HardwareLust wrote:
> Now that the cold and rainy season is just about here again, I am extra
> determined to spend as little time as possible in the gym on the treadmill
> again this year. I want to spend as much time as possible outside, and that
> means running in the rain and/or cold. I just cannot bear spending the next
> 6 months in the gym like last year. I lost so much fitness last fall/winter
> because I could barely force myself to go to the gym, and I don't want that
> to happen again.
>
> What clothing and shoes can you recommend for running in the rain and cold?
Short version:
Biggest thing is to avoid cotton. If you're only going to be out a short
time (say, 30 min), cotton is probably ok is that's what you have and
didn't want to spend money. But synthetics, wool, and silk are much
better, and I would consider essential for being out in cold or wet
weather for over 1 hr - or if there's any chance of you getting lost or
injured and having to hobble home and thus taking over 1 hr or operating
at lower energy output.
I still recommend what was recommended to me to start: try duofold stuff
from Campmor for low-cost startup. If I were just running around town
for < 1hr or so at 0F and above, I still wouldn't look beyond there
(except maybe for SportHill XC pants). Sierra Trading Post also has a
lot of reduced-price gear, frequently some of the techier stuff.
In your followup post you indicate temperatures above freezing most of
the time. In this case,
(1) a base layer (PowerDry is my favorite for winter but many like
polypro or silk or any polyester),
(2) *maybe* a light insulating layer (generic polyester or acrylic at
low price end or Polartec 100 or 200, PowerStretch, or WindPro or others
at higher price end), and
(3) a shell should work.
Finding a shell with the right degree of breathability / waterproofness
for your comfort will be the biggest challenge. I personally prefer warm
sweat over cold rain. Others prefer cold rain. Beware of hypothermia as
Phil M. mentions - either way - which can be a hazard in the 50's F.
For bottoms, I use SportHill XC's from 40F and down; Voyage from 40-60.
I prefer pants since they have pockets and tights don't although I might
wear tights under shorts.
Keep in mind that different people have different levels of cold
tolerance and this can be acclimated to, the same way as heat. Cold
muscles are more likely to result in injury, so I tend to err on the
warm side when starting out, then peel layers as I go - and replace them
during warmdown.
Socks: I like SmartWool or Ultimax or Bridgedale, although I don't
remember wearing Ultimax in wet weather (usually wear in winter snow
since they're white).
I wear breathable / drainable shoes but don't have a long-term solution
for multiple hours of wet feet.
Hat: I'll usually just wear a neoprene earband down to freezing,
probably colder. Wool or synthetic knit cap in colder temperatures -
almost always gets peeled before end of run - unless subzero F. Hood
from my shell gets worn in windy weather (20-50+ mph) or about -20F
until (if?) I warm up.
Mittens are preferable to gloves because your fingers are together. I
can usually fit into kids' snow mittens. But I do like WindStopper
Gloves (wish I could find reasonable mittens) when wind is the main
issue. And I do have some fleece gloves that work surprisingly well when
weather isn't real cold.
Long version:
Good reviews on waterproof / breathable fabrics generally rank the
fabrics as to which end of the spectrum they fall - waterproof or
breathable. I've yet to see a review with a fabric ranked waterproof and
breathable enough for running. Fabrics that are breathable enough for
things like running generally won't keep rain out unless it's only
misting or drizzle. Malden Mills (NFI) used to have a slick chart on
their web page showing the various degrees of windproofness of their
fabrics, but I can't find it now. This gives some discussion of their
weather protection fabrics.
http://www.polartec.com/fabrics/weather.php
Also look at the earlier thread
"Multi-sport, all-around jacket/shell?"
90% of the time, I only need protection from the wind and maybe a mist
or drizzle or snow (usually wet snow here in southcentral Alaska), so
I'm finding a water resistant shell is what I'll use most of the time.
(latest candidate for winter is Patagonia Krushell, primarily because of
decent hood and adequate pockets and super windproofness, but it's not
waterproof and it's not particularly breathable at 50F - haven't tested
it in winter conditions yet)
I prefer a shell with a built in, but stowable, hood since their collars
come up around my neck better than a hoodless shell. And sometimes a
well-designed hood is really nice when it's windy. And poorly designed
hoods funnel the wind down your jacket, esp. if biking. A hood with a
bill is nice, but not necessary, in heavy rain to keep water from
dripping down face and into eyes.
I tend to prefer separate shells and base or insulating layer because of
the flexibility, but I do like my Marmot Evolution (1/2 price sale) for
in-between weather. I like supplex shells but can't find a good one
these days. Wind resistant and breathable (don't remember ever sweating
in it), but I don't remember about rain.
These threads deal with wet feet for long periods:
http://tinyurl.com/4cnw5
Also "Laurel Highlands" thread, about 1/2 way down
(tinyurl won't connect at the moment)
I'm not going to recommend specific models since the fabric is the most
important thing, and you can pick the model that has the characteristics
you need - pockets, hood, etc. - and fits your body. The brands that I
tend to like if I can get them for about half price (generally won't pay
full price) are Marmot, Patagonia, REI (ok at regular or slightly
reduced prices), SportHill (lighter weight insulated tops). NFI in
anything I've mentioned.
And there's no reason not to run year round in Seattle, except maybe
heat
I do it in Alaska.
Enjoy!
Dot
--
"I couldn't do a winter like that on the treadmill. I don't know if I
could ever be that anal again."
-Chris Clark