Tips For Winter Running
Winter running in the Pacific Northwest can be tricky. The weather is always around freezing level and precipitation of some kind is almost a guarantee. The fluctuation between rain and snow with the occasional clear day can leave the pavement and trails icy, slushy, dry, or any combination on any day. Here are some things we find useful when heading out for a run in the winter:
In The City:
Dress to the weather…and the effort! If it is cold out but you are going to be doing a workout, starting out a bit cold in shorts or a light shirt is fine since you will quickly warm up! If you are doing an easy run, long pants and a light jacket may be needed for the same weather.
Do workouts on the track. At the track you can wear layers for your warm up before ditching them for the main sets. The ground is also predictable so you can count on being able to complete hard efforts versus potentially running into icy patches and having to walk in the middle of a set.
Wear a running belt. Running belts are great for keeping a light layer, extra gels, and light traction like Yaktrax. Belts are lighter and less bulky than a vest and can bring everything you need for several hours in the city!
On the Trails:
Dress to the weather and the effort but carry extra layers like gloves, buffs, a shell jacket, and an insulated jacket or vest in your pack. If you have to stop for any reason, you will get cold extremely fast in sweaty clothing, and any help may be a long way away. The higher on the mountain you go, the more you should have on or in your pack. If in doubt between shorts and pants, wear shorts and bring light pants that you can throw on top just in case. This may seem like a lot of gear, but for most runners, this is base time so moving a bit slower is not a bad thing!
Pack your gear in a dry sack. Most vests are not waterproof or even water resistant. Protect your layers and essentials that cannot get wet by putting them in a dry bag first.
Have a few merino wool items if possible. Merino keeps you warm even when wet (to a point of course!), so even in 2 degrees and raining you can keep your core warm in a merino shirt. Merino socks are especially important for feet as they are guaranteed to get wet from the ground, the weather, or from sweat.
Have a few Gore-Tex items if possible. Gore-Tex is phenomenal at keeping the rain out, and the lighter jackets they make now are perfect for PNW winter running. Gore-Tex socks and shell gloves are also fairly easy to find and help keep both the wet out and the heat in. A note of warning about Gore-Tex socks… they do not stretch so if you have wide feet they can be painful on longer days out or fast descents.
Bring microspikes. These attach to your shoes and have little spikes that help you keep traction on icy ground, hard packed snow, or mixed ice, snow, and dirt! They are easily packable and are a lifesaver on descents!
Hand warmers! For those that get cold hands these are a must! Pack them for emergency use if you don’t normally get cold hands and they could come in handy if you have to stop. They stay warm for hours unless they get wet, then they quickly lose their heat. You can put them in plastic bags/ziplocks which will help prolong their life in the rain. A base layer merino glove, a Gore-Tex shell, then a hand warmer in a ziplock between them and your hands will be toasty for hours!
Here are some of our picks:
Running Belt: Naked Belt - https://nakedsportsinnovations.com/pages/the-band. Can be found at local run stores like Distance Runwear (https://www.distancerunwear.com/naked-running-band.html).
Shell Pant: Arcteryx Incendo or Trino Pant - https://arcteryx.com/ca/en/
Dry Bag: We don't have a favourite here but something like this - https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5058-269/BlockerLite-Dry-Sack?colour=GRN00. MEC also has several options that would work. You want it to be lightweight and be able to fit in your vest.
Merino Shirts: Kari Traa has some warm and durable baselayers, unfortunately no men’s line! https://www.karitraa.com/en/home/
Icebreakers Body Fit shirts work well for running as they are lighter weight than most - https://www.icebreaker.com
Rabbit Running just released a merino shirt which is definitely the most stylish of the merino shirts out there! https://www.runinrabbit.com/search?type=product&q=merino*. These can also be found at Distance Runwear.
Merino Socks: Smart Wool Mountain Addition Socks are both warm and durable for a running sock! https://www.smartwool.com/homepage.html
Gore-Tex jackets: Our absolute favourite Arcteryx Norvan SL isn't made anymore! But, Capra sells La Sportiva’s version - https://www.capra.run/collections/womens-jackets/products/la-sportiva-womens-iliad-gtx-jacket
Shell Glove: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Mitt https://www.outdoorresearch.com/ca/helium-rain-mitts-279861
And Salomon Bonatti Waterproof https://www.salomon.com/en-ca/shop/product/bonatti-wp-mitten-u-19.html#color=37459
Microspikes: Black Diamond Distance Spike https://www.distancerunwear.com/black-diamond-distance-spike.html
Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra https://www.capra.run/collections/accessories/products/hillsound-trail-crampon-ultra