I’ve been influenced. Like so many people, I saw all of the content creators posting on TikTok about running and I was intrigued. They somehow made something I always dreaded look fun. After diving into some content about the mental and physical benefits, I decided to give it a go. I made myself start sort of small – and use what I had at first. But clothing is my job and hobby, so I knew a few purchases weren’t far behind. So, after a bunch of reading and research, I’ve pulled together a few things that have been helpful and solid Winter Running Starter Pack. If you’ve been influenced like me, I thought it might be helpful to share too!

I’ve never run more than a 5k in my life, but when I decide to do something, I tend to go all in. I signed up to run a half marathon in May and am having a blast training for it. But running in the winter comes with its unique set of challenges. I think the average temperature of my runs has been about 25 degrees Fahrenheit. But, you can still get surprisingly warm if not dressed properly. I’ve found that having the right equipment and clothing is important for safety and to have fun!

Here are a few of my essentials so far – although I’m sure the list will continue to grow!

Clothing | Winter Running Starter Pack

Lululemon Surge Jogger

I’ve done all of my runs except one so far in the surge jogger from Lululemon. This is the only layer I’ve needed on the bottom and it’s kept me warm enough even down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re comfortable, the right length, and most everything you need. My biggest gripe with them is phone storage. The back running pocket is not big enough for my iPhone Pro Max. But, it does have two zipper pockets in the front which work fine. You could also grab a running belt like the FlipBelt or a running vest if you prefer.

Nike Pro Dri-Fit Fitness Mock

Not rocket science here. I’ve had these Dri-Fit fitness mocks for years. They work great for skiing, winter walks, or just to layer up on a cold day. They also work perfectly for winter runs. I don’t find them to be too stuffy, but they keep that brutal wind out and keep me comfortable. I would say if it is under about 35 degrees, this is a perfect option for me. Above that temperature, I’ll opt for a Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Tee for my base layer and swap out my Surge Joggers for a 5″ Pace Breaker Short!

Hoodies of All Kinds

My outer layer has been a variety of different hoodies. I saw Marcus Milione from Minted New York wearing a hoodie for his winter runs. I had one in my closet so gave it a shot and it’s the perfect outer layer so far. Again, layered with a t-shirt on warmer days or a thermal mock neck long sleeve on colder days, it seems to be the right temperature. But it’s not rocket science or anything too fancy or technical.

A few of my favorites are the ones from Minted New York, the Lululemon Steady State Hoodie, the Abercrombie Essential Popover hoodie, or the Abercrombie YPB neoKnit MAX Popover. If you wanted to get more technical, I’ve also run in a Nike Dri-Fit quarter zip a couple of times and it has worked well as well. I honestly don’t have a plan if it gets much colder, or rains a bunch. We’ll figure it out when we get there I guess!

Shoes

One of my favorite things on earth – shoes! This is probably where I need to pace myself the most. I could easily get into the weeds and have 5 pairs of shoes before I’ve even run a half marathon. So far, I just have 2 pairs.

I already had the Hoka Clifton 9 as a walking shoe, so I re-upped and got the Nimbus Cloud/Steel Wool colorway for running. I got fitted for them at my local running shoe store. From what I’ve heard, that is the most important thing you can do. These fit my feet well as an all-around training shoe, but they might be all wrong for you. But they are super comfortable so far. My only concern is durability, but if it becomes an issue I might just have to try something else – darn!

I also got the Nike Pegasus Trail 4 shoe because we live near some foothills, and I’ll do some of my training on the trails. I got them because they were on sale, but I’m really enjoying them so far. The extra grip makes a massive difference in the rocks and dirt.

The other two pairs you can get are a race shoe and a tempo shoe. Both will propel you forward and help you push the pace a bit more vs the slow comfortable ride of my Hoka training shoe. We’ll see if I decide to pull the trigger there!

Accessories | Winter Running Starter Pack

Hats

Nothing fancy here – I’ve just been running in a plain old beanie. I like the Uniqlo Heattech Beanie! On a warmer day, I’ll swap the beanie for a hat! I just got this Fast and Free running hat and have been loving it.

Socks

Again, I went cheaper here than I could have. I got this pack of compression socks from Amazon and they’ve worked fine so far! But, people rave about the running socks from Feetures and I’ve heard great things about Bombas Socks for running as well.

Sunglasses

I have a pair of Oakley Flak Jacket XL 2.0 from when I used to play golf competitively that I’ve been running in. They work great, but if I were to buy a running-specific pair, I’d probably get the Oakley Radar, just because they’re bigger and more dramatic. I like them for the sun, but they also keep the wind out of my eyes when it’s really cold out.

Technology | Winter Running Starter Pack

Watch

I already had an Apple Watch from years ago, so I dug it back out for running. The Garmin offerings are probably better, but the Apple Watch is sufficient. I just use the Fitness app built into the watch to track my runs. I sometimes use Strava too, but usually forget to press start. Apple does have their Sport Loop that is $50, but I got an Amazon Dupe that works just fine for me for $10. Your call there.

Heart Rate Monitor

The Apple Watch does supply heart rate data, but the consensus is that it isn’t all that accurate. I upgraded to the Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor that you wear on your chest. It connects with your watch via Bluetooth and is supposed to be much more reliable. I fully recognize that this is me way geeking out, but it’s fun for me so again – take it or leave it.

Head Lamp

Short winter days mean some of my runs are taking place in the dark mornings. I got this Black Diamond Astro 300 headlamp to light the way. It’s pretty affordable and very bright. Don’t make the mistake of looking into it when you turn it on like I did!

There you have it – that’s your winter running starter pack! It’s probably way more than you care to know about my running gear, but so far I think it’s almost everything I need! Obviously, summer weather will bring a whole different set of needs – and I look forward to updating this list when that comes around. Until then, I’ll be trying to stay warm and safe out there! Let me know if I’m missing anything or any of your running favorites!