I know I ranted last week about the cold weather and then went ahead and joined a gym. But I still get out and run in the cold from time to time. Over the years I have spent literally hundreds of miles running in the cold as well as worked over a thousand hours at an outdoor winter ice skating rink. Between the two I have found some great ways to stay warm out there. Believe it or not, some of the best cold weather running gear can be found for a pretty decent price.
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Deals:
Target and Old Navy are dangerous stores to go into in the first place. Every time I go to Target with a list of 5 things, I leave with about 500. It is a tricky place to enter starting right at their dollar bins. Go ahead and grab some cheap knit gloves. Although they aren’t the absolute warmest they can be layered with each other or go under a pair of mittens. When I am not sure just exactly how cold it is out I throw a pair in my pockets just in case. Plus if I get warm and they have to be tossed I am not too upset given that I spent only a dollar.
Target has a great line of athletic gear. I have several of their Champion brand hats as well as jackets. Many of their jackets look just like ones made by North Face but don’t come anywhere near the same price point. I was going to post a picture of my favorite pink Champion hat but I lost it yesterday on my walk with Louie. That was a major bummer because it was one of my faves. I am super picky about my hats. If they don’t cover my ears they will drive me crazy and I need to be able to wear head phones underneath.
The best winter running jackets I have ever had come from Old Navy and I got them on clearance for $5.00. So obviously I bought them in every color. They have a perfect chest pocket that allows me to tuck my phone in there and not have it bounce all around. I also picked up several knit jackets for running that look just like a few I saw at Patagonia. I swear by these jackets. The best part is I have worn the heck out of these things and they have endured hundreds of miles and washings. Not only have they stuck around through thick and thin, I don’t worry about treating them with utmost care because I have gotten every dollar out them and then some.
As you can see they get a lot of good use.
T.J. Maxx and Marshalls carry tons of athletic gear. If you are willing to sift through the racks you will find plenty of out of season gear or last year’s retired models. I have picked up some of my husband’s favorite running pants at Marshalls and they have made perfect Christmas gifts for this running dork family.
UNIQLO is the way to go for long underwear tights. Their HEATTECH is by far the warmest long underwear I have found in my 10 years of teaching outdoors. I have tested just about everything to find something that will keep me warm. This is super thin but don’t let that deceive you. For around $10-$20 you can get their socks, tights, shirts, and even body warmers. http://www.uniqlo.com
Go ahead and splurge:
Lululemon is definitely on the pricey end and I often feel a bit guilty when I make purchases there. But I honestly have to say that every piece of clothing I have ever bought has been worth it. Everything is made with great quality and it fits so well (although their sizing bugs me). I am absolutely in love with my Dog Walker Pants from a few years ago. Yes they came at a hefty price point but nothing keeps me warmer. They have a bottom layer tight that locks in the heat and an outer layer shell to block the wind. Talk about a perfect combo.
Lululemon also makes the thinnest and most amazing mittens for winter running. Despite the fact that these are thinner than my Target $1 gloves, they are so warm that I can’t wear them until the temperatures fall below 30ºF. My sister-in-law also got a cool outer layer than covers all of your hand except the end of your fingers. That way you get extra warmth but can still control your phone or music device. You can also find hats in the same material which also has a hole for your pony tail. They really do think of everything.
Pearl Izumi tights are the jam. I got a pair at the end of last season on clearance and I adore these things. They are super thin but lined with just a touch of fleece to keep the heat in and wind out. Need I say more?
Smart wool is worth every penny. It wicks away the sweat and keeps my toes from freezing even when my shoes are covered in ice and snow. They make socks for skiing and snowboarding that I find to be perfect. They compress in just the right places to make your feet super happy. I also love my smart wool neck gaiters because they don’t fall down, don’t itch, and actually work.
What are your favorite cold weather clothes? Or if you live somewhere super warm go ahead and rub it in and tell us about your favorite shorts!
Lulu dog walker pants are my all time FAV winter running pants. Just wore them for my morning run today 🙂 wish they still sold them!! I’m also a huge fan of Running Room jackets, super lightweight and lots of extras.
I know, bring back the Dog Walkers! I don’t want mine to wear out. Definitely going to have to look up Running Room.
my fave cold weather clothing is my Under Armour gear for sure. there’s an outlet a little ways outside the city, so i stocked up last year and it’s awesome. i like Nike’s thin fleece running gloves (and i love their pants, but they’re def a splurge). i am with you on Marshall’s and TJ — i buy the majority of my running gear there too. so many options and i really like how Avia brand’s capris fit. OH and New Balance’s outlet site!! i buy a lot there and it’s amazing. joesnewbalance.com
Thanks for sharing that link. I will check it out for sure! I love my Under Armour winter pants too. They are so comfy I wore them after my Turkey Trot until I had to change for dinner. I had to be careful with my post because most of Rock’s Christmas gifts this year I purchased on a recent trip to T.J. Maxx. I hit the jackpot!
I don’t want to love Lulu so much, but I can’t help it! Everything I have gotten from there is just awesome. I’m kind of sorry I read your praise for their gloves though…..I haven’t given those much thought until now 🙂 And I love Target and Old Navy too!
Ha, sorry about the gloves. They are keepers though!
I can’t believe you got jackets for $5, that is crazy cheap!
One of the things I hear people say is workout gear is too expensive. I personally love thrifty saving for something I wear to sweat in, wash multiple times a week, and gets a lot of wear and tear! Great post and recomendations
Thanks. I think these days so many companies make great affordable gear.
Thanks for the heads up about Uniqlo–I’d never heard of them before, and their selection of leggings and tights is AWESOME!
Their clothes in general are pretty great. But those leggings are going to make your winter!
LULU stuff is wasy to pricey for my budget…I can’t wrap my brain around spending that much for one item. I LOVE Target brand, as well as Marshalls and TJ maxx…You can find great deals there!
I completely agree. I’m all about the deals.
I agree. For what you might pay for a pair of Lulu pants you could wisely put together a full outfit!
Old Navy is one of my go-to places for running clothes because they’re so affordable and hold up to constant washing. I live in Uniqlo heattech shirts in winter – they’re ridiculously comfortable. Haven’t tried running in them yet.
I’m all about everything you just said! The Old Navy holding up in the wash makes me so happy!
I’m in the market for some new running gloves so will have to check a few places out. Anytime I go into Old Navy (there is one less than 2 miles from my house) I come out a lot poorer.
I am hoping to splurge on some lululemon pants this year – my treat to myself
That is a great treat! Definitely worth it when the budget allows.
Def checking out Uniqulo. There is one coming to Michigan (maybe it has already opened?) so I will look into it.
I saw the new one under construction on Michigan Ave near the Top Shop. I think it is opening in the Spring? They have cute stuff all around and the prices are ridiculous. My favorite skinny jeans are from there and I got them for $20.
You are so brave for running when it’s so cold. Us mild weather brats in SF complain when it’s below 60 degrees, haha. I LOVE Old Navy for running clothes in general, although I have yet to splurge on Lululemon, I would really like to!
I can’t go into Target without buying way more than I need too! I have gotten great long sleeve fleece lines compression shirts from there too that are awesome for winter running.
Wow looks like I need to start going into Old Navy to check out their athletic gear…..thanks!!!
Be careful. It is a dangerous place to enter!