Running is the best aerobic exercise that helps burn calories, build strength, and improve cardiovascular health. Health experts mention that running in an open space has benefits like boosting your mood, relieving stress, and lowering blood pressure. However, running in an open space is dependent on weather.
For example, running in freezing temperatures or while raining is not easy or recommended unless you wear protective gear.
Here is some information about the gear you need to run in winter.
Running Pants
Running pants are a crucial part of winter gear when running in severe winters. The gear you select should have a unique design and technical features to combat freezing temperatures and keep your body warm.
The fabric should provide enough warmth but not cause overheating, which leads to excessive sweating and discomfort. It would be best to look for running pants that strike a balance.
The running pants should also have pockets to hold your essentials like your smartphone or mp3 player. The pockets should have a zip to keep the wind out and keep the valuables secure while running.
Features like uniquely designed knee-mesh and secondary ankle-zippers allow for easy ventilation. The design should also facilitate sliding them off without removing your shoes.
Insulator Jacket
To protect you from freezing temperatures, you need to wear a lightweight, breathable jacket. The jacket should protect you from cold but not stifle performance. The jacket should be ideal for running in freezing temperatures but should also be flexible enough to be worn in other seasons. The insulation should not escape from the stitching.
Wear Warm Shoes
Experts mention wearing the right kind of winter running shoes is crucial to protect your feet from frostbite. The shoe should keep your feet warm and also boost your performance. Here are some features you need to look for in your winter shoes.
● Insulation
Thermal insulation is crucial to trap your body heat and provide wind protection. The shoes should be waterproof, and you should pair them with winter running socks to keep your feet toasty in winters. If you live in a region with extreme cold, you need to look for shoes with an upper design to protect the wind from getting inside the shoe.
● Waterproof
When running in cold weather, you need to look for footgear to keep your feet dry and warm. Besides being durable, the winter running shoes should be water repellent. The shoes should have pores to make them breathable and sweat-wicking. However, the pores should be small enough to prevent water from getting in.
● Traction
During winter, the road becomes slippery, so traction of the shoes is essential. Look for shoes with a rubber compound that can grip the road in wet conditions. If the shoe’s sole has small lugs at the bottom, it will provide good traction.
Elastic Waist Belt
You need to take a few essential items like a water bottle and mobile phone when you go out running. Since most winter gear does not have pockets, buying an elastic waist belt that can hold your phone closer to your body and keep it warm makes sense.
Reflective Gear
During winter, there is low visibility, especially in the morning. For safety reasons, you should wear reflective gear to ensure other people and car drivers can see from a distance. You can wear a headlamp that will be useful to see the path and help others notice your presence.
To sum up, these are some gear you need to run in winter. Wearing the right gear will also encourage you to brave the winds and continue your exercise routine, even in chilling weather.
