Best Winter Running Clothes From Head to Toe

Don’t bail on your outdoor workout just because the mercury drops! When you have the proper winter running clothes, you are fully prepared to take whatever Mother Nature can throw at you!

Thinking about cold weather workout gear should start at the top of your head and work all the way down to the tips of your toes. Because you lose most of your body heat through your extremities, you need to think of covering your head, hands, and feet. While hats and gloves may be fashion accessories, when exercising outdoors in the winter they are essentials.

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A good rule of thumb is that you want to be just a little bit cold when you start your workout. If you’re already warm and cozy when you leave your house, you’re overdressed!

By the time your heart rate increases and you raise your body temperature through exercise, you’re going to be hot! So aim to be a touch on the cold side when you start. That will minimize the number of layers you have to shed (and carry) as your run progresses.

Best Winter Running Clothes: From Head to Toe

Head– Best winter running hat options

If you’re running outside when the temps drop, make sure you grab a hat before you head out the door. Not all winter workout gear is created equally, though. Some people prefer the warmth of a wool or knit cap, while others like the wicking properties of a sports performance fabric.

The good news is that wool, cotton, and synthetic fabrics will all keep your head warm. Personal preference (and how much you sweat) will lead you one way or the other.

Need the warmth of fleece, but also want to make sure your ears are covered? Oh, and your ponytail can also poke through without causing a headache? The Trailheads Fleece Ponytail Hat is perfect!

Prefer a sports performance fabric? This wicking running beanie will keep you toasty warm, cover your ears, and keep the sweat from making you chilly again.

Because so much winter running is done in the dark, finding a winter running hat that has reflective properties serves double duty. This reflective beanie will keep your head warm PLUS make sure you’re visible to traffic.

Whatever style headwear you prefer, the best winter running hats will help keep your whole body warm so you can enjoy your workout.

Neck– Best neck gaiters for running

When the wind picks up and it is blustery, a neck warmer makes exercising outdoors so much more comfortable. Just like with your choice of headgear, you can find neck gaiters in a variety of fabrics.

This acrylic sweaterwool knit can be worn bunched down as a neckwarmer or pulled up to cover both your neck and the top of your head, too. Versatility in cold weather workout clothes means fewer pieces to take off and carry as you heat up.

Turtle Fur fleece neck gaiters have been keeping outdoor exercisers warm for decades. Because it is both warm and soft, you’ll hardly even know you’re wearing it!

If you often run in cold and windy conditions, a balaclava may be what you need to keep warm from the shoulders on up.

The best balaclava for running is the Nike Therma Sphere. Made of the same high-quality wicking fabric used in other Nike products, this running balaclava is a great balance of warmth and breathability.

Looking for a gift for your favorite runner but don’t want to break the bank? Try my best stocking stuffers for runners ideas.

Torso– Best winter running tops to layer

Dressing in layers is key to thinking about cold weather workout clothes. You should also consider your climate and how well adapted you are to the cold. Remember that what is cold for Texans is downright balmy for Northerners.

The first layer you might consider is swapping out your regular running bra for a longline bra. The added coverage on your torso may be just enough for you to stay warm during your outdoor winter workout. If you can find one, choosing a style that is long over your hips also ensures you’re not going to get any cold breezes on your belly as you exercise.

Buying quality basics is key to keeping you warm while you’re exercising through the winter months. The difference in your comfort from wearing a basic long sleeve t-shirt to one made out of a sports performance fabric is tremendous. The soft, wicking fabric will pull sweat away from your body during your workout to help keep you warm.

Best Thermal Running Top

One of my favorite staples of my cold weather running clothes is the Baleaf Thermal Mock Turtleneck top. It has a light layer of fleece facing the body to keep you cozy warm. The mock turtleneck may be all you need to keep the wind from blowing down your top. And a rainbow of colors allows you to choose whether you want to be bright and vivid or neutral.

If you’re looking for a thermal running top, Baleaf has both women’s and men’s styles available:

Need something that will keep you warm at the start of your workout but then allow you to adjust as you warm up? The Baleaf half-zip thermal shirt is what you’re looking for. It’s a thermal running shirt at a surprisingly affordable price!

The women’s version of style has great front pockets and thumb holes, too. The men’s version has two side pockets.

Best Winter Running Vest

When you need another layer, a winter running vest gives you the next step up in protection from the cold. They’re also great for blocking the wind.

A lightweight shell vest will keep your torso warm while allowing you to shed heat through your arms so you don’t get too hot once your heart rate rises. They’re also thin enough that if you need to take it off and carry it with you, it’s not too bulky.

Best Winter Running Jacket

When it is really cold outside and you need a true outer layer, a quality workout jacket is a good place to invest. The Brooks Canopy jacket has it all.

It is breathable, wind resistant, water resistant, has thumbholes, and is lightweight. It is slim enough to be fashionable but roomy enough for your under layers. And with an attached (snap in) hood, you’re ready for anything. Both men’s and women’s styles are available.

Are you running in a race where temps will be cold at the start line? Try my DIY disposable arm warmers to keep you warm until your body heat kicks in. You may feel like you look a little funny while in the starting corrals, but I guarantee there will be plenty of cold, jealous runners around you!

Hands– Best Winter Running Gloves

Mittens or gloves? Again, it’s personal preference. Regardless of which style is more comfortable for you, just pinky swear you’ll keep your hands warm when your out in the cold? Thanks!

The Trailhead Convertible Mittens are a perfect choice if you exercise outdoors in the winter when it is dark. (Isn’t that pretty much all the time?!) Not only will you keep your hands and fingers toasty, but the reflective pattern is great for your safety.

They’re also adaptable, because if your hands heat up you can flip back the top and have fingerless gloves. This means you’re less likely to take them off completely and need to carry them for the rest of your run.

If you need more use of your fingers while you’re exercising, gloves are a better option than mittens. These lightweight running gloves keep your hands and fingers warm and nimble. By both blocking the wind and adding a layer of protection from the cold, you are not too likely to be bothered by freezing fingers during your workout.

And, bonus, these gloves have touch screen-sensitive fabric on the thumbs and pointer fingers, so you can still use your phone without taking them off.

Legs– Best Winter Running Pants

Leggings or tights are the obvious choice for winter workout gear if you’re going to be exercising outdoors. Just make sure that the ones you choose are the proper weight for the temperature and your activity level.

Getting too hot is just a uncomfortable as being too cold when exercising outdoors in the winter. Remember that you want to be a little chilly at the start of your run.

For when the temps really dip and you need to layer even on your legs, try a base layer of wool tights. The Smartwool merino base layer bottoms will keep you toasty warm. And because they are super soft, you may find yourself wearing them even when you aren’t exercising!

For more traditional athletic leggings, these full-length leggings have a soft fleece lining that will keep your legs toasty! Side pockets allow you to stash your keys and gels. Best of all, with flat seam construction, they won’t chafe as you get your winter workout on.

For those days when you don’t need full tights, there are lots of options for capris. These compression capris offer support in all the right places while helping to keep you warm.

Capris are a great option because they keep the big muscles of your glutes, hamstrings, and quads warm, which is important for injury prevention. Yet the cool air can still hit your lower legs to help you regulate your temperature as your workout progresses.

Don’t like the look of leggings? A jogger-style pant will still give you the coverage you want without any of the clingy-ness. The Champion Jogger is the perfect blend of keeping you warm, allowing you to move freely, and not showing off what you don’t want to show off. Both men’s and women’s styles available in this popular winter running pant.

These winter running pants are also a great option if you’re hitting the hiking trails. Just keep yourself warm while you’re moving!

Feet– Best winter running socks

Want to make sure there is no cold wind nipping at your ankles while you exercise? Try crew length socks! They hit just below the calf, ensuring that there is no exposed skin between your tights and socks.

You’ll also find you get some arch support and mild compression benefits from these tootsie-warmers, too. There are plenty of styles and colors to choose from in winter running socks.

If you don’t like the feel of the longer crew socks on your legs, you have another option! Wearing quarter-length socks is a good way to ensure that there is no gap between the bottom of your tights and the top of your socks.

Balega socks are my absolute favorite, as they have a seamless toe (which decreases the chance for blisters!) and wick and breathe beautifully.

Be Prepared for Cold Weather Running!

Are you travelling to a race? Is there even the slightest chance of the temps dropping? Learn from my experience at the New York City Marathon, and be prepared for cold weather. Running in new clothes on race day can be a recipe for disaster!

There you go! We’ve got you covered in the best winter running clothes from head to toe! Now you’ve just got to gear up and get on out there!

Karen Shopoff Rooff is an ACE certified personal trainer and health coach with more than 20 years’ experience running marathons and ultramarathons. The Marathon Finish Line blog is for informational purposes. Please seek advice from a medical practitioner before engaging in a new fitness program.