I am new to running and here in Canada, temperatures are falling. I would appreciate some insights into how to properly dress… any insights or links to proper clothing would be greatly appreciated…cheers.
-windproof underwear is amazing stuff.
-go for mittens over gloves.
-dress in layers
I just got running snowshoes so I cant wait to try them out here in Minnesota once we get snow.
can you explain what you mean by layers, what they should be and made of…thanks.
Try to find a jacket with lots of zippers, as you get going you may start to find yourself overheating with the layers you’ll be wearing, so opening up a few zips can help you stay comfortable.
At this time of year a generally wear a long sleeve compression shirt, a regular t shirt, and a light running jacket up top with running tights. As it cools down I may wear an extra shirt or thicker jacket.
Someone gave me some merino blend long underwear last year - freaking awesome base layer. Windproof cap (windtech). Head brand felt gloves - breatheable but warm. Neck gaiter from rei. Long-sleeve shirt, sweater if it’s really cold. Leg tights, if necessary. I’ll wear some loose shorts for wind protection 
Wool socks … If it gets cold enough, you could look for neoprene socks - they do exist.
the De Soto polypro top works very well; it has a hood as well. For minus 20 I’d wear a wicking shirt, the polypro top, and then a running jacket, 2 pair of tights and running pants (the Running Room).
Try and enjoy it eh!
Ran 18 this morning here in Florida. It was 78 with no humidity. Shoes and shorts and out the door.
Experienced Canadian winter runner here. Here are my essential pieces of gear:
A fitted synthetic base layer, preferably with a hood and thumb holes, like this one from MEC:
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A tube/multi scarf. You can pull this up to cover your entire face on the coldest days. The material is permeable enough to breathe through. It can also double as a toque. You can order one for a few bucks on eBay.
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Synthetic undies, preferably windproof: There’s only one thing more painful than thawing your fingers after a cold run… trust me.Synthetic long-sleeve shirts: Lots. Pile them on.Arm warmers: If you suffer from cold hands, this will help a lot. Also great if you have long arms that always leave your wrists exposed.Tights: Skip the expensive multi-panel/compression ones. Basic ones do the trick. Layer two pairs when it’s really cold.A good collection of gloves/mitts: This is where to spend some money IMO. Multiple pairs are nice since they can take more than a day to fully dry out between runs. Wear gloves under mitts on the coldest days.ToqueWindbreaker: Only necessary on windy days. An assortment of long-sleeves usually suffices.Warm wool/synthetic socks: It helps to have a roomier pair of shoes that accommodate thicker socks. Avoid squashing your metatarsals since this can trigger injuries.1/4" hex head/sheet metal screws: Screw ~4 into the toe area and a couple into the heal of your shoes. I keep one pair with screws at the ready for icy days. I find this approach is superior to products like Yaktrax which can interfere with your gait/footstrike. Plus, it’s a fraction of the cost. One caveat is that the soles of most minimal shoes are too thin/flexible causing pressure point above the screws. Saucony Kinvaras barely worked.
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Have fun!
Awesome post! Just moved from the Gulf coast of Mexico to the Rocky Mountains. This cold stuff is confusing!
I try to make sure I have plenty of layering on my legs to help with injury prevention. I wear 2XU compression tights and Asics tapered leg running bottoms. And be sure to warm up really well. At the beginning of last winter I went for a quick run without a proper warm up and ended up with patellar tendonitis for the next 6 months. My injury was probably due to more than just lack of a warm up, but it’s still important to be cautious when running in the cold.
Quebecer here,
Go get yourself some waterproof shoes if possible I myself have some salomon speedcross3 they are awesome but almost overkill right now with the little snow. But they did well on both ice and snow last winter.
If you use more typical running shoes you may find use in getting a set of yaktrax (look it up) I used it on normal shoes in the snow (My girlfriend uses that) and it grips REALLY well too and it’s really convenient.
For layers, what works well for me first layer: Merino wool long sleeve base layer, this thing will take the sweat away from me, I often use one old or too large bike jersey over it and a windbreaker, mine is really cheap but it’s waterproof AND blocks wind. It works well enough! I may use some more layers if I decide it’s too cold, there’s no rules really.
also I should get Wind/waterproof tights myself but what I use right now is one main tights that uses as a layer to wick sweat away and make a second air protection, over it, another pair of tights, these one are olders and a bit stretched up but they are warmer so I’m well, if there’s a need I may put some jogging pants over it just to add another wind protection.
For my face, I use a classique cap, nothing crazy, a neck gaiter that I can easily raise over my nose and ears if I need to. And some sunglasses. At first you would think yeah, for the light of day. But really, no. I even wear some at night with a light yellow tint (cause that’s what they had that could also do day/night protection) and their goal is to protect against wind or evil snowflakes in your eyes. However, if you breath through the neck gaiter or if you stop, they may fog up so you have to consider that.
So yeah, that’s about it! Gloves, use what works best for you, I think mittens would do better but I prefer gloves for esthetics
Like others have said, laying is key and keep the materials synthetic and wicking.
Bottom: I generally wear regular old tri shorts with some thermal tights over top…35-49 degrees. If it is colder or windy, I’ll put on a pair of shorts over top just for one more “core” layer, have gone down to low teens in this.
Top: Tight sleeveless or short sleeve wicking top, not compression, but tight fitting, then an Under Armor Cold Gear fitted top…35-49. Under 35 I’ll throw on a soft type running jacket that is at least a half zip but high collar, down to low teens in snow with this. 3 layers does wonders, especially if fitted top really seals at the neck or main top has a high collar, really holds in heat…so much so in fact I like the option to unzip a bit if doing intervals or a really hard run.
Hands: Gloves are good but you can’t beat mittens, I have some mittens that the mitten portion can be pulled back and you have bare fingers. Good again if you get too warm, or want to use a phone/ipod.
Cap: I have used wool or synthetic, both work awesome but synthetic can be a bit thinner. Doesn’t really matter much to me, just make sure it covers ears.
Feet: I use double layer Wrightsocks and love them. They are still pretty thin, but have no issues with warmth. Also use them for cycling when it gets cold.
I also like to wear sunglasses to keep the cold air/wind/snow from stinging my eyes.
Craft makes some of the BEST cold weather running clothes. It’s expensive, but their base layers are amazing. I have found that with their base layers, I don’t need any sort of jacket until 20 F or lower. The tights have articulated knees which reduces the bunching around the knees one tights exhibit. Good luck and have fun!
My hometown is an hour south of Ottawa and I would run 30-50 miles a week outside in the winter with temps anywhere from -15F and up.
- Wear mittens instead of gloves.
- make sure your ankles are covered (no low socks)
- grow a beard if you can
- a wind breaker vest is useful
- limit running in the dark as there are icy patches.
This is me bowing down to your superior core factor.
There is no way this California boy is putting screws in my running shoes so I can run on ice.
BAMF, you are.
can you explain what you mean by layers, what they should be and made of…thanks
Go to Marks Work Warehouse and stock up on DryFit underwear. They are awesome as base layers of varying thicknesses and lengths. I have the whole collection, from sleeveless, to T’s, to long sleeve thin, to long sleeve thick, to thin long underwear to thick long underwear and the price is right! For winter outdoor activity I use a thin, tight fitting long sleeve DryFit top, then depending on the temperature, another thicker layer of DryFit then a jacket made for running. You can sweat like a pig and feel relatively dry because it’s wicking and one-way fabric. You definitely want to be dry at the skin, or you will actually freeze your ass off.
I have the DryFit long undies, thin and thick versions. I use them skiing. It’s the same principle, in that you want to get the moisture away from your skin.
I use skiing socks, not much thicker than summer socks, but invest in a good pair of trail shoes to fit the added thickness.
I’ll reiterate in saying Marks Work Warehouse is an overlooked gem of active outdoor wear here in Canada, well worth dropping in for this sort of thing.
Dave
definitely a windproof outter layer, skip the windproof baselayers, the wind will cut through the outer layers and suck the warmth out.
the biggest secret is mittens. you can keep a gel in them and it will keep it from freezing. also when you start to overheat the first thing you should remove is your mittens. its amazing what a difference it will make. if youre still too warm after that then unzip pockets or the main zipper on your coat.
Last winter I had the most success in windy -20 celcius with:
-wicking long sleeve shirt
-fleece half-zip
-thin wind resistant jacket
-wind resistant running pants
-mittens
-toque
-hiking socks
-Yak-trax if icy
All in, I probably spent a little more than $100 for the gear listed. No need to break the bank.
This year, as recommended above, I am rocking a bush-man style beard. My wife is not thrilled with piece of “running gear” (it does tend to collect frozen snot/spit, and the odd crumb) but the results have been positive so far.
My best advice is to give up running in the Canadian winter and buy yourself some x-country skis. Its faster, a better full body work out and way more fun than slip/sliding on the ice or chugging your way through the snow on a run. Just go to a x-country ski supply store and ask them about apparel. What the serious x-country ski people wear will suit your winter running perfectly.
My best advice is to give up running in the Canadian winter and buy yourself some x-country skis. Its faster, a better full body work out and way more fun than slip/sliding on the ice or chugging your way through the snow on a run. Just go to a x-country ski supply store and ask them about apparel. What the serious x-country ski people wear will suit your winter running perfectly.
What are you? A biathlete!?