Running gear for the winter

[Coco H]

I started running in Feb this year. I was very unfit and slow so I wasn't worried about kit. I run almost exclusively cross country in the winter - soaking wet feet are a permanent fixture for me. I also discovered that traditional jogging bottoms get very heavy when soaked. I also got quite hot running in a Berghaus coat.
I am still running 4 days a week minimum so I think I might need some essential kit. I currently have 3 pairs of shoes - two trail and one for the road - I circulate them round so I always put a dry pair on. I have some gloves and hat.
Are running jackets any use - I run in the rain and snow so I like to stay dry if possible. I don't think the shoe problem is solvable - if you run through ankle deep snow or wet grass then you get wet feet.

[944fan]

Some tips here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

In the cold I have been wearing two running tops, one long sleeve. Shorts and gloves.

I am yet to have a session where it is pissing it down but have a lightweight running jacket for then just in case.

[ewenm]

Nike DriFit kit is generally good. The lycra leggings are far far better in the wet than tracksuit bottoms/tracksters if you can get past the lycra-fear

Jackets - I tend to just wear the double t-shirt (long-sleeve under short sleeve, both "technical" DriFit for me but others are available) as mentioned above rather than a jacket as I just sweat too much in any jacket. I use Gore BikeWear stuff when warming up though. A compromise that a few friends use is a gillet (sleeveless jacket).

As you say, wet shoes and feet are just a hazard of winter/offroad running. You can get GoreTex socks but I've not found them worthwhile.

[Tycho]

Keep an eye out in Aldi/Lidl if you have one around. They were selling compression kit for about £20 recently. I bought a lightweight windproof top and it is great.

[anonymous-user]

Unless -something a long sleeve top over Tee shirt does me. Gloves invariably get discarded after a mile or two as too hot. I've yet to find a waterproof running jacket that actually keeps you dry & doesn't smell like a wet dog after a couple of uses! So now I accept the fact that I'll get wet. So basically the same as summer but 2 layers.. Traditional Ron Hill leggings take some beating from the functional point of view.

[Tycho]

Jimboka said:

Traditional Ron Hill leggings take some beating from the functional point of view.

True, I like my Skinz compression top as it does a good job of keeping the moobs still

[Coco H]

Thank you all. I feel now that I am not missing out if I do get wet. I have Ronhill short leggings and might see if I can get some full length ones as they are pretty good.

[Cybertronian]

I have a Nike Dri Fit jacket that's pretty good, keeping the warmth in and providing some protection from the outdoors. It's not entirely water resistant, but then water resistant clothing has the problem where any rain that can't come in also means sweat can't escape either. The only problem with Dri Fit and other similar sweat wicking fabrics is that they can get heavy if the sweat doesn't evaporate which can be tricky in the winter.

I don't wear any leggings or tights and just brave the outdoors in shorts, longer ones if needs be.

I don't have any special winter shoes but I've seen some weather resistant shoes which I may invest in since I'm gonna be upping my winter mileage in light of a London Marathon ballot place I have.

[Berlin Mike]

I have a pair of Nike shoes for the winter with GoreTex uppers. These are great, even when running in wet grass. I have used them for running on snow and ice too (down to -20°) for the last two winters and they've been excellent. If I remember rightly, there was only one shoe in the Nike range which was like this but Addidas had one as well.

Most shoes are set up for running in the dry and have uppers which let air through and sweat out as a priority. These are unfortunately also good at letting water in and get soggy quite quickly.

[Coco H]

Berlin Mike said:

I have a pair of Nike shoes for the winter with GoreTex uppers. These are great, even when running in wet grass. I have used them for running on snow and ice too (down to -20°) for the last two winters and they've been excellent. If I remember rightly, there was only one shoe in the Nike range which was like this but Addidas had one as well.

Most shoes are set up for running in the dry and have uppers which let air through and sweat out as a priority. These are unfortunately also good at letting water in and get soggy quite quickly.

I am semi tempted. Just not sure as it is so wet across the fields with long grass and puddles etc I frequently end up with puddles that are over the top of my shoes. However, when my current shoes fall apart, they have got to be worth a go.