Complete Guide to Dress For Winter Running 

I am from the Philippines in South East Asia and migrated to Canada 25 yrs ago. I don't use car/bus going to work. I run/walk/bike commute to work (around 6km one way) all year round no matter what the temperature and weather. In the winter I've run commuted as cold as -55 celcius. I am 55 yrs old now and I am still doing this up to now.

The talk is very clear and no filler words. wow. You must be a great public speaker.

I live in Greenland and i love to run every year around, and I find winter running more challenging yet so fun. We get so much snow and the weather can be cruel and cold, yet it hasn`t stop me from running outside. This is so much more useful than other winter running tips, thank you :)

just started getting into running mid august, really enjoy it and wanted to continue through as much of the winter as possible. Thanks a lot for this video.

this is the most useful video on winter running!! So much useful info I havent heard anywhere else. Thanks so much

Very informative and helpful information in this video. Taren covers it all, A to Z, quite thoroughly. For those wanting an inexpensive option to Merino wool, you may consider polypropylene (polypro) for your base layer. It was standard issue when I served in the US military, for extreme cold weather use. It's just as good, and perhaps even better, than merino, depending on your situation and application. You can find it pretty easily online. A polypro thermal top runs about $25; thermal bottom is about the same. Hope that this helps someone out there. One can probably save $40-60 on just the top alone going the polypro route. From what I've seen, Merino will be double to triple the price of a polypro. And we all know that cold weather running gear is not cheap! Great video. Happy training to all! 😁

I just ran in the rain for 35 mins. Felt amazing. Thanks for the motivation

your commitment is way more commendable! I keep finding reasons to not go for a run. this is super motivating, thank you!

Advice from a Winnipeg runner. I trust your advice. Thanks a lot. Very useful hints covering running in real winter (with all the respect to other winters;)

This is the only video I have found useful on this topic. I was so lost in figuring out what I need until I got to hear your perspective. Thanks man.

One of the most important things about running in winter(or any other scenario where visibility is low), anywhere near where the cars drive (even on a sidewalk), especially at sunset/night, is that you MUST have something reflective and VERY bright on you. Otherwise you become invisible to cars until they are on top of you. For example: - you can use a running reflective high vis green vest. - high vis beanie - high vis reflective armbands (you can put them on legs as well) - high vis jackets - fully reflective jackets - etc. You want to have something that will make you visible from all angles and that reflects light. This will make you MUCH feel much safer and will drastically decrease chances of any type of accident happening. As a runner, you are VERY vulnerable and you should never step outside without having at least some basic safety gear.

Those that don't know what sitting at a bus stop in -40C haven't lived! Great stuff Taren :)

Without doubt you Canadians know ALL about cold weather. Its does get chilly in winter here in the UK but Canada is in a different league. Makes me cold just watching this video.

As I am a beginner 8 kilometres 5 day week, winter ❄️ Running is my first experience so thanks a lot for this video.

I live in Winnipeg too and this was super helpful. Thanks!

The most useful video on winter running!!! Those who are looking for tips for winter running gear/clothing/accessories, look no further!

I tend to head out a few minutes after dawn , about an hour or so before sunrise no matter the weather, and I can def vouch for merino, it’s my general preferred fabric for most of my clothing, technical and casual. For cold runs the Capilene Air crew+gaiter (50% lofted merino, the crew+gaiter is more versatile than the hoody) is 190gm and is my go to for anything under 50°F, as it gets colder/windier the Patagonia Airshed is my pico-shell, it breathes perfectly and blocks just enough wind. I’m in VA so it doesn’t get close than the teens on the coldest mornings, if so I’ll put a R1 hoody between the cap air and airshed. The gaiter is a gem, beat run hood ever, breathes and warm when wet w sweat/rain/ breath condensation, melted snow. Better than the merino buff (I own several of each) I run Xero z-treks on anything but snow (vapor glove 4s for that) and even in sandals a medium or thick merino w a dense weaved toe box (darn tough or smartwool phds for example) keep the dogs warm. my outer glove will vary, but a merino liner is a constant. My legs & ass don’t tend to get cold easily since their doing all the work, so it’s my usual strider pros or nine trails shorts, if need be I’ll put a tight underneath, or thin run pant over top (which usually get used for everyday wear) like some skoras or these patty trail pacer joggers. I really do need to invest in a legit winter run tight w pockets

This guy is the true definition of bad ass!

i am italian living in Estonia, in Tallinn, and here is very cold too, thanks for good advices ;)

Very good advice will see how cold it gonna gets here in Wisconsin this year, last year we hit -69 for two days thanks a lot taren for the advice

Just found you ! Thanks for getting me out the door tomorrow morning run! Love the tips.

In your climate you are right with your shoes. I run in a moderate climate where snow melts and freezes again. Sometimes we have ice everywhere for weeks and I love my Salomon Spikecross then!

Layers, layers!! It's my favourite season to run. Have a great winter running my friends!!!!

I have spikes and swear by them in shoulder seasons with lots of ice, may not be necessary for flatlanders but for hills or mountainous areas, you will be glad you have them. I live in Alaska. I also run with my dog so tends to pull so I love the extra traction

Thank you for converting to farenheit for those of us who still use that measurement.

Man, I'd move if that was our weather. Kudos to all of the ice runners out there.

Colourful socks makes a person warmer as well. Thanks for the tips. I plan to continue to embrace winter as always. This coming from beautiful Lac du Bonnet, MB. Watch for me on the road though. I'll also be wearing colourful socks.

I’m buying some fly knit reacts I’m so hype to go out and run in the snow

This is an area I'm def. trusting a Canadian Ginger to offer solid advice. Last year, I got my first merino wool underwear (smartwool 150 and 250) to try something different from my 15 year old Army issued, ECWCS Generation III Silk Weight underwear, loving called the ninja suit. That layering system is amazing, and taught me how to do it...def. a quality synthetic baselayer. The merino is amazing. Especially since I can wear it for days and days and it doesn't smell like sweaty ballsack and farts. The other baselayer brand I love is Odlo. Those damn Swiss really know what they're doing.

Watching this from Winnipeg!! So cool! It's so great to have a video like this... so many people teaching how to dress when it's *really* cold ...as in 0*C. Thanks for this! ;)

My -7°C running gear close to coast: sweatpants, hoodie, ragsocks, thin scarf and a santa hat. Due to black ice and tilted streets with very slippery ice i use Icebugg shoes, unless there is lot of snow, then regular.

Thanks, just looking for more ideas for this winter. Over here in Calgary Alberta. I ran in -30c last winter 3 times my eyelashes had so much ice on them it started to freeze my eyelids closed lol. Gonna look for ski goggles this year.

Thanks man! I hate the cold! I’m in Philadelphia and I just went on a long run in the snow today (7.5 miles) I really appreciate your tips. Do you recommend any sort of winter sock for running?

oohhh myy goodd, I live in east side of Canada with 19 C currently and cannot believe that is the current weather in Winnipeg!!!!!

You're the best dude... You should be given an award for living in Winnipeg rather than running on the snow...

If you can run in Winterpeg, I think I should be able to manage running in the tropics of Calgary

Love the ice tache :D

I live in Winnipeg too! However winter this year is kinda weird, pretty warm and no snow at all lol

thank you man, this is what i needed, people underestimate canadian winter so its hard to find info

1:50 in most places that’s probably true, but here the roads are covered with a 2 cm layer of ice every year, so you do indeed need them.

I’m sure nitrile non-latex gloves would work well too

So helpful and practical! Glad it's from a Winnipeger's northerly prospective.

Thanks for tell us the Celsius! I really appreciate that 😀✌️

This is awesome!! I live in Winnipeg too and this is so helpful

I use spikes in winter. It's not the ice I'm worried about but hard packed smooth snow that looks fine but then slippery af. Peace of mind knowing I won't crack my head open. Also, didn't notice any change to my gait. But thanks for the excellent tips!

12:53 I don't do the latex gloves, but I do do liner gloves with thick-ish mittens. Books makes the combo winter glove and Mitten that I use, it works really good.

Bull on the spikes sport. I run in St. Paul, MN all year round. I run with spikes in the winter and they work great. Yaktrax stink. But spikes work well.

👍 I'll look for that base layer material. Thanks.

This is so helpful, cold weather in Winner Peg is so relatable to me, good stuff!

thanks for this, just moved to Ottawa from BC :)

Can you provide links for the gear??

The biggest advantage in winter, the ground is smoother and you breath more oxygen. Running in a crowded gym is impossible, you can’t breath enough. I use the bag for my camelpack without any water bag. This is enough space to add a Marino shirt. Also, trail running shoes have much more treads.

Good info! I wear icebug cleats - it’s safer for me in my experience.

Easy about 50 degrees Fahrenheit and up then shorts and maybe a layer or two shirt. Below 50 degrees inside on treadmill...

I had always followed the advice of dress 10 degrees warmer than the actual temp

"Nipple icicles" had me spitting my hot chocolate out. I like this guy.

This guy knows what he talks about 👍

Problem of exercising in cold weather is not cold itself. You gonna heat yourself naturally as you excercise. Problem is counter intuitive cold sweat that sucks.

this was really helpful, thanks so much

Can't freeze if you live in Florida

Here I am trying to figure out how many additional layers I need to go from 44F to 33F, I was thinking t shirt, thermal, sweatshirt, neck gaitor...old boy would b out in shorts....he built different....

I tought i was gonna start running but its -30°.. i guess Ill wait the spring

It would be nice to know how you keep your electonics from bonking due to the cold temps!

Actual video starts at 06:54

Love the video, very informative. But I have to add one fun fact: in French Canada, we say "tuque".

100%. Merino wool and a wind shell is amazing. -10 and colder is easy to dress for...clothes and shoes. I find the tricky part (shoe wise) is those mild days in the city, (-3 to +2c)where it’s slush, puddles and salt. Not a fan of gortex/gtx shoes. They’re all heavy, don’t breathe and aren’t offered in lighter weights with lower drops for forefoot strikers. Wish there were more lighter water resistant (not waterproof) options. All I need is for the shoe not to absorb slush and water from the other foot splashing when it hits the slush. Water resistant Salomon s/lab cross are amazing. They breath and keep the water out. Only they’re great for trail...not so much the street. Unless the ground it well covered in snow. Maybe the Nike Pegasus Shiel, but I think they’re a bit heavy and higher drop.

Yaktrax are a must in rural Wisconsin

i build power lines in the winter and my problems are as follows . i can dress warm but begin to sweat and freeze when the task changes . it may be physical one minute then standing and watching a guy in the bucket so he dot hit hot power lines . my feet i have been wearing cotton socks my whole life just found out about marino wool . i have fought with smelly feet and athletes feet forever . hope the socks will help . im on a break right now for thanksgiving . i also thought about using antiperspirant on my feet to stop them from sweating . in the past i would buy hot feet and wait until like 10 oclock to put them on as we work 12 hour days and they never last that long . my head i have used beanies but they dont last long before im overheated . i have used just hoodies and they have become drenched in sweat . its like frigging torture . luckily im a veteran and can usually suck it up but now that im older its getting harder to last outside as my circulation has diminished . what do you think about the thin merino wool beanies ? i know im a pain in the butt and there is many questions here but im headed back to upstate NY near Canada border dec 1 to start back to work . any advice would be appreciated . oh and we work in the rain as well when its 36 /37/40 LOL !

Good video, thanks

Hi @Taren. Thanks for information and useful tip. I am more intrigued to your video recording technique and gear. Can you please share the technique and tip to video record when in action. Thanks in advance. 🙏

I don´t know what´s the temperature when you´re running but I´m taught to always cover your feet fully with socks or pants. When the temperature is 0 Celcius or under then water freezes, right? You´re sweating even when you´re not running. The water on your skin aka mostly sweat will freeze and that can cause frostbite.

Lmao "that farenhite thing'. So true. And by far so useful. Thanks much.

Excellent video - super helpful

thanks !

Thank you so much great video!!

Still don’t understand how you don’t slip when running with basic Nike’s with some grooves on the bottom ?

thanks for the tip it wokrs

Trying to stay motivated here in Edmonton -22 C

Hot Paws or Hot Pads. 15$ a box at most Costco's or Waltmart's. I have tried everything in the last 28 years to prevent my fingers from freezing. Snowmobile gloves doesn't work for me, lithium heated expensive gloves either. The only thing that saves me from not being to run are Hot Paws. With that, you can survive the 3-5 consecutives days at -30 celcius that we always have early january !

Omg, it's my 1st time see these 3 finger gloves... So funny and cute

Great video! Do you have any recommendations for a different base layer than wool for those who are allergic to wool, like me?

Very useful

Ah, winter has come to Canada. This past Monday morning there was actually snow in my yard here in Metro Detroit, and today it's going to be almost 70 degrees.

Thank you for the tips, this is a great video for winter running. I love your socks! What brand are they?

I love your glasses! What name brand are they?

May I ask, how do you steady your camera so well whilst running?

Great video, wondering what brand the blue cycling shell jacket you use on the run is? Thx!

Thank you for the video. Your link for gear isn't functioning. Just a heads up.

i am so confused with the shoes. how are you not slipping? may be because it's snow. here in Ontario, it's snow for one day and ice for next 8 days. regular runners only mean slip n fall.

Here in Quebec i trian in trail shoes.. on full ice..

I live in Quebec and the issue here is yes the cold but we are use to it, but its the slushy snow that i never get over. Do you get a lot of snow in winipeg? here its hard to just walk on the sidewalk!

Watched the whole thing . I'm having an awesome sale discount killing spree right now

Thank you for the video. I have one question. So for -30 Am I just going to need a thick base layer and a windproof jacket?? Will that be enough?? Or do I need to have 1 or more layers in between the base layer and jacket??

Just invested in runn for zwift , just for the winter shockers

There is no such thing as cold weather in Canada. Only bad clothings. I am also from way up North and my best advice for hands is a pair of heavy mitts with Gore-tex and insulation combined with a very light Merino wool glove inside. If you need to use your hands, the small glove will protect enough for a short time. Forget the latex glove (the only thing I disagree with in this great video). No use at all, sweaty and a pain to put on or to take off.

Fun fact I like how people talk about using wool products while I'm allergic to it. You know it's getting kind of cold when your almost done running and your water bottle is frozen.

The latex gloves are the perfect solution if you have cold and wet conditions

@TriathlonTaren Hello, what is the brand of your blue cycling shell? Great vid!

love your socks what brand are they

I'm in...