no matter the conditions
Winter Running Kit
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. Stay motivated to get out in the cold with our winter running picks.
Whether winter means snow on the ground for months on end, dodging raindrops and puddles, or braving cold, dry air, you’re in the right place. Running through winter isn’t just possible—it can actually be enjoyable with the right gear. Built from years of experience keeping the stoke alive through the coldest months, our Winter Running Kit is designed to keep you warm, dry, and motivated when temperatures drop and daylight fades.
Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX ($170)
Smartwool Run Cold Weather Crew ($24)
Skida Pursuit Performance Headband ($26)
Skida Snow Tour Neck Gaiter ($28)
The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves ($50)
The North Face Summit Series Pro 120 ($90)
Janji Boreal Fleece Tight ($134)
Rab Borealis ($130)
Petzl Iko Core ($105)Hoka’s iconic trail running shoe, the Speedgoat blends plush cushioning with a wide, stable platform and tacky outsole. The Gore-Tex version adds waterproof protection for logging miles on wet winter terrain.
The Run Cold Weather Crew from Smartwool gives the brand’s standard running sock a cold-weather makeover, with a midweight wool/nylon blend and a mid-calf height. The added warmth is palpable, but the design doesn’t add too much bulk inside your running shoe.
Skida’s numero uno headband for high-output efforts, the Pursuit offers moderate warmth and maximum style. Its stretchy design stays firmly in place no matter how rowdy your run gets.
The neck often gets left out of the conversation when it comes to layering, but thankfully, Skida’s Snow Tour neck gaiter has entered the chat. Built with a lightweight, brushed fabric, it’s moisture-wicking, cozy, and just thick enough to cut the chill.
Combining stretchy, lightweight fleece with a durable palm, the Etip Recycled is ideal for keeping your hands warm—but not too warm—while running in the cold. The touchscreen-compatible fingertips actually work, too.
A wonderful option for high-output activities, the Summit Series Pro 120 is a lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying base layer. It also offers significant warmth for its thin construction, making it versatile for a range of temperatures and activity levels.
Warmth
Breathability
Durability
Comfort
Odor Resistance
Sustainability
The Janji Boreal Fleece Tight (women’s Aurora Fleece Tight) makes getting out in the cold just a little bit cozier. Two large zip pockets provide secure storage, and reflective side seams ensure you stay visible in the darker months.
About as lightweight as a softshell gets, the Borealis offers a solid barrier against wind and moisture while still maintaining enough breathability to manage a solid sweat. It’s a versatile multi-tool for winter running, alpine climbing, ski touring, and more.
Ideal for bouncy activities like running, the Iko Core offers 500 lumens of light in a minimal, balanced, and snug-fitting form. It comes with a rechargeable battery, but it also works with three AAA batteries.
How We Built the Winter Running Kit
There’s a Scandinavian saying that goes something like this: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” That line sums up much of what our resident trail runners believe at Better Trail, and we hold it close during the winter months, when excuses to stay indoors are all too easy to find. It might not be your first thought, but running is actually one of the simplest outdoor pursuits to keep up when the weather turns—it’s far more accessible than biking, climbing, or backpacking, and backcountry skiing and snowshoeing require all sorts of gear investments. With the right kit, cold-weather running can even be joyful. We built our Winter Running Kit with that idea in mind: gear that keeps you warm, dry, and stoked to dodge puddles and chase snowflakes all season long.
First things first: footwear. Your ideal shoe depends largely on the surfaces you’ll be running on during the winter. If your roads stay dry or get plowed frequently, a road running shoe might actually serve you best. You’ll appreciate the added cushion and impact absorption, especially if you’re used to softer trails during the warmer months. But if, like us, you live somewhere where the roads stay packed with snow and the trails double as skating rinks, you’ll need to get a bit more strategic with your footwear choice.
We recommend the Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX for a few reasons. To be honest, it’s not our favorite year-round shoe—other models have surpassed this longtime standby in terms of comfort, responsiveness, and overall performance. But for the winter months, it’s a great all-rounder. The plush cushioning adapts well to mixed terrain, the grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole and substantial lugs bite confidently into ice and snow (far better than a road runner or a crossover shoe like the Hoka Challenger), and the Gore-Tex membrane keeps your feet dry when things start to thaw. All told, it’s a versatile, winter-ready workhorse that can handle just about anything the season throws at it.
If you’re consistently running on snow or ice, consider taking traction into your own hands by adding screws to the soles of your trail running shoes. You’ll find plenty of tutorials online, but the gist is simple: pick up a couple dozen half-inch hex-head sheet metal screws and drill them into the outsole under the forefoot and heel. In our opinion, this DIY approach beats Microspikes, which tend to cause pressure points and discomfort (and, if worn for long enough, may even result in a few sacrificed toenails). Come spring, you can remove the screws, or—especially if you opted for a Gore-Tex shoe (which you’ll sweat out in the warmer months)—keep them in and have your “studded” shoes ready for duty the following winter.
There are three main factors that keep your feet warm while running in the winter, likely in this order of importance. First is your body’s circulation and effort level. If you’re moving consistently and getting your blood pumping, cold feet shouldn’t be much of an issue (staying hydrated helps, too). Second is your footwear. One reason we recommend waterproof running shoes for the colder months is that they hold in warmth better than shoes with standard mesh uppers. Keeping your feet dry and protected from the self-made wind chill that comes with running is a major step toward comfort.
The third factor is your sock choice. Many runners stick with their usual running socks year-round, but there’s no harm in swapping in something warmer when temperatures drop, especially if you’re typically a fan of thin socks. The Smartwool Run Cold Weather Crew is purpose-built for winter runs, with a slightly thicker-than-average wool blend, targeted cushioning in the toes and heel, and a crew height for extended warmth up your lower leg. Wool is a no-brainer for cold-weather running thanks to its reliable warmth (it insulates even when damp). It’s worth noting that lightweight wool hiking socks also double as excellent winter running socks. Whichever route you choose, you’ll just want to make sure your shoes have just a smidge of extra room to handle the added bulk (we typically size up our running shoes a half-size anyway, so this isn’t an issue).
We’ll be the first to admit that layering isn’t the flashiest topic in outdoor gear. New fabric tech is flashy, as are hybrid jackets, L.A.-based niche running brands, and whatever hot new nutrition company everyone’s talking about. But layering? Nah. It simply worked 100 years ago, and it still works today.
We gave this a lot of thought when putting together our winter running kit. It’s easy to be wooed by flashy, niche pieces purpose-built for cold-weather running—take the Rabbit Cocoon 2.0 ($125), for instance. With its water-resistant shell, fleece lining, integrated hood, and built-in neck warmer, it’s a four-in-one piece that replaces your base layer, windbreaker, neck gaiter, and headband. Tempting, right? But in the end, we couldn’t bring ourselves to recommend it. Layering simply gives you more control, whether that means adding warmth on a frigid morning or shedding heat once you find your stride. The Cocoon is clever (and stylish), but its temperature window is narrow. We’d guess it’s best for runs around 40 degrees and below, provided it’s not raining—and that you don’t overheat. Its all-in-one design assumes you’ll be the same temperature at the start of your run as you are five miles in or 1,200 feet up, which is rarely the case.
The two layers we recommend in this kit, on the other hand, cover a far wider range of conditions. Wear the Pro 120 as a standalone piece in mild temps, or throw the Rab Borealis over a T-shirt and strip it off when things warm up. Any combination of a lightweight and breathable base layer and a water-resistant jacket will do, although these are certainly two of our all-time favorites. And if it’s truly dumping, swap the wind resistance for a full waterproof shell like the Patagonia Storm Racer.
Finally—and then we’ll step off our layering soapbox—we love layering for its versatility, which ultimately translates to both affordability and sustainability. The Pro 120 and the Borealis shine for winter running, but we also reach for them when we’re skate skiing, ski touring, or alpine climbing. The one-for-many concept means fewer clothes in our closet, less strain on our wallets, and one less item bound for the landfill—a trifecta we can fully get behind.
On the heels of our discussion on layering, we’d be remiss not to touch on running bottoms—specifically, tights and pants. Our pick for the coldest days is the Janji Borealis Fleece Tight, a warm, fleece-lined option that’s built for winter miles. You’re right, astute reader—this isn’t the most versatile piece in your wardrobe. But the reality is that you won’t be layering your bottoms all winter; most runs begin and end in a single tight or pant. If you tend to run hot, Janji’s thinner 7/8 Trail Tight ($108) is the better choice; if you’re consistently out in sub-freezing temperatures or battling windchill, go for the Borealis. There’s no shortage of good running tights out there, but these Janjis stand out for their sleek storage options and reflective details (and even a glow-in-the-dark colorway). We’re also fans of Patagonia’s Endless Run Tights ($119) and Arc’teryx’s Norvan Leggings ($140).
That said, not everyone loves the look or feel of tights—and thankfully, there are some excellent alternatives. One of our favorites is the Arc’teryx Incendo Pant ($130). Despite not being one with your skin, it’s stretchy, lightweight, and trim-fitting—built to move with you every bit as well as a pair of tights. It also blocks a surprising amount of wind while remaining breathable enough for mild conditions, and it’s impressively durable: After three years and well over 100 wears, ours show virtually no signs of aging. Most importantly, it’s versatile. You can layer it over shorts or base layers, or wear it solo across a wide range of temps. The only downside? The Incendo doesn’t have any secure pockets (just two unzippered hand pockets), which might be a dealbreaker for many runners. For an alternative, check out Patagonia’s Wind Shield Pants ($179).
Getting out the door for a winter run isn’t quite as simple as it is in the warmer months. Once you’ve layered up, you’ll still need to grab your headband (or beanie), neck warmer (or Buff), and—last but not least—your gloves. We don’t recommend heading out in the winter without these essentials. (You can skip the neck coverage if your jacket has a high collar, but we love the added face protection when conditions get extra nippy.)
That said, resist the temptation to overdo it on warmth. Skida makes its headbands and neck warmers in a variety of fabrics, but the thicker versions are better suited to downhill skiing than running. No matter how cold it is outside, running generates (and sustains) plenty of body heat—there’s no start-and-stop to cool you down. We recommend sticking with the Skida options in our list above—or similarly lightweight versions from other brands—so you don’t end your run with your headband balled up around your wrist and your neck warmer stuffed in your tights’ pocket. We’ve all been there.
Regardless of which hemisphere you call home, cold weather usually means fewer daylight hours. That’s why we include a headlamp in our winter running kit. Unless you’re sneaking out for midday miles, you’ll need a little extra glow for your morning or evening runs. While any headlamp will technically do the trick, a running-specific design can make a big difference. The Petzl Iko Core is as bounce-free as they come, thanks to its balanced layout (lamp up front, battery in back), low-profile components, and snug, stable fit. We also love that it’s rechargeable, sparing you from burning through AAAs all season. Other great options include the Black Diamond Deploy Run Light ($70) and Biolite Dash 450 ($70), the latter of which adds a rear red light for extra visibility on dark roads and trails.
Is the Winter Running Kit for You?
If you’re the type of trail runner who refuses to let a little cold keep you indoors, this kit is for you. Built for those who want to stay consistent year-round, the Winter Running Kit prioritizes warmth, protection, and comfort for aerobic activity in cold weather. Whether you’re logging miles before sunrise, cruising through snowy neighborhoods, or dodging puddles on slushy trails, the gear above will keep you moving happily through it all.
If you’re just starting to explore running and want simpler (and cheaper) gear, check out our Beginner Trail Running Kit.
Or, if you’re already deep into your running journey and want a glimpse at the premium gear our editors use, head to our Editors’ Picks Trail Running Kit.
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