Prepare Early for Cold Weather With the Best Pieces of Winter Running Gear

It’s not officially winter yet, but as all runners who’ve raced a marathon know, it’s best to get a leg up and be prepared. Last year’s winter was abominable, with record freezing temps going on for weeks. Essential gear sold out fast.Having the right cold-weather running gear isn’t a total cure for the winter blues, but it sure makes it easier to exit your vehicle at the trailhead. With the right attitude and some fun and functional new accessories that’ll keep you toasty without overheating, you too can continue your year-round training and enjoy the benefits of breathing fresh air, no matter how frigid or dark.As the temperature begins to plummet, you’ll see runners sweating buckets beneath windbreakers, tights, and running pants. Resist the temptation to bundle up— as soon as you’re moving, you’ll start to overheat. If you’re unaware how to dress given the conditions, you can always turn to our What to Wear tool.Here’s the winter gear we recommend so you won’t be caught off guard when it’s the first snow.Best Winter Running Gear🧢 Headwear: Skida Fleece-Lined Ski Hat🧤 Hand Protection: Smartwool Active Fleece Insulated Gloves👕 Stink-Free Base Layer: Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer (Men’s/Women’s)🦵 Leg Coverage: lululemon Fast and Free Tight (Men’s/Women’s)👟 Footwear: Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX (Men’s/Women’s)How We TestedOur staff and team of testers, along with yours truly, have braved below-zero runs to test how this gear fares, as well as worn leggings and jackets in temperate fall weather to test comfort and fit.We have also enlisted the help of contributing writer Maggie Slepian, who lives in Montana and knows a thing or two about running in harsh winters. She gives us cold-weather gear tips and answers all of our frequently asked questions.HeadwearProsNo itchy seamsNon-constrictive fitStays on your headThis men’s and women’s beanie is the comfiest winter hat Senior Reviews Editor Cat Bowen has worn—ever. The Skida ski hat is seamless, making it a great choice for sensory-sensitive runners like Bowen, or just really any runner who hates scratchy material on their scalp and forehead.The hat provides a perfect balance of insulation and ventilation so your noggin doesn’t freeze or overheat. The beanie also dries fast and stays put.More of a cap person? The lululemon Fleece-Lines Running Cap ($58) is available in solid black, and is made with water-resistant fabric. Fleece-lined earflaps provide warmth.Skida Ski Hat ReviewProsSoft-brushed merino wool feels smooth on skin, wicks sweatEar coverageConsWindstopper section narrow for taller foreheadsThis wide, soft headband stays in place over your ears and holds your hair back (great if you want to tame flyaways) without creating pressure points with extra elastic. Headbands like these are one of my favorite cold-weather tricks for when you know you’ll heat up too fast for a hat, but still want some protection for your ears. This headband, which is also by Smartwool, is made of merino wool to regulate body heat and wick away sweat.ProsEasy to customize warmth depending on how you wear itDries quicklyConsMay be too long for someWhether you wear it like a headband, a face mask, a neck gaiter, or nearly any other imaginable way you can wrap it around your head, a Buff is one of the most versatile pieces of gear you can own. The 360-degree reflectivity on this one keeps you visible on pre-dawn jogs. And if you get hot, it’s easy to pull off and wrap around a wrist.ClothingProsBreathable thanks to body-mapped merino / mesh designSeamless for chafe-free comfortSlim fit, ideal for layering overConsLimited size rangeTends to pill after multiple washesI wore the Brighton Base Layer for a full week to test Tracksmith’s claim of the merino material being “almost completely impervious to odor.” It was an easy week packing my duffel in the morning, but my workouts were far from lazy.In upper 30- to mid-50-degree temps, I did 6- to 10-mile runs. I was surprised at how warm I felt when the weather app read “feels like 28” and appreciated how my pits and back didn’t become saturated with sweat when the humidity was at 76 percent.The shirt didn’t stink up my duffel or compel RW staffers to pinch their noses when I returned from a lunch run. The shirt also feels pajama-soft because its construction is seamless for chafe-free runs.Shop Men’s at tracksmith.com | Shop Women’s at tracksmith.comProsReflective detail on sidesThree pockets with ample room for storageTrimmable cuffsUpdated waistband to enhance comfortConsNot available in tall (men’s)Women's available in 16 to 20 sizeMen and women runners alike love the Fast and Free for its overall comfort and functionality during the cold months. Both tights have ample storage room, with sizable pockets on the sides and a zippered pocket on the lower back (men’s version has three pockets, women’s has five). Our testers reported no bounce when they ran with their phones stashed.The leg openings have no hem, and the men’s version has bartacks to guide you if you want to trim the leg openings, which won’t fray.The men’s version is updated with a comfier, more flexible waistband with an exterior drawcord. The women’s has an infinity interior cord, but you can opt for the outside drawcord version as well, which is available with a 25-inch inseam.Shop Men’s at lululemon.com | Shop Women’s at lululemon.com→ Related: Best Running Leggings for Women, Best Running Pants for MenProsLightweight and breathableTargeted insulation for warmthConsWashing causes insulation to wearOne of the most breathable high-output jackets we’ve ever tested, this one is for winter runs of all distances because of its lightweight and insulated—yet breathable—construction. The jacket packs down into a side pocket for stowing, and a zipper garage prevents chin chafing when fully zipped. The jacket is slightly tailored, allowing range of motion without flapping, but has a loose enough fit for layering underneath. More colors are also available at janji.com.Shop Men’s at janji.com | Shop Women’s at janji.comJanji Thermalrunner Jacket ReviewFootwearProsBuilt-in stabilityGrippy lugsWaterproof upperConsProne to overheatingLess breathable due to waterproof upperWhen you’re heading out on surfaces when you can’t quite see the ground (or black ice), it’s best to go with trail shoes. The Cascadia 20 GTX is great for cold weather runs because of its 4mm lugs on a Vibram MegaGrip outsole for digging into a layer of snow, and waterproof Gore-Tex Invisible Fit upper that’s more breathable than your sweaty snow boots.The shoe also has Brooks’s TrailAdapt tech that ensures stability on uneven surfaces. Ideal for slippery roads and mucky trails.Shop Men’s at brooksrunning.com | Shop Women’s at brooksrunning.com→ Related: Best Running ShoesProsTargeted cushioning and compressionDurable knit with reinforcement at the toeConsNot as warm as some heavier duty optionsLooking for a sock to take you from the chilly fall days to colder mid-winter runs? Smartwool combines its technology honed over years of building socks for hiking, skiing, and all-weather running to this targeted pair of cold-weather running socks that don’t feel like overkill on moderate days, but will still feel comfortable on mid-winter runs.These have a form-fitting, no-slip design that supports your foot without too much tension around the arch, as well as mesh sections for breathability and venting. If you need a thicker sock for the coldest runs, look elsewhere, but for most moderate-to-high-output runs through the season, this versatile sock will do the trick.Shop Men's at amazon.com | Shop Women's at amazon.com→ Related: The Best Running SocksProsOk for use on short, bare pavement sectionsAluminum platforms for extra gripConsInsufficient for deep snowThis do-it-all traction from Kahtoola comes close to being the only spikes we need outside of actual mountain running. These were built with the framework and underfoot construction of the brand’s NanoSpikes, while using a more aggressive traction set and harness from the hiking-oriented MicroSpikes.This traction set is comfortable on hard-packed, icy terrain thanks to the elastomer underfoot harness (instead of chains) and the smaller tungsten carbide spikes. The spikes are 0.29 inches long, slightly longer than Kahtoola’s dedicated running spikes, which makes them more adept at handling combination terrain like packed snow and ice. They also have aluminum platforms under each spike, which grips the trail for additional stability with each step.AccessoriesProsThe easiest storage pouch we tested.Grip stays true even when hand and bottle are sweaty.Handle is easy to adjust for even small hands.ConsThe lid can be finicky on and off, especially if your hands are slippery.Bowen tested the SpeedDraw 2 and declared it a solid hydration handheld at a bargain price below $40. The spout is soft and the pocket on the pouch can hold keys and cards, even your phone. The bottle provides 18 ounces’ worth of hydration.→ Related: Best Running Handheld Water BottlesProsWindproof overlays on tops of handsDouble-layer knit and merino wool for warmthConsBunched up fingertips due to unisex sizingNot much of a nose wipe patchThese merino gloves are available in five sizes (XS to XL) and are lightweight and insulated. They retain warmth so your fingers won’t go numb when the freezing rain starts. The fingertips are touchscreen compatible.→ Related: Best Running GlovesProsLight and adjustableConveniently minimal and packableIntuitive button setupConsNot enough juice for ultras when on maxDigs in when adjusted too tightlyBowen dubbed the Petzl Swift LT as the Best for Minimalists Headlamp in her guide because it’s easy to use and ultra lightweight. The light, which shines 380 lumens, is basically palm-sized making it extremely easy pack in a duffel or pocket. Its brightest mode does zap the battery life, however, so if you’re in the deep woods, it’s best to opt for a different headlamp. Save the Swift LT for short runs so you can recharge close to home.→ Related: Best HeadlampsProsPhotochromic lenses adjust to light changesLightweight and comfortable for extended wearConsNot all color options are Fototec, so pay attention while shoppingWhile sunglasses might not be the first gear item to come to mind on cold, overcast days, UV rays are present year-round and can cause permanent damage to your eyes. Tifosi has been making a wide range of sport-specific eyewear for a fraction of the price of more expensive brands, and these sunglasses have served me well in everything from bright sunlight to cloudy days of winter running.The Clarion Blue, Crystal Clear, and Clarion Red Fototec have photochromic polycarbonate lenses that start with nearly clear tints for overcast days, then darken as the weather brightens. The Rail XC comes in several colors and options, so be sure to choose the Fototec if you’re looking for light-adjusting lenses.Other sunglasses to consider: The Goodr Bolt G provides full eye coverage and has an adjustable nosepiece. It has polarized lenses with UV44 protection. And it’s only $45.What to Look ForWinter Running Gear Q&A With Maggie SlepianAmanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.