Happy New Year! If you’ve decided to become a better runner in 2025, now is the time to go.
But it may not be easy. With many parts of the country experiencing downright freezing weather, it’s tempting to curl up with hot cocoa and binge on Netflix. However, the spring races are just around the corner.
Whether you want to run your first 5K or earn your next Abbott World Major Marathon star, training can’t stop because of the cold and snow. Getting through the next few months will require dedication, discipline and the right equipment.
I speak from experience. I spent last winter preparing for the Boston Marathon. Now I’m digging out my favorite thermals as I prepare for the TCS London Marathon on April 27th.
Winter running gear can sometimes be pretty expensive, but skimping on key layers can leave you cold and miserable. The key is to look for deals and get the best bang for your buck.
Here’s a look at some of my favorite winter and other top running essentials.
It’s a fact: Runners love socks.
Runners love socks
When I was little, I groaned when I found socks in my Christmas stocking. Now I’m excited.
Runners don’t skimp when it comes to socks. They can make the difference between finishing a race happily and limping to the finish line with bloody feet.
That’s why more than one pair of features is always exchanged at my running team’s annual gift exchange. Priced at about $18 a pair, Feetures’ long-lasting colorful socks are my go-to for both training and racing. Specifically “Elite” version the sock offers targeted compression to help protect and support your feet as you run without feeling too heavy.
When the temperatures drop below freezing, I reach for my pair Smartwool cold weather running crew socks. When it comes to keeping your feet warm and dry without adding a lot of bulk, you just can’t beat wool.
At $24, it’s worth the money. Like other Smartwool products I’ve used, they managed to survive several wash cycles without shrinking, as wool socks can be prone to.
Just a few pairs of running shoes I’ve tried recently.
If you want great shoes, leave it to the professionals
I could tell you what shoes I ran the TCS New York City Marathon in (Saucony’s Endorphin Pro 4) or what are my favorite daily trainers (New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14), but it doesn’t really matter.
The truth is that the best shoe for you will depend on you, your feet and your needs. A size 9 in one brand may fit completely differently than another. The shoes that your best friend or even a world-class marathon runner thinks are amazing may be excruciating for you.
If you’re shopping for yourself, head to your local running store and get expert advice. The assembly technology used by many shops has come a long way. In 2023, I took a closer look at the system used by Fleet Feet, a national chain of running stores. Using artificial intelligence, it compares a 3D scan of your feet with those of millions of other customers along with the store’s inventory. Combine this technology with suggestions from a store employee and you’re bound to walk away with a pair of shoes you love.
Kanes are fun and comfortable.
Because of this, shoes are a very bad gift, but I have a better idea.
I was happy with my marathon sneakers, but I couldn’t take them off fast enough after crossing the finish line. Once done, I put a pair on Kane recovery shoes. Yes, they look a lot like Crocs and at $80 a pair they are much more expensive, but I think they are worth the money.
My swollen feet had the room they needed to breathe while the small knots of the relatively firm insole massaged them as I walked the eight blocks to the subway. The shoes were easy to put on and take off, and luckily they didn’t leave any rough marks on my feet on the way home.
The shoes are available in a variety of fun colors and designs, including licensed versions for alumni and fans of two dozen colleges and universities. Each pair also comes with a handy carabiner that you can attach to the outside of the bag.
Light clear
Whether you run in the morning or in the evening, it’s dark outside this time of year. Lights and reflectors are a must for cars to see you and for you to see all those cracks in the pavement and all those misplaced piles of dog poo.
I have several sets of lights, but my favorite remains Tracer2 Luminous Vest by Noxgear. Its rechargeable LED lights flash a rainbow of fun colors. They can be seen a quarter mile away and last up to 20 hours on a single charge.
At $51, it’s not cheap, and I’d recommend adding the optionals Tracking lamp ($32) that attaches to the forehead. It’s super bright and can be pointed down to help you spot cracks in the pavement and not blind other runners who might be trying to look right at you.
The vest, which includes reflective strips, fits me perfectly and doesn’t slip like the cheaper version I used before that was made by another company.
My teammates would be upset if I didn’t mention it 39G Noxgear Wearable Bluetooth Speaker ($56). It produces a surprising amount of sound for its size. Instead of using headphones or earplugs that might block out the sound of an oncoming car or other threat, you can use the speaker to listen to your tunes while keeping an eye on what’s going on around you.
Reflective clothing can also help drivers see you. If you are looking for a winter running coat, think about getting a coat with reflective elements. The legs, mentioned above, also have new reflective socks. They offer the same suspension and performance as the company’s other models, but are designed to appear in the car’s headlights.
Fashionable and functional
I grew up in Michigan, so it takes a long time for me to catch a cold. I ran the New York City Marathon in my team t-shirt and a trusty pair compression shorts from Flipbelteven though it was 38 degrees outside when I started the race. That said, I finally got my pair out Flipbelt thermal leggings ($65) last week.
Flipbelt has made a name for itself by making flexible running belts designed to hold everything you might need for a long run. In the past I have had issues with the belt stretching and coming off in the middle of the race.
Shorts and leggings solve this problem by building the same storage space into compression bottoms that stay in place. They offer plenty of storage space for your phone, keys, water bottle and all the fuel and snacks you need to get you through a long race.
I found the leggings to be a little hard to pull on, but once you get them in place they don’t move around and provide catsuit support even when you load up your pockets. The thermal version kept me warm without adding much weight. I can’t wait to wear them to my next race.
Whether I want to shade my face from the sun or warm my ears, I almost always wear a hat when I run. Usually it’s a cap, but when the mercury drops I reach for one of my wool options.
Sprints, known for their crazy patternsmakes my favorite ultra light and super comfortable baseball style caps. They have some great new winter options that I’m excited to try.
Meanwhile, one of my new favorite hats comes from Turtle Fur. This merino wool cap ($58) is super light and glows when I run and keeps my ears prone to colds.
Speaking of merino wool, Smartwool knows a thing or two about winter wear. In collaboration with footwear manufacturer Altra, she created a collection of winter running clothing, complete with a matching pair of Altra shoes with a smart wool lining.
The women’s collection comes in a beautiful color combination of aubergine, black and charcoal and includes a long sleeve top, vest and half zip pullover among others. It launched earlier this year as an REI exclusive, but you can now find it on the Smartwool website.
The shoes weren’t available to test, but the outfit kept me toasty on a day when temperatures dropped into the mid-20s. The layers gave me the range of motion I needed to run without adding much bulk. I’m sure I’ll be pulling them out a lot this winter.
Adidas Dunamis.
Shades for every budget
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean there’s no light outside. Good shades are still a must. Goodra’s line of active sunglasses ($25) remain the best budget option. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays, don’t slide off your nose when you sweat, and come in a variety of fun colors and frames. They won’t last forever, especially if you buy the ones with mirror lenses that scratch easily.
I recently tried a few pairs from Tifosi. At around $35 they cost a bit more, but so far they seem a bit more durable. They are not heavy, but feel sturdy. My teenage daughter fell in love with my pair immediately Sanctum models, and I haven’t gotten them back yet, but it didn’t break them either. I was wearing Swank model.
For people who want to go to the next level and look super cool while doing it, Adidas Dunamis ($210) feature crystal-clear, reflective lenses that are feather-light and will make you feel like a professional athlete. Just a warning that they are intended for larger faces. If you’re a small person like me, they might feel a little big.
Another great piece of gear
Runners need to stay hydrated even when it’s cold outside, and every runner would love to have a great water bottle.
My favorite is now Nathan’s ExoShot 2.0 Hand Flask 14 oz. It is a soft flask that is stored in a cloth case. There is an adjustable strap around the hand, so you really don’t have to hold onto it while running. It is easy to squeeze and drink.
The best part is that it doesn’t leak and you can throw it in the dishwasher. I would use this bottle a lot more if my daughter didn’t steal it for her own runs as well.
Gels, gummies and other types of fuel are also worthwhile. I’m a fan Skratch Labs Energy Chews. They taste less like chemicals and more like gummy bears. Some of my favorite products come from UnTapped, a maple syrup company based in – you guessed it – Vermont. His sports fuel flavored maple syrup it gives me the zip I need without the chemicals I can’t pronounce.
When I reach for a traditional gel, it’s generally a Maurten. While other brands offer a variety of Baskin-Robbins-like flavors, Maurten only comes in one that doesn’t actually taste like anything, but isn’t super sweet. It takes some getting used to, but I found it easy on the tummy.
