[Mrtambalynman]

So how do you gear up for running in the snow/cold?<br><br>
It depends on how cold it is and if its raining (which happens a lot with snow around here). I wear my standard running shoes and my heavier weight wright socks, I silicone spray my shoes, I wear regular tights on warmer days or my cycling tights with compression shorts under neath on colder days. I wear a coolmax shirt with a polartech 100 zip neck shirt over top and sometimes I'll cap that with my supermicroft jacket depending upon the wind/rain. I'll wear a headband usually and sometimes I'll add on a super capilene balaclava. If its really cold I wear a toque with ear flaps.<br><br>
What about you?

 

[Sans Souci]

I guess "cold" is relative, Mrtambalynman. I grew up running in Edmonton and thought nothing of venturing out with the gang in -20C.<br><br>
I've lived on the West Coast for about 20 years now. I still can't seem to get it right, meaning most often I seem to overdress.<br><br>
Today was -1C. I wore a Marks & Sparks cotton/poly/viscose turtleneck with a short sleeve (ancient) MEC poly/spandex shirt overtop with a nylon vest, tights, smartwool socks (like to make sure AT is covered and <i>warm</i>), gloves (which I ended up tucking into my tights) and hippy crochet hat that has holes to let the hot air escape.<br><br>
But when it's below zero here, it is COLD. Lots of ex-Albertans here complain how cold it is (dampness). But at least our skin stays on in the winter. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"><br><br>
ETA: I live central Vancouver Island.

 

[grommit]

.... gets a tad cold in Quebec too ..... when our dollar was at 1.06 I spent a hundred bucks <a href="http://zyflex.com/" target="_blank">here</a> this stuff is amazing..... not very sexy, but it breathes really well and keeps one toasty.... it's the weirdest material... sort of crunchy to the feel, I did chaff once, after about three hours of heavy sweating @ -20c.....<img alt="roll_eyes.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/roll_eyes.gif"> but was way beyond caring at that point....<br><br>
$20 for thermal shorts..... or a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codpiece" target="_blank">royal cod-piece</a><br><br>
stay warm<br><br>
grommit

 

[Grizzly]

I've wimped out a bit here this week, partly because of the wind. But I've been known to go running at -39.<br><br>
Layers. Layers. Layers. Wicking material closest to you, warm layer(s) over that and a shell of sorts over that. It can get ridiculous, sort of like the kid in A Christmas Story...

 

[Mrtambalynman]

Hey SC - when I lived in Thunder Bay I was happy to got out and be active into the low -20's not considering the wind chill. I found after -30 it wasn't so much fun any more.<br><br>
I'm in the lower mainland. I think I'd roast if I wore what you do on a run at -1.

 

[Silly Sally]

Running in that kind of cold? BRRRR ... why do it? <img alt="sad2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad2.gif"><br><br>
Just kidding ... I admire you dedicated runners <img alt="notworthy.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/notworthy.gif"> ... I'm a total wimp.<br><br>
Sally

 

[Mrtambalynman]

What do you guys do for your feet? Just wool socks and runners or do you use a heavier duty shoe (say a trail shoe or a winter shoe - if such a thing exists), mini gaiters, etc?

 

[Sans Souci]

Yep, wool socks and runners here. I've worn trail shoes on the trails in the snow or when I feel I need more grip.<br><br>
We seem to get a lot of ice or that thin slippery film on the roads that no shoe I have can manage. Been a bit injury prone lately, so I'm not taking any chances: I'll pool run or row in that case or wait until the sun melts the slippy slime.

 

[Turtleboy]

I wear Asics Gel Arctics along with Wrightsock winter running socks. I agree with Grommit, protecting your nether regions is a must. I wear running pants with the plastic layer on the front. Base layer, long sleeve followed by a soft shell jacket. Wool mittens with a pair of mittens over top of it. An underarmour skull cap has been enough for me. Balaclava helps when it's really windy.<br><br>
TB

 

[bcc594]

When I was living in Saskatchewan, we'd run through most of the winter. I always wore my normal shoes and socks, without much extra on the feet. They'd be fine, for the most part. The one thing I never left home without: A small produce bag from the grocery store, stuffed down the front of my pants. I'll be darned if I'm going to spend $30 on a pair of "Windproof underwear", when I can get a bag free at the grocery store!

 

[kingsley zissou]

ooooh yeah... big produce bag for this cowboy...<img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">

 

[dragonsrouges]

uh ok... ah how does that go again? This thread is useless without pictures?

 

[roly]

Nooooo, pictures required.. we'll just shake are head and walk away slowly.

 

[kingsley zissou]

<br>
hehehe, probably best to ignore all the early morning posts from me!<br><br>
definitely NO PICS for this one.<br><br>
btw, that was my first dancing banana!

 

[Mr Lambchops]

bcc: I like your plastic bag idea. Actually, I had more problem on the bums than on the jewels. I'll adapt your plastic bag on my rear tights... I really enjoy smart & cheap ways to beat the elements. In winter, I try as much as possible to avoid synthetic on skin because I don't layer too much. I go wool. Wet wool keeps all of its heating property with a tight fit. Sizing is more important in the cold. With a (also tight) wind jacket on top... Before I forget, shorter & faster LR, it helps....

 

[markc7]

I have a pair of running pants that have a windbreaker type material on the front and typical tights on the back. From the front I look like I'm wearing snow pants, but it keeps my junk warm without having to wear a plastic bag or windbriefs.<br><br>
The only time those pants didn't keep me perfectly warm was during a ~25km run in -20 a couple years back, when my camelback started to leak and soaked my whole backside. Brrrr.

 

[Mrtambalynman]

On really cold days I'll wear my MEC cycling tights which have a nylon wind fabric on the front and are heavier weight. Living on the West Coast having your junk freeze isn't really much of a worry and those pants keep me toasty.

 

[dragonsrouges]

Gotta love MEC! A lot of my winter running stuff is from MEC too!

 

[Mrtambalynman]

Ya, MEC is my runners paradise. The only thing I go to a regular running store is for shoes and body glide.

 

[CIAU80]

Dress warm- layers- Have a preplanned running route ( I like to use a 4-6<br>
circuit in real cold weather in case you need to cut the run short) I put a little vaseline on my face if it's really cold ie -25C or colder. Cheers