There’s a subtle beauty to running the morning after it snows. The thin film of snow that covered the streets the night before has been plowed, but it’s still quiet on the roads, and the early morning sun reflects off the snowbanks, brightening the dreary winter mornings. When that happens, we take advantage of it, no matter how many layers we have to wear.
But tackling a run on such mornings requires preparation. You need to set your alarm, lay out your winter kit, then head to bed. When the thermometer reads 33 degrees, you need fleece-lined leggings, thick, yet sweat-wicking socks, a base layer, followed by a vest and then perhaps a jacket as well depending on wind conditions. You’ll need gloves and a hat as well, that are warm but breathable.
If you hate running on the treadmill, layering up is really the only thing you can do, no matter how low the temperatures drop. But the feeling is worth it. Embrace it. Embrace the crisp air. Let your lungs acclimate, and run until your eyes stop watering. Push through the initial shock and you’ll be rewarded with a stillness and peacefulness that can only be earned on frigid mornings by sucking it up and getting after it.
To help you do just that, we collected three of the best deep winter running kits on the market. We can’t guarantee you’ll want to get out of bed and hit the streets, but you’ll definitely be warm if you do.
Gear Patrol
