advice on winter clothing: morning all, was... - Couch to 5K

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advice on winter clothing

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate
32 Replies

morning all,

was wondering if anyone had any advice / recommendations on what a guy could wear during the winter for running outdoors?

this will be my first winter period I have ran ever so unsure what to wear that will keep me warm but not boiling / suffocating.

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J4rra profile image
J4rra
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32 Replies
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate

🍏 Excellent question which was well answered by  Oldfloss in this post!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5......

Maybe some of you guys out there may like to add some advice..  AlMorr drl212

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply toAnnieapple

Thanks Annieapple regarding what I wear for winter running, first of all I check what the temperature is, depending how cold the weather I'll wear several light jumpers, NOT one thick jumper, I like to wear shorts but if it's really cold then I will wear light joggers, these jumpers are long sleeved but I sometimes pull the sleeves up if I start to get warm, the coldest temperature I have ran was - 6C/21F at a parkrun in 2019, that day I did wear one light and one thicker jumper and slightly warmer jogging trousers, I always in cold weather wear a warm bonnet on my head, I have several including one which also covers my ears when running or walking.

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply toAlMorr

🍏Thanks AlMorr

moopo profile image
moopo

I started in February. then and today my problem is over heating not cold. However the first 5 minutes or so I can imagine the shock of an icy outdoors and then running might be a bit much. I start off walking in long sleeves which I slip off when I get going and I now have special hat and buff in preparation of cold waether.

Shoes as per the linked thread, are my concern. It's been mostly dry but I sometime have to hop over or skirt around puddles, I expect they'll spread and can imagine my trail getting quite wet and more muddy as winter marches on.

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply tomoopo

🍏Thanks   moopo

yes stuffed trainers with newspaper to dry out or a second pair … some waterproof ones around now too I believe.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply tomoopo

No running shoes are truly waterproof.

You need appropriate socks, possibly layered. Synthetic close to the skin and either wool or synthetic outer.

Wool mix socks tend to not last as long as synthetics.

Don't even think of any socks containing cotton. They get very cold when wet.

With appropriate socks your feet will stay warmer even when wet due to the wetsuit effect.

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply tonowster

🍏Totally agree about the socks!

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate

I wear a long sleeved t-shirt, and a sleeveless fleece with hoody on top. I also have a hooded long-sleeved T that I can wear with a sleeveless fleece.

I do have two different fleeces, one thicker one thinner.

I do have thin and thick gloves, scarf, woolly hat if necessary. I have a few leggings of different thickness, so can adjust according to temperature. But I don’t have lined leggings or a running jacket. I’d rather get wet than too hot.

I don’t need anything else and this serves me for 70% of the year.

However, I live in Cheshire, where the climate is relatively temperate.

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate in reply toCBDB

I think my biggest concern is not having to spend an absolute fortune on a lot of new stuff for winter, I tend to sweat quite a lot especially when running so will need at least 2-3 sets of everything so that I always have enough for the week

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply toJ4rra

🍏 Good idea  J4rra thanks for responding & raising the question

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate in reply toAnnieapple

I probably should have mentioned the concern on the main question 😂

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply toJ4rra

🍏😊 It helps others who want to know but don’t have time to engage. We appreciate interaction from the community that is encouraging to others. Tx

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate in reply toJ4rra

Yes, I think my tops are old tops, not ones bought for running or designed for running.

Leggings are another matter, as I can’t resist a colourful, side pocket leggings on sale. 😂😂

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply toCBDB

🍏Tx CBDB

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministratorGraduate in reply toAnnieapple

In winter when it's chilly I find M&S thermal long sleeved t shirts are great for running, very comfortable and don't get sweaty. Obviously with layers on top depending on how cold :)

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply toYesletsgo

🍏Now there’s an idea! 💡 xx

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

Are you in the UK or Ireland? The answers will be a little different based on where you are.

The reason for me asking is that the cold in the British Isles is a damp cold unless the weather has been below freezing for a few days. Most of the advice out there is for the dry cold that they routinely get in North America.

For me, shorts down to about 6°C but thicker long sleeved tops appear when it's below 12°C.

Layers are the key: a clingy base layer next to the skin to wick sweat away and an outer layer for insulation. The outer layer gets thicker the colder it is, becoming two layers when it's really cold.

Gloves help too, as does a hat.

Running leggings are a mixed benefit for guys. If you have hairy legs you might find wearing them colder than not wearing them. However, they can be of benefit when it's wet.

When it's really cold, running trousers are a good idea.

And don't forget about socks. You can layer them up too if necessary.

Because of the damp cold in the UK/Ireland you might need to layer up at higher temperatures than in countries with dry cold.

The trick is to feel just a slight chill when you step out the door but OK when you've warmed up. That means you'll be sweating when kitting up indoors but chilly when you initially get outdoors.

Another factor is acclimatisation. You'll feel colder at the same temperature in Autumn than you will in Spring.

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate in reply tonowster

I'm in NE England so it does get a bit windy and cold at times.

I mentioned in another reply but my biggest concern mostly is that I typically sweat a lot while running, so it may be a case of me having to purchase 2-3 base layers and putting something on top to keep me warm which obviously breaks the bank.

I might try to get some long sleeve tops and see how I get on with that

moopo profile image
moopo in reply toJ4rra

I'm hotter rather than cold when I run too but winter's coming so lets see but I was perfectly happy in shorts and Ts in February when I started. I have a few pairs of Ts on rotation but as I wear a lot of Tshirts there's no shortage of them. I can't afford special runners kit. No wickable under layers, nor special socks - just the next pair out the drawer. As I said I've got a hat and scarf ready and tried a long sleeved pullover from the wardrobe.

Perhaps I should make a Christmas list of what comes out of this thread.

But I'm happy to get out and have never really been that bothered by cold wet weather.

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply tomoopo

"I can't afford special runners kit."

As per my reply elsewhere, I rate Lidl and Decathlon. Wear it, wash it, wear it, wash it, and so on, year after year.

Not sure of UK prices, as I'm in France, but I got two pairs of Lidl running socks this week for €2.49. My most recent running tee-shirt came from Lidl's bargain bin, €1,99 reduce from something like €5,99.

If I want brand names - I really like Nike trail shorts, for example - I buy on Vinted. I'm fortunate that if I chose to, I could afford to pay full retail price for running clothes, but I'd rather spend my money in other ways!

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate in reply toCmoi

I wouldn't strictly say I can't afford it, I just want to ensure I am making the best choice for what money I have budgeted for it, thanks for the advice and suggestions, I will check decathlon, sports direct and lidl

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply toJ4rra

Hey, it's absolutely none of my business what you or anyone else can or can't afford  J4rra and I entirely agree about getting value for money. I was simply trying to be mindful of what  moopo said about affordability.

Context: a few years ago I recommended Lidl on here and someone thought fit to have a go at me for it, lecturing me on how they'd been brought up to buy quality because it would last.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toJ4rra

I can recommend Decathlon's stuff if you have one of their superstores near you. Their kit is well made and (if you register) they'll replace without question anything that wears out or breaks within a year of it being purchased.

I still regularly wear some tops I bought three years ago. The colour has faded from many washings but there's several years' wear still left in them.

Beware! You will spend more than you intended.

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate in reply tonowster

Yeh I am using decathalon stuff at the moment and found it has served me really well.

I'm going to get a few bits and pieces from there and sports direct to get me covered for winter, I have been given some really good ideas of what to get.

I just wanted to make sure I made the right choices instead of wasting money buying things that I wouldn't end up using that much

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply tonowster

🍏Thanks for raising some interesting points. So true I have run in Canada -16 and felt colder here in the NE

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate

64 year old female here. The cold where I live in mid-mountain France tends to be dry, and as I detest getting overheated I'd happily do all my running in single figure temperatures, positive or negative. A non-running friend tells me to wrap up warm and it's absolutely the last thing I want to do! nowster has given excellent advice - layers are the way to go.

You don't have to spend a fortune. I find Lidl do very good running clothes in "technical" wicking fabric, and can also recommend Decathlon.

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministratorGraduate in reply toCmoi

I second the kit from Decathlon, haven't bought any from Lidl but I'm sure it works if Cmoi says so :)

It isn't necessary to spend a fortune on gear, with the big brands you are definitely paying for the name. I've got Decathlon running gear I've had for years, still in good shape, still comfortable, still does the job it's built for whether that's keeping me warm or cold.

Paying a little bit more for a fabric that keeps you warm (or in summer cool) and dry is a great investment, and at Decathlon (Sports Direct too to a certain extent) you won't be paying much more than 'ordinary' clothes. You're more likely to keep running if you're comfortable.

By the way J4rra , if you go running when it's cold and get really sweaty it's a good idea to strip off your sweaty clothes as soon as you can (obviously once you're home ;) ) otherwise you can get too cold and that isn't good for you.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toYesletsgo

Agreed on the sweaty clothes in the cold. I've made the mistake of doing a run of a set distance and then having 25 minutes of walking back home afterwards.

The body will continue to be warm for about 10-15 minutes after activities like running but will cool down rapidly afterwards. I got a bit chilled during the second half of that walk home.

Nowadays, with experience and a lot more kilometres under my legs, I'd continue running just to keep myself warm.

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply toYesletsgo

When it's below freezing my Lidl softshell leggings are my favourite, despite minimal pockets. Bought maybe 3 years ago for something like €10.99. I like their tops and socks too - two pairs for €2,49 this week.

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate in reply toYesletsgo

Thanks, yeh most of my gear is from decathlon and sports direct currently, I may have to go back and get some long sleeved stuff and maybe try 2 thin layers when it gets really cold.

Not sure I am comfortable with the idea of wearing leggings but I might get 1 pair and put shorts over and see how I do 😂😂😂

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply toCmoi

🍏👌🥰

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate

thanks everyone for the suggestions and advice, think I have enough now to make some purchases to get me through the winter 💪

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