Cold weather runners/bikers

[IamJen]

What is some of your favorite gear to wear?

This past week was the first time it's been *very* cold here. Last year, I wore a combination of clothes that kept me pretty warm. So far this year, I'm having more trouble staying warm, especially my hands. Yesterday, I went out for a ride in the newfallen snow, but I had to dress up like a polar bear. (tshirt, sweatshirt, polar fleece, jacket, sweats, jeans, headband, hat, gloves, two pair socks). Aside from looking odd, the extra bulk makes maneuvering a difficult task.

Suggestions/recommendations?

[Walter]

I just tought it out. :D

When biking I just wear my zipped up hoodie, but when it's really cold I usually wear my windbreaker over top of it. Together they're really warm. Lately I've been wearing my hood, and wearing my helmet on top of that. That's made a huge difference and my ears thank me.

I need to get some gloves.

[Jinga]

It has been chilly and windy here, too! I hate it :cry: ... My face and lungs/throat are the places that get bit by the cold. I really wish I could find a way to get past that. Its miserable. To keep the rest of me warm, starting from the bottom up, I wear:

* Cotton socks and running shoes.
* Thick spandexy type pants.
* A fitted sweat-whicking long sleve top.
* A fitted fleece jacket.
* A non-fitted medium weight jacket ... usually white due to the fact that the sun is never up.
* Pair of gloves.
* Ski cap of sorts.

[psala]

Take a look at UnderArmour cold gear line: http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/ua/gear.asp?dept%5Fid=4. I've got a cold gear turtleneck and have worn only that (on my upper body) in single digit temps and been fine.

You could literally cover yourself from head to toe in that stuff. Its a bit pricey but well worth it imo.

[formicalinoleum]

I *should* be out there, but haven't braved the cold weather yet this year. I've ridden (XC mtn) through the winter before, though. I generally wear a thermal underlayer, then a fleece top, and a windbreaking layer if necessary; biking shorts (for the padding) with tights over; a headband or balaklava depending how cold it is; warm gloves; and little waterproof booties to go over my bike shoes.

[Brandon]

It has been chilly and windy here, too! I hate it :cry: ... My face and lungs/throat are the places that get bit by the cold. I really wish I could find a way to get past that. Its miserable.
.

Wow, isn't that the truth- that chilly air doesn't feel too good in the lungs. My other thing is that I have no problem dressing warmly enough, but then once I start to get warm from running, the icky "freezing outside of clothes, sweating inside of clothes" phenomena occurs.
:doh:

[clickman]

My cycling shoes (Which are totally not warm, but, oh well), tights, jersey, blinding-yellow cycling jacket, hat under helmet, and of course gloves.

[NDvegan85]

Yesterday it was in the single digits and I wore:

short sleeve shirt
long sleeve shirt
extra warm fleece jacket
double layer running pants
gloves + thick socks over hands
ear warmer
scarf

I was pretty okay... I got a little sweaty actually, but I was still cold.

(Today I wore shorts...)

[Jes]

I wear a gaiter and breathe in and out of that. It helps, but damn, I hate that too cold to breathe feeling!

[IamJen]

Thanks for the link, psala. I found a couple things there that I may get.

And yeah, that cold air in your lungs feeling somedays...ooh.

[brownieB26]

When I used to run in the snow, I would usually wear tank top (wife beaters from the little boys section at Target), snug long sleeve shirt,a tee shirt over the long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt, and a fleece, headband, face guard, those $1 gloves you get at walgreens, a scarf, spandex pants, sweats, a pair of high socks, a pair of ankle socks, and my winter running shoes (I buy my winter running shoes a half a size bigger than regular, because with two pairs of socks it can get quite snug which means less circulation, which causes your feet to get REALLY cold)

I got really sweaty, but it felt SO good when I got in from the snow and got to peel off all the layers. It's a lot less bulky without the sweatshirt and not that much colder.

Also, to beat the 'frozen lung syndrome', wear a scarf in front of your mouth. Make sure to load up on chapstick, and rotate the scarf because as you breath out your breath condenses on the material and it may get a little icey if you're out for a long time. You could aslo try breathing through your nose, cause the little hairs filter out all cruddy stuff in the air and since it has a longer way to travel to get to your lungs, the air is warmer. :santa:

[holly golightly]

i wear long spandex type pants and a regular breathable running shirt. it's pretty cold to start out with but since i heat up so quickly when i dress warmer i get too hot. i do wear really thin gloves though since hands and feet are what heat/cool the body and then once i warm up i tuck them in my pants.

[Joe]

So far this year, I'm having more trouble staying warm, especially my hands.

You might consider getting heated gloves, like hunters or skiers wear. Yes, there is some sort of battery pack (and sometimes wires that run down your sleeves and to the gloves).

For example,

http://www.brucemedical.com/ng25.html
http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/colemans.storefront/en/product/050101

Others have "heat packs" that you would heat in a microwave then insert into the glove.

http://www.bestofnewengland.com/detail.aspx?ID=379

Shop around and maybe you can find something cheaper. Also, some of these gloves are made of leather, so choose carefully.

[Gothic Sponge]

It's been too cold for me. I've been sticking to the treadmill.

[slynny]

Hmmm...I couldn't find any good sites on the web. I get most of my cold weather stuff from a local bike store, it works just as well for running. I have a great pair of tights that have a layer of fleece underneath in the front and a balaklava which I would highly recommend. Over this I'll wear a variety of layers depending on the weather. Layering is very important but don't wear cotton, only wicking materials. The layer next to your skin especially should be made of a fabric that wicks away moisture from perspiration. I'm really pretty wimpy when it comes to bad weather and I don't run if there is a lot of snow or ice on the ground or if the temps go below 0. But I live in WI so even without ice on the walks or temps below 0, the weather is usually not great. If you would like I could find the brands and more specifics of the cold weather gear I've got. Otherwise I would suggest going to a good bike store and asking someone there for help.

[holly golightly]

Hmmm...I couldn't find any good sites on the web. I get most of my cold weather stuff from a local bike store, it works just as well for running. I have a great pair of tights that have a layer of fleece underneath in the front and a balaklava which I would highly recommend. Over this I'll wear a variety of layers depending on the weather. Layering is very important but don't wear cotton, only wicking materials. The layer next to your skin especially should be made of a fabric that wicks away moisture from perspiration. I'm really pretty wimpy when it comes to bad weather and I don't run if there is a lot of snow or ice on the ground or if the temps go below 0. But I live in WI so even without ice on the walks or temps below 0, the weather is usually not great. If you would like I could find the brands and more specifics of the cold weather gear I've got. Otherwise I would suggest going to a good bike store and asking someone there for help.

holy crap! i will never complain about my 50 degree runs here in SD again