Reviews of Winter Running Clothes

• Shell Jackets
• Warm Jackets
• Warm running tops
• Long sleeve tees/light tops
• Pants and tights
• Hats and gloves
• For men: protecting the goods/Underwear

Picking up a Running Wardrobe

Quality vs Quantity

There is the question about buying a lot of cheap clothes versus fewer better quality clothes. Donovan, the author of this page makes the case for quality:

I prefer quality over quantity, even if it's more expensive. They prefer to avoid duplicates. Most running clothes are made of fast-drying fabric, so they can be hand-washed and line-dry overnight, or within a day. Doing laundry is fairly inconvenient, I only do it about once every two weeks and don't have a washing machine/dryer in my apartment.

The case for quantity is stated by rec.running poster Globaldisc:

One reason I go simply cheap thermals and buy a ton is that I might wear one or two (2 layers)....work up a sweat despite how cold it is....and dump the shirts in the hamper. Simple enough. I spend no time caring for a garmet after returning home and showering. At the end of the week or so....I might have a hamper full of a dozen or thermal tops..absorbed into my usual laundry washing for that week.

As you can see from reading these two points of view, different approaches work for different people, depending on a number of factors. However, note that if you do dress in layers, the upper layers don't need to be washed very often. So you only need to own several ``base layer'' items. You'd think/hope that base layer items were always cheap. However, this is not the case.

Individual Differences

There is a lot of variation in what people need. Some people run faster than others. Faster runners may be able to get by with less. Women are more tolerant of heat and less tolerant of cold than men. Some runners like to feel warm when they run, others like to feel ``fast'' and don't want to be unduly burdened. Some training runs (especially group sessions) may require stops, which means that it is necessary to dress warmer than one would otherwise. Running on treacherous surfaces or on trails may require slower running, which means more clothing.

Clothing Brands and Styles

There are a number of different brands that make very good products. It's a competitive market. Generally, there seems to be a preference in rec.running for brands that do not manufacture shoes. These brands cater to broader markets (skiing, cycling) and hence often have better, tougher cold weather lines. Cold weather runners like rec.running's Dot of Alaska, may even prefer clothing that is primarily marketed at cross country skiiers.

A quick sampling of the rec.running crowd and what they wear, with links to more detailed descriptions (my comments in italics)

• Donovan Rebbechi, Northern NJ: Warm top (SportHill Explorer or Insport Polartec top) , lightweight pants (Sugoi Travel) or tights (the lightest available in any good brand). Wind boxer (Sugoi) underneath. A wind boxer or brief is a must-have. Sporthill gloves, possibly another warm pair over them. Sporthill hat. Donovan likes SportHill, Insport, Sugoi. (Hind look good too)
• Globaldisc, New York NY: cotton-poly thermals, shorts, whatever shell-jacket he can find on ebay. There are many cheap shell jackets out there, and little reason to prefer one brand over the next. This is an item where bargain-hunting can pay off.
• Dot, Alaska Duofold or similar cheap base-layers (usually from Campmor's on-sale area), SportHill XC pants, Powerdry tights, Goretex shell with hood. Because of the severity of Dot's environment (Alaskan trails) and her preference for staying fairly warm, she prefers heavy duty ``outdoor'' style clothes to the lighter running gear.

  Most people in the other running groups I'm in tend to get running gear from outdoor stores, like REI and the Canadian equivalent MEI(?). I've found outdoor gear far better designed for winter or trail running than running gear is, at least for me.

  I am unable to capture one of Dot's epic novels in so little space, so I recommend reading it in full
• AMH, New York NY:

  Basic philosophy (this is good advice! -- Donovan)

  ``I find that I don't sweat as much as others I know. Therefore I can get away with wearing cotton for most of my running in the winter. I've always been under the impression that people overdress for the winter, will sweat too much and end up getting cold before they end their run.'' I always tell folks that they should be chilly for the first half mile to mile. My experience is that I will warm up readily as long as I'm going my own pace. If I decide to run slower to either recover or run socially I'll need an extra thin layer. In any case I've saved a ton of money not having to buy Goretex and other high priced winter gear.''

  Hats: mets hat or wicking hat for rain, ear warmer for cold. Nit hat for single digits F.
  Jackets: Rarely uses them. Sugoi bike jacket for cold rain or extreme conditions. Nylon windbreaker for long runs in cold.
  Shirts:

  Usually cotton, for more extreme conditions/long runs, will use polypro, ski shirt, or sporthill shirt.

  
  Gloves/Mittens: moving comfort mitts/NB light gloves.
  Tights: Usually wears lightweight tights, ``I have a difficult time finding tights that aren't too warm for me.'' ``Beneath the tights I'll wear a pair of running shorts.''
  Socks: ``Smart wool socks for just about every occasion.''
• rec.running poster Jim Gravity ``weighs in'' with a vote for merino wool:

  Wool kicks butt as a warm-when-wet insulating layer, and doesn't absorb odors as easily as synthetics.

  The item to which he's referring is available online (it's the Mossimo sweater). These are often available at discount prices.