Winter gear?: I’ve just finished week 6, and am... - Couch to 5K

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Winter gear?

ForeverYoung21 profile image
ForeverYoung21Graduate
18 Replies

I’ve just finished week 6, and am really hoping that running is a long term thing for me.

So far I’ve just been wearing exercise leggings & hubby’s baggy tshirts. But very conscious on my last run it’s getting cold & wet!

What are the must haves for winter running? What brands are good?

Thank you!!

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ForeverYoung21 profile image
ForeverYoung21
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18 Replies
UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Biggest one for me is gloves... Mine are thinsulate and I believe they were about £3 in a supermarket years ago. I will don a woolly hat at some point and maybe a buff. In my youth I used to keep my hands feet and neck warm and I was fine... can’t see me making too many changes to that.

emily-m profile image
emily-mGraduate in reply toUnfitNoMore

I hadn't thought about gloves. That's a good tip. 😎

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply toemily-m

The extremities are the first to feel it, and I assume you have shoes on. Ears tend to glow a bit in the cold too.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

The first parts of my body to feel the cold are my hands, so thin running gloves with touch sensitive finger tips to enable use of phone are top of my list.

A buff, normally only worn for the first ten minutes of a run, is also comforting in the cold.

As temperature drops, out come long sleeved running shirts and once below about 5 degrees, compression base layers and running trousers.

Layers are the way to go.

Last year I did buy a lightweight windproof jacket, but very rarely wear it.

Most of my running clothing has come from Aldi and apart from socks, I won't need to replace anything for at least another couple of years.......so incredible value.

SubterraneanAlien profile image
SubterraneanAlienGraduate

I'm interested in replies. Went out this evening with running leggings on, a long sleeved top, a short-sleeved t-shirt over it and a thin zipped hoody. My hands were cold but had warmed up by two-thirds of the run. I do feel the cold but this was fine, not too warm either.

I will wear gloves when it gets colder and a woolly hat. Maybe I'll get a jacket with a padded body. Seen some in h&m not too pricey...

Should I go up to jogging bottoms rather than leggings?

emily-m profile image
emily-mGraduate in reply toSubterraneanAlien

I got a nice lightweight long sleeved running top from H&M in the sale. Haven't worn it yet, mind! H&M's running stuff seems good quality, is pretty cheap (especially if you can catch a sale), & best of all for me, it fits properly, though obviously that depends on the individual.

I don't know about jogging bottoms. I wear them for a street dance class sometimes because we're told to wear baggy pants, but they're boiling once you get moving! Maybe when it gets very cold…

Amandana profile image
Amandana in reply toSubterraneanAlien

You can put joggers on over your leggings if you want an extra layer. I wear thin ones over my leggings once its below about -5deg, I like that better than adding more on my torso which makes me over-heat.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Do go for technical fabrics so moisture wicks away. Cotton is not really recommended as it just holds the moisture and makes you cold. I’m going to go for bright gloves , a long sleeve top and full leggings. And maybe layers on top that come off as you get warm. Finish close to home so you don’t get a chill 🏃‍♀️💨❄️💦🌨

Notanaturalrunner profile image
NotanaturalrunnerGraduate

I’m currently wearing form belt leggings (for the numerous pockets), Nike Technical running t’shirt and a Regatta soft shell jacket. The jacket keeps me dry and warm but at the moment I could ditch it at 10 mins in. It’s not too cold yet so will stick with it until it gets cold cold 😬

Rociodfr profile image
RociodfrGraduate

I got some bright long sleeved t-shirts, wind & waterproof night running jacket and a waterproof cap (I wear prescription glasses so if it rains it's a nightmare) from Decathlon last week and I cannot fault any of them. Haven't tried the jacket in a run just yet as just the t-shirts are quite warm but the cap has been a revelation! All very comfy, very good price and good quality I would say :).

southlundon profile image
southlundonGraduate in reply toRociodfr

Which cap have you got please? 🤓

Rociodfr profile image
RociodfrGraduate in reply tosouthlundon

decathlon.co.uk/rain-cap-id... This one, tried and tested in light rain, wonderful!

southlundon profile image
southlundonGraduate in reply toRociodfr

Great price too - thank you!

ForeverYoung21 profile image
ForeverYoung21Graduate

Amazing thank you everybody!! Gloves, long sleeve tshirts and a hat are first on my list now :)

Amandana profile image
Amandana

I haven't bought any clothing specific to running, aside from my shoes. I wear high-waisted compression leggings or moisture-wicking , merino wool socks (ankle length for summer, regular length for the rest of the year), sports bra (worth spending money on a good one!), a tank or t-shirt, a light-coloured fleece jacket, buff around my hair/ears and gloves.

Fleece feels nice on your skin but does nothing for the wind, which is actually part of what I like about it, as I go faster the air comes through a bit so I'm not getting too hot. But as it gets colder I will add a wind-proof jacket over top, a pair of light joggers over the leggings, a proper winter hat and use the buff around my neck.

joamnabates profile image
joamnabates

A hat and gloves have been my first cold weather buys

Fauvemarin profile image
Fauvemarin

First, remember that you need to feel cool when you step out. If not, you well get hot to soon and sweat and chill.

Second, NO COTTON!!!!!!!!! You need to wear synthetic, wicking fabrics, especially on your top.

Then, think about climate zones that dictate your clothing. Warm (65+), Cool (32-65), and Cold (less than 32). In Warm, a short sleeve top and shorts will be fine. In cool, go to long sleeve top (and perhaps a vest) and tights. Below 32, you will need a long sleeve top, long sleeve jacket, and heavy tights/pants. If it is windy, you will need q windbreaker in both Cool and Cold zones. Also, a light cap and gloves will be useful in cool and required in cold. As a guideline, your upper body and hat need the most protection, but your legs need the most warm up (and will generate the most heat).

Try to schedule your run so you are going into the wind on the way out, and have it at your back on the way back.

Finally, try not to overheat!!!!!

Check out the SportHill website sporthill.com/) for clothes; they make gear for all three seasons. If have wearing their gear for 15 years and it never fails me. Their Cold weather gear is especially good.

The norm is to layer up and dress as if it is 10 - 20 degrees warmer as you soon warm up when running..

Normally I.ll add a base layer top. Long sleeve top. Running tights under shorts

I have light weight running gloves and a beanie hat if it gets really cold but they usually come off after 5 mins

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