Musings
Written By Andrea Ference
As with everything I am not an expert - but over the years this is something I google almost every morning before I go for a run. The more comfortable you feel the more likely you are to stick with this! A few notes: I am Canadian through and through and do not do well in hot temperatures so I will stop running outdoors when the temperature is above 20°c/68°f - I will either run in the early morning before the sun (with a headlamp or very well lit, safe route that I know well) or (and I hate this) hop on a treadmill if I am in training. Or I will swap my cardio and cycle or swim or jump rope or do a workout class honestly, anything. I also have run at temperatures below -20°c/-4°f and I would not say it is particularly enjoyable but with the right layers it is, to me, better than running on a treadmill indoors.
So here I am to share with you my guide to dressing for runs at any temperature.
15°c+/60°f+
Base-layers
Shorts and a tank top or sports bra
Accessories
Hydration belt with water and electrolytes*, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
My go-to outfit
Classic Swoosh Bra
Clementine Shorts
Forerunner 45S GPS Watch
Remmy Sunglasses
On The Trail Cap
Run Light Elite Low Cut Socks
GEL-Nimbus
Lite Breeze Hydration Waistpack
Hydration Tablets
Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Stick
*the hotter is is outside the more hydration you will need. I feel like this should go without saying but… just in case.
10 to 15°C / 50 to 60°F
Base-layers
Shorts and a tank top
extra Layers
A packable windbreaker if it is windy and/or I am heading out before sunrise or after sunset.
Accessories
Hydration belt with water and electrolytes, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
My go-to outfit
Classic Swoosh Bra
Lux Performance Tank
Clementine Shorts
Run Light Elite Low Cut Socks
ASICS GEL-Nimbus
On The Trail Cap
Remmy Sunglasses
Forerunner 45S GPS Watch
Lite Breeze Hydration Waistpack
4 to10°C/40 to 50°F
Base-layers
I still will wear shorts, most people I surveyed will start transitioning to crops at this point - I will generally opt for a long sleeve shirt.
extra Layers
Windbreaker if it is before the sun rises, after it sets or… windy.
Accessories
Shoes, socks, running watch, hydration belt with water and electrolytes, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
My go-to outfit
Element Crew T-Shirt
Essential Hooded Jacket
Fast Crop 7/8 Leggings
Run Light Elite Low Cut Socks
ASICS GEL-Nimbus
Forerunner 45S GPS Watch
On The Trail Cap
Remmy Sunglasses
Lite Breeze Hydration Waistpack
-1 to 4°C/30 to 40°F
Base-layers
Long sleeve shirt and running crops or tights.
extra Layers
A light jacket/windbreaker.
Accessories
Shoes, socks, running watch, hydration belt with water and electrolytes, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
My go-to outfit
Essential Hooded Jacket
Dry Element Half-Zip Top
Endless Run Tights
ASICS GEL-Nimbus
Run Light Elite Low Cut Socks
Forerunner 45S GPS Watch
Remmy Sunglasses
On The Trail Cap
Lite Breeze Hydration Waistpack
-6 to -1°C/20 to 30°F
Base-layers
Long sleeve shirt and full length running tights.
extra layers
A mid-weight running jacket.
Accessories
Shoes, socks, running watch, insulating hat or headband, lightweight gloves, sunglasses/goggles depending on how cold it is and sunscreen. Headlamp for longer runs on shorter days.
My go-to outfit
Arc'teryx Cita Hoodie
Merino Sport 250 Quarter-Zip Top
Endless Run Tights
Forerunner 45S GPS Watch
ASICS GEL-Nimbus
Run Cold Weather Mid Crew Socks
DryFlx+ Headband
Midweight Screentap Fleece Gloves
Petzl Swift RL Headlamp
less than -6°C / less than 20°F
Base-layers
Long sleeve shirt and full length running tights. Start thinking about transitioning to thermal base layers as the temperature drops.
extra Layers
A warm merino wool or synthetic insulating top, an extra pair of pants to layer(yes, double up your pants), a wind resistant jacket.
Accessories
Shoes, socks, insulating hat, warmer gloves, neck tube/buff, sunglasses/goggles depending on how cold it is and sunscreen. Headlamp for longer runs on shorter days and micro spikes for any snow/ice on the ground.
My go-to outfit
Norvan SL Insulated Hoodie
Thermal Weight Zip-Neck Long Underwear Top
Warm Running Tights
Forerunner 45S GPS Watch
Waterproof Running Socks
ASICS GEL-Nimbus
Kahtoola NANOspikes Traction System
Polartec Fleece Beanie
Venta AR Gloves
Buff
Petzl Swift RL Headlamp
extra notes: trail running
Trail running is (IMO) way more fun. But requires a little bit of extra planning and gear to have a safe and enjoyable time. Below are my go-to add ons when running outside of the city.
Speedcross 5 Trail-Running Shoes
Halo Hydration Vest
Extra notes: winter running
If you are doing a hard workout:
Select the clothing choice as if it were10°C (5°f) warmerthan the actual temperature outside (per my little guide above) as you will be working hard and creating more heat than on a more leisurely run. If you are doing an outside warm-up and/or cool down make sure that you have the appropriate clothing for the true temperature (and then take them off as you get warm… or put them on once you start to cool down).
If it is windy:
Aim to dress for a run10°C (5°f) colderthan your actual as the wind will cut through your clothing. Or if you aren’t wearing a wind layer… add one.
if it is rainy:
This is a bit of a toss up for me. A really good rain jacket is ideal - it will keep you dry and still allow some of the moisture inside to get out. I would recommend running with a rain jacket in the winter - the discomfort of cold wind and rain is a lot worse than being a little bit extra sweaty IMO. Also, aim to dress 5-10 degrees coolerthan the actual temperature. You will get cold much quicker with the rain soaking your clothing (especially if there is any wind).
*Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Thank you for your support!
AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE,here are a few recommended blog posts.
Gear, Canadian Rockies
Seven (Alpine) Trail Running Essentials
Gear, Canadian Rockies
Read More →
Gear, Canadian Rockies
Adventure Fits
OOTD 15.04.2022
Adventure Fits
Read More →
Adventure Fits
North America, Trip Reports
Basecamp: Tofino
North America, Trip Reports
For adventure enthusiasts I can’t imagine a better year-round Canadian destination, with world class surfing (wave dependant), mountain biking, hiking, trail running, sea kayaking… and more passive activities such as whale and bird watching as well as walks with coffee on a seemingly endless maze of trails that are extremely well maintained there isn’t too terribly much that you can not do in Tofino. With just shy of 2,000 permanent residents, Tofino is located on the tip of the Esowista Peninsula at the southern edge of Clayoquot Sound. It is situated in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations.
Read More →
North America, Trip Reports
Beginners Guide
Beginners Guide to Trail Running
Beginners Guide
The thought of trail running used to intimidate me, I imagined scaling mountains at full speed for extended periods of time. But I enjoyed running and I loved spending time out in the mountains so my curiosity got the best of me and I realized that all of the preconceived notions that I had about trail running were untrue. This sport that I found intimidating and inconceivable as an immature at both running and hiking somehow made sense. In reality, road running is more akin to lightweight, faster (and more fun) hiking. The uphills are typically walked, the flats jogged and the downhills - depending on your comfort- are sprinted (okay maybe thats just me). And without a clunky backpack strapped around your chest and waist, these things feel natural.
Read More →
Beginners Guide
Gear
Road Cycling Gear Guide
Gear
Read More →
Gear
Beginners Guide
Beginners Guide to Road Cycling
Beginners Guide
“Cyclists see considerably more of this beautiful world than any other class of citizens. A good bicycle, well applied, will cure most ills this flesh is heir to” – Dr K.K. Doty
A lot of children grow up riding bicycles around the neighbourhood. I was not one of those children; I had no bike and no neighbourhood. It was not until my adult life that I fell in love with cycling. This love was a bit of a slow burn - the kind that, fortunately for me, makes for the longest lasting relationships. In the beginning I had trouble clipping in and out of my pedals efficiently (nobody taught me how and so, on more than one occasion, I ended up bike over body in the ditch on the side of the road), my seat was rigid and uncomfortable and hunching over tired my back and neck quickly.
Read More →
Beginners Guide
fitnessrunrunning
Andrea Ference
BLOG
FAQS
WORK WITH ME
© 2022 Andrea Ference Privacy Policy& Terms Of Use
