From Cozy Leggings to Reflective Gear, I Tested The Best Cold Weather Running Gear of 2025

The Rainier High-Rise Leggings with a soft brushed interior certainly deliver on all fronts. They include all the features you want in cold-weather leggings while offering some light compression.

“Leggings and tights are much better than sweats in the winter,” said Hislop. “You want less opportunity for cold air to get between your skin and body.” On the same note, she said that a high-rise fit works best for keeping out the cold. Additionally, she notes, fleece-lined tights add extra warmth.

During testing, I found leggings’ pockets to be a wonderful addition — great for storing chapstick and keys. I also appreciated the compression because it helped reduce vibration and impact on my muscles and joints. Also, reflective details around the ankles gave me an extra bit of protection when running at dusk, and as a bonus, they’re flattering and stylish. An overall win!

Merino wool is a winter running essential, according to Hislop. It’s moisture-wicking, has natural antibacterial properties, and is high-quality enough to last for years, she said. This half-zip style top kept me extra toasty. It covered my skin all the way up to my chin and was nice and snug, ensuring no cool air could blow in.

California weather doesn’t always call for wool as a base layer. For warm but windy days, I picked up this fitted long-sleeve top that’s thick enough to keep me warm but breathable enough to be worn as my body temperature starts to heat up. The nylon-elastane fabric feels stronger and of higher quality compared with other synthetic fabric workout tops I’ve tried. It’s true to size while offering a bit of light compression.

Importantly, this long-sleeve top has a four-way stretch design, which means I can move very freely and comfortably in it. I also love the colors available, like rose pink, electric blue, and coral red, and had a hard time choosing from the wide variety — so rest assured, you can snag one that matches your favorite running leggings.

A weatherproof jacket is a necessity in the winter. This one strikes the perfect balance between being lightweight and warm. Designed specifically for running, it offers excellent insulation throughout the torso without feeling bulky, has flexible nylon-lycra fabric on the sides so you can move freely, is rain and wind-resistant, and has a removable hood, making it an all-around awesome jacket for a variety of conditions.

I tested this top out on a foggy morning beach jog when temps were in the high 40s — I’m from California, so I consider this temperature cold. I felt nice and cozy without being weighed down. That said, the excellent insulation meant I got a bit too hot pretty quickly — this jacket is ideal for running in lower temps. It also looks great and has a very fitted, feminine look. However, I did find it a bit tight across the chest and shoulders, which may be a consideration for those with a larger bust or who like a looser fit. If that’s you, size up.

On foggy dark days or runs at dawn or dusk, visibility gear is essential. This neon pink LED light is an effective, simple, and affordable fix. It offers a steady or flashing light and can be clipped to a jacket, running belt, leggings, dog leash, or anything else because it attaches via magnetic closure.

When I tried this light out, I secured it to my shirt sleeve on an evening run and had no issues with it falling off, however, it did bounce around a little. It’s quite affordable, and it’s versatile beyond running. It would also work for commuting by bicycle or even keeping an eye on a pet (clip it to their collar).

The area around my waist and thighs can feel more vulnerable to the cold, so I wanted to see if an extra layer would help. This affordable, lightweight insulated puffer skirt definitely did the trick. The insulation kept this area nice and warm, but it still had a slim and streamlined fit.

Importantly, the stretchy nylon fabric on the sides of the skirt allowed for unrestricted movement. It did ride up a bit on my run, but I’m petite (5 feet 3 inches) and the skirt initially fell at my mid-thigh, so it didn’t bother me too much. I also found it to run a bit small, so be sure to size up on this one. All in all, though, this $38 skirt is a great find considering most competitors charge double or triple the price. It comes in a variety of colors and gives a cute athletic look. I’ll definitely be wearing this for runs, hikes, and running errands on chilly days.

Keeping your extremities warm is crucial during cold weather runs. “You often see elite athletes in shorts, a singlet, and mittens,” said Hislop, who wears headbands until the temps drop to the 30s, then goes for a hat. This incredibly soft, warm Canadian-made fleece headband kept my forehead and ears covered on chilly morning runs.

It was comfortable and stretchy while staying in place as I moved. I also loved that I could still wear my hair up and avoid destroying my curls, which is what happens when I wear a beanie. Finally, it was only $20 and is available in a range of vibrant colors like purple, blue, and pink. Keep in mind that fleece isn’t as breathable as wool though, and if you live in colder areas than California you may be better off wearing a hat.

Feeling a chill creeping up my ankles when I’m otherwise toasty is not an enjoyable way to spend a run. Thankfully, these warm, ankle-length merino wool-blend socks kept me fully protected from the elements. Made from wool and half-synthetic fibers, they’re temperature-regulating while still being breathable, moisture-wicking, and odor-absorbing, all clearly great things to have in running socks.

You’ll want to look for a few things in winter running shoes: traction for slippery surfaces, weatherproofing, and warmth. The Hoka Challenger 7 offers all of the above. Its thick, cushy midsole (28 millimeters for women) is taller than average and keeps feet safely away from the cold ground, and grippy 4 millimeter lugs keep you stable in a variety of terrains. If you want weatherproofing, opt for the Gortex version — our research found that these sneakers can be a bit stiff but the tradeoff is worth it if you run in the rain or snow.

For coastal California, the lighter, more breathable non-Gortex version was just fine. It kept me stable and warm through wet grass and mud. It has a mesh upper, but wearing wool socks gave me all the warmth I needed. If I were in a colder climate, I might have opted for the Gortex version for more protection, though in our research, we found some people still preferred the original version even when running over snowy terrain.

I was overall really impressed with this shoe, however, I will say that my regular size felt slightly too big for me, but that could be because I have a very narrow heel. I’m not entirely sure that a smaller size would fit either, so you might want to try a few different sizes just to be safe.