I know most of you have already hit the cooler weather but here in Texas it's just now (today!) gotten cooler. I ran this morning at 55F (13C), which is significantly cooler than I'm used to (but it was wonderful!). I started out pretty chilly but I knew I'd warm up quickly, and I did. But I'm wondering at what temp do you choose to bring a jacket with you?
Also, as far as jackets go, what style and what fabric do you like?
I have one that's fleece, that zips all the way down, so I could easily take it off. I have another that's some type of technical fabric but it only zips halfway, so I'd have to pull it over my head if I got overheated, which can be more difficult.
Until about 2 weeks ago I'd been wearing lightweight merino wool t-shirts. Merino is awesome in that it doesn't stink, it really is amazing! I let my shirts dry off after running before putting in the laundry and they honestly hold no odor. However, I purchased some long sleeve shirts of a technical fabric a couple weeks ago as the weather started to cool a bit, and omg they really hold that odor! Not after washing, they wash out just fine, I just mean after running in them and letting them dry. So my concern is that if my jacket is a technical fabric, will the sweat seep through my shirt and make my jacket stink too? I wouldn't want to have to wash the jacket after every run. I am pretty sure that I can't afford a merino wool jacket though, even just t-shirts and long sleeve shirts in merino are pretty pricey.
Edited to add: hmmm, after doing a lot of googling on cool weather running clothing I’m seeing a lot of articles where people say they don’t wear a jacket at all, they just add a layer of long sleeve shirt. No idea why I didn’t consider that to start with! Duh 🤦🏼♀️
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Catwise
Graduate10
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Above 10°C I'm in summer kit. I'm wearing something with sleeves at 6°C. By 3°C it's tights time, a jacket and a beanie. Below freezing definitely gloves and another layer all over. That's assuming it's dry outside.
I wash my kit (including shoes) immediately after every run. My shoes have washing instructions.
I just stick a long sleeved technical fabric top on top. I have 2 different weights to choose from. They often come off once I’m warm, or the sleeves get rolled up because, as you say, it’s not so easy to pull them over your head while you are running. They don’t keep you warm while standing still though, so if I’m going to be standing around at start or finish (like at a Parkrun) I take a warmer layer and leave it where I can grab it after.
Yes the technical fabrics hold the smell and need washing all the time, but they dry really quickly.
I’m still in shorts. It’s got to be really, really cold for me to wear a base layer top under a T-shirt. I’ve just bought a couple of long sleeve tops so I can try one later still. I never really wear a jacket as I get too hot. I’d rather her wet. And you get sweaty wet under a jacket anyway. Even in my super lightweight OMM halo. Maybe in the snow I might. The main reason I have a jacket is that on some trail runs it’s part of compulsory kit. But i carry it in my pack rather than wearing it.
I wear cycling sleeves currently, they have the advantage of being able to simply roll them down to my wrists and use them to wipe away the sweat if I get too hot. I’ve got a lightweight cycling gilet with mesh sides that I wear if the temperature drops further. I haven’t run in really cold weather so I can’t comment but I expect my long sleeved cycling tops will come to the rescue when necessary. All are lightweight and washable.
Sorry to be doing this in centigrade but I hope you can follow. Wind chill is an important factor, as is rain. If the forecast is dry, I look at the ‘real feel’ temperature (ie adjusted for wind chill) and dress as if it were 8 degrees centigrade warmer. With rain, you have also got to think how much it will penetrate and whether you are able to run home, or whether you must spend time in a situation where you will cool down and then get cold.
I prefer merino under layers to anything else. I do have lightweight technical jackets which can be good for deflecting wind and/or light rain. I wouldn’t use fleece, if it gets wet it will get heavy. Gloves, buffs, hats etc can be used before you get to the jacket stage and can be easier to stow when you get warm.
I wouldn't run in a fleece, I'd get too hot and sweaty, but it would be handy for before and after a run. I have a very light weight running jacket to keep wind and rain off, but once I've warmed up it's mostly tied round my waist. Otherwise it's layers. And gloves when it's really cold. Buffs are great too, they keep you cosy without heating you up too much. And can double as a face mask in a pinch 😷
It all depends where you stay and what your used to I had a damp7k 4deg run in shorts and T-shirt, could have done with gloves. But a couple of weeks ago ran same temp with sun not rain and had strapped top and gloves not needed. I ran through winter snow, sleet, ice last year in capris but up to 3 thin layers on top and thin beanie. I have a thin running jacket which stops wind chill. Hubby just headed out with for 1/2 marathon with T-shirt over long sleeve top, thin gloves and thin beanie. He may strip a layer on run. Sweat stinks but you don’t get so sweaty in colder weather. Good luck experimenting with layers. Happy running 🤗
Hi Catwise. The key thing that I find helpful is lightweight technical fabric layers which you can peel off and tie round your waist if needed. My recent runs have been between 10-13 degrees C and I’ve only just stopped wearing shorts and switched to leggings. I layer my tops - just now it’s a tech T-shirt with a long sleeve tech top I can tie round my waist. I tend to lose my long sleeve top after my warm up walk and put it back on for for cool down if needed.
As it gets colder I’ll do what I did last winter - I ran in a base layer and another light long sleeve tech top or lightweight runners jacket if it rained. I have got a slightly thicker night running jacket if the temperature really dips. At the most I wear two layers on top.
My son bought me gloves for my birthday last week. Last winter I found the only bit of me that really got cold was my ears so a head band was great as I didn’t want my head to be completely wrapped!
Good luck with your winter running wardrobe! D-d 😊
Thanks for all the responses, they are very helpful! Layers it is! I already have a nice warm buff, (several in fact) which I love. Came in handy when I walked the Camino and it got super cold and snowed!
Idk why but I LOVE being able to take things I already own and repurpose them. I’ve loved running in my merino wool tshirts, but they were purchased for camping and hiking. My shorts were from my Camino, my tights/capris are from my yoga and other exercise classes (back when we could actually attend classes!). My kids bought me some lightweight merino gloves for Christmas last year, I think I’ll be trying those out. It’s kind of like that thrill I get when I make an awesome dinner or breakfast omelet out of all the bits and pieces left in my fridge. Know what I mean? 😊
So I think I have what I need, now I just need to put it together. I also have a lightweight water proof jacket I can use if it’s windy/rainy, it’s got zippers under the arms to vent the heat, so that helps a lot.
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