Clothing advice please!

[Runbunrun]

Hi, I’m looking for a bit of advice. I’m not a natural runner and have to force myself to go, though I enjoy it once I’m out. I need some advice on what clothing to wear if it’s cold, to avoid me having an additional excuse not to go. I usually run for about 35 mins with a 5 minute warm up/cool down, though am looking to increase this a bit. Currently I have a t-shirt and a thin long-sleeved top which I wear year round! I don’t want to be cold when I set off but am worried about overheating once I’m out. I don’t want to spend a fortune and ideally want something I can buy online due to the current situation. Long sleeved t-shirt? Extra sleeveless layer? Woolly hat? I really have no idea! Tips please!!

[Teresafaith Graduate10]

Lidl and Aldi have some real good inexpensive stuff, which I've used every run. Aldi do online but Lidl don't, I bought leggings there yesterday - in and out first thing in the morning before anyone got there!- unfortunately you just have to grab it when it's available. Lots of stores are now doing online sports stuff given the Covid situation, Sainsbury's, M&S etc. but keep an eye out for Aldi stuff in future, I got a light running jacket, buff, gloves, sports bra and warm sports top there aswell.

[Runbunrun in reply to Teresafaith]

I have quite a few lidl tops and leggings. Might get a couple more this week if they’re in- thanks for the tip!

[Teresafaith Graduate10 in reply to Runbunrun]

The sports leggings in Lidl at the moment are great in this cooler weather- moisture wicking and real comfy.

[Hidden]

Advice you'll find it here Runbunrun,

So don't over layer those clothes, you'll overheat.

Have you a running buff or snood, such a great piece of kit and multi functional ✅

I wouldn't go woolly hat go thin with the hat👍

[Runbunrun in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, that’s helpful. I might need to investigate what a running buff is though!

[Hidden in reply to Runbunrun]

It's errr quite simply like a tube of clothing, over your head around your neck job done ✅

[Runbunrun in reply to Hidden]

Fab. I am on the case! I shall be a running buff in a running buff. But not running in the buff... ; )

[Hidden in reply to Runbunrun]

Brilliant success 👍 we'll await your feedback Runbunrun, and that "buff" Running, don't worry we'll embrace it , but we prefer to call it naked running 🤣

[Speedy60 Graduate10]

Firstly, you are a natural runner! Unless you are the cat in your avatar 😉, you are a human being and human beings evolved to run long , slow distances - you just may not have run for a very long time!

Secondly, thin layers are good. I prefer long sleeves that I can pull up. Also, if I remove a long sleeved top, I can tie it round my waist. This week I've been wearing lycra shorts under my leggings because my bum gets so cold. A hat or headband and gloves make a huge difference. I've been wearing a hygge band round my neck, but I usually take it off after a while and wrap it round my wrist.

There are some great sale bargains.Try M&S, Wiggle.com, sportsshoes.com or cotswolds outdoor.

Lastly, I would recommend downloading the Nike running club app and listening to the cold weather guided run (even if you don't actually run it). It has some great advice from a world-class coach.

Happy running. 👍

[Runbunrun in reply to Speedy60]

Thank you for your faith in me Speedy! I am a better runner than the cat that’s for sure, she seems to sleep about 20 hours a day at the moment. I’ll check out the Nike running club app for sure.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

A cheap thin nylon jacket will keep the wind off which often is the cause of cold, get a zipped one so you can take it off and tie round waist. Make sure any layers next to skin are sports breathable textile not cotton, as other posts say aldi is good, I also have cheap from tesco and matalan. Hats and gloves are great for heat retention without adding extra layers to your core and easily carried. Do experiment you may be amazed. I run all winter in Scotland in shorts, legs never seem to need long leggings for running. Happy running 🤗

[Runbunrun in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks I hadn’t thought of Tesco’s, will have a look there. Managed to get a nice T-shirt in the M&S sale and also a thin long sleeved one from Lidl today : )

[Hidden]

This was shared by one of the admins or moderators on either here or the C25k forum at the start of winter and it is great to refer to to help you get your layers right....Layering for a Winter Run - theeap.com/wellness/winter-...

[Runbunrun in reply to Hidden]

Brilliant, that is just what I need. Thank you!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I wear a tee shirt under a hoodie that usually gets tied round my waist after the first kilometre

[Runbunrun in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes I often tie my top around my waist Willow. It feels quite odd when everyone is wrapped up in their winter woolies, and I run past red faced in a t-shirt!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Runbunrun]

Yes lol I feel a bit silly but once nicely warm the air on my arms keeps me cool

[nowster Graduate10]

Some of us don't get hot, but do get sweaty. If it's windy, a tightly knit garment on the outside to block the wind, but less dense on the inside.

Guys of a certain age have less natural insulation on the head, so will need thicker hats than younger guys or ladies with a thicker thatch.

In cold conditions, many thin layers has the advantage of extra insulation but also a greater volume to wick away sweat.

Don't forget your feet can get cold too. The surfaces you're running on can be colder than the air.