Best winter running gear in 2024: The shoes, jackets and tights I trust as a competitive distance runner
I'm an all-weather runner — this is the gear I trust to keep me warm during my winter workouts.
My university cross-country coach (let’s call him Ernie) had a saying: championships are won in the off-season. In other words, he meant that runners who don’t skimp on training even in the most brutal months of the year reap the rewards on race day. For most runners, the off-season is now: the days are short, the weather is cold, and the roads are slippery.
Fresh Foam X 1080v13
Cloudflow 4
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX
Weather Jacket
Nike Windrunner
Marathon Warm-Up Jacket
Nike Dri-FIT ADV AeroSwift
Performance Tights
Men's UA Qualifier Elite Tights
I’ve always found running gear to be most important in those times of adverse weather and waning motivation: a good pair of shoes, a breezy new jacket, or an aerodynamic pair of tights will make you feel good, protect you against the chills, and equip you to hammer fast workouts until the spring comes. If you are confused about which battle suit to choose, fear not: I’ve spent the last two months testing gear and curating podium picks in three categories — jackets, shoes and tights — to help you narrow your search and find the pieces that will keep you stealthy until the spring.
Best winter running shoes
1. New Balance 1080 V13
I have a hard and fast rule for winter running shoes: don’t reinvent the wheel, and stick with what you like. This year, I’ve loved New Balance’s line of everyday training sneakers, so I’ve opted for the 1080 V13s to get me through these next months of training. New Balance fans will notice off the bat that they appear a bit bulkier than their predecessors, as their NDurance rubber outsole adds some size. But they remain light due to their airy mesh, and responsive because of their bouncy midsole. And, as a winter-friendly bonus: their robust underfoot cushioning allows for a stable landing even on icy days.
Shop the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 sneakers in six colours.
2. On Cloud Flow 4
Keep these ones handy for ice-free, interval days. The Cloud Flow 4 shoes are built for speed workouts. The upper is ultralight, and the rigid sole harbours On’s trademark nylon Speedboard and a dual-density super foam. They are similar to On’s Cloudboom series but with dialed-up shock absorption to keep injuries at bay. My suggestion: wear these slight shoes on your hard workout days, and then bring out the V13s on your recovery runs. That way, you will make it to the spring healthy and fast.
Shop the Cloudflow 4 shoes in five colours.
3. New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V7 GTX
While I recommend the above pairs for speed chasing and road running, those who prefer a winter trail run should consider the sturdy Hierro. Built denser than its other Fresh Foam counterparts, the shoes come embedded in a sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole that makes even the most uneven and slippery terrains feel safe for running. These sneakers are also covered in a Gore-Tex waterproof lining, which also helps to keep the toes warm on snowy paths.
Gore-Tex waterproof fabric protects feet from wind, rain and water.
Best jackets for winter running
1. On Weather Jacket
I’ll admit that $300 is an ambitious price point for a running coat, but the Weather Jacket by On does outclass its competitors in convenience and versatility. It cuts no corners: its chest pocket tightly holds keys or a phone with minimal jiggle, the cap construction hood and cuffs keep the water out on rainy days, and its breezy construction (at 277g, you barely feel it on your back) still manages to keep me warm. It’s my go-to for tough workouts.
Shop the Weather Jacket in five colours.
2. Nike Windrunner
The name here is apt: the Windrunner is the toastiest shell-style winter jacket I've worn (and I prefer them to their more thickly-insulated, slightly heavier counterparts.) The water and wind-proof polyester cloak pairs well with a base layer on mild winter days and is roomy enough to fit a second layer underneath it when the weather dips under zero. While not as form-fitting as the On Weather Jacket, and sometimes flopping in the wind because of it, the Windrunner is highly functional with roomy pockets and an adjustable hood. It's also stylish enough to wear around town without looking like you're heading towards a start line. Shop more sizes at Sport Chek.
Men's Storm-FIT Running Jacket.
3. Adidas Marathon Warm-up Jacket
Adidas has made classic running jackets for longer than I can remember. The Marathon Warm-Up comes from a line of tried-and-true coats; this one, too, a feather-light, water-repellent nylon shell with a close-fitting hood and 360 reflectivity. I’ve made it my November jacket, because it keeps me company every time I slog out the door at 5:30 p.m., into the post-sunset darkness, into six-degree weather. I do tend to retire it by January, as it lacks the insulation to keep me toasty in anything colder than ten below.
Shop the Marathon Warm-Up Jacket in three colours.
Best tights for winter running
1. Nike Dri-FIT ADV AeroSwift Racing Tights
As soon as I witnessed a few early adopters of Nike’s new AeroSwift tights, which count as high fashion on the running trail, I wondered what the fuss was about. It turns out the Aeroswifts do not only win in style points; they deliver in freezing-temperature workouts. Its mix of select yarns and recycled polyester fibres keeps my legs toasty on warmups but then doesn’t suffocate them once I pick up the pace. In fact, I don’t notice that additional texture at all when going into high gear. It’s the Everything Tight: this is the version to buy if you can invest in only one.
Men's Racing Tights.
2. On Performance Tights
The Performance Tights by On are made more traditionally than the Aeroswifts: black, skin-tight, no ribbing. And fair enough: the blueprint for running tights was never broken, and this pair does everything I need them to do: keep me warm and snug in easy runs and workouts alike and repel water on rainy days. The waistband is adjustable, and the back pocket fits keys with minimal bounce. They so far have also responded well to the dual Kryptonites of running tights: the washer and dryer.
Shop the Performance Tights in three colours.
3. Under Armour Qualifier Elite Cold Tights
While the above two garments are lightweight and best suited for fast runs, the Qualifier Elites by Under Armour are conceived for deep winter. Their dual-layer fabric makes them thicker and a bit heavier than their counterparts and will make your knees sweat on a sunny day. But they become a staple in my running wardrobe and a must-wear as soon as I plan to run at least 30 minutes in negative ten-degree weather or colder. They also have a few handy specs, like a center-back waistband pocket that fits a phone and another on the hip for keys.
Men's UA Qualifier Elite Tights in Black/Steel.
