Warm Winter Running Gear for 30, 20, and 10 Degrees Fahrenheit

How do I dress for winter runs?

Dressing for the winter runs is tricky. Not only does the temperature matter but the wind speed, any precipitation, cloud cover (or lack there of), time of day, real feel temp, and humidity can all change what you need to wear to stay comfortable when running during the depths of winter.

After spending my entire running career (25+ years) running in states where the winters are cold, the wind bites, and the sun is rare, I feel as though I can share some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years.

First and foremost, I’d highly suggest buying 1 or 2 quality pieces from each category that will last several winters and keep you comfortable, rather than 5-6 mediocre pieces. I know it can be hard to drop $100-200 on a winter jacket and $100+ on a pair of tights, but I truly think it is worth it. I tend to buy from running-specific brands such as Oiselle, lululemon, Tracksmith, and Brooks, and I am always keeping my eye open for sales.

You will definitely want to stay away from cotton and instead choose synthetic fibers. The synthetic fibers will pull moisture away from your skin and leave you feeling much more comfortable and minimize your risk for frostbite or hypothermia.

I have split this post into three temperature categories: 30*F, 20*F, 10*F (-1*C, -6*C, -12*C) and listed the amount and type of gear that would be appropriate for each temperature. Of course you may run hotter or colder, so use these suggestions as a guideline and then curtail your needs around them.

I have provided links to quality gear I would recommend for each item. (Some links are commission-earning, some are not.) I honestly believe 90% of the time you get what you pay for, so I often opt to spend a little more for quality gear that I know will work and last several years. I put an asterisk(*) next to my favorite item if I have one for the category.

Thirty degrees Fahrenheit (-1* C) is when the long tights come out, I need two layers on top, and my extremities need to be covered–at least for the first mile or two. I don’t need my head fully covered, and I can run with bare ankles. I do like to wear a headband to cover my ears, thin baselayer on top, light jacket that is wind-resistant/proof, a full tight (or at least 7/8th length), and gloves.

I’ve linked several different options for each piece–some are my favorites, others would be equally amazing.

Headband/Ear warmer
Skida Nordic Headband* (pictured above)
Oiselle Firecracker Reflective Earband
Oiselle Lux Earband
Brooks Notch Thermal Headband
Maven Threads Headbands
lululemon Fast and Free Fleece Running Ear Warmer

Baselayers
lululemon Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve*
lululemon Swiftly Tech Race Length Long Sleeve
Tracksmith Horizon Long Sleeve
Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
Oiselle Flyte Long Sleeve
rabbit EZ Tee LS
Amazon long sleeve

Light Jacket
Oislle Reflective Vim Jacket* (pictured above)
Nike Dri-FIT Running Jacket
Brooks Canopy Jacket
lululemon Mist Over Windbreaker
Brooks Fusion Hybrid Jacket

Tights
lululemon Swift Speed Tight*
Oiselle Mo Jogging 7/8 Tight
lululemon Fast and Free Tight*
Tracksmith Lane Five Crop Tights
rabbit Speed Tights

Gloves
Oiselle Power Move Gloves
rabbit EZ Gloves
lululemon Fast and Free Fleece Running Gloves
Saucony Solstice Glove

Note: Another great option at this temperature is to wear a thicker baselayer, plus a vest instead of a thin baselayer and jacket–especially if you tend to run on the hotter side. I think this lululemon vest is really cute, and you can find a list of thicker, warmer baselayers below under the 20*F section.

*My favorite items.

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Twenty degrees Fahrenheit (-6* C) can really vary for me–if the wind is calm, it can feel kind of balmy, but once it dips into the teens with the windchill, then I notice my face gets a lot colder and my hands don’t warm up as quickly. For temps right around 20*F, I do like to use a fleece-lined ear warmer or thin hat, a sweat-wicking base layer (thinner for temps into the 20s, thicker if the temperature is a little under 20 degrees), a thicker jacket that has windproof or at least wind-resistant properties, brushed or lightly fleece-lined tights, and a convertible mitten/glove or thinner mitten.

I’ve linked several different options for each piece–some are my favorites, others would be equally amazing.

Headbands/Hats
Skida Alpine Headbands* (pictured above)
lululemon Down for it All Ear Warmer
Skida Nordic Hat

Gloves/Mittens
Oiselle Bad Weather Gloves
lululemon Fast and Free Hooded Running Gloves
Saucony Solstice Mitt
Craft Hybrid Weather Glove
Target Hooded Run Gloves

Baselayers
*All of these layers are thicker, warmer, or made from wool. If you need a lighter-weight baselayer, see the options listed at 30 or 10 degrees.
lululemon It’s Rulu Run Long Sleeve
lululemon Rest Less Pullover*
New Balance Heat Grid Half Zip
rabbit Cold Front
Oiselle Wool Long Sleeves (various options)
Tracksmith Harrier Long Sleeve
Tracksmith Fells Waffle Layer

Thicker Jackets
lululemon Cross Chill Jacket*
Brooks Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0
Tracksmith NDO Jacket
Nike Therma-FIT Swift

Warmer Tights
lululemon Fast and Free Thermal Tight
Brooks Run Visible Thermal Tights
rabbit Defroster Speed Tights
Tracksmith Turnover Tights

*My favorite items.

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At 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12* C) is when things start to get really cold for me. I still brave the cold because it is better than the treadmill, but it is even harder to get motivated to go outside. However, good gear makes it more tolerable, and I have finally found a pair of tights that actually keep my legs warm, which is shocking because my legs turn red in 30 degree weather sometimes.

These are some items I recommend for temps around 10 degrees F.

Hats
lululemon Fast and Free Fleece Running Beanie
Oiselle Lux Beanie
Skida Nordic Hat*

Neckwarmers
Skida Apline Neckwarmer* (pictured above)
lululemon Run For It All Neckwarmer
Buff Polar Neckwarmer
Turtle Fur Fleece Neckwarmer

Mittens
Oiselle Super Puff Mittens
lululemon Wunder Puff Mittens
lululemon Down for it All Mittens*

Baselayers
(I only need a thin baselayer with the Down for It All Jacket because it is so warm. However, if you do need a thicker, warmer base layer, there is a good list under the 20*F section.)
lululemon Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve*
lululemon Swiftly Tech Race Length Long Sleeve
Tracksmith Horizon Long Sleeve
Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
Oiselle Flyte Long Sleeve
rabbit EZ Tee LS
Amazon long sleeve

Down/Very Warm Jacket
lululemon Down For It All Jacket* (pictured above)
lululemon Another Mile Jacket
Arc’teryx Atom Jacket

Tights
Athleta Altitude Stash in Polartec Tights*
Craft Subz Warm Running Tight
Old Navy UltraCoze Leggings

Warm Socks
Feetures Merino Wool socks
Darn Tough Merino Wool socks
Stance Wool socks

*My favorite items.

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Lighted Gear
Lightweight Amazon Headlamp
Super Bright Petzl Headlamp
Noxgear Lighted Vest
LED Reflective Running Vest

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We all know that weather feels different in different areas, and things such as the wind, humidity, cloud cover, sun exposure, and the time of the day, all makes a difference in what you wear. I did my best to generalize these suggestions and find a happy medium because I know there are plenty of people out there who would need extra layers, and then there are those of you who would sweat to death in some of these outfits. If you tend to run hot, you’ll probably find yourself moving to the colder category and vise versa, but I hope this at least helps give you a starting point.