Do you normally carry a backpack when out for your run in winter? I like to run light and summer running was great because all I needed was put a tshirt & shorts/crop tights on, slap lots of suncream, sunglasses and off I would go. When carrying phone in hands was becoming a issue, I bought the shorts/tights with a pocket. I dont carry water with me either.
Now winter running is becoming a bit complicated. I put my usual tshirt, tights & shoes on. But then I layer up with a light jacket, or a rain jacket if raining, a beanie to mainly protect my ears from wind. But it does start getting warm as I run and layers start coming off..where do you put them though? It is so annoying holding them and running. I tie the jacket around my waist but it doesnot stay put!
Need some ideas please.
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Me_time
Graduate10
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I did c25k in January. I tended to be brave and start off feeling cold knowing I’d warm up. On cold days, I’d wear a light jacket then shove anything I wanted to take off in the pockets and tie it around my waist with a double knot. That usually holds.
Thank you MissUnderstanding . My double knots come loose as well. My sister does what you do, she just gets out without the layers, knowing she will warm up soon. And she loves running in rain. I avoid rain 🤭I do not like rain getting into my eyes, as per
Oldfloss 's suggestion I put a hat on for tonight's run to stop rain getting in my eyes. It worked, but then I had an extra item to put away when the rain stopped!
I only ever use a backpack if I'm going to be running for 90 minutes or more.
As a bloke, I never take stuff off once I've put it on.
Dress for how you'll feel when you're warmed up. If you feel only slightly chilly at the start of a run, that's about right. Extremities don't warm up as much, so gloves, buff and hat as appropriate.
nowster ..wouldn't it all get wet if it rains and we will need to remove gloves, buff, hat? Leaving them on while they are dripping wet would probabaly make you even more cold?
Thats what almost every day of the winter is - wet, windy and cold 😆 so far I must have got about 3/4 runs without wind or rain. A few more weeks to go!Spring is normally quite wet too but it is not too cold or too windy most of the time.
I had heard that NZ is a bit wetter than the UK, but there's less chance of freezing temperatures (apart from in the mountains).
The trick again is layers. You're going to get wet whatever you do, either from the outside in, or (if you're wearing waterproofs) from the inside out. It's best to wear kit that will keep you comfortable when you are wet, and will provide some barrier against the cooling effect of the wind even if you're soaked.
A base layer that clings to the skin and is rated for winter. An outer layer with a fine weave to provide some wind protection. Finally an optional mid layer to retain warmth.
A layer of trapped water can actually keep warmth in. This is the wetsuit effect.
The layers should fit snugly together with no possibility of cold air getting between them.
Once you've stopped running, you've got about ten minutes before you're going to start to feel the cold, so you should plan your winter routes with that in mind.
Yeah, I have been caught out a bit too far from home a few times, soaking wet and starting to feel the chill. Will need to plan the runs better.Three layers may be a bit too much for me. Last time and the only time I have visited UK was in winter, a couple of years ago. I found it slightly colder but not as wet or windy.
Thank you B1GK9 I will probably have a look at a belt or similar. I was just reading details of upcoming HM and they will not be supplying disposable cups at drink stations, they will refill our own cups/bottles. I normally dont drink any water while running but if the sun is out on that day and it gets warm, might need a sip or two.
I’m in Western Australia so it pretty much rains all through Winter too. I only wear what I’m going to wear for the run so in winter that’s long leggings, a Dri fit layer and another layer if it’s cold like a merino long sleeve. I always wear a cap rain or shine. My Hoka gortex shake dry only is worn if it’s torrential rain or I’m running long as there is no way that I’m tying that around my waist. Too many dollars to lose
Flip belt is also always worn for phone, & small bottle of water & gel if running 90mins+
I’ve also got a hydration vest but only use that for trail running now.
I don’t wear gloves but wish that I did as I stacked it last week & my hand got mashed 😭
Hope that helps. Roll on Summer and 40+ days. (Just kidding)
Hi Me_time , personally I rarely wear a jacket even in winter, so definitely wouldn't be wearing gloves, hat and buff in rain, as I'd be much too warm! In snow, maybe.
As my stuff's made of synthetic fabrics that don't absorb water easily I've never had anything get dripping wet or chilly.
The problem with using a backpack to carry spare gear is that you have to stop to stuff things into it, which is frankly a nuisance. I
If you tie your jacket round your waist with a reef knot, not a granny knot, it should stay put. And if it has zip pockets then you can shove small items in them and keep your hands free.
nowster 's right - you need to dress for how you'll feel once warmed up and during your run, not for comfort during the first couple of minutes.
Hi Cmoi , you are right I look for my immediate comfort/warmth. But I would probably not get out in a cold, windy, rainy darkness if I am not warm to start with. May be I should give it a go and see how I feel. I will definitely need a jacket for rain though. I had to look up 'reef knot' on google lol. I will try that to atleast keep the jacket handy.
I used to wear a beanie (sometimes gloves too on a very chilly walk) when I used to walk. But I would end up removing it as I used to get too warm. It was mainly to cover ears to protect from wind..my ears hurt later. I guess a buff will be good to use as a ear cover.
I really dont want to carry a backpack for the same reason you mentioned, thats why the question.
This is my first winter running, so lots of trial and errors I guess until I figure out what works for me.
Thank you so much for your reply, its good to know what works for others.
I’ve run marathons in winter with a small pack. My hooded run jacket goes over it and ties round my waist when I warm up. In a gale it’s hard to take on and off though, as I found on my last winter marathon. The course had some protected spots where I got too warm so peeled my jacket off, only to have to put it back on again in the more exposed parts. It drove me crazy 😁. It is what it is, and nothing is perfect for 100% of the time 🤷♀️
The run jacket with zip pockets is a key item. My hooded Aldi one was £6.99 and I live in it 😀.
I run in a 40lb fat suit (permanently attached! 😁). In winter only my bony hands might feel the cold, but within 10 minutes they will be too hot.
So in winter I pre-warm my hands to take care of the first 10 minutes, wearing gloves for half an hour before I go out for a run, and taking them off just before I leave.
I would get too hot for a hat so I wear a running visor (£6.99 from Decathlon). In summer it keeps the sun out of my eyes, and in the winter it keeps the rain out (well actually it rains all year round!). It also serves as a sweatband, as otherwise salty sweat running into my eyes would literally be a pain.
I wear the same kit all year round, including the thinnest lightest running top. If ever need to wear warmer kit in winter it would mean I'd lost the fat suit, so it would be progress! 😁
That 40lb suit is not going to last too long if you continue running. You will need to start thinking about winter gear too!Thank you for replying to my question
I use a bag most of the time. Have a jacket and touch screen gloves that I used last winter that would stay on throughout. Rain doesn't bother me but if it's windy as well then I'll keep it to a shorter outing. Can carry loads of extra layers in the bag. Bottles and snacks in the shoulder straps.
Merino wool is the answer. It’s light, keeps you warm but you don’t overheat, It’s quick to dry if you sweat and it washes well. I have a merino top that I bought in Aldi years ago and it still looks and feels brand new so you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it. Shop around.
I hate feeling restricted on a run so even on the coldest days I only wear two layers and have never had to take off a layer. But a hat and gloves are essential and then maybe a buff that I can pull over my nose in very cold conditions. I also wear sunglasses on most days because my eyes water a lot and even in winter the days can be very bright.
A good tip is to warm up at home before you go outside and then you should know pretty quickly if you’re wearing the right gear or are over-dressed.
Somewhere in this forum I've read that you should dress for the current temperatur plus an extra 5°C.
This is what I do. Work pretty well for me at least so that I do not need to take clothes off. In fact, even at 0°c or -2°C all I need is a longsleeve shirt and a waistcoat (pockets! yay! for my phone and the keys). The first 5 minutes of brisk walking can be a challenge but after running for says 5 minutes I am fine. May not work for everyone though.
I dont mind running in cold (gosh, did I just say that!) because I know I will get warm once running. I also make sure I am warm enough before starting. I just dont enjoy running in rain.
I personally prefer to start cold and then warm up. I don’t like jackets or backpacks. Rather than a hat, I wear a headband (I like the Hygge band range) and they keep my ears warm and the rain and sweat out of my eyes. Should the headband get too warm (which isn’t usually an issue), you can take it off and wrap it round your wrist. You can do the same with a buff. Once I’m warm I like to have a bare neck, otherwise I feel all stuffy!
I tend to prefer to be cold during the warm up walk knowing I’ll warm up during the run. I’ll only ever wear a long sleeve top, no more layers than that, plus a hat and gloves when needed. I hope you find what works for you! 😊
Yes, I will figure out what works for me. I got amazing suggestions from the wonderful forum members, as always.I dont think I will be able to get out without enough warmth, I appreciate it works for some. I would rather remove the layers as I start getting warmer.
I will need to go to a sports shop and buy a buff, it is so versatile.
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