What do you wear to run in the winter?

Just realised I said I'd update on how the jacket is. I have only worn it without the sleeves so far as I haven't been cold enough for the sleeves yet. It's nice and warm though. I have been lucky with my timing and never been out in heavy rain so I can't comment on how waterproof it is. It doesn't seem to make me sweat any more but it might with the sleeves.

I've been wearing a pair of full length Karrimor running tights, the sleeveless jacket, long sleeved top with thumbholes in sleeves and fingerless gloves. That's been plenty warm enough so far. I also start off with a Buff over my nose and mouth as the sudden transition from warm to very cold air triggers my asthma.

A winter headband is on my Xmas list as I get cold ears. Like the previous poster it is my ears, nose, hands and feet that feel the cold. I ran in the snowy weather last year and just layered up a lot but I think I'd like a jacket this year. Running may be free but it can be costly in other ways! I find a new bit of clothing gives me a bit of an incentive to go out. I bought some great winter tights and a top (which performed really well in the rain) from TK Maxx the other week.

I wear cottony bootleg gym trousers, a long sleeve tshirt and a very thin windproof jackety thing of dh ( i wear this in all weather to cover my bum ). I wear a peaked pack (a bit like a baseball cap) all seasons to keep my fringe and ponytail out of my way and to secure me headphones. In winter a wear a black beanie hat over that cap to keep my ears warm. Peak is great for k eeping rain and snow off imvho! Think black gloves too.

My absolute must have for cold runs is my karrimor running headband - my ears get really sore (must be the wind whistling past at my lightening pace ) £4 from sports direct.

I agree with others, the karrimor cheapo stuff is great for winter, I have tights, jacket, gloves & just invested in quality trainers, bra & running top (I think the expensive tops wick sweat away better).

My running jacket is just a very lightweight polyester Adidas one. It doesn't keep me dry, but I've run in the snow wearing it (with a couple of layers underneath, plus hideous yellow high-vis beanie hat & gloves) and I got wet, but my body didn't get cold at all. The only parts of me that get cold when I'm running are my nose, feet and hands.

I'd rather be hot and wet than cold and wet! And it makes me think of Clare Balding getting down to jockey weight in her autobiog.

Might January sales be a good place for a decent jacket?

I love my orange Saucony one but only because it is orange, it's no good in rain but it keeps the wind out and anyone within a few miles can definitely see me charging around like a giant carotenotic bull

Reading this thread with interest. Does anyone have any recommendations for a running jacket? I've looked online and quite like the look of the H&M one and the Ronhill Vizion Windlite but was surprised by the lack of hoods on either. I get the impression that these jackets are more about protecting from the wind than rain? Incidentally I did a run in the rain this week and wore tights and a long sleeved top but borrowed a baseball cap off DH at his suggestion. I probably looked a fright but it made my run very comfortable as it stopped the rain lashing in my face. I will definitely wear it again. Last winter I survived without a running jacket - just wore a zip up "gym" jacket over a long sleeved top and sometimes vest too with thermal running gloves and a hat. I didn't have any running tights at that time so wore ordinary opaque tights under my running bottoms.

water proof AND breathable, I think there are some that promise a good level of water resistance while still keeping you dry on the inside of them

I don't mind being wet while I'm running, one of my longest runs recently was in very heavy rain and I kept thinking 'weird how nice this feels' but it was later, even after I'd eaten and showered and changed, I couldn't get warm and ended up doing the horses layered up in ski stuff and it was about 18C if I was a proper grandma I'd say I caught a chill?

so would like a truly water proof jacket but I think they are £200+

A jacket is great for putting your hat and gloves in. (and tissues for me because cold air makes my nose run). On a long run, if I warm up enough I can undo it or tie it around my waist.

I like H&M sportswear.

If its raining really hard I think you just have to accept that you're going to get wet. Proper waterproofs aren't breathable enough for running, so you either get wet from the outside or the inside.

I have a dayglo hat for visibility and reflective strips on my jacket, but you really can't have too much high-vis.

Anyway, I wear tights, longer socks (I'm tall and tights leave a gap), a long sleeved top with maybe another over the top if it's really cold, gloves (sometimes), jacket (rarely).

I think I wore a hat once last winter.

You really need to find what works for you.

The thing to do when it's cold outside is not to think "oooo I'll get warm when I run" and start out cold. Best to start warm, do a jog to warm up, then go back to the house and dump a layer if need be.

As someone else said, Sports Direct is great for reasonably priced running stuff.

You'll struggle to find a waterproof jacket, but shower proof ones should be enough in our climate and for the distance you're doing at the moment.

Gloves are good and easy to shove in a jacket or gillet pocket if you get warm, or you can get long sleeved tops with thumb holes in the sleeves so you can tuck your hands in. Hat or ear/head band thingy.

If it's raining you'll be much more comfortable in fitted clothes. Damp flapping clothes are not good.

Remember to make sure you are visible if you're running in the dark. Loads of tops have high-viz stuff on them.

Don't spend a fortune though, not for 5K. Once you've done your 5K and signed up for a Spring 10K treat yourself to some lovely capris and new top.

Good luck.

Is there any such thing as a waterproof running jacket? I have a windcheater but 2 weeks ago got soaked through. I bought an expensive Nike jacket which was apparently waterproof other than the breathing panels. Wore it today but had to stop after about 4k because I was wet through e.g. my bra was soaked. The wetness wasn't sweat because the inside was wettest around the arms (not my pits).

Am taking the Nike back as not fit for purpose.

I'm always cold - I wear at least 2 more layers than DH at home etc.

I wear running leggings, a hat, gloves and on top I usually have a very light running jacket that's slightly windproof with a vest/t-shirt/long sleeved top underneath, depending on how cold it is. I often need gloves well before I need a long sleeved top. In the autumn/spring I wear leggings and a long sleeved running top.

Tbh I'd say a jacket was essential on winter as a windbreak even if you don't mind getting wet. Wind chill can be awful. And it's a good way of making yourself bright. Check out Wiggle and the 'rock bottom' bit of Cotswold Outdoor online, and Go Outdoors and Sports Direct ( if you have no objection to them) for well priced kit. But get shoes fitted by a proper running shop and be prepared to spend time as well as money.

Get thee to Aldi and see if try have any of the cycling or running stuff they have done recently left. Apart from padded shorts, I tend to use running and cycling stuff fairly interchangeably. Merino wool socks are a very good investment, as are merino wool tops (google Howies and Embers, not cheap but brilliant). I run in a high vis Aldi running jacket, very cheap and 6 years old. I recently replaced it with a new one that was
£20 and is one of the best breathable, waterproof jackets I have ever had ( I have had many, usually over £100+). I find long tights too hot even in winter. A decent running bra and well fitted shoes are essential, get professionally fitted for both.

If you are only running for thirty minutes you won't need a jacket, even if it is pouring with rain if you are running fast enough you will be warm and the rain won't matter. The few times I wore a running jacket in the rain I just got so hot in it and it wasn't breathable so all my sweat stayed on my body, making me so wet I might as well have got wet form the rain. I also got quite cold on my skin while also being very hot internally. It was not a nice feeling.

Ok, first bit of advice, dress as if it is ten degrees C warmer when you are running. Generally as a rule of thumb that works for me and I usually feel the cold very badly.

Winter running tights form Karrimor are what I wear, with a sports bra, a vest running top and then a long sleeved winter running top on top of that. I wear thin gloves and a buff to cover my ears, and a wolly hat on top of that if it is very cold.

Last night I wore my running tights, my long sleeved top and the buff over my ears and I was fine. It is not cold enough to run in gloves and hat yet.

Last winter during the coldest days (when the snow had frozen onto the ground) I wore a pair of leggings under my running tights (just normal leggings) and that also really helped.

I don't think wearing shorts over the tights would make you any warmer really.

Main thing for me is to keep my ears warm, I always run with them covered unless it is very hot.

I got a really good winter long sleeved running toip in Lidl last week for £9.99. It is really good, very close to my body (like a wetsuit) so will keep me well insulated.

Also make sure you have proper running socks, not just thin cotton normal socks. Makes a difference.

I wear running tights - not thermal as I get too hot. Either knee length or ankle length depending on temperature and what is clean.

Tops I wear either cap sleeve or if really cold I might wear a long sleeve one - usually they are rolled up within 10 mins though. Again - tend to get hot!

If it is really cold - think about sero degrees then I might wear some gloves and/or a beanie. However usually I have to take them off half way around so then have to carry them.

TBH I like running in the cold winter better than spring, autumn or summer. I'm not keen on warm weather running.

I've got some fleecy cycling leggings for when it's below 0. Windproof coat, gloves & hat.