I personally swear by getting a dose of fresh air all year long. Sometimes it can seem overwhelming though to get outside in the winter, but with the right layers and gear you can safely and comfortably exercise outdoors all year long.
Because there’s actually nothing better than a little hit of sunshine under a brilliant blue sky on a cold winter’s day. So take a peek at this round up of essential winter gear to keep you clocking your steps and adventures no matter the temps.
A pair of reviewer-adored gloves that I’ve bought repeatedly over the years
Promising review: “I purchased a pair of these gloves at Costco several years ago and needed to replace them....I was so excited to find them again on Amazon. They are a great weight and the sensitivity and grip are are very helpful.” — BLL
A fleece headband I’ve been wearing since the ’90s
I’ve been wearing Turtle Fur headbands since the 90s (when we didn’t wear helmets while skiing, and it wasn’t cool to wear a hat) and they naturally transitioned to a headband and neck warmer for running in the cold. The fleece keeps you warm without overheating your head, on those days when you need something around your ears outside. If it can handle the slopes, it can handle a walk or run well. It’s available in 13 colors.
Promising reviews: “My ears used to get so cold on morning runs that I’d end up with a headache afterward, but this fleece headband has completely changed that. It keeps the wind off my ears and doesn’t feel bulky or sweaty. It’s just enough to protect my ears, but not so much that I overheat once I start moving. This is one of those small things that ends up making a surprisingly big difference. I’m honestly really glad I picked it up.” — Berkeley
“I like it. I have a large head and it’s not too tight. It’s very soft and covers my ears. I ordered the charcoal grey and like it.” — Pirate Farmer
... or a cozy neck gaiter (from the same brand) that I’ve had for over a decade
Promising review: “I have been wearing Turtle Fur gaiters for many years but this newest one is my favorite by far. It is so soft and lightweight yet still incredibly warm and protects against the wind. The color was exactly as pictured and is snug on my neck but not too tight. I am definitely going to get more in different colors.” — Lisa
A sweat-wicking seamless base layer that starts at just $7
For your outdoor adventures, get started with a moisture wicking base layer, and build from there. These tops from Old Navy are available in men’s and women’s sizes and are perfect for winter layering, and with a starting price of $7 for some select on-sale colors, you can afford to stock up. I’ve washed these several times in my home (both the men’s and women’s styles) and they hold up well. Women's sizes are available in 12 color options, and also petite and tall. Men's are available in 4 colors along with regular and tall.
Promising reviews: “Perfect for workouts in winter!” — anonymous (women’s)
“So comfortable and breathes really well! Perfect winter workout top!” — anonymous
“Bought this for my son when he does his long runs outside in the cold weather. They are warm but also light and moisture wicking. Great deal when they are on sale.” — anonymous (men’s)
“Wicks away sweat extraordinarily well. Well-fitted and comfortable to wear while running/cycling. I feel like I'll get more than my money's worth with this.” — anonymous (men’s)
A terrific headlamp
Promising reviews: “The Astro 300 puts out bright, even light and is easy to adjust with simple controls. It’s lightweight, comfortable to wear, and works well for hiking, running, or general outdoor use. The battery life is solid for the brightness level, making it a dependable everyday headlamp.” — hdsaucedo
“So many of the headbands have colored lights and a variety of modes - so many that it is not convenient if you just want to turn a light on and off. This one is great. Click its on, click its off. Click and hold and it dims. Click and hold again and it brightens. Double click and it goes into strobe mode. That's it. Comes with 3 coppertop batteries!.
When you turn it off, it remembers the brightness level it was set at, and turns on at that level! What a concept!
The tilt feature uses a stiff hinge and holds position well
Adjusts from quite bright to quite dim. Great for all kinds of close work.” — Amazon Customer
Some merino wool socks with light cushioning
Keeping your feet toasty and ankles covered is essential for staying comfortable outdoors in the winter. These Smartwool crew socks get a 4.9 rating for good reason – with a 55% merino wool content, they’ll keep your feet dry and toasty during your winter pursuits. (Merino wool is kind of a wonder fiber – it’s warm, sweat-wicking, and naturally antimicrobial.) They don't feel bulky either. You can get four color options, and they’re available in men's as well.
Promising reviews: “I've worn these on snowy runs and they're great! Very comfortable and keeps my ankles warm enough. I have worn these at below freezing temperatures and they do the job.” — Michael
“Great for trail runs in the cold. Have been buying these for years. Classic simple style.” — Fran
A “zero bulk” merino wool beanie
Promising review: “Warm, thin, low profile, fits comfortably but not too tight or loose. I can wear it with my eyeglasses and no pinching. I got the dark red and it looks nice. I have lots of Smartwool products from socks to running shirts and base layers. It’s just dependable and good quality.
Update 1/25: we just had a couple of weeks of below-zero temps (just like everyone else in the US I guess!). This hat is incredible. It kept me warm even in the wind. With zero bulk, it stashes easily in my jacket pocket.” — hokkoda
A reflective vest for added safety
Promising review: “I ran the Reno Tahoe Odyssey relay with 11 other runners and my group shared this guy because it was so lightweight compared to our old reflective vest, but still plenty bright and easy to see, use and adjust. Our largest runner loved it as much as our smallest runner and you can clip blinking lights to it as well and so easy to spot our nighttime runners. Worth the purchase! You'll keep it forever and the reflective arm bands are great for a black backpack when there's more than one.” — Emily V Reed
A non-bulky running vest
Promising review: “Love this vest. I am always looking for a good running vest. This one fits the bill. It is light weight, fits great and warm on cool mornings. I love all the Swiftland line and this does not disappoint. Great for temps down to 40 ish with a warm layer underneath. Another REI win. I bought a medium but switched for a large just to get a tad more length on it. Fit in shoulders and chest not much different between the 2 sizes. Very flattering fit.” – Irongirl56 (women’s)
“Love this vest for running. It was exactly what I was looking for. It is very light, and only has insulation on the front. Which is enough to add to a long sleeve T on mild days to keep the chest warm (and prevent nip chafing). And should work nicely as an extra layer in cold cold days. But arms and back don't overheat. I've even ended up wearing just this vest on one run and it was surprisingly pleasant with nothing underneath. The extra pockets are a nice touch.” – Dustin (men’s)
A pair of hiddem-gem leggings that still feel like new two years in
These Hoka leggings don’t have a ton of reviews, but I’ll let you in a little secret: They are amazing for working out (in my case running, hiking, or walking). I wore these leggings throughout winter marathon training, and two winters later they still feel like I’m putting them on for the first time because they offer the same amount of compression as when I first wore them. I also love that they hold my phone in the leg pocket without bouncing. I’ve worn other higher priced leggings that don’t hold a candle to these in terms of longevity of wear. I wear a size small in most leggings, and do in these as well. They’re available in 5 colors, some of which are 25% off right now. Pro tip: Also check out the Hoka Nova Fly run pant which is rated quite well for running.
A worth-every penny jacket that keeps me warm without weighing me down
A smart jacket is essential for getting out there and moving briskly this winter. And you'll want something windproof that keeps you warm, protects you from the elements, and doesn't weigh you down. Enter this Black Diamond Solution 2.0 jacket: While it's a higher price point, I'm here to say it's worth it. This mid-weight “hoodie” is extremely comfortable – I hate feeling trapped in a heavy bulky jacket when I'm outside moving, and this one I forget I'm wearing. In my experience, this will keep you nice and toasty for all your adventures without sacrificing movement.
Promising review: "Sure it’s stylish and comfortable. It also fits great. But it’s the real deal! This moisture and wind resistant jacket is a one stop shop for amazing!" — Michael G.
"I have the Solution 2. 0 jacket and now the hoody. They are the perfect layer for me, as I tend to run cold. I’m mor of a “function over fashion” kind of gal, but the cut is very nice and less boxy than most insulated layers. The length is perfect and my midsection is still covered when I reach, as well as the arm length protecting my wrists in the same way. My favorite touches are the smooth elastic on the wrists and the soft lining in the pockets. I also have Reynaud’s, so softness on my hands is appreciated. I ran a spreadsheet of all possible midlayers across 14 companies and this one came out as the best option for warmth to weight ratio, fill weight in arms/body, and durable outer fabric. I am 5’ 7” and 134lbs - the Medium fits well, a bit roomy, which is preferred over being too fitted. Mostly using for hiking/backpacking as an outer layer and will use this winter as a midlayer under a shell." — Lisa. P
An easy-to-use personal alarm
Promising review: “I often go into the city alone to visit friends, and this personal safety alarm gives me real peace of mind. It’s a great safety accessory — very loud and the flashing light is super noticeable. I feel confident it would protect me if needed, and I’m sure the noise alone would scare off any danger. I liked it so much that I bought a few for my friends too to keep them safe!” – Mare. F