Don’t let the cold keep you inside. Running in even extremely cold temps is safe - with a few precautions. Knowing your route, running with others, and sticking to daylight hours are a few simple steps. Beyond that, what you wear can make a big difference in safety and comfort:
- Layers will save your winter running!
- Start with a technical base layer (such as Wazzie Wool or Lux)
- Wear a lightweight jacket or shell over the base layer
- In dry cold, an insulated option is ideal (such as the Flyout® Insulated Jacket)
- In wet cold, we recommend the Vim Jacket for wind proofing and water repellency
- Earbands keep ears from getting frostbite (such as Lux, or the Plya Reflective Ear Band)
- Wool headwear is excellent for extreme cold, and a wool gaiter can protect your neck OR head
- Hand wear is extremely important: for 40-50 degrees, we recommend something light, like the Lux Gloves; for 30-40 degrees Polartec® PowerStretch is plush and warm; or for lower temps, insulated mittens like the Super Puff Mittens, made with Polartec Alpha™ insulation.
- Your legs don’t need as much insulation as your core, however, it’s important to have the right thickness, as well as tall socks to cover the gap between top of shoe and bottom of tights. (See Flyout Tights for our warmest designs).
As your temperature increases through the run, it should be easy to un-layer and re-layer as necessary. The Vim Jacket, for example, has a self-stow pouch and an elastic band, making it easy to stow and carry around a wrist or arm. Gloves and beanies can be stashed in pockets or waistbands as you warm up, and then put on again when needed.
It’s common, especially during long runs, to start cold, get warm, and then get cool again as the body continues to regulate its temperature. Having lightweight options that can be put on, and taken off, is the key to comfort. Other than, run all the miles all season long!