The Best New Running Gear for Winter
All you need to sweat out the coldest season in style.
No one ever said running was supposed to be easy, but in winter it can turn downright hard. It’s cold, it’s dark, it’s wet (even occasionally, we’ve heard, in Southern California), so why bother? Because! Because getting your miles in, day after day, despite the snow and subzero temperatures, is one of the most satisfying feelings a runner can experience. Still, those temps are no joke—you need to dress wisely in order to stay warm without overheating. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite items of new gear, to keep you chugging along all season.
Winter Running Gear
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Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light
For a lot of us, simply waking up on a dark winter morning can be the toughest part of maintaining a running routine. That’s why the Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light mimics the sunrise, to rouse you with rays that are as firm as an alarm clock’s ring, but infinitely more gentle.
The North Face Teknitcal Tights
“Feels like you’re wearing nothing!” is how one tester described these lightweight running tights. She also raved about the wide gusset, flat-stitched seams (i.e., no chafing), and high waist—and noted they were squat-proof, too.
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Rabbit Super Sleevie
From this women-owned company in Santa Barbara, California, comes an exemplary base layer that fits great, thanks to small armholes and a poly-spandex fabric that feels high-quality but never heavy. Made in Los Angeles to boot!
PATH Projects Pyrenees T19
The trail-running aficionados at California-based PATH Projects have created a warm but lightweight hoodie with great details, like a wrist opening to maintain contact with your watch’s heart-rate monitor. The Tencel fabric is tough, too, so wear a backpack and don’t worry it’ll wear through.
Brooks Momentum Thermal Tight
An excellent medium-weight running tight with good wind protection—no extra layer of shorts needed on those extra-frigid mornings!
Tracksmith Off Roads Shorts
Tracksmith continues to slay with their winning combination of top notch performance and style. The new Off Roads trail running line includes these multifunctional shorts that stealthily incorporate enough storage to get you through a long run: two hip pockets sized just so for fuel; two pockets in the compression liner keep your phone and keys from bouncing around; and an integrated belt sports a back loop for tucking in a jacket on chilly days.
For visibility (and smaller heads): Brooks Carbonite Hat
Winter running often means running in the dark, whether it’s early morning or post-sunset. Keep yourself safe and visible (and your head warm) with this bright, lightweight cap.
For warmth (and bigger heads): Ciele GOCap Polartec
For those with lots of hair (or just larger heads), Ciele’s GOCap with Polartec will keep your top parts covered and insulated.
Normatec Pulse 2.0 Boots
“I’m always looking for ways to improve my performance,” says Beth Whitman, an ultramarathoner who owns a boutique travel company and who recently finished running every street in West Seattle, “and that includes how I can recover more quickly after a run so I can be back out on fresh legs as soon as possible. NormaTec Pulse 2.0 boots are like getting a daily massage at the touch of a button.”
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