As cold days and the diminished daylight of the winter months fall upon us, the desire to stay out on long runs (or leave the house in the first place) might also be diminished.
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, you too can continue your year-round training and enjoy the benefits of breathing fresh air, no matter how cold or dark. This year, we added new tested favorites to the lineup, taking into account how much articulation matters for layering and putting an emphasis on range of motion for everything from snowy trail runs to tempo runs on icy sidewalks.
Best Winter Running Gear
The Expert: I started road running in New Hampshire in college, taking my love of running from road to trail when I moved out west after graduating. Each year I test all sorts of running gear in all four seasons, using my field experience to pick the best options for a variety of athletes.
I’ve been writing about outdoor gear since 2013, and my reviews and other work have appeared in Backpacker Magazine, Outside, Travel + Leisure, the Strategist, Women’s Health, and more. In 2020, I co-founded Backpacking Routes, a website that connects backpackers with lxong-distance trails across the country.
What to Look for in Winter Running Gear
How We Tested Winter Running Gear
Maggie Slepian took over this guide in 2023, and has overseen each successive update with new accessories and apparel, making sure everything is still approved by our editors and team of testers based on warmth, price, comfort, and style. Maggie has extensive experience running in all weather conditions in her home state of Montana, which has lended her strong insight into what works and what doesn’t for staying warm and comfortable when the conditions are anything but.
Double-Layered Wicking Hat
Stio Glide Power Stretch Beanie
Pros
- Fast evaporation
- Soft fleece next to skin
Cons
- Some might prefer natural fibers
A hat is the easiest way to add warmth without throwing on extra layers, and I love this stretchy fleece model from a winter-ready brand. With a sleek, fitted look that doesn’t wiggle around during bouncy runs, this double-layer fleece hat keeps your head (and forehead, and ears) warm while pulling moisture up through the dense fleece and out through the stretchy outer shell. This hat is warm but doesn’t feel like overkill, and it can be rolled up and tucked in a pocket once your body temperature heats up.
Breathable Headband / Ear Warmer
Le Bent Midweight Headband
Pros
- Soft and wicking
- Odor resistant
Cons
- Can’t dry in a dryer
This wide, soft headband stays in place around your ears (or holds your hair back) 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. I switched it up this year with a fully natural-fiber headband (bamboo rayon and merino) that is soft next to skin but resists odors better than synthetic.
Hand Protection
Smartwool Merino Sport Fleece Glove
Pros
- Windproof panel
- Good grip along interior of fingers
Cons
- Not as touch-screen-compatible as claimed
Smartwool’s thin merino liners are great for chilly fall and early winter runs, but when the weather turns ugly, you might want something thicker with more protection from wind and rain. These merino gloves are available in five sizes and are just as lightweight and wooly-soft as the liners, but they retain more warmth so your fingers won’t go numb when the freezing rain starts.
A windproof panel on the back of the hand and fingers provides a bonus shield against the elements. When the RW Test Team tested winter running gloves in a freezer, the Smartwool Sport Fleece blew most running models out of the water in terms of holding onto heat—and performed even better in real-life testing out on the road. Just save the photo-taking for the end of your run—Smartwool claims these gloves are touch-screen-compatible, but my unlocked iPhone beg to differ.
Related: 12 Great Running Gloves You’re Sure to Love
Core Insulation
On Weather Vest
Pros
- Lightweight and windproof
- Combination of warmth and wicking
Cons
- Surface material is a little slippery
This packable vest offers a punch of warmth you wouldn’t expect in such a lightweight package, holding its own against lofted down vests that can saturate and feel bulky after a few miles. The water resistant face fabric is windproof and protects against light precipitation, but what really hit the home run is the sheeting of synthetic insulation that breathes well during long climbs in cold weather, but keeps you warm on the way down. The reflective detailing and extra insulation on the front panel bring it all together for just 3.5 ounces.
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Stink-Free Base Layer
Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
Test editor Amanda Furrer 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 her duffel in the morning, but her workouts were far from lazy. “In upper 30- to mid-50-degree temps, I did 6- to 10-mile runs,” she said. “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 her duffel or compel coworkers to pinch their noses when she returned from a lunch run. The shirt also feels pajama-soft because its construction is seamless for chafe-free runs.
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Related: The Best Shirts for Runners
Winter Running Tights
Brooks Momentum Thermal Tights
Pros
- Side pockets
- Plentiful wicking
Cons
- No reflective accents
These 28-inch-inseam tights are woven with another of Brooks’s proprietary fabrics, this one with slightly more polyester than in the company’s Carbonite glove blend. Material differences aside, it wicks away moisture and locks in warmth so you won’t freeze.
Both the men’s and women’s tights have side pockets with ample room for storage. Testers liked how comfy the tights were but wished there was more reflective detail. For more visibility options, check out our top reflective gear for this year.
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Windproof Pants
Gore R5 Windstopper Pants
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Excellent wind and weather protection
Cons
- Slim fit, consider sizing up if layering
For the coldest days (bravo for getting out there!), you’re going to want a lightweight, articulated pair of windproof pants. Windpants have come a long way since the swishing elastic-cuff varieties of the 90s, and this ultralight pair from Gore hits every mark with weatherproofing, breathability, lightweight feel, and excellent range of motion.
We can pull these on over a pair of running tights and not have any binding issues or fit problems, and we also wear them for skate skiing where range of motion is equally as important. If you do plan to layer with thicker running tights underneath, we recommend sizing up.
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Related: Best Running Leggings
A Breathable Insulated Jacket
Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boe Jacket
Pros
- Excellent mobility
- Highly breathable
One of the most breathable high-output jackets we’ve ever tested, this one is for winter runs of all distances (and works just as well for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing). The pockets are placed perfectly for use with a running pack, and the insulation is patterned for keeping you warm where you need it and venting moisture to maintain a dry microclimate. The unique wool insulation allows for a more low-profile jacket than other insulated activity jackets, which feels nicer (and less bulky) when paired with other layers.
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Most Versatile Piece of Gear
Buff Dryflx Multifunctional Headwear
Pros
- Easy to customize warmth depending on how you wear it
- Dries quickly
Cons
- May be too long for some
Whether 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.
Rechargeable Headlamp
Nitecore UT27 Pro 800 Lumen Running Headlamp
Pros
- Stretchy headband stays in place while running
- 6.5 hours of battery life at 280 lumens
Cons
- Small buttons
As fall fades into winter, you’ll likely do more and more of your mileage before the sun comes up or after it sets. Having a dependable headlamp is crucial for seeing—and being seen—on those dark runs. The USB-chargeable NiteCore regularly holds up to (and surpasses) the competition in weight, lumens, light options, and battery life.
This rechargeable headlamp has three light modes (white, warm, and red) and a maximum output of 800 lumens— more than enough to see the road or trail. It will last 6.5 hours on 280 lumens and an impressive 14.5 hours on 100 lumens. All of this is wrapped up in a bounce-free package barely weighing over 2.6 ounces for significantly less money than you’ll pay with other major brands.
Waterproof Road-Running Shoes
Merrell Morphlite GORE-TEX
Pros
- Springy road shoe with waterproofing
- Lightweight and well cushioned
Cons
- Not as much traction for icy roads
There aren’t many waterproof road running shoes out there, and I was happy to test out this springy pair from Merrell in Montana’s cold, soggy, slushy in-town trails and roads after the first snowfall of the year. The shoes have a springy platform and solid rolling feel thanks to the 6.5mm drop, and are equipped with low-profile road lugs.
These shoes are extremely light (under 8 ounces per shoe for the women’s model), which is extra impressive considering the waterproofing. Since these are a road shoe with a sleek outsole, we do recommend additional traction for ice and packed snow.
We’ve previously recommended the Saucony Peregrine GTX for our winter shoes, but have been really enjoying the slightly more lively feel of a road shoe. But if you are concerned about traction and don’t want to wear microspikes, the Peregrine is a great option with trail-ready lugs and a reliable waterproof membrane.
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Traction
Kahtoola EXOspikes Traction System
Pros
- Ok for use on short, bare pavement sections
- Aluminum platforms for extra grip
Cons
- Insufficient for deep snow
This 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 .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.
Keeping your water from freezing is a necessary component of long runs on the coldest days, and this handheld bottle-carrier combo from Camelbak allows you to bring your insulated water bottle without the hassle of a vest or the fatigue of carrying a bottle on its own.
This carrier comes with Camelbak’s Podium Chill insulated 21-ounce water bottle in an ergonomic carrier that secures around the back of your hand, and the bottle fits well in most runners’ palms. The secure carrier has reflective striping for visibility, a zippered pocket for your phone and small essentials, and an adjustable strap to tension the carrier over your hand.
Photochromic Sunglasses
Tifosi Optics Rail XC Fototec Sport Sunglasses
Pros
- Photochromic lenses adjust to light changes
- Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
Cons
- Not all color options are Fototec, so pay attention while shopping
While 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.
Winter-Ready Socks
Smartwool Run Cold-Weather Crew Sock
Pros
- Targeted cushioning and compression
- Durable knit with reinforcement at the toe
Cons
- Not as warm as some heavier duty options
Looking 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.
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Expert Maggie Slepian Shares Ways To Warm Up to Winter Running. Read Her Tips on Shoes to Wear and When to Hit the Treadmill Instead.
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.
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