Do I wear a dry fit running shirt under my sweatshirt when I run in cold weather? Part of me says having the swetashirt on top defeats the whole purpose of the running shirt. Is there something better than a sweatshirt I could be wearing?
i just use a thermo shirt from Concurve and a wind jacket. The thermo shirt keeps you warm at -10 degrees!
Well, if you want to really do it up right buy a Gore N2S running top. Gore N2S is a one-layer-does-everything fabric that is worn next to your skin (hence the name- N2S). It incorporates a highly effective wicking layer, a thin insulative layer and a windproof/water resistant outer layer laminated into one fabric.
Basically, you put on one thing and go out the door. I don’t sell any Gore N2S gaments, but I own two now and I can tell you they are absolutely amazing. I’ve run in 19 degree fahrenheit weather and been comfortable- with one layer! I ran last night in light rain and 33 degrees fahrenheit and I was comfortable.
Mountain Hardwear and GoLite both make run-specific garments out of Gore N2S fabric. I own both and they both work great.
Good luck!
I wear a Craft long-sleeved baselayer and a polypro Hind top in temps down to the single digits. Oh and a pair of tights and Gortex gloves.
What temps are you running in? I don’t run in temps under 35F, so I just were tights, running shorts (for modesty), a cycling undershirt, a tshirt and my cycling arm warms and gloves. Sometimes something over my ears if it is really cold. The arm warmers usually get pulled off midway through my run.
For 10 to 25 degrees without much wind, I have been running in this: asics wind briefs, capilene long johns and sporthill running pants; lightly insulated socks; capilene top, light fleece top; ancient Bill Rogers running jacket; stretchy X-C ski gloves and a wool hat. A balaklava helps if it is much colder. I still sweat some.
The next few days its supposed to be between zero and minus 30 from Idaho east to Michigan with wind to make it even colder, so I guess it’s treadmill time for some of us. Me, I draw the line at zero. Frostbite’s no fun.
I live in arctic Wisconsin. I absolutely adore my Adidas Erickson long sleeve top (see below). I wear it with a coolmax t shirt in weather below 45-50 if it is not too windy - or with a Brooks Airlite vest if it is windy. I have a wind jacket to wear on top for weather below 15 or so. This thing is so versatile and comfortable. By “sweatshirt”, do you mean a Champion or the like? I have not run in those since high school.
Do I wear a dry fit running shirt under my sweatshirt when I run in cold weather? Is there something better than a sweatshirt I could be wearing?
Yes. If you’re going to wear a sweatshirt, you should wear a base layer of some kind under it. Otherwise the sweatshirt will keep the moisture next to your skin and cool you off. Drifit is a decent option if you already have a drifit shirt; if you’re buying something new take a look at Craft’s baselayer products and at Runderwear from Brooks.
If you want a better option than a sweatshirt, look for midweight winter products from brands like Hind (drylete), Sugoi (Midzero), Craft, Brooks, etc. You’ll feel an immediate difference from your sweatshirt: they’re lighter, they insulate even when wet, they don’t get soaked with sweat. They also cost $60-$75 instead of $15-$25.
If it’s windy, rainy, or snowing, put on a shell jacket. Every major sporting goods brand makes a shell jacket in the $70-$90 range. Don’t bother looking for “waterproof” tops with Gore-tex; you’ll pay a lot more and will probably be less happy, at least for running. I have not found a single waterproof top that breathes well enough for running. Cycling, yes. Running, no. Water resistant / wind resistant shells are fine for almost everyone who runs in the winter.
Lee Silverman
JackRabbit Sports
Park Slope, Brooklyn
My Craft Pro Race Wind Jacket just arrived and I can’t wait to take it out for a ride and a run - since it’ll do double duty.
Normally I just throw on a Sock Guy undershirt or sleeveless jersey and then my Sugoi fuzzy lined cycling jacket or jersey. That combo has kept me happy down to the low 20s. We’ll see when it gets colder though.
I’m cheap. I use my cycling jacket for running in the cold. I will wear a dri-fit shirt under it.
jaretj
I guess I should’ve been more specific. I am running in 10-30 degree weather right now in Wisconsin. I typically wear a t-shirt, a dryfit shirt, then a sweatshirt, like a nike or champion. Then I wear the nike/adidas pants and a hat (long underwear if it is cold). I guess I need a running jacket that everyone has suggested. What are the fabrics I am looking for? I live no where near a running store, so I either have to come across things at Kohls or Dunhams, or order them off the internet.
A cheap nylon windshell will do the trick, usually. The lighter the better. It cuts the wind, but breathes a bit. There’s decent stuff at Target. Goretex is great, but really only helps in rain or wet snow. And if it really pours, you’ll get wet regardless. -TB
Stay away from cotton.Try to go as hi tech as you can.
I like the new Body Armour long sleeve tight fit wicks.They won’t chap your skin,especially if you’re out for more than 2 hours.
I live in New England…where we run up to 5 F outside.
I was out yesterday w/ just the Body Armour shirt and my Adidas jacket like in the illustrated previous post, and its a great
balance of comfort and dryness,and I run between 9 to 14 miles a day for base training .
As a sidenote…I went to WalMart the other day and noticed that they now sell tight and loose fit wick clothing.I bought a longsleeve tight fit for 9.99…have used it a few times…and its every bit as good as the Body Armour and my New Balance ones that are big bucks.