Head-to-Toe Recommendations for Winter Running Clothes

Head and Neck

Your head is the place from which you lose the most heat on a cold day. For this reason, your headgear is very important. You also want to guard your skin from frostbite, chapping, and chafing. Here are my recommendations:

1. Hat: This is good for any cool weather. You can stick it in the waistline of your shorts if you get warm enough to take it off. I suggest a wool "sock" hat or some other hat made out of wicking material. You can find these all over: discount stores, department stores, running stores, hunting stores, even Army/Navy surplus stores
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2. Balaclava: A balaclava is a knit hat that covers the head, ears, neck, and part of the face (usually everything but the eyes. If it is very cold out, particularly near or below freezing, a balaclava is an important addition to your running.
   Again, look for a balaclava made of wool or another wicking material
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3. Vaseline: This may seem like a strange addition to the list, but Vaseline (or other Vaseline-like products) are really helpful. In freezing weather, for example, Vaseline around your eyes will keep your eyelashes/eyelids from freezing shut. Also, it can be used to keep your lips or nose from getting chapped by the wind.

Upper Body

Keeping your upper body warm is easier than you think. You need 4 primary pieces.

1. Wicking Base Layer: The layer closest to your body should be made from an appropriate wicking material, such as Thermion, Thinsulate, Thermax, Coolmax, polypropolene, and silk. This will keep your sweat off your body.
2. Insulating Layer: Your middle layer, which is needed for very cold weather, should be an insulating material, such as fleece, wool, or down. This layer creates a bubble of warm air around us.
3. Wind - & Water-proof Outer Layer: This layer is important, especially in snow, rain, or windy weather, which many of us fight during the winter.
4. Gloves/Mittens: Gloves are great for most weather, but in the coldest weather, mittens are best.

Legs

A runner's legs do not need as many layers as the rest of their body because our legs warm up so quickly. Many runners can wear a layer of tights or even just shorts throughout winter. However, in very cold climates, consider these two layers:

1. A wicking layer of underwear: Thermal underwear or running tights made of Thermion, Thinsulate, Thermax, Coolmax, polypropolene, and/or silk is a great wicking layer. Men need to be especially careful in freezing weather to keep this layer warm. As strange as it may seem, stuffing a wool sock down the front of your thermals can be a man's best friend. In cool weather, this layer can be worn alone (in the form of running tights).
2. Wind- & Water-proof layer: A good track pant can work as a wind- and water-proof layer.
   Pants for camping or snowboarding may also work.

The most important parts of a cold weather running ensemble are the right socks and shoes. There are many socks for running or hiking that can keep your feet warm and dry. Look for wool socks for extra warmth, particularly SmartWool, and/or materials like CoolMax and Thorlo for wicking. Trying to keep your running shoes dry can be tough, so if you plan to run in snow or other wet conditions this winter, you may want to invest in some trail running shoes. Most of trail running shoes are somewhat water-proof, as well as having a deeper tread than normal running shoes, making them perfect for running in the snow.