What to Wear in the Winter

by Derrick Moy

6 Articles of Clothing You Need During the Winter - 847 Running Company

Winter is a beautiful and rewarding season to run through when you are prepared for the elements in Lake County. You'll enjoy less traffic on the paths you take and a calm aesthetic. If you can last through late winter, you will enjoy watching the slow arrival of spring. Ready to give it a go? These are the 6 articles of clothing you need for winter running that you can continue to use every winter:

HEAD COVERING

Hat, beanie, headband, tuke— You’ll want something to cover your ears, protecting them from unnecessary wind or precipitation. A hat can retain anywhere from 20 - 30% of your body heat! That's a great percentage for one accessory to cover. If you are new to winter running, we highly suggest a head covering.  Try on various styles and weights until you find one that works for you. Pay attention to the fabric makeup. Remember, the goal is to warm your noggin, protect your ears and wick sweat away from the head. Check out the Saucony Solstice Headband or the Saucony Rested Beanie (red or yellow) at 847 Running Company.

BOTTOMS

Spandex, tights, leggings, pants — will protect your skin from the cold, wind and dry air. They can be worn alone or layered on frigid days like so:
    • Tights - Wear them alone or under shorts if you prefer a modest approach. Compressive tights increase muscle efficiency as they are close to the skin and decrease wind resistance.
    • Joggers - These can be worn alone, over tights or shorts. Joggers are much easier to get off post-run than tights due to the looser fit and tapered ankle.  
    • Pants -  Running pants are typically tapered at the ankle (or zip up the calf), waterproof and windproof. Pair with tights, joggers or shorts for additional protection. Thermal running pants will weigh a little more yet offer thicker fabric for warmth.
Again, these are certainly not required. However, but if it rains or if the weather is below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, I recommend something to cover your legs as a seasoned Midwest runner. Here's a few options to shop at 847RC this season:

GLOVES

There are a multitude of different types of gloves, starting below 40 degrees is when I really start to rely on gloves. Here are a few glove suggestions starting with a 40 degrees and so on:

    • An example of something you can use in 40 degree weather are the Nathan HyperNight Glove, reflective but a little something to cover your hands from the wind down to 30 degrees.
    • 30 to 20 degrees you can use something like the Fortify Convertible Glove which gives you the ability to cover your fingers with the attached wind mitt which allows your hands additional warmth due to the waterproof/windproof component. 
    • For 20 and below you might want to start thinking about snowboarding or cross country skiing gloves; these typically allow space for hand warmers, but your mileage may vary. The convertible gloves may keep your hands plenty warm whereas wool mittens typically tickle my fancy during this type of weather. We are out of our heaviest gloves for this season. 

BASE LAYER

This is the layer that is closest to the skin. It is a very intentional layer that absorbs your sweat to wick away from the body and offers a layer of warmth close to the skin. I prefer merino wool or polyester/wool blend against the skin. These types of fabrics wick away moisture and keep you warm. You can have a cotton mid layer, yet because it retains moisture I do not suggest having it against your skin in the winter.

OUTER LAYER

In colder temperatures, below 20 degree Fahrenheit, you will most likely want a vest or jacket to go over your base and mid layer. A wind resistant and water resistant material like DWR (durable water repellent) is your best bet in these temps. If you do tend to be a heavy sweater, ensure your jacket of choice offers ventilation. You'll thank me later. If you're not sure, you can always ask an 847 Running Company staff member. Here are some suggestions they offer:

SOCKS

Your shoes are probably very breathable and the upper fabric may even showcase your socks underneath. On very cold runs, sub 30 degrees F, you’ll want some socks with the aforementioned materials in order to keep your digits toasty and prevent frostbite. Try and make sure they’re not too thick as it may cause some issues with fit. Wool socks are a great material to provide maximum cushion and warmth without the bulk. 

VISIBILITY

During the winter months we get less daylight, which means depending on when you run outside it might be dark. Wearing a light up vest or ensuring any of the above clothing be reflective so that vehicles can see you. I’d also recommend a headlamp so that you can see your path and vehicles can see you share the road. I suggest the Nathan Neutron Fire Black Headlamp as I’ve worn Nathan’s products before (and it still worked after accidentally putting it through the washing machine!). 

Get out there and enjoy Lake County running. Try new trails, bike paths, streets, hills and more. It really is a fun time to explore. Grab a friend for safety and test out new areas before they get busy again with warm weather runners. 

 

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