New runner- what do I need for winter?

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About to finish couch to 5k and I've got the bug
i run early morning on pavements and am aware despite street lights I'm not visible.
Don't like overheating , but what's your best visibility gadget?
a harnesz? A high vis top? A torch?
any other advice welcome.

This recent thread has helpful info.

My advice is merino - socks, baselayer, gloves, hat - light, warm when wet, not too hot, not too cold. Doesn’t smell. Usually machine washable. Well worth investing in over “plastic” baselayers. Sweaty Betty have this in their sale. These Howies are my favourite winter running socks. -Isobaa are pricier, but really good colours; EDZ are a bit more cheap n cheerful. Cheap is a relative word. Consider merino as an investment piece. I have Howies merino baselayers older than DS, he’s 18.

I use decathlon bike lights with which clip onto my waist band. I don't like the feeling of vests. Otherwise, you don't need much apart from long sleeves and legs unless you're running in snow or out for hours. Oh, and proper running socks. Cotton socks will get very wet and give you blisters in the rain. That's the beauty of running, it's very cheap if you can resist the marketing

Light to be seen, but if you need to see you’ll need a head torch.

bright coloured clothing.

I have a jacket and wore it twice last year (both times it ended up tired round my waist). I have now brought a better one as it’s mandatory kit for an ultra I’m doing next year. Let’s see if I can keep that one on.

I run in short sleeve T-shirts and shorts most of the year. It has to be very cold for me to wear anything longer. I find taking a think long sleeve which I can take off when I get hit and tie round my waist helpful.

lots of people like gloves. They’re probably a good idea. I must buy some decent ones this year as the cheaper ones I brought last year came straight off!

so basically. Just make sure you can be seen and your shoes and socks don’t rub and you’ll be ok.

Have a look at ProViz for really good reflective clothing.

I also have a light from Decathlon that straps around my chest/shoulder and has a back and a front light- it’s super bright too.

Agree with Merino as a baselayer or bamboo. I also find that I generally move from short sleeve Ts to long sleeves as it gets colder but that in the chillier months I find wearing a vest top under a zip up jacket to be the right combo, rather than simply adding layers. I like things with looser sleeve that don’t feel restrictive. It needs to be sub 0 for me to actually run in a long sleeve base layer and a jacket!

I do appreciate good gloves though and a headband that covers ears, rather than a full hat, which would cook me!

At the other end of the spectrum to @user1471548941 I find anything below about 10 degrees C cold!
Gloves are a must for me. I did have some thin, silk I think, liner gloves which were from the skiing section at Decathlon and also these glove/mittens also from decathlon.
gloves

Removable layers that you can take off as you get hot from running are useful. Gloves and hat obviously, also worth considering arm sleeves. A cap with a brim is good for keeping rain off your face.

For visibility you ideally want a combination of lights to see with, reflective bits to be seen in car headlights and high viz (ideally not orange as it's hard to see in street lights) to be seen out of headlights. I have a harness with a chest light and reflective bits on the straps which I wear over a high viz top.

I'm only out for about half an hour, so hopefully I won't need to be too thermal.
thank you all for your wisdom

Along with some of the things mentioned here I got gortex trail shoes. Great for when the weather is bad or the ground is wet plus more grippy then regular trainers which means I’m not worried about slippage when it’s frosty. Also a decent rain jacket is a must imo.

some slightly mad responses on here - she's doing half an hour, not a winter Bob Graham!

Headtorch so you can see, gloves for the coldest days. That's it. You are very unlikely to need merino/a jacket/ a hat etc etc. I run in shorts and a t shirt all year round but do wear gloves if it's snowing or freezing temps.

Think it depends where you live tbh and what time of day you run. Plenty of rain here so whether you’re going out for 30 mins or 90 mins I would want to be warm and dry. Getting soaked when it’s cold is absolutely no fun.
It’s only October but my short running days are over until next summer as it’s far to chilly for me in the mornings now.

It also depends on how much she feels the cold. Just because you wear shorts and a t-shirt all year, but it doesn't mean everyone is comfortable in that amount of clothing.

Personally I’d not use trail shoes on pavement, they can actually be worse for grip if the pavement is a bit greasy.
Puma and Adidas are the most “grippy” of road running shoes I’ve found.
I’d invest in gloves and a light windbreaker as a start.
A reflective something, you can buy a cheap reflective harness that will more than do the job, you don’t need provis.

I have a running windbreaker that always ends up tied round my waist and a cross body strap thing with a light front and back.
Above 8° it’s shorts and t shirt. Below 8° it’s leggings and t shirt.
Any sign of ice then I stay home 😆

Do you do most of your running on trails? Because gortex trail shoes don’t seem like they would be very comfortable to wear on pavements.

Pavements.

As a half-hour-round-the-local-roads runner rather than a full on all-weather-die-hard-trail runner, my ultimate solution to really cold and shitty weather or icy pavements is to go to the gym and do it on a treadmill, or bin the run off for another day when it's not so awful.

I got a hi-viz tabard type thing that fits over anything else I am wearing.

I do a mixture of both. I run in all weather and where I live I’ve found trail shoes great for running through wet leaves (it gets very wet here) also when it’s frosty on the pavements. Have never slipped or had a near miss. I run all year round with the exception of when it’s very icy. They aren’t as cushioned as my normal running shoes but they are comfy.

If you can I would have two pairs of shoes so they have chance to dry between runs. You can also get shoe dryers for a reasonable price.

I would probably stick to road shoes on pavements, even if wet weather they’ll likely be more comfortable. Most road shoes that aren’t race shoes have adequate grip and as a new runner you’re probably unlikely to be out in very bad weather. It’s sensible to be very careful on icy mornings no matter what shoes you’re wearing.

Gosh. All these shoes. I just wear some Nike trainers

If your trainers are comfy that’s fine OP! I live rurally in Yorkshire and a lot of my road runs are still very steep on country lanes in poor nick which can get very greasy. If you’ve access to decent pavement whatever you’re in will be fine.
As I say, gloves, windbreaker and a hi viz harness, you can probably get all of that for £25

"Think it depends where you live tbh and what time of day you run"

I live very rurally, in the hills, and run mainly on trails in the early morning. It's dark now, hence the headtorch. Understand some runners run colder than I do, but if you're only out for short distances then in my experience it's preferable to get a bit wet from the rain then to be in a "boil in the bag" jacket. Different for longer runs when getting cold and wet becomes increasingly difficult though.

I wear a long sleeve top and a gilet. If I'm just going round the streets first thing I don't bother with a rain jacket, I get to hot and its irritating. If its raining that hard I'm sacking it off anyway.

Gloves and a neck buff to keep the chill off to start with, these are off within 10 minutes and shoved in pockets. Cap if its raining, helps to keep it off the glasses. A high viz harness over the top.

Another vote for pro viz gear that helps you be seen....but you might need a wearable light to help you see. I have a chest/body torch because I find it more comfortable than a head torch. I dont generally wear gloves but a buff or headband is good and can be pushed back to wear as a hairband if you get too hot.

Friends and /or decent bone conducting headphones for the times its horrible weather and you can easily persuade yourself to stay in. Arranging to Meet someone or having a good playlist or podcast can make a big difference!

I love goretex trainers for running on pavements in the rain. They're worse than useless for serious trails in the wet but they keep out light pavement splash very effectively. I wish they did goretex road shoes but as someone who doesn't need much support I find trail shoes are fine for most pavement runs.

I managed to pick up a high vis running harness from Aldi with LED lights. It’s been brilliant for early morning or evening running in the dark. Can be worn over however many layers you’ve got on. I’d go for that sort of thing. I just bought a merino wool long sleeve for cold/wet runs worn under a t-shirt or vest. I second having a second pair of running shoes for when they get wet. I wear longer socks in winter.