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Any weather can be running weather when youve got the right clothes.
Photo:Shape / Riddley Schirm
In This Article
Shape / Riddley Schirm
Baby, its definitely cold outside.
You just need to invest in some cold-weather running gear.
As the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
PHOTO: lululemon
It needs to be warm, yet sweat-wicking; water-repellant, but not stiff.
Most importantly, it should shield you from the elements without suffocating you.
First of all, the material on this jacket is chefs kiss for cold-weather running.
This Lululemon jacket has four-way stretch for comfort during workouts.Shape / Shannon Bauer
Other favorite features: multiple pockets, a hidden phone sleeve, a cinchable hood, and reflective details.
Our biggest heads-up would be the sizing.
The solution: Give more weight to your hip measurements than your chest measurements when determining your correct size.
PHOTO: Amazon
The slim fit means those of us with wider hips would do well to size up.
But this shirt may offer the next best thing.
Any time we did get a little sweaty, the moisture-wicking material dried super quickly.
PHOTO: Shape / Janice Desenberg
And the easy, drapey fit didnt restrict our movement at all over multiple wears.
So if youre wearing tight clothes, youre basically keeping that moisture directly on top of your skin.
That said, this ultralight, breathable top works best on its own in moderately cold temps.
Once the mercury dips below 40 or so, youll likely want to add an additional layer.
Meanwhile, a tighter knit along the arms keeps them warmer.
Also notable: This shirt has a well-deserved reputation for not getting smelly, thanks to that odor-resistant wool.
We wore it multiple times in a row without washing (hey, it saved water!
), and can confirm that the fabric stayed as fresh as itd been on the first wear.
Youll be taking this investment piece out of the closet winter after winter.
Be sure to keep this in mind when youre choosing from the whopping 26(!)
color and print options.
(We also enjoyed wrapping our hands through the thumb holes for a little bonus coziness.)
And this stretchy, sweat-wicking option delivers that versatility just as thoughtfully as youd expect from Lululemon.
This helped us easily regulate our temperature throughout our runs, even when the wind picked up.
Bonus: Theres a sleek zippered pocket on the side to stash a card or ID.
Oh, and its seriously warm.
Icebreaker considers this long sleeve midweight, but we found it to be thicker than most other running tops.
Either way, its meant for layering up in frigid temps.
PHOTO: Amazon
(Fortunately, the moisture-wicking is also top-notch.)
And nope, its not itchy: We found the fabric to be soft and comfortable against our skin.
Weve never ended a run sweaty and damp in these babiestheyre toasty, but theyre also breathable.
PHOTO: Shape / Sarah Sorensen
When it gets even colder, these are thin enough to slip a pair of pants over.
Not these Nike leggings.
And yes, we found them incredibly flattering.
Although the moisture-wicking fabric felt slightly cool to the touch, they kept us warm in moderately cold weather.
Though when the windchill dips below freezing, wed layer them under thicker pants.
Bottom line: At just $60, these truly feel like a steal.
Wed recommend them for runs down to about 40 degrees or so.
We appreciated that even with these features, the silhouette remains sleek.
With an internal drawstring to customize the fit, these body-hugging leggings didnt budge on us.
But we felt they also offered more compression than advertised.
Theyre more supportive and less stretchy than other Outdoor Voices leggings weve tried.
That combo is pretty rare among leggings priced this low.
PHOTO: Nordstrom
Also worth noting: This style comes in both one-pocket and three-pocket options, plus a water-resistant version.
Although there are no pockets, the simple, functional design meant we experienced zero chafing on our runs.
We found the slightly snug fit kept the band right where we wanted it throughout our runs.
PHOTO: Shape / Alena Kharlamenko
Still, since this is fairly lightweight, we might reach for something heavier when its below freezing outside.
Rocking a different hairstyle?
No problemthe fabric will simply lie flat.
Either way, we found it never slid back or gave us a headache.
Although its not waterproof, weve found it wicked away precipitation nicely in the rain.
Running gloves often run too small and too thick, or theyre super-stretchy but the cold seeps right in.
These running gloves managed to strike the perfect balance.
It’s somewhat individual preference.
That said, there are some basics that every runner should pay attention to.
You’re going to generate heat, and it’s crucial that you allow your body to breathe.
If youre overheating, you’re going to be drenched in sweat, he says.
Accessories
Accessorizing on a cold run isnt just a fashion choice.
For starters, youll want to keep your ears covered since theyre often the first to get uncomfortably cold.
But Ng points out that a beanie might be overkill.
You are drenched in sweat, he says.
The key to success is protecting those fingertips, he says.
Your body usually warms up 15 to 20 degrees during a run, says Kunz.
Though we all have a different tolerance for the cold.
PHOTO: Tracksmith
Its a personal call, but anything under freezing temperatures, it gets a little risky, says Ng.
Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, know thatrunning in cold weather can be goodfor you.
Also, dont ignore the mental benefits.
PHOTO: Shape / Rachel Marek
It’s also a good way toimprove your moodif you get seasonal depression.
As Ng says, What doesnt challenge you doesnt make you stronger.
PHOTO: Smartwool
PHOTO: Shape
PHOTO: Alo Yoga
PHOTO: Lululemon
PHOTO: Shape / Riddley Schirm
PHOTO: Icebreaker
PHOTO: Shape / Cait Knoll
PHOTO: Athleta
PHOTO: Shape / Kristen Geil
PHOTO: Nike
PHOTO: Shape / Tatiana Kennedy
PHOTO: On Running
PHOTO: Shape / Jennifer Heimlich
PHOTO: Outdoor Voices
PHOTO: Shape / Riddley Schirm
PHOTO: Amazon
The fleece lining of these leggings will keep you warm during cold weather runs.Shape / Mollie Pendexter
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Shape / Shannon Bauer
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Shape / Henry Yung
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Shape / Rachel Marek
PHOTO: TrailHeads
PHOTO: Shape / Jhett Thompson
