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The Best New Running Gear for Winter

All you need to sweat out the coldest season in style.

Sunset Staff

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.

Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light, $100
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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.

Women's Teknitcal Tight, $99
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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!

Rabbit Super Sleevie, $68
Rabbit Super Sleevie, $68
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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.

PATH Projects Pyrenees T19 Hoodie, $62
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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!

Brooks Momentum Thermal Tights, $95
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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.

Tracksmith Off Roads Shorts, $98
Tracksmith Off Roads Shorts, $98
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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.

Brooks Carbonite Hat, $35
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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.

Ciele Polartec GOCap, $50
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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.”

NormaTec Pulse 2.0, $895