Running Gear Guide: Bundle Up It’s Getting Cold Outside | Global News Avenue

With this year’s big games behind us and the temperatures starting to drop, it might be tempting to curl up with some hot cocoa and watch some Netflix. But for many runners, training never stops no matter how cold the weather gets.

As for me, I just finished a tough race at the TCS New York City Marathon. I took a break, but I’m back. My team held its annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving and ran a half marathon later this weekend. The weather is getting colder, so I’m going to break out my favorite cardigan.

Whether you’re preparing for your first Turkey Trot or starting to plan for one of the Abbott World’s major marathons in the spring, we’ve got some great gear ideas to keep you warm and comfortable as winter approaches.

On top of that, the holidays are just around the corner. We’ve also got plenty of ideas for the perfect gift if you need to play Santa for your favorite runner in your life.

Here are some of my favorite winter gear and other top running gear.

Runners love socks

When I was a kid I used to groan when I would find socks in my socks. Now I’m excited.

Runners don’t cut corners when choosing socks. They can decide whether to finish a race happily or to limp to the finish line bloody.

That’s why more than one pair of feet is always exchanged during my running team’s annual gift exchange. Feetures’ colorful socks, which cost about $18 a pair, are bright and durable, making them my go-to for training and competition. Specifically, “Elite” version The socks are designed to provide targeted compression to help protect and support your feet while running without feeling too heavy.

But with temperatures expected to be in the 20s when this weekend’s half marathon begins, I’ll be grabbing a pair of mine Smartwool cold weather running Crew socks. When it comes to keeping your feet warm and dry without adding a ton of bulk, wool can’t be beat.

At $24, they are worth every penny. Like other Smartwool products I’ve used, they hold up well to multiple washes and don’t shrink as easily as wool socks.

If you want good shoes, leave it to the professionals

I can tell you what shoes I wore when I ran the TCS New York City Marathon (Saucony Endorphin Pro 4) or what are my favorite everyday training shoes (New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14), but that doesn’t matter.

The truth is, the best shoe for you depends on you, your feet, and your needs. One brand’s size 9 may be completely different than another brand’s size. Shoes that your best friend or even a world-class marathon runner thinks are great may make walking painful for you.

If you’re buying your own, head to your local running store and get some expert advice. Fitting technology used in many stores has come a long way. Last year, I took a closer look The system used by Fleet Feeta national chain store. It uses artificial intelligence to compare 3D scans of your feet to those of millions of other customers, as well as the store’s inventory. Combine this technology with the advice of store staff and you’re sure to get a pair of shoes you’ll love.

So shoes are a really bad holiday gift, but I have a better idea.

While I was happy with my marathon sneakers, I couldn’t take them off fast enough after crossing the finish line. Once I did that, I put on a pair Kane recovery shoes. Yes, they look a lot like Crocs, and at $80 a pair, they’re much more expensive, but I think they’re worth every penny.

My swollen feet had the room they needed to breathe, and the small nodes of the relatively firm footbed massaged them as I walked the eight long blocks to the subway. The shoes were easy to slip on and off and thankfully left no rough marks on my feet on the way home.

The shoes are available in a variety of fun colors and patterns, including licensed versions for alumni and fans of more than two dozen colleges and universities. Each pair also comes with a handy carabiner clip that you can use to clip them to the outside of your bag.

holiday lights

Whether you’re running in the morning or evening, it’s dark outside this time of year. Lights and reflective gear are a must, both to make sure cars see you and to make sure you see all the cracks and messy piles of dog poop on the pavement.

I have several sets of lights, but my favorite is Tracer2 Luminous Vest From Knox Gear. Its rechargeable LED lights flash in a rainbow of fun colors. They can be seen from a quarter of a mile away and last up to 20 hours on a single charge.

At $51, it’s not cheap and I recommend adding the optional tracer light ($32) clips on the front. It’s very bright and can be aimed downwards, helping you spot cracks in the pavement and avoid blinding other runners who may be trying to look directly at you.

This vest has reflective straps that fit me perfectly and didn’t slide around like a cheaper version I had previously used that was made by another company.

My teammates will be upset if I don’t mention it Noxgear’s 39G wearable Bluetooth speaker ($56). It makes a surprising amount of sound for its size. Instead of using headphones or earbuds to block out the sounds of approaching cars or other threats, you can use speakers to listen to music while being aware of what’s going on around you.

Reflective clothing can also help drivers see you. If you’re in the market for a winter running jacket, consider getting one with reflective elements. Feet, mentioned above, also have New reflective socks. They offer the same cushioning and performance as the company’s other models, but are designed to show up in car headlights.

Stylish and practical

As someone who grew up in Michigan, it takes me a long time to catch a cold. I ran this year’s New York City Marathon wearing my team tank top and a trusty pair of jerseys Flipbelt compression shortseven though it was 38 degrees outside when I started the race. Having said that, I finally got out my pair Flipbelt Air mid-weight leggings ($45) last week.

Flipbelt is known for making elastic running belts designed to hold everything you need for long runs. But I’ve had issues in the past with them stretching and riding mid-race.

Shorts and leggings solve this problem by building the same storage space into a fixed compression bottom. They both offer enough storage space to hold your phone, keys, water bottle, and all the fuel and snacks you need to complete a long race.

I found these leggings to be a little difficult to put on, but once you put them on they stay put and offer tight-fitting support, even if you keep their pockets in. Flipbelt also made Warm version leggings I’m looking forward to trying these soon too.

Whether it’s to keep out the sun or keep my ears warm, I almost always wear a hat when I run. Usually it’s a baseball cap, but when the temperatures drop, I opt for a puffier option.

Sprints are characterized by quirky designmakes my favorite ultra-lightweight, ultra-comfortable baseball cap. they have some Cool new option for winter I’m looking forward to trying it.

Smartwool, which I’ve already mentioned, knows a few things about winter attire. They’ve teamed up with shoemaker Altra to create a range of winter running apparel, complete with a matching pair of smart fleece-lined Altra shoes.

The women’s collection comes in a beautiful eggplant, black and charcoal color combination and includes pieces such as long-sleeve tops, tank tops and half-zip pullovers. They launched earlier this year REI Exclusivebut now you can find it on Smartwool’s website.

Shoes were not available for testing and these garments are meant for harsh winter weather, so I simply tested these. But these layers give me the range of motion I need for running without adding a lot of bulk. I’m sure I’ll be using them more in a month or two, whether running or skiing with the kids.

Shades to suit every budget

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it’s dark outside. Good shades are still a must. Goodr’s active sunglasses collection ($25) remains the best budget option. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays, don’t slip off your nose when you sweat, and come in a variety of fun colors and frames. But they don’t last forever, especially if you buy ones with mirrored lenses, as the lenses can get scratched easily.

I recently tried a few pairs of Tifosi shoes. At about $35, they’re a little more expensive, but so far seem to be a little more durable. While not heavy, it feels solid. My teenage daughter instantly fell in love with a pair of mine sanctuary Models, I haven’t gotten them back yet, but she hasn’t broken them either. i keep wearing Swank Model.

For those who want to go high-end and look cool, Adidas Dunamis ($210) features crystal clear, reflective, wrap-around lenses that are feather-light and make you feel like a pro athlete. Note that they are suitable for larger face shapes. If you’re a little person like me, you’ll find them a bit big.

Other exquisite gifts

Even if it’s cold outside, runners need to stay hydrated, and every runner will be happy to receive a great water bottle.

My favorite right now is Nathan’s ExoShot 2.0 Handheld 14 oz Bottle. This is a soft flask in a cloth bag. There’s an adjustable strap that goes around your hand so you don’t have to hold it tightly while running. Very easy to squeeze and drink.

Best of all, it won’t leak and you can throw it in the dishwasher. I would use this bottle more if my daughter didn’t steal it for her runs.

Gels, chews, and other types of running fuel can make great Christmas gifts. I am a fan of Skratch Labs Energy Chewable Tablets. They taste less like chemicals and more like gummy bears. Some of my favorite products from undevelopedYou guessed it, it’s a maple syrup company based in Vermont. it is Add coffee maple syrup sports fuel Give me the zipper I need without the chemicals I can’t pronounce.

When I reach for traditional gels it’s usually Molten. While other brands offer a variety of flavors similar to Baskin-Robbins, Maurten only has one that doesn’t taste like anything, but isn’t super sweet either. This takes some getting used to, but I find it’s easy on the tummy.