Cold Weather Running Gear To Keep You Warm

Cold, winter weather shouldn't force you indoors for your running as the mercury drops.

Winter running offers you the opportunity to get back to nature and see a whole different side to running. This guide will help to show you how to enjoy your training with the right gear gear for winter running adventures.

Advances in fabric technology mean that when dressing for cold weather running the old-school heavy cotton hoodie has been banished to the casual wardrobe and made way for lightweight, performance orientated specific winter running wear to help keep you warm on the bitter coldest of days whilst wicking away sweat to keep your feeling comfortable.

Thus follows a top-to-toe guide to dressing right for cold weather running.

Whilst running a large amount of heat is dissipated through our extremities- particularly our head. This effect is great in warm weather as we're able to sweat to cold down. However in winter we need to conserve some of our body heat as it's believed we lose around 40% of our body heat through our heads. Therefore you need to conserve your body heat by wearing a hat while you run, particularly if you're challenged in the full head of hair stakes.

A lightweight, wicking skullcap or beanie hat is a simple way to protect from excessive heat loss whilst running in winter. Look for a hat in a lightweight, wicking fabric.

Merino wool is all the rage due to it's excellent thermal properties and the awesome breath-ability that a natural fibre brings. Merino wool also has great anti-bacterial properties so will refrain from smelling badly if you leave it in a gym bag overnight too!

A favoured item with everyone from road cyclists to skiers- a neck gaiter can be an exceptionally useful piece of gear for cold weather running.

Not only does a neck gaiter like the Buff® (featured below) offer you protection from cold air going down your front and back. It can also be used as a balaclava for extreme cold weather running or as a face mask to protect your mouth and lips from extreme cold air.

Consider using chapsticks, vaseline or lip balm to protect from the cold weather playing havoc with your lips. Chapped lips can be uncomfortable when you want to concentrate on running and will otherwise need to be treated after your runs.

Winter running calls for a layering system in your upper body clothing to enhance breath-ability whilst keeping you warm and protected from the elements. Depending on the temperature you can take a two or three step approach to dressing for winter running warmth.

Those from a cycling or walking background will be familiar with performance wind-proof winter jackets from materials such as Gore® Windstopper™ fabric which offers excellent protection from the wind and in many cases will negate the need for a third layer.

2 Step Approach To Dressing For Winter Running

1. Long Sleeve Wicking Base Layer
2. Thermal, Windproof Jacket

3 Step Approach To Winter Running Layers

1. Wicking Long Sleeve Base Layer
2. Warm Mid Layer
3. Protective Outer Layer / Shell

Every running should own a good quality wicking base layer. If you buy right they're ideal for wearing on their own on slightly cooler days and then can be used as part of a layering system when conditions get cooler.

The key ability of your base layer should be to wick sweat away from your body to keep you dry and warm. Some base layers also factor in a degree of thermal (warmth) properties too which can be particularly useful if you're looking for a base layer to wear on it's own.

Many companies have their own wicking polyester fabrics with names such as Coolmax and DryFit (Nike products). Merino Wool base layers have gained popularity recently due to quick drying breathable fibres which stay odour free. Smartwool make some of the best Merino Wool base layers on the marketplace.

Steer clear of cotton as it holds moisture keeping you damp and at subsequent risk of getting cold.

Use an insulated layer to provide additional warmth by trapping air between the layers between a long sleeve base layer and your insulating layer to enhance warmth for winter running.

The ideal insulated layer will have excellent wicking and breathability.

Many insulation layers for winter running feature a fleece backed material or alternately you could use a micro-fleece layer.

Softshell fabrics are great investments for active people and have uses for cycling, running and hiking.

The key benefit to softshell fabrics for winter running are their breath-ability and their windproof properties. This helps to protect your body from cooling as a result of cold winter winds.

As the body loses a large percentage of it's heat through the extremities you need to make sure you're protecting your hands and fingers when you run. Therefore it's imperative to protect them by wearing gloves for winter running.

The best gloves for running are lightweight and breathable, yet providing warmth. You shouldn't need a bulky pair of skiing gloves for running. If you struggle for finger warmth you could consider a thin pair of microfiber liner gloves to add extra warmth.

Mittens are a good idea for when the weather gets really cold or if you struggle with your extremities in winter.

We've all seen the 'hardcore' runners out in all weathers in just their regular shorts. Unfortunately running in cold weather in just a pair of shorts is exposing your legs and joints to potential problems.

Our joints rely on the fluid between the joints to stay viscose and allow smooth movement. When your joints get cold- this leads to a cooling of the fluid and a decrease in the viscosity which can potentially lead to long term joint problems.

Get those legs covered up for winter running!

For cold weather running you really need more than a pair of lightweight Lycra running tights as the cold will simply cut through them. A favourite for cool temperature running in the UK and North America is a pair of Ronhill Tracksters which in styling offers a great alternative to tight running tights for men.

If you don't have any worries on how you look then running tights are the best option as they're closer to the skin to trap air for additional warmth and can be purchased in winter weight thermal designs. Many feature fleece backed thermo-roubaix Lycra type fabrics.

Regular running tights will offer most runners protection down to freezing but cool icy winds often are able to cut through them. For extreme winter running a set of activity tights like Pearl Izumi's AmFIB tight will offer an additional degree of protection.

The Pearl Izumi AmFIB features softshell wind-proof fleece panels to help provide warmth, as well as blocking out cold winds and rain. They're actually cycling tights but are able to have dual usage. If you're looking for a running specific tight consider the Salomon XT Softshell Running Tight which offers weather protection with a running specific anatomic cut.

Regular running shoes tend to be well padded and this helps to keep some heat within them to guard against cold feet for winter.

Steer clear of lightweight racing shoes as these often feature ventilated soles which will allow water to splash up through if you're running in wet conditions and snow.

If you live in an area where a wet winter or snow is a distinct possibility. Consider purchasing a set of winter specific trail running shoes with a waterproof membrane as this will help keep your feet dry and warm on your winter runs

For running in icy, snowy conditions you could also consider fixing a set of Yaktrax Run's to your shoes as their ice-spikes will dig into icy and deep compacted snow giving you grip.

For running during winter consider some cold weather specific running socks. A good pair of winter running socks will wick away sweat from your feet and limit your risk of frostbite. Look for quick drying fabrics which also have thermal qualities.

Never run in cotton socks during winter as these will hold moisture and leave your feet damp. This subsequently leads to increased potential of blisters.