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Cheaper Cold Gear for Running

V

vevo_43

Member
I'm going to start the couch to 5k program soon but it's winter now and I don't have access to an indoor running track. I think it would be more interesting to run outside anyway. But Under Armour cold weather gear are expensive and I was wondering if there were other brands that are good but cheaper than UA.
 
vevo_43 said:
I'm going to start the couch to 5k program soon but it's winter now and I don't have access to an indoor running track. I think it would be more interesting to run outside anyway. But Under Armour cold weather gear are expensive and I was wondering if there were other brands that are good but cheaper than UA.
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As long as you get something breathable, you'll be ok. I wouldn't buy much unless you know you like to feel cooler or warmer when you're warmed up.

It doesn't get too cold in Northern California but last Sunday morning around 50F, i only ran in a tshirt, shorts and hat. I'll probably pick up arm tights and a lightweight jacket. Down the line, i'll probably pick up pants of some sort and a beanie.
 
You can usually find some good deals at discount stores like Marshall's/T. J. Maxx/etc but they're hit-or-miss. Old Navy's actually clearancing their activewear line so you can find loose and compression clothes for pretty good prices. Don't know how they stack up but the price is good (I picked up a few pieces with my Groupons from a few weeks ago).

Other than that, I have a deal notification set up on slickdeals for UA/Nike gear. Missed out on a huge UA sale 3 days ago, boooooo.
 
You don't need expensive stuff. Cheap running gear from Wal-mart is as good as under armor.

For warmth, you need to learn to layer via trial and error as everyone is different. Remember, wicking goes on first, then sweater if needed.

And run into the wind to start. Better to have wind to back when sweating.

And pay attention to wind chill when learning to layer.
 
Since you're just starting out, you're not going to going see any benefit from the expensive, high end clothing. You'll just come off as an pretentious douche wearing Under Armor, North Face, etc. Old Navy has decent athletic wear at decent prices, but you're better off going to Walmart or Target and getting some simple stuff.

How cold are we talking here?
 
IHateMyJob2004 said:
You don't need expensive stuff. Cheap running gear from Wal-mart is as good as under armor.

For warmth, you need to learn to layer via trial and error as everyone is different. Remember, wicking goes on first, then sweater if needed.

And run into the wind to start. Better to have wind to back when sweating.

And pay attention to wind chill when learning to layer.
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I strongly disagree that they are the same, at least when we are talking about wicking materials. If it's that plastic impermeable stuff then it's probably the same.
 
Bateluer said:
Since you're just starting out, you're not going to going see any benefit from the expensive, high end clothing. You'll just come off as an pretentious douche wearing Under Armor, North Face, etc. Old Navy has decent athletic wear at decent prices, but you're better off going to Walmart or Target and getting some simple stuff.

How cold are we talking here?
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Under Armour is amazing and will make you more comfortable at any skill level.
 
It's about 40 degrees where I am right now. Possibly dipping down to 20s throughout the winter season. I'll check out Marshalls and Old Navy. I'm just concerned about good compression and wicking. Everything else I can layer on top of that I have fleece stuff. Also, would I need special socks or can I just get those packs from walmart?
 
vevo_43 said:
It's about 40 degrees where I am right now. Possibly dipping down to 20s throughout the winter season. I'll check out Marshalls and Old Navy. I'm just concerned about good compression and wicking. Everything else I can layer on top of that I have fleece stuff. Also, would I need special socks or can I just get those packs from walmart?
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You'll hear a lot of differing opinions on socks, I personally like my Thorlos running socks.

FYI, good compression gear costs money. Eastbay.com is running some sales on their house brand compression gear, for under 20 dollars for full length tights. Not sure they count as good though, I bought a pair of warm weather tights and a pair of cold weather tights to try out. CW-X is high end stuff, usually starts at around 100 dollars and goes up. :/ I cannot afford that.
 
vevo_43 said:
I'm going to start the couch to 5k program soon but it's winter now and I don't have access to an indoor running track. I think it would be more interesting to run outside anyway. But Under Armour cold weather gear are expensive and I was wondering if there were other brands that are good but cheaper than UA.
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I use to jog 4 miles a day to stay in shape so I can give you some tips but they are not related to the weather. :biggrin:

1) Stick to the indoor track. They are made especially for joggers to protect your feet. I am assuming that you might be overweight since you mentioned that you are coming from a couch and going to a 5k program? Being overweight and jogging on pavement can really hurt your feet and knees to the point that you just can't walk comfortably anymore. Even if you're not overweight, you can still hurt your knees so I really wouldn't recommend it. If you still want to go outside then try and find gravel, dirt, sand, or soft grass like a golf course. Neighborhood grass does not work so well and your neighbors would probably get mad.


2) Buy the right type of jogging shoes made specifically for your feet determined by your arch. If you do a quick google search then look up pronation to find out what type of feet you have. I like Asics since they make shoes specifically for an arch. Having the right shoes will protect you from pain.

3) Build muscles in your legs to reduce strain on your knees. I do squats and leg lifts. This also reduces pain in your knees.


4) One thing you learn from jogging long distances is the ability to jog through pain. You can jog through both knee and feet pain with an expectation that you will live but you can not jog through chest pain. Jogging through chest pain could result in you collapsing and even death. If there are any signs of chest pain, stop immediately and if it continues for more then 3 mins, call 911. (That's what my doctor told me when it happened to me)


lastly, I feel like a broken record since I already mentioned this in another post. :|
 
I picked up Nike compression long sleeve top and pants last year from Dicks. I like them a lot. On top of that I throw on athletic pants, normal mesh running shirt, and then a jacket. With gloves and a hat I was good down to about 0-10 degrees.
 
Under Armour isn't cheap, but their stuff is likely to last much longer than something you get at Old Navy or Walmart. Part of what you're paying for with UA is the brand name, but you do get quality as well.
 
HNNstyle said:
I use to jog 4 miles a day to stay in shape so I can give you some tips but they are not related to the weather. :biggrin:

1) Stick to the indoor track. They are made especially for joggers to protect your feet. I am assuming that you might be overweight since you mentioned that you are coming from a couch and going to a 5k program? Being overweight and jogging on pavement can really hurt your feet and knees to the point that you just can't walk comfortably anymore. Even if you're not overweight, you can still hurt your knees so I really wouldn't recommend it. If you still want to go outside then try and find gravel, dirt, sand, or soft grass like a golf course. Neighborhood grass does not work so well and your neighbors would probably get mad.

lastly, I feel like a broken record since I already mentioned this in another post. :|
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Unfortunately an indoor running track is not an option for me at this time. I'd use the campus gym's but I'm on winter break. There is a running track/trail in the park here. It's not concrete I think.

I'm not overweight but I am really out of shape. I'm a little underweight and I'm trying to get into the habit of working out regularly (tried a few times before but fell out of the routine).

When I ran a bit in an indoor running track, my issue wasn't with painful knees or ankles. They were fine. My problem is with breathing. I felt like my lungs were drying out pretty early on in the run. I'm assuming that's just because I need to run more and get used to it. I don't know.
 
Welcome to the club vevo 🙂 I'd say anything tech wise is good for the base layer. Helps wick sweat away and prevents the awful cotton chafe on your nipples...or worse.

For layers over/above that - a cotton shirt/hoodie is fine over that. It's really just keeping your core warm. People will argue "then your sweat soaks into the outer cotton" - true. If you have the money to buy technical long sleeve stuff go for it. (Brand for the most really doesn't matter - even Target stuff is pretty good)

I will say - you'll figure out quickly what works for you, what doesn't. I kind of have a rule based on weather/wind:

55+ - no shirt
47-55 - short sleeve shirt
35-46 - long sleeve over short sleeve, thin gloves
under 35 - hoodie + long/short sleeve, thick gloves

All varies based on wind of course. What works for me doesn't work for everyone...just experiment and you'll figure it out.
 
RagingBITCH said:
55+ - no shirt
47-55 - short sleeve shirt
35-46 - long sleeve over short sleeve, thin gloves
under 35 - hoodie + long/short sleeve, thick gloves

All varies based on wind of course. What works for me doesn't work for everyone...just experiment and you'll figure it out.
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Nuts to that. 😛 55F is long pants weather, minimum. Course, I'm used to running in triple digit temps 9 months out of the year. 😉
 
RagingBITCH said:
Welcome to the club vevo 🙂 I'd say anything tech wise is good for the base layer. Helps wick sweat away and prevents the awful cotton chafe on your nipples...or worse.

For layers over/above that - a cotton shirt/hoodie is fine over that. It's really just keeping your core warm. People will argue "then your sweat soaks into the outer cotton" - true. If you have the money to buy technical long sleeve stuff go for it. (Brand for the most really doesn't matter - even Target stuff is pretty good)

I will say - you'll figure out quickly what works for you, what doesn't. I kind of have a rule based on weather/wind:

55+ - no shirt
47-55 - short sleeve shirt
35-46 - long sleeve over short sleeve, thin gloves
under 35 - hoodie + long/short sleeve, thick gloves

All varies based on wind of course. What works for me doesn't work for everyone...just experiment and you'll figure it out.
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Sweet, this helps. I get cold really easily but since I'll be running this should work. Thanks!
 
My favorite piece of cold weather running apparel is a cheap generic underarmor mock turtleneck that I got from Wal-Mart about 10 years ago. I wear it almost every day during the winter, and it has lasted this long and works just as well as the name brand stuff and is more comfortable. I buy a lot of my running stuff from Target and Old Navy too. For $21 I just bought two pairs of running shorts and another UnderArmor style long sleeve shirt. You don't need to spend the money on name brand gear unless you have the cash to throw around.
 
Champion c9 @ Target is okay, not great but not expensive. I bought some, and it definitely doesn't hold up anywhere near as long as my UA or Nike Pro Combat. Both last 2-3x as long as C9, and I doubt the Starter stuff at Walmart is any better than Champion. Burlington Coat Factory will have some stuff as Tj Maxx and Marshals. Personally I'll take 1 Nike pro Combat shirt over 2 c9's, but that's just me.
 
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I'm on my third winter with the C9 gear I bought at Target. At 25% of the cost of UA it's a steal. I run all winter long outside in upstate NY. 30 to 50 miles per week in the dead of winter on trails. It holds up, believe me.

For socks though, go with some nice wools socks. I trust my feet to Smartwool products all year long, especially in the winter. I've run 20 miles in the snow with non GTX shoes and never had my toes freeze up. At $15/pair they are pricy but well worth it.

RagingBitch's temperature scale is pretty good. I've run in weather close to 0F and this worked for me:

Running tights
Running shorts
Smartwool socks
Compression/wicking shirt
Tech shirt
Tech jacket
Beanie hat
Running gloves

If you have any specific questions about cold running, hit me up.
 
I have a C9 thermal, not for running, and it's held up well for the last 4 years. I use it as is or layered under my snow jacket when i'm snowboarding.

no tears, seams are still in tact but i busted the zipper.
 
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