Running top for winter

[Tootytata]

I have just completed Couch to 5k! Never thought I'd make it but I have and I'd like to continue running.

I've lost about 20 lbs since I started but got about 2 stone left to lose.

With the weather getting colder, can anyone recommend good running tops for the colder weather please?

When we lived in Switzerland and Sweden, I used to go running on frozen ground with a t-shirt, an old thin cashmere turtleneck and a tight zipped sweater on top. Long legged leggings with horse riding socks over it, cap and silk gloves (the one you usually wear under ski gloves) .
I couldn't stand a hat and the cap brim would protect my face / eyes a bit from the wind.

Now most brands have cold weather range such as Nike storm, but seriously, if you look at the bottom of your wardrobe you will find what you need. It needs to be tight to be comfortable .

Decathlon has cheap range of everything.

You can never have enough kit...but you never seem to have exactly the right kit!

I'm a bit blobby round the middle and find that tight tops ride up while I'm running, so I tend to go for a slightly looser fit.

I'd agree that Decathlon is a good place to get stuff.

I find that I start off cold but get too hot very quickly - so I have tips which have flaps that roll over your hands instead of gloves (Ron Hill but from Sport Shoes), buff type head bands not hats
I also have this Decathlon gilet from their running range which I can take half off and fold over my belt if I get too hot.

Tips! Tops flipping autocorrect

I prefer to layer rather than one heavier top because I get too hot otherwise. So in the coldest of months I’ve got a base layer, a long sleeve top, light weight rain jacket and some fleecy lined leggings. It has to be less than 5 degrees out for that though.

It’s quite a personal thing, I’ve got friends wearing jackets in summer and others in shorts and vests in January. You need to experiment and find what you’re comfortable in.

Congratulations on finishing the couch to 5k, it’s a huge achievement.

@Freshprincess

I prefer to layer rather than one heavier top because I get too hot otherwise. So in the coldest of months I’ve got a base layer, a long sleeve top, light weight rain jacket and some fleecy lined leggings. It has to be less than 5 degrees out for that though.

It’s quite a personal thing, I’ve got friends wearing jackets in summer and others in shorts and vests in January. You need to experiment and find what you’re comfortable in.

Congratulations on finishing the couch to 5k, it’s a huge achievement.

I'm almost always too hot when I'm running and I'm frequently amazed that other people can run in what seems to me like way too much clothes It really is very individual!

Another one who ends up too hot.... I tend to go for a long sleeved top, and agree re thumb holes. I got a two layered top from M&S a couple years ago, which is a vest with a v thin top layer and I like that as I can take the top layer off. Not cheap, but if you can get a Sweaty Betty Breeze top in the sale, I really like them. They’re merino and have mesh sleeves, which is warm for the start of the run, but light enough for when I get too hot.

Despite being hot once I get going, I’m quite a cold person usually so I nearly always run layered up (eg a merino jumper or even a fleece) and with a small hydration vest in winter to put the extra layers in once I warm up as I don’t like tying anything round my waist.

I layer up. I do like fleece lined leggings as my calves cramp up easily in cold condtions.

I can end up down to a vest with fingerless cycling gloves with longer sleeves tied around my waist.

A good layering technique is to do a warm-up loop, shuck spare layers safely and continue in the right amount. Or run laps.

You can buy specialist winter running tops from places like Run and Become. I got one last year and it is fab. Not cheap (about £60) but I wore it every other day November - Feb and it is still good as new.

I recently got a long sleeved running top from Sweaty Betty. Light but warm fabric, thumb holes and dark green. I know their stuff is expensive, this was £55, but worth every penny. I've been wearing it when I go out at 5.15 am with a vest top underneath and a headband from Accessorize for warmth.