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If you’re training for the Royal Parks Half Marathon this October, you may well face much colder weather on race day than you’ve become used to following a summer training plan.
Or you may have luckily landed a spot in the London Marathon next April, and be facing a long training block through the coldest parts of winter.
As someone who has run three marathons (including an ultramarathon), two in winter, I totally understand how miserable it can be.
Between freezing limbs, limited daylight, and icy hands, it’s not pretty, and morale can often be low.
Thankfully, plenty of winter running gear can get you to the finish line without picking up frostbite along the way. Staying warm, dry and comfortable is essential, not just to tick off your training plan as you go, but it will help you stay motivated too.
Throughout my training blocks, a handful of products became my ride or die for staying warm without overheating, and in the best condition for pounding pavements and park runs throughout the week.
My recommendations span functional, affordable running vests, headphones that help me lock in, supportive sports bras for larger chests (IYKYK) and leggings that won’t roll down.
From bargain Amazon finds to investment pieces from New Balance, I’ve got you covered.
The tried and tested cold-weather running essentials
UTOBEST Running Vest
If you’re working towards those dreaded long runs on your weekends a running vest is the best investment you can make. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to drop hundreds of pounds to find the right one. I’ve worn this one from Amazon to run three marathons and have nothing but positive things to report, especially how affordable it is – some running vests can cost three times the price. It can store all your valuables, such as a bank card, house keys, lip balm, water, and Lucozade bottles, thanks to six separate compartments, including a 5-litre zipped compartment at the back. It also includes a whistle, which comes in handy if you're running alone and need help, plus reflective strips on the front and back for extra visibility in the dark.
Buy Now for £24.99
Salty Resistance Socks in Flush Pink
Salty is a company founded by Grace Cook, a journalist who writes about sweat culture and is an avid runner herself. Alongside her excellent Substack, Salty, she also sells the best running socks on the market. I have this Flush Pink pair and love, love, love them. Designed for all workouts, they have silicone grips on the bottom if you like to balance your training with Pilates or weightlifting, and a snug fit so they don’t move around while you do, so I find I have much fewer blisters when I wear them. They wash well without the colour ever fading and keep my feet dry even when I accidentally run through puddles.
Buy Now for £13
H&M Sports Sunglasses
While there’s every chance you’ll be caught in an unexpected downpour that leaves your shivering when training, you may end up with spells of sunshine too. Avoid squinting as you pound the pavements with this pink pair of sunglasses from H&M Move. They have a wrap-around style that means your eyes are completely covered to stop glaring sunbeams from making you unable to see the road in front of you.
Buy Now for £19.99
Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight with Pockets 28"
Before you dismiss this pair as eye-wateringly expensive, let me tell you why they’re the only leggings I run in. First, they’re the perfect amount of compressive without feeling restrictive, and the sleek, elasticated side and back pockets mean they can hold my keys, phone, and bank cards without shifting around while I’m doing interval runs in my local park. They wash well – in the five years that I’ve owned them, they’ve never bobbled, ripped or lost elasticity, unlike cheaper leggings I’ve tried. The internal elastic waist cord lets you tighten or loosen it as you like, and they’ve never, ever rolled down mid-run, squat, or yoga pose. I own one pair, wash them at least three times a week and never had a single issue. Yes, they’re not cheap, but worth every penny for the quality. My top-tip is to look for colours and prints that aren’t classic black, as the core colours almost never get discounted.
Buy Now for £49
NB RC Bra
As someone with a bigger bust, I have spent years trying to find the right sports bra that’s supportive enough that running isn’t uncomfortable. This New Balance RC Bra is my top pick. It comes in loads of colours and has thick, adjustable straps, a wide back band, and four adjustable hook-and-eyelet fastenings. It straps everything down without feeling bulky underneath form-fitting tops and never pills in the wash. It’s a full-coverage design that makes me feel secure and comfortable, with no red marks or rashes post-long runs, and while it’s the most expensive bra I own, there’s nothing I’ve tried that beats it.
Buy Now from £40
Aesene AirTouch Mesh Long Sleeve Top
This women-led running brand is small but growing, and worth being on your radar. This mesh top is the perfect balance when you need a bit of extra warmth with long sleeves, but don’t want to overheat 5km into your half marathon. It’s one of those layering pieces that come in very handy when you’re trying to regulate your temperature and land a new PB. It comes in loads of colours, from butter yellow and bright red to lilac and nautical blue, so you can cross the finish line in style. It features thumb holes to keep your hands warm, a concealed zip pocket at the back for gels or house keys, and reflective branding for evening runs.
Buy Now for £64
Lululmeon Luxtreme Training Headband
Keep your ears warm, and I promise your runs will be so much easier. While Lululemon is known for costing a pretty penny, its headband is only a tenner and well worth it. It not only keeps your ears protected from the cold, but also keeps my headphones in place no matter how much I sweat, and keeps the short hairs of my fringe out of my face. It also doubles up as a great headband for Pilates, spinning classes, skiing holidays and more, so you’ll get plenty of wear out of it, and thanks to the velvet fabric on the inside, it never slips off or pulls your hair.
Buy Now for £10
KIPRUN Adult Running Gloves
Take it from me, do not head out on a run in zero-degree temperatures this winter without a pair of running gloves. Another thrifty find for me was this pair from Decathlon, which are form-fitting so no cold air can get in, and you don’t need to take them off to use your phone. Instead, the index finger and thumb inserts are made with a conductive material, so you tap your smartphone and watch screen while running. They’re perfect for skipping songs and podcast ads. Better yet, if your hands do warm up, shove them in one of the many pockets of your running vest.
Buy Now for £5.99
Shokz OpenDots 2
The OpenDots 2 seem like a hybrid of an ear cuff jewellery piece and a high-tech pair of headphones, but are an essential no matter what distance I’m running. You can wear them interchangeably on your left or right ear, so there’s no fiddling when you first put them on. They feel weightless, and most importantly, they don’t slide down or slip off, and trust me, I tried. The sound quality is excellent, with clear audio on calls, music and podcasts, with the perfect amount of bass. Unless you’re listening at full volume, they’re surprisingly quiet and others can’t hear them. As they’re not in-ear headphones and aren’t noise-cancelling, they have excellent audio quality but don’t make you feel completely cut off from the world, especially if you’re running near roads.
Buy Now for £179Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
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