Winter Trail Running

Gear to keep you trail running all winter. 

Because winter isn’t coming, it’s here.

It's cold, wet and windy...  This can make winter training tough physically, but mostly mentally. If you’re a keen trail runner, no doubt you want to keep up your training through winter, so you are fit and ready for some of the bigger events in spring and summer. So, what do you wear for Winter Trail Running, to keep your body and mind warm and committed? 

Let’s start with shell jackets, first and foremost, to keep you dry. 

When looking for a waterproof jacket, you need to know what you’re going to be using it for. A jacket for hiking needs to withstand a heavy pack on it for hours on end, but when it comes to a running jacket, you’re looking for light and packable. And make sure it has taped seams, as it means you can use it as your compulsory kit jacket at trail running events! 

Other things that can be helpful to look at are the waterproof rating or “Hydrostatic Head.”This measures how high (in mm) a column of water has to be before it gets through the fabric, so the higher that number, the more waterproof the fabric. Anything from 10,000mm upwards is a good place to start. And the same goes for a breathability rating, anything from 10,000g/m2 is a good place to start - but if you really get your sweat on when you run, maybe look into 20,000g/m2. They measure breathability by seeing how much vapour can get through a square meter of fabric in 24 hours. The higher the number, the more breathable it is. 

When looking for a running jacket, you’re looking for that fine line that includes light, packable, waterproof and breathable. Not to mention, it has to fit well and close to the body, so no flapping in the wind when you run.

It’s good to touch on waterproof pants/over trousers here as well, as most compulsory gear lists will have them included. You’re looking for the same things as a jacket here. Light, breathable, packable and seam-taped.  

Windproof layers for trail running. 

If it’s not the wet, the Christchurch wind is gonna be the next thing to tip you over the edge into mentally and physically challenging winter running. And that’s where a windproof layer comes in handy. It does what it says on the tin, it keeps the wind off you and is something Julz swears by for getting around the beastly easterly! 

Mid Layers for winter trail running. 

Depending on the temps you are running at (both in your body and outside!) and if it's a wet or dry day, you may want to run with some light insulation over a base layer to keep the wind off. There are lots of different options here! Something like a Primaloft Active Layer will keep you warm when stationary but is super breathable when you’re moving. A fleece will keep you all around warm, and if it’s an active fleece, like a Thermo Grid Fleece, it will help regulate your body temperature.

Base Layers for winter trail running. 

This is where we say to avoid anything cotton. Use a merino or a synthetic fabric base layer - which one you go for will be up to you and personal preference. 

We’re looking for moisture-wicking fabrics, which pull your sweat away from your body to keep you dry and warm (which cotton does not do) and breathable too (as you’re normally wearing it under other layers). Merino fabrics have natural anti-odour control, and you can find synthetic fabrics that are treated to keep away stink during running, like Polygiene. 

Accessories for Winter Trail Running.

We’re talking hats, gloves and socks!

Hats, I’m using as a broad term here to talk about anything you put on your head/neck. 

There’s the standard close-fit beanie, which comes in different varieties and weights to keep you nice and aerodynamic as you run, keeping the wind off and your ears and head warm. There are insulating headbands that protect the ears while leaving the top of the head free - great for those of us who tie our hair up to run or need to let some hot air escape, and you could go the neck gaiter or balaclava route - covering your neck and mouth or your whole head (minus the eyes!) You can also get wind and waterproof caps if you don’t need to be warm, but you need to remove the wind or drizzle from around your face. 

Most trail running gloves have a wind and or waterproof soft shell backing, a warm insulated inner and added features like tips of the fingers that can be used with a phone or watch, and some gloves even have a special featured bit of material so you can wipe your inevitably runny nose (gross, but practical - especially if you haven’t mastered the snot rocket!) 

Some of the team here swear by using waterproof storm socks when trail running in winter, so your feet stay dry. If you don’t want to go all-out with the waterproof socks, just make sure you have a spare pair in your bag or in the car so you can get nice and cozy when you’re done with the run. Also, think about general foot care here - feet can get nasty if they’re wet for too long. 

I hope this helps you get out and enjoy winter running more. When you have the right gear for the weather, you’ll have a great time no matter what it’s doing!

If you liked this blog, I think you'll like this one too: How to start Trail Running with your Dog. – Further Faster

Top 5 bits of Winter Trail Running Gear: 

1. A light waterproof layer (a Jacket and Pants). 
2. A windproof Jacket. 
3. An active midlayer. 
4. A merino or synthetic base layer. 
5. Accessories! A hat, gloves and maybe even waterproof socks!