Fleece-lined tights (I wear these when it gets below 20 degrees or so) 
Long-sleeved tops - both lightweight and heavier weight; you can layer these
A windbreaker or light to mid-weight jacket of some kind
Warm/thick socks - these are absolutely crucial for me 
Earwarmers (this is like a fleece headband that you wear around your ears to keep them warm, when it's not cold enough for a hat)
A hat

[jene]

My ears tend to get cold easily, so a lot of times if I wear a hat, I end up with earwarmers over the top of the hat. I also have a big head, so this may be an isolated issue.

I like to have long sleeved tops that can be easily layered
Lined and unlined tights. My lined tights are the Sugoi Subzero tap tight, I wear them when it is less than 20 degrees, I also have some nike lined tights, but they aren't as warm. Unlined are nike
Smartwool socks

[fuckyourcouch]

Dress for 20 degrees warmer than it is because you're going to heat up.

My essentials are gloves, warm hat or wool headband thing that goes over my ears, a fleece pullover that has a balaclava thing at the neck you can pull up, and yak Trax for icy conditions. I don't wear any special tights or pants because my legs don't get cold, mostly my upper body and hands.

[wambam]

Any lined tights at Costco?

[Brit]

Definitely mittens. My favorite are C9 ones from Target. I am also a fan of headbands instead of hats unless it is super cold because it allows my body to vent somewhere. I don't have any super fancy tights, I just wear two pairs, then today's outer pair becomes tomorrow's inner pair, and so on. An insulated water bottle so the water doesn't get too cold to drink.

[stephm0188]

I need to start buying stuff too. I found a bunch of hats and gloves on clearance at Dicks over the weekend.

[labbie]

Ditto what others have said. I wanted to add that if you are an early morning or evening runner, I'd highly recommend you don't go without some type of reflective vest, blinkies, etc. for safety.
Also I got a headlamp last winter and it's made my life so much easier- I can't believe I ran without one for so long.

I've had my vest for years and it's held up well
www.amazon.com/Amphipod-Xinglet-Vest-Bright-Green/dp/B004DKSJAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444068754&sr=8-1&keywords=amphipod+xinglet

I also clip a blinky light onto the front and back, or onto the back of my hat if I wear one
www.amazon.com/Nathan-Strobe-Light-Tango-Size/dp/B0099LSWYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1444068787&sr=1-1&keywords=nathan+light

Here's the headlamp I have. It's very comfortable. Folks in my trailrunning group also swear by a $10 Everready brand one that they get at Walmart. I'm going to get one of those to keep as a spare.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00FYK1PIC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=SPIEQZBRMHM3&coliid=I3CLNL23351AKK&psc=1

[al320]

Layers, get layers!

I love the underarmour cold gear tights. Theres a fleece lined version, i dont recall what theyre called.

I have a fleece headband i prefer to a hat, but its personal preference. I had a fleece lands end hat that was good, and cheap.

My first winter running, i bought a bunch of lands end fleeces, and would wear a wicking shirt underneat, which worked well. But i have the brooks silver bullet jacket which i love the most, i just dont think they make it anymore. Its lined with aluminum to reflect your body heat back at you.

And i hate running in gloves. I just tuck my hands jn my sleeeves.

[jene]

If you are running after work, you may want to consider taking a headlamp with you, I always forget how quickly it gets dark

[wambam]

Oct 5, 2015 13:30:17 GMT -5 jene said:

If you are running after work, you may want to consider taking a headlamp with you, I always forget how quickly it gets dark

My H gave me a super groovy lamp hat when I started running. It's a baseball type hat with a light built into the bill. His mom gave it to him years ago but he never used it. I've used it on my morning runs!

[archaeominx]

Definitely get something reflective. On the flip side, if you are going to be running while there is lots of snow out, have some dark stuff so you stand out against the white. That need would depend on your running routes. I have no sidewalks and very little trails to run on so I'm always on the shoulder so I try to make myself as opposite of the background as possible. (ie bring pink/orange against bushes)

Check out Target's C9 line for fleece-lined goods. I found a pair on clearance last year for dirt cheap. Even full price they are comparable to a far more expensive Nike ones. I've used them in -10 and been good to go. Ditto on the layers. My hands go back and forth from over-heated to freezing so I like to wear a vest with lots of pockets to stash my gloves in when I need a break from them. Also, the pullovers with the thumb hole are awesome. I have one I can fold over my hands like a kid onesie. I think it's from old navy.

[moreace01]

i've worn just regular mittens. throw them in the wash after my run. my wicking gloves are not enough.

ear warmers.

i wear two layers of tights.

oh and socks that go up higher so there is no skin between your tights and sockline.

[gt7301b]

I agree with all the other suggestions, but I have a couple more things to add:

Yaktracks or knock offs if you think you are going to run in snow. I got a 2 pack at Costco last year for ~ $10 bucks.

Socks come up higher than normal socks. If you wear ankle socks there is a inch or so gap between your sick and tights. I like smart wool socks.

Also, if you run in the snow it is better to get your run in when it is snowing. First it is beautiful and second I feel much safer running on fresh snow than icy sidewalks/trails.

[shellfish26]

No joke, I bought a full face mask and wore it 2-3 times this winter. Never in a million years did I think I would ever need something like that living in MD, but...early spring marathon + night training +unusally cold winter.

I had 2 snowy runs where I wore YakTraks, but I wouldn't wear them on anything less than 5 inches or so because they really threw off my gait.

Under Armour makes the Infrared line, which was AMAZING. I plan to buy the vest for this winter.

[wambam]

I've got the tall sock thing covered *hair flip* #crossfitterruns

[Wines Not Whines]

Oct 5, 2015 12:02:13 GMT -5 wambam said:

Any lined tights at Costco?

I haven't seen lined tights at Costco, but I have a few pairs from Target that are great. 

[hurricanedrunk]

Lots of good tips already!

I look at temperature and windchill when determining what to wear. Below 20 and I wear fleece lined tights, below 0 and two pairs of pants. Any wind and I wear a windbreaker as my outer layer. I have one from Brooks - not sure the exact model but it was a game changer. Plus it's high vis and reflective which is nice for dark and snow. Higher wool soxes are a must - Costco has a 3 pack Kirkland brand series that I like. I also have a long knitted scarf that I can wrap around my neck twice and can pull over my face when it's really cold and windy. I tried a gator/ baclava(?) but wasn't a fan of either.

Basically it will be trial and error to see what works for you.

[Deleted]

Trial and error. Shorter runs if you are unsure!

Layers are key.
I use a long sleeve top at beginning of season and wear a light windbreaker over the top. It has a flashing light in the back of it.

Long tights, my husband gave me a pair from lululemon ones for my birthday, can't wait to wear them.

Lightweight gloves
Hat or fleece headband to cover my ears

Luckily although this area doesn't get hot in summer, it also doesn't get too cold in winter.

[keweenawlove]

I do a ton of price stalking on active gear up, rei, etc because the good stuff is expensive. I've got some stuff that is 10 years old though so it lasts a long time. In my experience, this is one area it's worth spending a little more.

For the bottoms, I'm almost always in fleece lined tights. I have ski warmups for colder days but that's like a below zero day.
www.amazon.com/Sugoi-Womens-MidZero-Tight-Black/dp/B002LODL4U/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8  (this is actually a good deal for these)

Craft makes my absolute favorite base layer tops. They're so light and I feel like they have a very versatile temperate range where they feel good.
shop.craftsports.us/199895-active-crewneck-ls-w.html

I like the thicker Smartwool socks. They're so awesome I normally want to wear them all day so I tend to wear a pair to work and run in the same ones that night.

 A good buff makes all the difference in the world in the wind. I like the Buff brand ones because they're easy to push up and down. When you're breathing over the material, it does tend to get wet so I think having one I can rotate to a few spots during a run instead of some of the masks you're just stuck with one spot.

[labbie]

Oct 6, 2015 7:36:01 GMT -5 keweenawlove said:

I do a ton of price stalking on active gear up, rei, etc because the good stuff is expensive. I've got some stuff that is 10 years old though so it lasts a long time. In my experience, this is one area it's worth spending a little more.

For the bottoms, I'm almost always in fleece lined tights. I have ski warmups for colder days but that's like a below zero day.
www.amazon.com/Sugoi-Womens-MidZero-Tight-Black/dp/B002LODL4U/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8  (this is actually a good deal for these)

Craft makes my absolute favorite base layer tops. They're so light and I feel like they have a very versatile temperate range where they feel good.
shop.craftsports.us/199895-active-crewneck-ls-w.html

I like the thicker Smartwool socks. They're so awesome I normally want to wear them all day so I tend to wear a pair to work and run in the same ones that night.

 A good buff makes all the difference in the world in the wind. I like the Buff brand ones because they're easy to push up and down. When you're breathing over the material, it does tend to get wet so I think having one I can rotate to a few spots during a run instead of some of the masks you're just stuck with one spot.

Wow- thanks for the reminder on the Craft tops- I got my DH one for Christmas last year and he loves it. I just checked on Amazon and for some reason, my size (L) in black is only $10 right now. Sweet!

[brooke77]

I personally don't need a ton of extra gear for winter running. I tend to run "hot" so I will usually wear running tights, a tank, a jacket that zips so I can control the heat (my favorite is a half-zip that also has armpit zips), an earband, and mittens. If it's really windy I'll add a vest and tights with an outer layer.

[wawa]

If you tend to be cold I heartily recommend the UA infrared stuff. I have a top I wore for the tough mudder and it kept me warm while soaked to the bone in WVa on a cool day in October. And I was walking not running.

It's actually too hot for me to run in if I'm dry, but I run pretty warm.

[froggy76]

I got base layer stuff at Target- tights and shirts. Cold weather running socks are a must. I also got a couple warm tops/jackets at Marshall's. I have a hat with a ponytail hole in the back that I love and I wear a fleece scarf. I wear cheapie gloves that you can buy at any drug store and I just keep my fingers together in a fist inside the gloves until I warm up. I generally stick to the treadmill if it's less than 10 degrees out. It's hard to breathe in super cold temps. Below 10-15 degrees you'll probably want to wear a balaclava.

[blndsnbrdr]

I layer like crazy. I don't think I own any winter specific running stuff?

My butt is always the first thing to get cold so I layer spandex running shorts or capris with leggings when it's cold. I also use compression socks as an extra warmth layer. And one sizer gloves under wind breaker mittens. I also own a lot of base layers for hiking, backpacking and snowboarding -- I just double those up for running. This is why I always look like I'm going to go on a run/hike...

fuckyourcouch is right -- you should feel cold when you walk out the door, you'll warm up fast.

[boston340]

Oiselle has free shipping this weekend. I just bought an ear warmer/headband and gloves.

I also love wearing a buff for winter running.