As we enter mid to late November, temperatures gradually drop. With winter approaching, you outdoor running enthusiasts also need to know how to dress and gear up to run more healthily and safely.
Among various winter outdoor sports, running is undoubtedly the simplest and most effective form of exercise. Running in winter can enhance your body’s cold resistance and help avoid catching a cold. However, the low temperatures and strong winds pose the greatest challenges for winter outdoor running, making proper clothing a key concern.
Here is a carefully crafted winter running gear guide to help you bravely take on the challenges of winter.
Above 10°C
Bottoms: Consider shorts with a slightly longer cut than those used for summer training, or opt for three-quarter-length pants.
Top: Long-sleeved shirts, or short-sleeved shirts paired with arm warmers.
Accessories: A lightweight baseball cap-style hat. Make sure to do proper warm-up exercises before running.
1-10℃
Bottoms: Three-quarter-length pants or three-quarter-length tights. Optional: full-length tights or regular pants.
Top: Layer two long-sleeved shirts, or wear one layer plus a windproof top. Alternatively, wear a waterproof jacket, a thick vest, or a thin insulating layer.
Accessories: A skull cap and thin gloves.
Tip: Why choose tights and tight pants?
1. Excellent fit: In cold or windy weather, they prevent cold air from directly hitting your skin and eliminate the issue of fabric flapping, which is especially useful in winter.
2. Superior sweat-wicking ability: Due to their close fit to the skin, tights are designed with relatively excellent sweat-wicking and breathability. In winter, sweat is quickly absorbed and wicked to the surface of the fabric to dry.
Between -6°C and -1°C
Bottoms: Fleece-lined tights or pants; consider wool underwear. Wear high enough socks to cover any exposed skin.
Top: Layer two long-sleeved shirts, or wear one long-sleeved shirt plus a thin jacket. Alternatively, go with the thicker version mentioned above.
Accessories: Skull cap, thick gloves. Sunglasses protect your eyes from cold gusts. (Consider clear lenses on cloudy days.)
Between -18°C and -6°C
Bottoms: Waterproof, fleece-lined, insulated, and windproof tights or pants, along with long socks.
Top: Long-sleeved shirts tucked into pants, or a mid-layer such as a hooded sweatshirt to keep your neck warm, plus an insulated jacket.
Accessories: A neck gaiter to cover your neck, even your cheeks and mouth. A warm skull cap to cover your ears, well-fitted thick gloves, and sunglasses.
Tip: Since the human body prioritizes maintaining core temperature in the cold, extremities like fingers, nose, and ears are more prone to feeling cold. To avoid frostbite and discomfort, pay special attention to keeping these areas warm.
Yunxian