Running Outdoors—What to Wear

Trying to figure out what to wear to be comfortable running outside may feel overwhelming.

The following guidelines should help.

Generally, dress in snug-fitting layers made of performance material. Avoid becoming chilled. You can remove the layers as you warm up.

Coach tip: If you feel cold when you start, wear more layers. Make a loop around your starting point and drop layers off as you warm up. Once you are warmed up, continue your run.

Feels Like 50 degrees or Warmer

Wear shorts and short sleeves or a tank.  If you are cold starting out, add a long sleeve shirt, hat, gloves, and possibly, a jacket or a half-zip.  Remove the layers as you warm up.

Summer beach training

November marathon: still wearing shorts and tanks. http://www.milwaukeerunningfestival.com/

Feels Like 45 to 50 degrees

You can either dress warmer on top (wear a long sleeve shirt) and lighter on the bottom (wear shorts) or lighter on top (wear short sleeves) and warmer on the bottom (wear capris).

Client tip:  Lightweight gloves can help keep your hands warm. If you are consistently cold, add one layer to the feel-like temperature.

Feels Like 37 to 45 degrees

Wear long sleeves and capris or tights. You may also want to wear a hat and gloves.

Client tip:  Remember to keep moving. Your muscles can tighten up very quickly when you stop.

Feels Like Below 37 degrees

Wear layers and add more the colder the temp. Consider adding a long sleeve, half-zip, vest, and running jacket on top. Add bike-style running shorts underneath.

Client tip:  Warm up inside then add layers and go outside.

Warm-Up Clothing for the Evanston Flying Turkey 5k http://www.evanstonflying5k.com/

Quick tip:  Click on the following link to get suggestions on what to wear when running outside.  http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear