Five things to wear when… running in extreme cold

So the temperatures are getting to the lowest of the season, eh? With the right gear, winter has got nothing on you.

Getting properly outfitted for the run is never more important than when running through the most frozen days of winter. Winter weather isn’t enough to stop most of us because as the old saying going “there’s no bad weather, just bad gear.” So what do you absolutely have to have on before heading out? Here’s a checklist of five essentials.

1. A face mask. Now’s your chance to get creative. Not long ago, we found these amazing masks designed to look like animal faces. With the mask, the best thing to do is embrace the dorky look and go all in. You’re looking for heavy duty coverage around the head and sensitive skin on the cheeks. Plus, once this mask becomes draped in mini icicles on winter runs, you can snap a shot and send it to us.

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2. A windproof shell. The winds that come with Canadian winters in January and February cut right through. That’s just not good when out on a high mileage run. Invest in a jacket that is designed with windproof material– brands like The North Face and Brooks have excellent options out this season.

3. Your most dependable socks. Get your thick, warm socks and layer them up if you have to. Merino wool is always a good go-to when rifling through the sock drawer and the longer, the better. Don’t let sneaky drafts bite your ankles this season.

4. Double-layer tights. Not all tights are created equal and there’s no faster way for a runner to learn that lesson the hard way than by attempting an hour plus run in single-layer spring tights. Look for a double-layered tight that’s fleece lined and with some sort of wind and water protection. Another feature to look for: bright-coloured patches or reflective strips. Darker nights and high snowbanks impair drivers’ vision so runners need to increase their visibility when out on the roads.

5. A thick, snug, long-sleeve base layer. The base layer is equally as important as your heavy duty shell when it comes to dressing right for winter running. You need something that’s tight to the skin and long sleeved. It should be the most durable one you’ve got that does a proper job of trapping body heat in close to the skin. Don’t skimp out on the base layer. Most runners are quick to feel the difference between a real good versus mediocre base.