Here’s the gear that kept me moving this winter.
Winter sucks. It is no secret around my household that it is by far my least favorite season. And while the snow certainly can brighten up the atmosphere a bit (yes, I do enjoy sitting in the living room, fire blazing, gazing at the white flakes), it also serves as a stark reminder that the season dampers my will to participate in my favorite activities, in particular cycling, and driving.
For this year, rather than spend the entirety of the months from December - to March couped up in the house, I decided to invest in some all-new outdoor running gear to keep me moving throughout the season. To my surprise, I found that I actually enjoy cold weather running, even in temps down to the upper-mid 20s. As long as the wind wasn’t blowing, I was good! Here is what I used to keep me going.
On Running Tights - Long
I am not the biggest fan of bandwagon brands, which I would argue On seems to have become in recent years amongst the pseudo-running community (also looking at you, lululemon). That said, their running tights offer an amazing level of comfort, warmth, and range of motion. I literally wore these in every run this winter, and they performed great and held up remarkably well.
Hoka Challenger ATR
While marketed as a trail running shoe, I found the amount of insulation and grip offered in the Challenger ATR is perfect for outdoor running in the winter, I ran over ice, snow, salt, and never had an issue with traction or slipping. I also found this shoe to be remarkably comfortable as the miles piled on, which Hoka is absolutely known for.
Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
This may be my new favorite brand. I absolutely love everything about Tracksmith. Their style reminds me a bit of late 90’s Abercrombie and Fitch mixed with Nike’s now-defunct Oregon Project. The Brighton base layer was a fixture for me all season, it works as a stand-alone top, or layered under a windbreaker. It kept me plenty warm.
Salomon Bonatti 2.5l Men’s Shell Jacket
Perfect for cutting out the cold air, this top layer is light and perfect when paired with the Brighton Base. The pockets are also nice and not too floppy. They held my phone comfortably when I chose to bring it along.
Roka Matador
Cycling Sunglasses
Whatever nice or throwaway pair you have makes all the difference. Keeps the cold air out of the eyes and makes a big difference in keeping things comfortable. Bigger the better.
Other: Hat, Gloves, Socks
Nothing too noteworthy here to mention other than make sure to use running or cycling-specific socks that are good at wicking moisture. Any running hat or gloves will work. I mainly used light gloves from Head or a heavier ski glove on the colder days. Bonus, some wind-blocking runners underwear from Amazon helps a lot with overall comfort!
And there you have it, this gear will get you through winters worth of outdoor long runs in the mid-atlantic / northeast states. I hope this helps you out on your next seasonal adventure!
