What do i wear?

​What do I wear?

One question we're frequently asked is how do I know what to wear when I run or exercise?  Today there are a lot of different choices in apparel that will work well in any temperature or type of weather. 

What most people don't realize is that you are generally helped more by what you don't wear than by what you do. The human body works great as a furnace but not so great as a refrigerator.  As a result, once you get too hot it's hard to get cooled off while if you're too cold you can easily add more to warm up.  Generally, if you feel a little cool at the start of a run, 20 minutes in you'll feel perfect.  I usually head out dressed like it's 20 degrees warmer than it really is. If you follow our guidelines below you should  be able to run comfortably in any type of weather.  I've used these to run in 3 degree weather in Chicago and 104 in Tampa and both runs ended up feeling about the same.  

Below are our recommended guidelines for what to wear. 


Hot
70s and up - Use a singlet, skimpy top, or sports bra with shorts or quarter or half tights.

Warm
50 to 70 - Use a short-sleeved shirt or sports bra with shorts or quarter or half tights 

Cool
30 to 50 - Use a long-sleeved shirt or a short sleeved with arm warmers, and tights or running pants  

Cold
30 and down - Add protection for the hands and ears to what you used for 30 to 50.   Another layer in extreme cold. 

If it's raining and warm add a cap to keep vision clear but dress the same as for a warm day

If it's raining and cool add a cap and a water-resistent jacket. 

If it's snowing add a cap if possible. Also make sure that you are running where you have traction for your shoes.

None of the above accounts for the wind but most long-sleeved tops and jackets are now wind resistent.  If you know it's going to be windy and cold, it's best to start running into the wind so that you get warmed up and then have the wind at your back for the last half.  If you run into the wind at the end, you'll probably be sweaty and end up getting colder.  

 

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