Last week we had some of the coldest weather I’ve gone out to run in so far this season. Not having a spring marathon to train for makes me a touch more willing to surrender to the mill. But I couldn’t resist getting out in the snow yesterday for 10 miles.
Temperature when I went out was 14 (not bad) but the wind chill was zero). Heavy overcast, windy, snowing.
Many of you asked what I wear for the coldest (betweeen 0 and 20 degrees F) conditions. Note: I do not venture out when it is below zero. Here it is:
Base layer
Under Armour Cold gear tights. These were my first running tights many moons ago and they’re still my go-to pair when it gets really cold. I like that there are no zippers at the ankle to freeze or chafe.
Under Armour Cold Gear mock turtle. Same fabric as the tights, close fitting, more neck warmth with the mock turtle.
Note: The pic above shows neither Under Armour piece I describe above because I am a doof.
Injinji Trail socks. The higher cuff ensures there is no exposed real estate between your shoe and tights. Keeps out snow and ice too. Knee highs would also be an excellent choice.
Insulating layer
Half zip. I like this one from Zoot because it’s fleecy inside for extra warmth. Thumbs up for the thumbholes.
Nike fleece pants over the tights. The tights do a good job of breaking the wind. The pants add extra warmth.
Outer layer
Nylon jacket for wind resistance. Hi-viz color with reflective accents.
Trail shoes for better traction in the ice/snow and better wind resistance.
Accessories
When the ‘feels-like’ temperature is zero, I like to wear both a fleece hat and a headband for maximum ear protection.
I also wear a buff that I can pull up over my nose as temps/wind fluctuate.
Gloves. These are touch-screen ones by aGlove. Because nobody wants to peel off their gloves to mess with watch/phone etc. when it’s this cold.
Sunglasses: Not only for sun and snow glare, but to protect your eyes from wind and extreme, eye-watering cold.
Some of you may want to heavy up your hands and feet protection. I was out for 90 minutes wearing this yesterday and my toes and fingertips were perfectly warm, but I tend to run hotter than the average bear.
Another issue for consideration: Your fuel. In temps like these it freezes pretty fast. That’s why I wear my fuel belt under my jacket in really cold conditions or I circle back home and reload.
More tips for winter running:
- Choose a route that minimizes time spent on busy roads–they’re even more dangerous with snow plows and cars that may lose control.
- Choose hi-viz colors with reflective accents and always assume drivers do not see you. Better safe than sorry!
- Many times wind chill is the worst part of a winter run. Plan your route to keep the wind at your back or run in areas with some protection.
- If it’s realllly cold, you may want to get part of your run done outside, then come in and finish up on the treadmill.
- Be smart out there and keep your extremities covered.
Do you enjoy cold weather running? How cold is too cold?
Great tips! I actually love running in cold weather, however, I’m with you not below zero. Living in SoCal has me spoiled, I haven’t run in anything heavier that arm warmers and knickers… I miss the cold!
Even though I am in the midwest, I am a winter wuss, has to be 32+ for me to consider going outside to train, luckily I have the mindset to be able to endure indoor training easily
It depends on what kind of run it is. If it’s super cold, but all I have to do is an easy one, I’ll go outside in pretty cold weather (down into the teens). But if it’s speedwork, where being really warm helps me maintain pace and I don’t want to worry about ice underfoot, I’ll head inside.
Cocktails in your bottles – the alcohol keeps the liquids from freezing. And imagine how much $ you could save if you didn’t need all that cold weather gear!
I recently moved to Colorado and have experienced COLD running for the first time. My coldest temp was -3…brrr. It sounds like we wear similar layers. I had to get some super warm mittens though. Regular gloves don’t cut it for me.
I enjoyed running the cold (when I lived somewhere that actually gets cold), but speed work was put on hold for the winter months.
I haven’t actually found a temperature that was too cold, but I have to say, -50F is pretty darn uncomfortable with that many layers. I felt like an astronaut bounding along on an unknown planet.
I need a pair of tights that don’t have zippers SO BAD but can’t seem to find any! So jealous of your tights!!!
Ah yes, the cold weather! The main topic of conversation during this weekend’s long run. I’ll go out in anything but single digits. I wear capris under my tights, tend to find my legs sweat if I wear pants over tights, which then makes me cold. I wear the same Under Armor turtle neck as you and love it, keeps me very warm. Just got the Brooks Silver Bullet jacket which is super lightweight but very warm. I started wearing mittens as my Raynaud’s was getting bad. Also find trail socks keep my toes nice and toasty! Then I get out there and try to remember how gross it felt to run in the summer in 90% humidity!
LOVE the hands on the hips pose! under 20 is too cold for me! you are tough!!!!
I hate cold weather!!! I’m a complete wimp and won’t run outside if it is below 32! Good thing I love running on my treadmill!
I have run a 5K distance in 10 degrees outside. That is about the lowest I can commit to, but I do prefer the cold to heat!
My running temp range is about 10 to 95 degrees (F). Anything colder than 10 and I’m inside on the treadmill. In the summer, anything higher than about 95 and I do a bike ride instead.
Great words of wisdom! I’m lucky this year to not need more than the occasional long sleeved shirt, but in the past I’ve layered very much like you described. Usually the teens and below were enough to send me to the treadmill!
Luckily for me here, I don’t think too cold ever really happens. This has been a fairly cold winter for us and the worst I have seen are temps around 13-14 at start time. I am lucky, too, b/c I run a bit hotter than most others, too, so I think that helps. Comes back to bite us in the summer, but…
I ventured out in the super cold this weekend for an 18 miler. There was no wind, so I felt ok the whole time, but my hydration pack nozzle and hose froze, so that was pretty terrible.
Well, I don’t like it very much when the feels like is single digits and won’t go out when the feels like is 0 or below.
Having said that, the last time i was out in feels like 7, I should have worn heavier gloves, two pairs of socks, and something covering my face. Otherwise, I was dressed okay
Holy cow! I would sweat to death in all those layers. I’m pretty simple with the exact same US base layers as you… plus an insulated vest, gloves, hat, glasses, occasional scarf. I personally like the cold. 😉
Whoa! I can’t even begin to think of how to dress up like that! Here in Florida, we’re so confused when it creeps below 40 that we’re clueless! Here it’s more about how NOT to run naked when it’s scorching outside 😉
I don’t dress quite that warmly, but I do go out in temperatures to zero. We haven’t had below zero actual temps yet (while we’ve been runners anyway).
We ran on Sunday in 14 degree weather and I took my hat and gloves off about half way in to the run. I still get so hot, even in low temps.
Love the Under Armour cold weather gear. For gloves I go with the thicker brown gardening gloves you can get at Walmart for a couple bucks. They seem to breath better and keep my hands warmer than my UA gloves. For solo trail runs I throw some chemical hand warmers in my coat in case I get injured and it takes a while for help to get to me.
To me cold weather is anything below 60! We recently had a turn of cold (below 30 in the morning), and I was totally unprepared. When you live in the desert you don’t think about insulating layers and toed socks. Great tips!
I love Under Armour mock turtlenecks because they are incredibly warm. I have two and wear them all winter long. The coldest I’ve ever run was this year on MLK day when it felt like -14*. It was hard to get warm the rest of the day!
How did you move in all those layers??? Yikes. You are one badass running machine. I will venture out when it’s cold, but cold and wind may be another story. Right now, my treadmill is being held hostage by a house guest for 5 weeks (a friend’s daughter is staying with us while doing a pharmacy internship) so I have to suck it up no matter what. At least it’s in the high 50s this week :).
Great tips! I do enjoy running in the winter but I have a hard time when it gets to 25 or below. But it’s the wind that kills me!
Honestly, it’s never too cold here. The most I’ve ever worn is a long pair of tights and a long sleeved tech top with a pair of gloves that came off after a couple of kms.
I am ok down to ~10 ambient/-10 windchill. My biggest issue is that I always overdress and feel like the stay puff marshmallow girl. Was very true for Commitment Day 5K! The key issue is always my hands. No gloves are warm enough!
Even though I’m an Ohioan, I won’t go running under 30 degrees. I’ve got Raynaud’s and my hands literally turn blue even when it’s 50 degrees out! Its a huge pain in the butt!
You are amazing! I’m sitting on my ass procrastinating because it’s 36 here today, and I think that is ridiculously cold. 🙂 (Truth, I really don’t like it to get below 50…ever. I saw that Tink, above, has Raynauds. Me too. It makes your feet turn in to little ice blocks when it gets cold.)
At least it looks like you are ready for the weather! Nice gear.
Gaye
Cold is always better than hot! It is way too cold there for me and I tend to make a million excuses not to run when it gets to be too cold. Kudos to you for taking care of business even in the freezing cold!
As a Canadian if I want to run, I get the awesome of winter. Not so awesome when it gets to be -40 (the point where celcius and Fahrenheit meet!!!) Good god. Well. For me -25Cto -30 is WAY too cold!(Thats -13 to -22F) Wind chill is too brutal. I draw the line there. I have freinds who draw the line at zero! haha. Layering is sooooooooo KEY!
I don’t mind running in the cold as long as it isn’t windy. Last weekend, I ran when the temps were in the high teens/low 20s. It wasn’t too bad at all.
I love the cold! I’ll run in anything (except lightening). I use UA cold weather gear as my go to as well when it’s really cold out. Though, I won’t put on another layer over the tights unless it’s windy or snowy, too. But I will wear Swiftwick compression socks that go up to my knees. I never thought about trail shoes for the cold. My feet might fair better than with my normal road shoes!!