Seven Essential Winter Running Gear

During the winter months, the number of hours of daylight drops, temperatures dip and a runner’s motivation understandably wanes. The fact is that it can be quite hard to drag yourself out of bed and into the dark, cold morning and go for a run.

However, if you have the right attitude and gear like a good jacket, some high-quality wireless earbuds and some warm layers of clothing, winter runs don’t have to be such a drag.

That said, here are seven essential pieces of winter running gear to help you keep your momentum through the colder months.

1. A Fleece Pullover

Part of what will help get you out into the cold winter morning is knowing that you won’t be that cold. Therefore, picking up a nice fleece pullover is going to be instrumental in helping you maintain your running schedule during the winter.

Fortunately, there are tons of brands that produce high-quality fleece jackets, such as:

• REI
• Patagonia
• Arc’teryx
• The North Face
• Columbia

Additionally, the brands listed above carry fleece jackets at a variety of price points, meaning you are likely to find one that fits your budget perfectly.

2. Wool Socks

The uppers on most running shoes tend to be made of thin, breathable materials, which means that finding a warm pair of socks is going to be critical to comfortably running in the cold.

The fact is that wool socks will help to keep your feet much warmer than whatever you use during the summertime. Thankfully, much like with fleece jackets. There are a variety of winter running socks that will help to keep your feet cozy on cold morning runs.

3. A Heart Rate Monitor

Since running out in the cold isn’t the most pleasant thing in the world for many folks, making the most out of your session is going to be critical to maintaining your motivation.

Therefore, you will want to monitor your heart rate so that you can train with heart rate intervals to optimize your run. This means that a heart monitor is going to be your best friend for maximizing your winter runs so that you can get back indoors sooner.

That said, heart rate monitors that require a chest strap can be uncomfortable and inconvenient as many have a tendency to slide down during a run, thereby disincentivizing their use.

If this is a problem that you have encountered, it is advisable to purchase an armband heart rate monitor instead, as these are usually much more comfortable and just as effective.

4. A Beanie

While the idea that we lose most of our heat through our heads is actually false, it is nonetheless important to keep your head warm out in the cold as an uncovered head will reduce your body’s temperature.

Therefore, getting a warm beanie made of either wool or fleece is going to make your winter runs much more tolerable.

5. A Foam Roller

Okay, you caught us. This one isn’t really a piece of winter running gear, per se, but it is still a great piece of equipment for all runners to own.

Source: Miss Mia Mia/Shutterstock.com

The reality of the matter is that runners often end up with a variety of knots and tight spots in the body. Foam rollers are fantastic for helping to work those areas out, relieve tension and reduce soreness as they increase blood flow and circulation, thus speeding up your recovery.

6. A Good Pair of Gloves

Alongside a good jacket and socks, a quality pair of gloves is equally as imperative for enjoyable winter runs. Comfortable, cozy, durable gloves will help to keep your hands warm as they move through the cold winter air, thereby letting you stay outside longer.

However, when you select a pair of gloves, it is probably a wise idea to choose a pair that has conductive fabric on the tips of the thumbs and forefingers, thereby allowing you to use your phone without removing them.

7. Wireless Earbuds

When running out in the cold, the last thing you want is a pair of wired earbuds. The wire can end up rubbing against your skin or constantly tugging the buds out of your ears as the phone in your pocket or on your arm continues to pull the cord taut with the sway of your limbs.

Fortunately, solving these problems is quite simple as there are a number of ergonomic, high-quality wireless earbuds on the market that will allow your winter run to be a much more pleasant experience.

Gearing Up for a Winter Run

Some love running out in the cold, while others are not so keen on the idea. No matter which camp you fall into, the items listed above are sure to make your cold weather runs far more comfortable and enjoyable.

Pick these items up and get ready for your next run around the block!