# Cold Weather Running:  Gear Recommendations?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-weather-running-gear-recommendations/203944>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 26, 2003, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-weather-running-gear-recommendations/203944 "2003-09-26T12:01:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2003, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-weather-running-gear-recommendations/203944/1 "2003-09-26T12:01:44Z")

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Here in Minnesota and the wonderful winter running season is about to start up. I need some new winter running gear that will allow me to run on clear, sunny days with a wind chill below zero. Anyone willing to recommend?

I need:[ul][li]Comfortable, warm, and breathable tights.[/li][li]A balaclava (terrorist hood) that is relatively easy to breathe through.[/li][li]Running MITTENS I’ll be danged if I can find mittens… plenty o’ gloves out there.[/li][li]Any other items you consider “must haves.”[/li][/ul]  
I have:[ul][li][This balaclava](http://www.roadrunnersports.com/cgi-bin/rrs/rrs/ProductPg.jsp?baseProdKey=BRBAC655&catOID=-8890&BV_SessionID=@@@@1482321120.1064579595@@@@&BV_EngineID=gadcigchlhiibekgcgecfeedgf.0), which is very difficult to breathe through.[/li][li][These tights](http://www.soark.com/lycra_CoolmaxAlta.shtml), which have shrunk slightly… If I don’t get a rave review for another pair, I might cave and just get another pair of these mugs.[/li][li][These mittens](http://www.soark.com/accessories_mitts.shtml), which are okay for “cool” running, but too thin for COLD running.[/li][/ul]

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**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-weather-running-gear-recommendations/203944/2 "2003-09-26T15:48:34Z")

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Obviously I have no advice, but I hadn’t seen you 'round these parts in a while.

Twin Cities is shortly approaching, right? You signed up for that, didn’t you?

[yeah, I probably should just email her, but what the hell…]

I am SO glad I do not have to run in the weather you’ve got!

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**Author:** ![pipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c2a13f/32.png) [@pipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pipper)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-weather-running-gear-recommendations/203944/3 "2003-09-26T16:22:15Z")

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The biggest thing to watch for when running in the winter is wind direction. Make sure you plan an out and back route and start by heading into the wind. If you run with the wind to start, you build up quite a bit a sweat that will make you uncomfortably cold when the windchill hits you on the return.

As far as clothing, just keep to the man-made polypro type stuff and you’ll be fine. We run in tights down to about 10 degree air temp. In temps below 10, we’ll add a layer of lightweight polypro long underwear. A good windresistant jacket is nice (Marmot makes a ‘windshirt’ that I love). [Sierratradingpost.com](http://Sierratradingpost.com) has some basic polypro clothing at closeout prices that is great for running. Oh - and make sure your socks are polypro too!