How to Dress for Winter Running
Whether you’re fending off the snow and blustery winds of the Nordics or just the shorter days back home, don’t let Mother Nature slow you down.
Running on soft, silent snow can be wonderful—keeping you cool while allowing for a stress-free, steady pace that helps you build mileage for spring and summer. To fully enjoy winter running though, it’s crucial to dress appropriately. While our general running guide still applies, there are specific considerations to keep in mind during the colder months.
Don't dress too warm.
Dress to optimize comfort during the second half of the workout. Ideally you should freeze a little in the beginning, even if its unpleasant. After a minutes of running you should feel warm again.
Jackets and Vests
To protect against cold temperatures and wind, start with a windproof jacket over your baselayer or a vest with thin padding at the front and breathable fabric at the back. This provides insulation where needed most and keeps you cool and ventilated on your arms and back, helping maintain the optimal working temperature. A warm, ventilated long-sleeve is also ideal for high-intensity runs in the cold.
- Men's
- Women's
Bottoms
For the legs, a good pair of warm tights works well when temperature drops. A pair of padded shorts to wear over your regular tights gives extra insulation in the areas most sensitive to cold while maintaining great freedom of movement as well as ventilation at the lower legs.
- Men's
- Women's
Accessories
As weather and intensity change, it’s important to easily adjust your body temperature. Hats and gloves in different thicknesses, a vest, and a jersey with thumb holes are great garments and accessories for this. A neck tube is versatile—pull it up to cover your face and ears when it’s cold, lower it to protect your throat, or store it in a pocket if you get too warm.
Layers
A versatile baselayer is ideal for winter running as it helps keep you warm and dry. In colder conditions, wearing multiple, slightly thinner layers is better—this creates insulating layers of air that provide more warmth than one thick garment. Plus, if it gets too warm, you can easily remove a layer.
- Men's
- Women's
Running Shoes
Snow, ice and slush are common conditions for cold weather running. Running shoes that offer durability, stability, and the right traction to keep your stride smooth in the coldest and wettest months of the year.
- Men's
- Women's
