Winter Running 101

I got a few inquiries about how to get into Winter walking. Here I share my checklist which is handy for running. But I guess it will apply to other winter outdoors too with minor changes.

Few things to remember with Winter Running/Walking

1. Oft repeated phrase: There is no bad weather, just bad clothes. Very true. Any temp is fine. Just make sure roads are fine. Not icy or black ice.
2. Cotton is sin. No garment on your body should be Cotton. It soaks up the sweat, stays wet & chills your skin.
3. Once back home, get out of every SINGLE garment and get into hot shower. All kids & chores can wait. If not there will be chill & shivers that sometimes stays for the entire day; and worst case frostbite.
4. Remember that the run/walk times will be slower or different from your other weather performances. More caution will go into checking the road for black-ice, slushy snow or plain ice; and then zig-zag ahead via alternate path. 

CLOTHING:

Here is the list for running in sub 30F weather. These are my personal recommendations and I am not affiliate and do not stand to get paid for promotion.

Tech shirts - Layering tech shirts is very useful. In sub-30F, 2-3 shirts and in sub-10F, 3-4 shirts will be needed. What is different about tech shirts, is that they are made of synthetic material and designed to wick the sweat away from your skin. If the cloth touching you skin is wet, pretty soon it will freeze up and frostbite that area of your body. On those lines, cotton is sin in cold weather running. Because cotton absorbs the moisture and keeps it there. So always look for "wick dry". 

Wind-sheeter jacket - to stop wind from entering inside and cooling your core.

Baselayer: Thermal clothing. Target brand and also other brands like Craft & Mizuno.

 

Compression tights - those pants are a blessing to run outside in temps below 60F.

Wool Socks - or ski socks if you like. Here are some from Target brand. Your toes will thank you later.

 

Gloves - if you are looking for lightweight ones there are many options. Most of them allow you to use your touchscreen phones without removing the glove.

Underwear - should absolutely not be cotton. Never. Link to C9 products in Amazon.

Neck gaiter - protects neck from cold wind. Also from breathing in that freezing air.

Cap - Any comfortable one 

Headbands - are useful and best when they shield ears from the burning freeze.

 

Chapstick or lipbalm

Face cream for drying skin.

Links:

1. This video is the best resource I could find about the right clothing for cold weather running or snow running: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eC5toC0vms
2. 22 Genius Running Hacks For When It’s Cold AF Outside: https://www.buzzfeed.com/shannonrosenberg/winter-is-coming