A Guide To Dressing For Three Different Winter Temperatures

Sometimes it can be more difficult picking just the right running outfit for the temperature than it is packing outfits for an entire week’s vacation! Use this guide to help you be better dressed and more comfortable for the three winter temperatures: ridiculously cold, just cold and hot.

As a general rule of thumb, you want to dress as if it’s 10 degrees warmer outside. Naturally, your body temperature will rise with your heart rate and mileage and you definitely don’t want to overheat.

If the weather is…RIDICULOUSLY COLD

This is any temperature under 30 degrees with or without major windchill involved. It’s typically safe to go outside for a run as long as it’s above 10 degrees but, obviously trust your judgment and dress accordingly.

• Balaclava (Trailheads has good options for this, especially ones with ponytail holes)
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Long sleeve
• Light jacket
• Mittens
• Lined tights
• Wool socks
• Duct tape

You probably want to put a hat over your balaclava and sunglasses to cut down on glare and wind. Next, add your long sleeve and then a thin jacket.

This temperature calls for mittens, however if you prefer gloves, you can have it both ways.

Finally, wear lined tights and wool socks. If you have yet to try wool socks, you have not lived!

Tip: Duct tape over the tops of your running shoes keeps the heat in and hand warmers are a great addition to your mittens until your digits warm up.

If the weather is…JUST COLD

This is when the temps are between 30 and 45 degrees. When it hits 50, you can bust out the shorts.

• Headband (to cover your ears)—check our Dr. Cool Studio!
• Long sleeve top, like the offerings at Oiselle
• Convertible mittens or gloves, like what Saucony or Brooks offers
• Capri tights—Athleta has an option with a built-in skirt on top!

If the weather is…HOT

Anything above 50 gets hot out there. Trust me. A good tip for running outside is when you first step out your door you should feel cold, if you don’t, you’re probably overdressed.

• Shorts
• Sports bra
• Tank top

Anything above 50 gets hot out there. Trust me. A good tip for running outside is when you first step out your door you should feel cold, if you don’t, you’re probably overdressed.

Any shorts, sports bra and tank will do, but I love a few in particular: Saucony bullet short for their deep, stay put pockets and extra length; Adidas sports bra with built-in HR monitor snaps (you read that right!); and ZootSports Chill Out singlet, which has something in it that cools you as you heat up on the run. 

Now that you know how to dress, you will be unstoppable in any weather.