Having fairly recently completed the C25K program over at Cool Running, and still going out to do my 30 minutes a day, I’m facing the prospect of my first winter as a runner. Not satisfied with the challenges of winter-time running in the midwest, I’ve decided to do it in St. Petersburg, Russia, instead.
I’ve got the basic idea: layer and dress so that you’re rather cold when you start. I’m posting hoping that you folks could give me some more concrete suggestions. Specific brands, materials, items of clothing, whatever. I’ve got a lightweight, insulated, wind/water resistant jacket that I picked up at Target, but that’s about it right now. Advice on shoes, socks, pants, shirts, the whole thing–it’s all appreciated.
(Before you suggest it: Running indoors on a treadmill is painfully boring for me; if it comes to doing that, I may have a hard time running at all. Plus, I’m not at all certain I’ll be able to afford/have access to a gym membership. So please stick to telling me how to survive the winter outdoors, not in. :))
Tights. You look like an idiot but they’re incredibly practical - no chafing, you can add a layer on top if it’s REALLY cold, etc.
Are you a girl monkey or a boy monkey? I have three pairs of running tights - one of them is for super-cold (well, super-cold in South Carolina), one for just barely cold enough for long pants and one in between. I know everything jiggles when I wear them but I try not to let it get to me, as they’re so effective and comfortable.
How cold does it get where you are? I never had to change anything about my shoes and socks last winter - running keeps them warm. I also eventually drilled it into my head that I was way overdressing at the beginning and by spring I was wearing shorts into the 50’s - just gotta keep your head and hands warm. You should dress for 20 degrees warmer than it is, and you should feel cold when you leave the house.
Layer with technical fabrics(CoolMax, Dri-Fit, etc.)
Block the wind
4.Protect the extremities
For each part, I’ll list from skin out.
Head-Fleece headband or ski cap
Torso- short sleeve/long sleeve shirt, second shirt if needed, breathable jacket or vest(some have removable sleeves).
Legs-underwear-look for the type that have wind shield over the crotch.), tights, windproof pants.
Feet-wool socks
Hands-knit gloves/full finger gloves/mittens-pick one depending on conditions.
Shoes-there are accessories that give you a spiked sole for ice.
You can mix and match depending on weather and personal preference, everyone is different, you will need to experiment.
St. Petersburg, Russia, huh? Damn, that will be cold.
Well, get a couple of CWX Insulator tights and some windbreaker pants if you need more layers than that. I’ve been told the CWX tights rinse out and dry quickly so you can get away with just two in the winter. You might look at theirs and others’ technical tops too, you’ll want something that isn’t cotton next to your skin so the sweat doesn’t stay there and chill you. Depending on the wind, you’ll want a windbreaker top.
You might be able to do runs with regular jog stuff under the windbreaker layers too, everybody is different. I run really hot, maybe you do too. I just make sure I change out as soon as I stop running, no long walking cooldowns, just an easy jog to the door, change out, hot shower and stretch while all the muscles are still warm.
You might want to get a balaclava (my ears and nose get cold) like this one, and you’ll want some gloves, obviously. They make special running gloves with grippy palms and such, but whatever works for you. Zombie Runners has free shipping this month and some good glove selections there.
Running in ice and snow, you might want to get some yaktrax or similar, or modify an old pair of shoes into screw shoes, depends on your tastes and run surface. Gaiters for the snow over your shoes, or sealskinz socks might be good if you have a problem with snow getting in and soaking your feet.
Oh, and reflective gear, of course, if you’re running on roads in the darkness or dusk…
I’m not a winter runner, but I am a winter walker here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. First and foremost, you are going to need proper foot gear. You will need excellent grip for all the people who don’t clean their sidewalks properly and you’re running on packed snow and ice. Soft-ish rubber is my favourite sole if I can find it. Hard rubber turns slick when it freezes. I like my winter walking shoes to have rubber coming up a couple of inches past the sole, too, for slushy conditions and puddles. I don’t worry too much about how warm my walking shoes are since I warm up so quickly exercising outside.
My usual walking gear that I use no matter how cold it gets (I’ve gone for long walks in -30ºC and colder):
good grippy shoes
couple of pairs of socks
long johns
overpants
undershirt (always turtleneck - I hate cold air down my neck)
overshirt
parka
gloves or mittens
toque or woollen headband
long woolly scarf, suitable for wrapping around face if it gets too cold
The layering really is important, because you get so hot exercising outside in winter. Mid-walk, I often take toque and gloves off to release some heat.
Tortuga, I think I’m going to try those yaktraks this year.
On the head & hands:
Sun glasses, especially if it’s windy
Something to cover my ears (either a synthetic fabric cap or ski band will work)
Somewhat thin synthetic-fabric gloves with regular gloves over that if it’s really cold
From the skin out on top:
Sports bra (if you’re a guy, this is optional )
My skin layer is usually a long-sleeve, snug CoolMax shirt (I got mine at Target)
Over that I usually wear a comfy, looser synthetic fabric long-sleeve shirt
My fleece or a GoreTex wind breaker
If it’s really cold, I’ll wear a short-sleeve t-shirt under the windbreaker to keep my core warm.
Skin out on bottom:
Undies
Synthetic biker undies (they’re really biker shorts made out of a slightly different fabric that some women use as underwear when camping)
CoolMax leggings/biker pants
Thin synthetic-fabric socks and maybe an extra pair of socks if it’s really cold or if it has snowed
Running shoes
I’m a guy–I appreciate the suggestions for sports bras, though.
I did forget to mention that I’m on a fairly modest budget–$100 tights are right out. Actually, where in the world does one get modestly priced tights? Target has some long sleeved, allegedly wicking Champion shirts that I’ve had my eye on, but I’m having a harder time finding anything for the waist down. This article over at Cool Running mentions polypropylene as a decent (if possibly stinky) winter fabric. Would these or these be appropriate? (Leaving aside that I can’t figure out if they’re men’s or women’s, and what difference that might make in sizing.)
(Thanks for the help, guys 'n gals. Running’s been quite good for me, both in keeping me sane while studying for the bar and helping me to drop a healthy number of pounds. I really don’t want my Russian adventure to knock me off track with it.)
My 2 rubles worth:
First, if you’re on a budget, you don’t have to rule out cotton completely. The only problem with cotton is that it hangs on to sweat (and doesn’t insulate as well when it’s wet). Now if you’re doing something that makes you sweat and then sit around, or might get stuck somewhere, then cotton is a bad idea, because once you stop moving the sweat is going to make you cold. But if you’re just running, and not stopping until you get back somewhere warm, and aren’t likely to get stuck in the woods or something, then cotton is fine – you might be slightly moister than with some super-wicking fabric, but if you’re sweating then clearly being cold isn’t a problem. If it might rain, you’d need something waterproof over it, but that’s about it. If it’s definitely below freezing, you could wear cotton sweats and nylon wind-pants and be fine. (That’s what I do for winter cycling, cause I’m a cheap bastard).
Second, my other advice is if possible to put on your running clothes 15 minutes before you leave the house. The idea is that when you leave you’ll have just started getting warm/sweaty from wearing those clothes inside. Now you go outside and start cooling down, but (ideally) just when the cold starts getting through the clothes, your body heat will have picked up and you’ll be in balance. That way, you don’t have to freeze your keister off for the first 15 minutes of your run before your body heat picks up.
Quercus, I gotta differ. Cotton not insulating is very bad in cold weather. It also chafes something fierce. Guess where?:eek: Find something to bite on before you shower.
I have used Target’s attire with good success and years ago I got womens’ leggings from JCPenny for 7.50 each. I don’t know if they still carry them or the price but it’s an idea.
Head out into the wind at the start and run out-and-back so on the return trip, you won’t be as chilled as you sweat.
What you can’t just drop hundreds of bucks on running gear!?
Okay, so maybe my post was more my wishlist, I’ve heard good things about Under Armour’s stuff and it’s about half the price, even more if you’re a diligent googler and can find it on sale. They aren’t my favorite fabric though, it’s nice, but it doesn’t seem to last well and the whites yellow out.
If you’re an odd size and a good googler, you might see about snagging some sale priced icebreaker gear. Really nicely made and the wool fabric can be worn over and over and over before it funks up. And even though it’s wool it’s actually really easy care, especially in the context of traveling, since it air dries pretty quickly, or leave it out in the sun and it cooks off the stink. Seriously, wool is an amazing fiber, and even though they’ve superwash treated it, it still retains a lot of those good characteristics.
And, if you’re a hot runner, run in the middle of the sunny day with little wind, then maybe you won’t need much special gear at all. I have no idea what the Russian shopping and shipping scene is, though, if you do end up needing some stuff.
REI has great synthetic layers and frequent sales, you might check out the online outlet. My husband has a couple of their OXT shirts and I actually prefer them to the Under Armour, they seem to last better but perform the same.
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