how to dress for running in the winter rain?

[GLC1968]

Ok, I need help. I don't really know how to dress for running in the rain. I'm starting a new running plan this week and while it's supposed to be sunny, it won't stay that way for long (PNW here!). I realized that I really don't know how to dress for running in the rain.

Assume it's about 50F and light rain - what do you wear for your run and does it vary based on how long you'll be out there?

While I assume that I can make my cycling wardrobe work, I'm just not sure how to use the pieces appropriately when it's both chilly and wet. Wet and warm I can figure out. Cold and dry I can figure out. I have no experience with wet and cold and running!

Thanks!

[Veronica]

I usually go to the gym and run on the treadmill those days.

Actually, I have run a few days in the rain. I wear tights, wool socks, a wool jersey and a capilene bra top. I wear a wool hand band over my ears. I have a great bicycling jersey from Ground Effect that I like to wear when I'm running. It's wool, but has a wind blocker front and a really long zipper. My other wool running jersey is from Ibex. Both have thumb holes and I'll tuck my fingers inside at first, but then I usually get too hot. The Ibex one also has a hood, but I don't wear it for long.

Veronica

[Jolt]

I actually just did a run tonight in 57-degree light rain--a little warmer than what you're talking about, but not a huge difference. I was just in wind pants and an Icebreaker tank top and was quite comfortable.

[Becky]

I've run in those temps/conditions in a long sleeve top, a wind vest, and shorts. I wasn't cozy, but I wasn't freezing either after the first 5 minutes....right where I like to be.

[GLC1968]

V - I have a treadmill in the basement, but when most of the winter days will be rainy - running on it gets really old!

OK, you guys are confirming what I thought - that I'll just get warm enough to kind of suck up the wet factor and if I stick to wool, I'll stay reasonably comfortable.

Would a hat help (maybe keep rain out of the eyes) or just make me too hot?

It will get colder, too. Most of the winter, it'll be in the low 40's but since we shouldn't see temps quite that cold for a bit yet, I'm planning for warmer.

[Jolt]

Yes, a baseball cap is helpful to keep rain out of your eyes. It shouldn't make you too hot in those temperatures.

[KnottedYet]

I love to run in the rain.

(I also love to ride in the rain).

Wool socks, wool tights, wool shirt. Vest if it's cold enough. Long rain jacket. Nylon baseball hat with blinky-light.

Usually I don't need gloves, as I get very warm when exercising. If I do need gloves I wear wool.

[Grog]

I read the title of your thread and I thought: clothes?!

I pretty much only run in the rain. I run in the winter season and, as I live in the same corner of the world as you do, it means running in the rain or showers or drizzle at least half the time. When it stops raining, I hop back on my bike.

10 Celsius or 50 F, I will wear 3/4 pants (not full tights, too warm for me), a longsleeve, light wool shirt and a hat. (I always wear a hat.) Socks don't matter much unless I'm going to be running for more than half an hour (go for wool) or it's cooler than 10C (go for wool).

Between 5 and 10C (40 to 50F), I add a vest, sometimes light tights, and I wear a warmer hat (but still baseball-cap style). If it's closer to 5 than 10 I also put on a light pair of gloves, which I often take off after a few minutes, but I can use them to wipe my nose.

Between 2 and 5C (34 and 40F), I will go for light tights, and a light jacket which may or may not be a rain jacket. Add a wool hat that covers my ears.

Around freezing point, which doesn't happen very often, I'll might add plastic bags around my feet if it's really raining and I'm going for more than 20-30 minutes, and wear thicker tights, the kind I'd wear for cycling at the above-mentioned temperatures. I did a 2-hour run in a combination of rain, snow, and sleet, and eventually my feet got wet but it was a riot nevertheless.

The trick is to put your shoes on and kick yourself out of the warm house. After a minute or two, it feels fantastic.

Have fun!

[OakLeaf]

Are you running in VFFs? If so then you've already avoided the #1 problem with running in the rain ... shoes that feel like they weigh three pounds each when uppers, insoles and socks are saturated. I'm hoping for some insights on running form with the equivalent of ankle weights on!

I don't get warm like a lot of people do (e.g., on my 24-miler on Sunday in a dry steady 60°, there were only 5 to 10 minutes when I felt like I might want to take my gloves off, and I know I'd have needed to leave the arm warmers on if I hadn't had the warmth of the hydration vest) - but I'd say a light wool base layer on top, a wind-blocking shell with vents you can open and close as needed, wind-blocking gloves, a light cap, and Lycra tights.

[skhill]

My Monday run was in basically those very conditions-- such a relief after our never ending summer! I wore wool socks, shorts, short-sleeve shirt under a lightweight, loose long-sleeved shirt, and baseball cap. I find the cap a necessity for keeping the rain off my face. The shirt's sleeves are so long that they came down over my hands; if they hadn't I might have worn light gloves/mittens (my hands always get cold).

I love running in a light rain, so long as there's not much wind. When it's wet and windy and cool, that's what gets miserable...

[GLC1968]

Awesome you guys, thanks! I'm reading all this and actually looking forward to my first rain runs (I did get caught in a downpour once in the spring, but it was much warmer and raining REALLY hard...I don't expect that much this winter).

Oak - I will be using both VFF's and my Terra Plana's - neither of which should absorb much water! I might put a pair of VFF Flow's on my birthday wish list if it turns out that I really take to running in VFF's in the winter.

Now all I have to do is figure out where to run! I sooo wish I could run out my front door but except for mid-day (when I'm not there!), it's just too dangerous.

[gnat23]

Try this tool for a nice starting point!
http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/what...-0-0-0,00.html

-- gnat!

[Susan]

It gets colder over here, but usually I don't need to wear more than a warm base layer (a long sleeve with high neck), windstopper tight and a softshell-jacket with hood. I like the hood if it rains or snows. If it gets really cold, I find it's most important to wear gloves and a cap - if hands and head are warm, the rest is ok most of the time.