While it has been more than a week since I wore three layers over my face, I am still layered up against mornings in the teens with wind chills close to 0ºF. At the same time, I am seeing big clearance sales popping up on winter running gear, so I thought it would be fun to look at my gear!
My running posts on Instagram and Facebook slow down at this point of the year because the only shot I can get is a fully covered selfie once I’m back indoors – like the one above. I have loved reading running blogs about making running more affordable – which is ironic for a ‘free’ sport – and even the laments of students who have simply found their pursuit of distance running too expensive to maintain!
I recounted my cost estimate of what I wore out to run in -15ºF weather – putting the cost at an estimated ~$750 … not including my iPhone. I thought … that is worth breaking down for a post! Follow along through my breakdown, or head straight to the bottom to see the actual total! So here goes.
1. Headlamp – $30 – I have a great multi-beam P-Tec lamp very similar to this one at Amazon
2. EMS Thermal Hat – $25 – OK, my great blue EMS hat is now old enough that I can’t find anything similar, but here are some for your consideration.
3. Brooks Balaclava – $25 – I got it for Christmas 2012, and they are no longer being sold, but this one is similar.
3a. Wool Neck Gaiter – $35 – Again, this is old enough that I can’t find the equivalent through LL Bean anymore, but here is a similar one! When the temperature is ~15F and not too windy, I just use it to turn my top layer into a pseudo-turtleneck.
4. Nike Livestrong ‘Pro Combat’ hoodie – $80 – The LiveStrong brand is pretty much dead thanks to the fall of Lance Armstrong, but this hoodie is just amazingly light and wind/weather resistant. You can find similar ones here.
5. Nike ‘Pro Combat’ Hyperwarm heavy base layer – $50 – Another one from Christmas 2012, pretty much the same as the one at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
6. Nike ‘Pro Combat’ fitted base layer – $50 – Got this from my brother for Christmas 2013; similar items can be found here.
7. Reflective vest – $20 – not the same thing, but fairly similar to this Nathan vest at Amazon
8. Brooks Utopia 3-in-1 Mitten II – $48 – I have gone on and on about these things and how they have dramatically changed my relationship with winter running. Seriously – I ran through the coldest winter in the history of the Corning area (by a lot, actually) without ever having my hands get too cold. Unfortunately, the Brooks Utopia 3-in-1 mittens are no longer available, but the $40 Brooks Cascadia Thermal Mittens are a good option.
9. Under Armour Compression shorts – $45 – The ones I wear are apparently not specifically for running but are similar to those at Dick’s Sporting Goods and are a great set of shorts – I ran the PA Grand Canyon Marathon in them.
10. Under Armour Extreme Coldgear Infrared Fitted Running Tights – $70 – These tights are incredible; they are the only outer layer I have worn in the very coldest weather. And never gotten cold.
11. 2XU Compression Socks – $45 – I started hearing about the benefits of compression in 2012. After talking to my doctor last year, she suggested trying compression socks to maintain blood flow in my legs. These are similar to the ones from Amazon, and I have not run without them since Christmas.
12. Saucony Kinvara 4 running shoes – $75 – Some would debate the wisdom of shoes that allow so much slushy water into them, but I love how quickly the water also gets OUT of them. These were a ‘bargain’ buy for me to use as ‘winter beater shoes’ – and they ARE beaten! Shoe prices are variable – particularly on ‘last year’s model,’ but MSRP is still $100, and the current price is $75 at Amazon.com … though I paid less on sale.
13. Lock Laces – $7 – After getting these for Christmas, I have decided they are absolutely essential. Why? Once you have your laces untie in the middle of a sub-zero run, and you are actually contemplating how bad it would be to NOT re-tie them … you will understand!
14. SpiBeltRunning belt – $20 – the one I have is not exactly the same as this one from Amazon, but having a belt to carry my phone and maybe a couple of GU packs is essential.
15. Magellan Echo GPS – $169 – Yes, this isn’t exactly ‘required.’ Still, I have found tracking and accountability to be critically important, and my favorite setup right now is Magellan Echo, just like this one at Amazon, including HR monitor.
15a. Garmin Forerunner FR15 – $169 – Again, not required, but as a non-phone-based GPS watch, you can’t beat the FR-15, which also doubles as a fitness tracker. Grab the HR-tracker bundle at Amazon.
MY TOTAL? – $764. Of course, I could cut that by $100 or so based on buying stuff on sale and using coupons and so on … but it puts in perspective just how much it can cost to keep safe and protected during winter runs.
One thing missing – YakTrax, selling at Amazon for ~$25. For snow/ice running, they are definitely worth checking into!
Comparison to ‘Summer Gear’
Of course, if I go back to last July, my cost would plummet – $25 shirt, $35 shorts, $10 socks, $100 shoes, and $130 watch – to $300. OK, so maybe ‘plummet’ isn’t the right word!
So what do YOU wear as essential gear for YOUR runs?
I’ve never liked running with Yak-Trax – they hurt my feet terribly. Instead you can buy some 1/4″ and 3/8″ hex head wood screws (stainless steel are best – they are hard so won’t wear out as fast) and drive them around the outsides of your outsole. I use one pair of my running shoes just for this and they usually last several winters, depending on how much ice we get.
Or you can buy Goat Head Sole Spikes: http://www.solespikes.com/ – a little pricier, but they are a great product.