How to Dress for Cold Weather Running

Going for a jog at any time of the day can be rough, and staying motivated is challenging on a good day. It's worse when the temperature drops. Making sure you wear the right clothes will have a significant impact on you running in the cold. It can make a substantial difference in whether you get cold and soggy or warm and comfortable as you pound the pavement. Before you trade in your thermal leggings for women, read on to see how important they'll be to your training in the cold.

What to Wear While Running in The Cold

Selecting clothes for colder temperatures is essential as you'll warm up fast once you get moving. If you wear too many clothes, you'll get overheated and sweaty, plus, your clothing won't be as practical as keeping you warm if it's wet. If you don't wear enough, you'll be cold the entire run. 

Having that perfect balance is relatively easy. Depending on your tolerance to the cold, this can vary with each person. Also, how fast or slow you run also makes an impact on this balance, along with how much you sweat. If you're new to jogging, this may take some experimentation to find which works best for you.

Here's the minimum needed to make your run more comfortable:

• Covering your head is vital to staying warm. Look for a hat, beanie, and even a headband—something to cover your ears as well.

• Lightweight to medium weight thermal shirts and women’s thermal pants to keep your legs warm and protect them from the wind and elements.

• Running jacket to help break the wind and keep you dry from any snow.

• Gloves for running or mittens to protect your hands.

• Wool or running socks to help keep your feet warm and dry. Water-resistant shoes will help as well.

Many, if not all these items, should be made of moisture-wicking material. Your thermal leggings for women and top will work best as they'll pull the sweat from your body to keep you dry. Fabrics like merino wool and synthetic materials like polyester will do the best.

These thermals make the best layers, so it's best to avoid cotton while out for a run. The fabric will absorb and hold in the moisture, which will make you cold, wet, and soggy. It'll be the worst material to have near your body. One of the best things about outdoor running in the winter is that you won't need to bundle up too much. Layering will be your friend. It'll also help you regulate your body temperature. So, before you pass on those women’s thermal pants, keep in mind that wearing them will be a crucial part of your outdoor running gear. Dressing correctly will make your job fun, and you can keep your intensity without freezing.