What do you wear while you run?

[Alone]

I run. A lot.

The problem I often run into (no pun intended) is that, during the winter, I'll wear too much clothing because I'm cold, then I'll warm up and sweat like a beast. So it usually ends up with me going out in shorts and a sweatshirt, with a short sleeve underneath. But then I have to carry my sweater, or tie it, which is just uncomfortable/inconvenient.

In the summer, well, shit I just sweat like a beast no matter what.

I hear a lot about Under Armor, but I've yet to try it. Is it worth the steep prices they charge, or is there something better/just as good for less? I'm cheap by no means, but hell, if I can pay less for something, why not?

 

[SWScorch]

If its over 10 degrees, running shorts. Under 10 degrees, running pants with light running shorts underneath.
If its over 50 degrees, no shirt. 40-50, long sleeve dri-fit shirt. 30-40, short sleeve dri-fit shirt with slightly warmer long-sleeve shirt over. Under 30, a cheap Underarmor knock-off shirt that I have with dri-fit shirt or pullover on top.

For example, today was 25 with a windchill of 16. Shorts, long-sleeve dri-fit and warmer pullover, along with a hat and gloves. Underarmor-type materials are a godsend, but I got my "UA" at Walmart for 10 bucks and I like it better than the name brand stuff I have. Dri-fit is also crucial; again, you don't need to pay big bucks; most of mine are Champion from target.

 

[Alone]

Thanks! I'm pretty much looking for this kind of info (brand names, etc). I'll check out Wal-Mart.

 

[enwar3]

I'm looking for stuff to keep me warm too, like a base layer.

The dri-fit stuff and moisture wicking material in general have always struck me as being more suited to warm weather. Are they decent at keeping you warm, too?

 

[Atty]

Warm: Running shorts and a dri fit tee, if I wear a shirt.
Cold: Running shorts and a long sleeve dri fit shirt or just a regular dri fit shirt. It's Florida, I've run on what was supposedly our coldest night and after nearly 5 minutes I had enough blood flow to keep me warm.

 

[Bateluer]

My blood has thinned out a lot after living in Phoenix for the last 7 years, so I tend to wear long pants during between mid September through roughly late march. As I warm up, I sweat, but its not a critical issue. Most of the places I run at, if I need to strip off a sweater or jacket, I can pick it up on the way back. Sometimes I can leave them at aide stations and pick it up after the race.

If the weather is below 60, I will never wear shorts. Too cold. If below 50, I wear a long sleaved shirt. If below 40, I have two fleece outerwear garments that I'll wear.

You guys that dress in shorts when there's snow and ice on the ground are nuts, and, arguably, you're asking for an injury.

 

[Megatomic]

If it's cold out (in the 30s or below) and I can't get to the gym to run, I'll wear running pants, a regular t-shirt, and a pullover dri-fit long sleeve shirt with beanie hat and gloves. If it's over 40 I'll wear the same but with running shorts and no hat. If it's over 60, it's shorts and a short sleeve shirt for me.

I'm too self-conscious to go shirtless on a run. Even in Texas when it was over 100 degrees out I ran with a tank top on.

 

[dakels]

I wear Dri-fit all year round. T-shirt only in warm temps and a thicker dri-fit long sleeve top in cold weather, oh it's called therma-fit apparently. I wear with dri-fit underneath as well. Both pieces breath very well allowing sweat and heat to escape but keep me relatively warm. Not that warm though but you produce a lot of heat and it keeps me from getting wet which is most important in cold weather running. I also make sure everything fits snug, not too tight but not loose so there is no chafing or loose pockets of cold air coming in. All air funnels through the dri-fit holes. And I dont mean to use the dri-fit brand name. It can be whatever moisture wicking material you use with whatever brand. I actually wear Adidas T-shirt or underarmour, with a nike long sleeve top. Sometimes it's super cold, like 20 degrees F. I have a semi dri-fit breathing type glove too I use and a hat. If it's really cold I put on those ear wrap things and a skully hat. You can lose a lot of heat from your head. It's a good control point for heat loss or containment depending on what you cover your head with.

One thing that has changed for me is my knees. They are getting worse and stiffer after a workout. They are also sensitive to cold so I started wrapping them in neoprene knee braces. Helps a lot for me for not only extra support, but warmth. I think it makes my run a little tougher too.

 

[Capt Caveman]

My attire includes nothing cotton.

>50 - running shorts, coolmax/dri-fit short-sleeve/sleeveless/long-sleeve shirt
40s - Sugoi running pants with sports boxer-briefs, thick longsleeve Sugoi zip-mock shirt and nylon running vest
30s - Sugoi running pants with UA compression shorts , Helly Hansen polypropylene undershirt(best moisture wicking clothing I own) with longsleeve Sugoi zip-mock pullover and Pearl Izumi running jacket with thin Pearl Izumi running hat and New Balance running gloves
20s - Windproof Sugoi runnings pants with Pearl Izumi tights, Helly Hansen polypropylene undershirt with thick longsleeve Hind Thermafleece zip-mock pullover and Pearl Izumi running jacket with thin Pearl Izumi running hat and New Balance running gloves
10s - Windproof Sugio runnings pants with Pearl Izumi thermafleece tights, Helly Hansen polypropylene undershirt with longsleeve Pearl Izumi zip-mock underwear with thick longsleeve Hind Thermafleece zip-mock pullover and Pearl Izumi running jacket with heavy Pearl Izumi hat and Pearl Izumi lobster gloves. If it's super windy, I'll also throw on the running vest over the jacket.
0s - same as 10s but add a bavaclava/face mask

I have a bunch of other stuff that I use as substitutes for the above.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: Alone
I run. A lot.

The problem I often run into (no pun intended) is that, during the winter, I'll wear too much clothing because I'm cold, then I'll warm up and sweat like a beast. So it usually ends up with me going out in shorts and a sweatshirt, with a short sleeve underneath. But then I have to carry my sweater, or tie it, which is just uncomfortable/inconvenient.

In the summer, well, shit I just sweat like a beast no matter what.

I hear a lot about Under Armor, but I've yet to try it. Is it worth the steep prices they charge, or is there something better/just as good for less? I'm cheap by no means, but hell, if I can pay less for something, why not?

i have a nike dri-fit shirt and tights for running in the cold. i warm up in 10 minutes and don't feel cold at all after that.
if its really cold i usually put on a wind breaker. its no super warm but it helps a lot in the first few minutes and i can open the front zip to let cold air in when i start to sweat.

one more thing i do i sometime come back after the 1st mile. drop my warm stuff at home and (after warm up) and cool down at home at the end.

 

[sash1]

if it's below 20/32: underarmor spandex, then just shirt/shorts and gloves (i have bad circulation to my hands, so that's my main goal)

anything above 20/32, i can wear shorts/t-shirt and be fine maybe gloves if it's cold enough

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I'm in central Florida, warm weather is boardshorts *90% of the time*, the other 10% I have to actually put a wicking shirt on. It is Christmas day and almost 80f here.

 

[state 08]

In the winter, I wear long sleeve dri-fit, and a sweatshirt over it, and then below I wear gym shorts and tear-away pants.

 

[enwar3]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
My blood has thinned out a lot after living in Phoenix for the last 7 years

What about Phoenix makes your blood thin out? (Honest question)

 

[Alone]

Well, reading all these posts about dri-fit and UA convinced me to pick some up. Grabbed myself a long sleeve UA shirt, can't wait to try it out!

 

[enwar3]

Originally posted by: Alone
Well, reading all these posts about dri-fit and UA convinced me to pick some up. Grabbed myself a long sleeve UA shirt, can't wait to try it out!

Let us know how it works out... especially how it compares to other fabrics.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It was nice running in shorts and a t-shirt today in Boston.

 

[RagingBITCH]

If it's very cold/windy, long running pants, and a tshirt + long sleeve shirt, hats, gloves.

If it's moderately cold, running shorts, and same combo of shirt.

Otherwise, running shorts, shirt, and some kind of hat. (To keep the sweat out of my eyes)

 

[bobsmith1492]

Hat, gloves, long-sleeved tee-shirt or fleece and you're good to go. Just run really fast at first to get warmed up! Then you can take off the gloves and hat if you get hot. I've only run when it's maybe 20F out; if it were colder I'd wear my underarmor tights (pants) if I thought my lungs would survive.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Some great advice in here. To echo, dump cotton and go with some sort of wicking/"dri-fit" type clothes. Experiment with different brands. I have been running in polyester for 10 years and I find Sugoi and Adidas to be slightly better at wicking than Nike.

If it's raining, wear tights (half-length or full-length, depending on the temperature).
For any substantial wind, a base layer plus shell (vest/jacket) is better than a base plus mid-layer.
Break out the gloves around 5 Celsius, the toque when it's below 0 Celsius.
In the summer, wear at least a sleeveless top, no matter how hot it is. When shirtless, you don't wick sweat as effectively.
If you're doing a speed workout, you can often go with one less layer or shorts instead of pants than a steady run in the same conditions.

Also, keep in mind that everyone feels temperatures differently. When you step out the door, you should dress so that you shiver a bit and feel a bit cool for at least the first 10 minutes of the run, so you don't overheat later. (This doesn't apply to any temperatures above 20 Celsius as you're already lightly dressed.)

 

[Capt Caveman]

fyi - REI has their annual Clearance Sale going on now til Jan. 25. Picked-up a ton of Under Armor and Nike Dry-Fit clothing for 50% off already 25-50% off prices. Mostly winter but some summer clothing.