If you like exercising outdoors, the upcoming months may be challenging. The wind, freezing rain, snow, and of course those low temperatures—unless, of course, you live in states like sunny California, Florida, and Arizona. Still, you want to get out and get fresh air in your lungs without feeling like a popsicle. Heading outdoors, especially when it is sunny, can help to naturally improve your mood, help you to feel energized, and may even boost your immune system.
While there are benefits, you also have to be mindful of cold temperatures. You to make sure that you have the correct winter workout gear to ensure that you stay warm, avoid slipping, dehydration, and frostbite—this can commonly occur on nose, ears, fingers, and toes. And though exercising outdoors during winter weather can be challenging, you just need a little extra prep work to make sure that you can enjoy its benefits safely.
So if you are hitting the trail for a walk, run, hike, or plan on biking, the winter workout gear below will wick away sweat so that you don’t get chilled; plus, they are lightweight yet warm.
Keep reading for our winter workout essentials.
1. Tough Headwear Skull Cap Helmet Liner Running Beanie
While it may seem pretty basic, keeping your head covered is an easy way to keep your body warm, which is why we’re big fans of adding running hats to your winter workout gear. This unisex hat from Tough Headwear is great to have on hand. Its lightweight polyester/spandex blend makes it easy to fit most heads as well as stay snug, which means it also works well under a helmet. Its thermal lining will help you stay toasty, yet its breathable fabric can wick away moisture.
We recently discovered these electric hand warmers, and we think you’ll dig them as much as we do. On cold chilly days where the wind is blowing, a hand warmer can keep your fingers nice and toasty. This hand warmer comes in a few different fun designs and includes a lanyard to secure it around your wrist. Slip it in your pocket or around your wrist and bring it out when your fingers start to burn from the cold.
While it may seem that you only need sunglasses during the warmer months, that isn’t true. Ultraviolet light still occurs when it is cloudy days. In addition to protecting your eyes from the sun’s glare, they can also block the wind from drying out your eyes and also those pesky bugs. While there are many fancy versions, you may want to opt for something rugged and can take a beating just in case they fall off of your face while you are running, biking or hiking. These ForceFlex FF500 sunglasses are an important part of your winter workout gear arsenal. They are made with flex to be comfortable on the bridge of your nose, offer UV protection, and are meant to be unbreakable.
Layering is an essential part of staying comfortable on a brisk winter’s day. Synthetic materials like polyester, polypropylene, or moisture-wicking fabrics are among your best options. While cotton feels soft and snugly, it doesn’t really wick well. It may actually feel bulkier and stay damp longer. This tee shirt from Level Tech is made for high-intensity workouts. It uses a 37.5® technology to vent heat in warm conditions and retain heat if it’s cold. So this can be an excellent option for year-round exercise comfort.
Brooks is known for running shoe but its line of apparel is made with comfort those who like to exercise both indoors and out. The Notch thermal hoodie is for anyone who loves to get outdoors for a brisk walk or run. It keeps you warm and it also has a hood that you can choose to wear or tuck away. Additionally, it also has thumbholes to keep it in place.
Running in the rain can be a bit tricky. But Under Armour’s UA HOVR™ Sonic 4 Storm running shoes are created with a runner’s needs in mind. The cushioning reduces impact; they repel water but are still breathable. Plus, they connect to UA MapMyRunfor real-time coaching tips based on your stride.
Exercising in shorts is great for a warm day but if you are hitting the pavement in mid-January you’re probably going to want to cover your legs up. However typical sweats won’t do. Brooks Momentum Thermal Tight is the perfect combo of pants and thermals. Their fit and stretch allow them to hug the body and the fabric delivers comfort and warm for cold-weather workouts.
The Adapt Jacket is designed with a perforated “4” logo on the back, and this unique design can help the body to stay cool when exercising. It’s moisture-wicking and wind-resistant with an adjustable waistband and zipper pockets for toting things securely. The added bonus of this jacket is that it’s made from 100% RE-UP recycled Nylon, checking the sustainability box.
9. Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Extra Cushion Crew Socks
Other than having good shoes when going for a hike it is essential to have the right socks. Smartwool socks are made with non-itch merino wool and recycled fabrics. These odor-resistant running socks are breathable and wick moisture anyway to keep your toes warm.
If you hike, you already know that you need shoes that can take a beating even in the best of weather. BearPaw has created a 3.5 tall hiker that is waterproof and with suede and mesh for all-season wear. Treated with NeverWet® technology, it is water and stain-resistant.
Whether you are going out for a long run, brisk walk, bike ride or hiking it is vital to stay hydrated and the Teton sport makes that easy. You don’t need to drag around your water bottle when you pop on this Trailer runner 2 hydration pack that fits snuggly like a backpack.
As with other parts of the body your hands and fingers need to be shielded from the elements. The Adidas Shield running gloves comes with touchscreen-friendly points, insulating materials and are designed for all weather conditions.
No winter workout gear list should ever be complete without sunscreen. In fact, any time you plan on being outdoors, you should try and wear it to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays. Isdin’s Eryfotona Actinica is a super-light lotion that absorbs into the skin pretty quickly. Not only does it protect you from the sun, it also can help repair current sun damage.
