The Best Women’s Winter Running Gear 2024
This article originally appeared on Outside
Soft, warm, and protective: these are the qualities we want from our winter running apparel. Logging miles in freezing temps isn't supposed to be easy, but the right gear can and should help us out. These picks kept us dry and safe--and in some cases, delightfully cozy--over hundreds of miles on roads and trails.
The Winners at a Glance
La Sportiva Trail Gloves
Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket
On Running Pants
Houdini Pace Flow Houdi
Brooks Run Visible Thermal Hoodie
Oiselle Flyout Wool Long Sleeve
Eddie Bauer Crossover Winter Trail Adventure High-Rise Legging
Rabbit EZ Tights
Ultimate Direction Ultra jacket
Nathan Navigator Hybrid Vest
The Review: The Best Women's Winter Running Gear 2024
La Sportiva Trail Gloves ($59)
Sizing: XS-L
These lightweight gloves, made mostly of polyester, were an instant and enduring favorite with all our testers. Topping the list of features: a nylon mitten shield covers the stretchy, breathable glove fabric, acting as a fantastic windbreaker for fingers when needed and folding into the cuff when not. Testers also found the high-conductivity microfiber on the fingertips was much more effective than similar tech on other gloves and really did make it easy to use their phones without removing the gloves. "I have literally worn these every day since they came, whether to walk the dog or run," Ellen gushed. "Because of the wind guard mitten option they have worked for temps from 15 to 50 degrees. They also fit me perfectly and have survived three trips through the washer/dryer so far." Abby was equally infatuated: "I’ll keep wearing them long after this test wraps up."
Bottom line: Durable gloves that worked for every tester in every winter condition
Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket ($210)
Sizing: XS-XXL
We couldn't believe how often we reached for this jacket--both for freezing early morning runs and other adventures all day long. The 20 Denier ripstop nylon fabric is soft but tough, and the stretchy, lofty, 50-percent-recycled synthetic insulation (which lines the jacket's hood, too) kept us toasty. We never got too hot, though, thanks to large armpit vents. Two zippered pockets, thumb loops, and DWR treatment seal the deal. Abby never washed hers after at least 10 uses and says it's still stink-free (we credit the armpit vents for that), while Stefanie said her jacket has held up beautifully after many washes (necessary after "spilled applesauce during hike breaks, mud from rainy park visits, and plenty of snot from daycare pickups").
Bottom line: If you run cold and have always wanted to run in a warm puffy but were afraid it would be too hot, this is your jacket.
On Running Pants ($170)
Sizing: XS-XL
We may not have picked these unusual-looking hybrid pants off the shelf at a store, but we were so happy to be wearing them on windy days. A swishy, loose, ripstop nylon covers a thin layer of mesh from the front of the waist to the knees, with a soft, tighter-fitting polyester on the calves--combining to create, in Abby's words: "a serious track pant on the top and stretchy, comfy legging on the bottom." We loved the relaxed fit up top, a welcome change from most of our warm winter running bottoms, while the more streamlined lower-leg fit kept our calves and ankles warm without extra fabric swooshing around. Zippered pockets hold essentials, while vents around the knees move hot air out without sacrificing protection from the elements.
Bottom line: A high-performance hybrid for those who prefer pants over leggings or often run in the wind
Sponsor Content
Seirus Women's All Season Top ($79.99) and Bottom ($74.99)
Experience all-season comfort with this versatile base layer, powered by featherweight Heatwave technology. This essential piece masterfully balances kinetic and reflective warmth, all while offering rapid moisture-wicking breathability, ensuring your comfort in the face of changing temperatures. Whether you’re going for a run, engaging in outdoor sports, or simply seeking dependable comfort during daily activities, this base layer is your unwavering ally through all the transitional seasons, eliminating the need for constant wardrobe adjustments.
Houdini Pace Flow Houdi ($200)
Sizes: XXS-XL
We appreciated this simple but incredibly breathable midlayer thanks to its versatile Polartec Power Dry mesh. This super-light fabric promises to insulate while venting every bit of excess heat or moisture. We found the promise held true--the hoodie kept us both warm and dry (from our sweat, that is) when worn alone in moderate to brisk temperatures. And when the weather turned colder, we layered a vest or windbreaker on top of it and stayed toasty. The chest pocket is perfect for stashing keys, and the hood is nice and roomy.
Bottom line: A light, versatile midlayer that excels at heat management at a wide range of temperatures.
Brooks Run Visible Thermal Hoodie ($120)
Sizing: XS-XXL
"This is consistently the item I hunt for when looking for something versatile for misty 40- to 50-degree runs in the Pacific Northwest," said Stef. I wore it for plenty of dry 30- to 40-degree afternoons in Santa Fe, enjoying the cotton sweatshirt-like feel that reminded me of high school cross country practices. The Brooks hoodie is a major upgrade, however: We found the stretchy recycled polyester breathable enough to keep on for several miles without feeling too warm, and felt safely visible in the dark thanks to the 3M Scotchlite reflective stripes across the shoulders, chest, sleeves, and bottom hem. Brooks has an entire Run Visible collection that is worth checking out for runners who regularly log miles in the dark.
Bottom line: Feel cozy and be seen in this thick, sweatshirt-like midlayer.
Oiselle Flyout Wool Long Sleeve ($92)
Sizing: 2-24/26
The polyester-wool blend of this top dried fast, kept us warm while still feeling lightweight, and didn't stink even after multiple runs in a row. Testers appreciated the extra-long cuffs, soft feel, and thumb holes, but our favorite feature was the "watch window"--a special cut-out on the wrist to easily view your metrics on the run. The technical details didn't get in the way of fashion, however. Abby said, "This piece is so cute, with its darker cuffs and collar, that I wore it both on the trails and at the office."
Bottom line: A warm base layer that stands out for its sophisticated style, comfort, and thoughtful details
Eddie Bauer Crossover Winter Trail Adventure High-Rise Leggings ($99)
Sizing: XS-3XL, plus Petite and Tall
These high-rise polyester/spandex tights are among the warmest we've tested, thanks to a brushed fleece interior lining. But they don't feel suffocating; the thick yet breathable fabric has just the right amount of stretch throughout so there's no pinching at the waist or mobility constriction around the knees. We also loved the storage options: two drop-in cargo pockets plus a vertical zippered one made it easy to stash a phone, keys, and even snacks. "I wore them on a lot of runs below 30 degrees," said Ellen, who also noted: "I found them to be a good length for me where a lot of the tights I received were too short."
Bottom line: These warm, thick, leggings fit everyone well, and carry everything you'd want on a run.
Rabbit EZ Tights ($88)
Sizing: XS-XL
"Rabbit has made the SNUGGLIEST leggings," Stef raved about the EZ tights. "They are so soft, I don’t want to take them off after a run." The rest of us agreed. These thin polyester/spandex tights don't have a lot of bells and whistles--just two small internal pockets on the waistband, too small for a phone--but they boast a buttery soft touch that you're guaranteed to fall in love with. They're versatile--we wore them in temps from 25 to 55 degrees--and durable: "I've put them through the ringer--hitting the trails, pounding the pavement and chasing my little one around the children's museum," Stef said.
Bottom line: You'll never want to take these snuggly tights off--so buy more than one pair.
Ultimate Direction Ultra Jacket ($200)
Sizing: XS-XL
This nylon jacket provides the most running-friendly protection from precipitation we've worn. It's 100 percent waterproof, but incredibly breathable--boasting a 30,000 grams per square meter per 24 hours moisture vapor transmission rate, which is as good as it gets. I wore this for a 30-minute tempo run in a rainstorm and stayed completely dry from moisture inside and out. Two design features stood out: integrated mittens that flip out from the sleeve to protect your hands, and a magic hood that stayed on even in a headwind--Ultimate Direction calls it a Tunnel Effect hood--plus is ventilated for comfort. Underarm vents provide extra airflow when needed.
Bottom line: A jacket that will keep you dry from both external and internal moisture --better than whatever you're currently wearing
Nathan Navigator Hybrid Vest ($125)
Sizing: XS-L
The synthetically insulated, polyester front panel on this vest is water resistant and windproof while the back is light and airy with a thin four-way stretch fabric, making it perfect for days when you need just a little bit of extra protection from a headwind. I liked it for speedwork in just-below-freezing temperatures. It has a flattering cut, reflective details, a soft chin guard made of soft woven ripstop fabric so you don't get scratched when fully zipped up, and three zippered pockets for essentials.
Bottom line: A basic but well-designed, functional vest for cold, windy runs
How to Buy
When it comes to winter running clothes, your goal is to balance warmth, breathability, and mobility. Layering is helpful, but how heavy you want your base fabric to be versus how much warmth you want from outerwear is a personal decision that takes trial and error to determine.
Materials
Sweat-wicking and quick-drying materials are essential. These are usually made of polyester or wool blends and have a wide variety of names and textures. Polyester weaves tend to be the most breathable and often highly durable, while wool resists odors and has a soft feel against the skin.
Fit
The fabric should not restrict your leg and arm movement or be so tight as to interfere with your breathing at all. When trying on garments, do some dynamic stretching such as leg swings, lunges, and arm circles to experience your body's whole range of motion in the apparel. If you're trying on a piece with pockets, make sure you test how it feels when the pockets are full--especially if you intend on carrying something heavy like a cell phone, which can drastically change the way a pair of leggings fits and rides.
Details
It's the little details that ultimately make a big difference. Since winter running may necessitate more miles under dark skies, look for clothing and accessories with reflective details to make you more visible to others. Thumbholes and vent zips can make or break a garment, but again, it takes a few test runs before you can really figure out what has the biggest impact for you.
How We Test
Number of testers: 4
Number of products tested: 50+
Total miles: 600+
Coldest run: An hour on frozen, snowy trails just after dawn in Santa Fe--starting temperature was 11 degrees F.
We asked a wide array of brands to send our testers samples of new products throughout the winter and we incorporated them into our respective running routines as they arrived (and weather allowed). First impressions were huge: the way a piece performed during an initial run of just a few miles often determined how much more testing we put it through. Once we confirmed initial comfort and utility, we looked for a range of weather conditions that a piece was best suited for; then evaluated stink resistance and durability in the washing machine.
Meet the Lead Testers
Svati Kirsten Narula
Svati Kirsten Narula is a writer and Outside contributing editor based in Santa Fe. She loves training and racing on trails but tries her best to attend her local running group’s weekly track workouts in Santa Fe for the sake of “mixing it up” and “working on speed.” She’s also been trying to become a morning runner for more than a decade, but appreciates that in the depths of winter it’s perfectly practical to log miles at lunchtime.
Abigail Wise
Abigail Wise is a writer and former Outside editor who lives on a veggie farm north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She spent her twenties running half-marathons and ultras in the mountains and deserts of the West but now logs most of her miles behind a stroller on the gravel roads near her home. Her four good dogs provide plenty of running motivation on the mornings she’s tempted to hit the snooze button.
Ellen Silva
Ellen Silva is a clinical dietitian in Santa Fe, NM. She is an “any distance, any surface” type of runner and enjoys bringing down her road 5k time as much as training for mountain 100 milers and pacing friends in ultras. She’s attempting to train her young dog to do easy runs with her but they usually end up stopping often to sniff or chasing rabbits down the road.
Stefanie Hausner
Stefanie Hausner is a working parent in Redmond, Washington. On ambitious days, she carves out time between work and daycare pick-up to hit the trails (paved or otherwise) and enjoy fresh air, and she is no stranger to a nursing break while on a stroller run.
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