Winter Running: The Best Layers to Stay Warm While Training - Grand Goldman 2026

If you're preparing for a race (like the one with our , or the marathon with the to achieve it) you'll already know that in winter, even if it's cold, you don't stop running. In fact, training in winter is usually much more comfortable for most runners, since when it comes to training outdoors.

Low temperatures and cold air are usually the biggest enemies of runners in winter, which is why it's important to dress in technical clothing that helps us stay warm and dry while training. We give you the keys to dressing in layers and tell you which basic garments can't be missing from your runner's wardrobe to run in winter.

Why dress in layers when we go out to train in the cold

Running in shorts and a tank top is the most comfortable thing in the world, we're not going to deny that. But to be able to train like that in winter, we'd have no choice but to do it on the gym treadmill: if you're going to do a workout of about half an hour, you can handle it. But if you have a long run of, for example, 15 or 18 kilometers, it becomes : better to head outside, but well bundled up.

Most of us tend to overdress. We look at the thermometer or the app we have downloaded on our phone, and as soon as we see less than 10 degrees, we start putting on layer after layer of clothing. The same layers you'll end up taking off as soon as you warm up after the first few minutes of running. Better to be a little cold at the beginning than to suffer from dehydration because we don't want to take off our clothes mid-workout.

That's why it's so important to dress in layers and with technical clothing. Two layers of clothing are usually enough on cold days, and you can always take off the one you're wearing on top and tie it around your waist when you start to feel hot. If it's really, really cold, a third, warmer layer won't hurt, but only in exceptional cases.

The best garments to dress in layers when going out for a run

The first layer: a technical shirt

First-layer base shirts from Reebok, Saucony, and Nike

What we can never lack when we go out to train in the cold is a technical base layer shirt that can wick away sweat and not keep it stuck to our skin. Don't use cotton t-shirts that get soaked with sweat: the combination of with cold air or low temperatures guarantees you the next day.

Currently, most sportswear brands have developed materials with their own technology to repel sweat: call it Dri-FIT in the case of Nike, Thermowarm in the case of Reebok, or Drirelease in the case of Saucony, to name a few examples.

• Lakeside Heather Shirt, from Saucony: with a very soft fabric, it's a long-sleeved shirt perfect for wearing as a base layer and first layer on the coldest days. Seamless to prevent chafing and with a ventilation system that allows air to flow, keeping us dry and cool. From $20.80 on Amazon.com.

• Thermowarm Seamless Long Sleeve Shirt, from Reebok: a shirt with a very snug fit and a soft, lightweight fabric that allows good freedom of movement. The Speedwick technology in this case is what keeps us dry and cool while we're training. Its price is .

• Nike Miler Shirt: a looser shirt, with mesh fabric on the back for better ventilation, and Dri-FIT technology to keep sweat away from our skin. The back is a little longer than the front for extra protection. Its price is .

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The second layer: a warm sweatshirt

Second-layer sweatshirts from Saucony, ASICS, and Reebok

If with our first layer of clothing we've managed to wick away sweat, with the second we'll try to maintain body heat while we're training. In this case, we'll opt for soft, warm, and lightweight garments that allow us good freedom of movement and that, if possible, cover the problem areas of our body when it comes to feeling cold, like the neck and wrists.

• ASICS Running Hooded Sweatshirt: with a snug fit and DryMotion technology to manage moisture, this hooded sweatshirt is perfect for cold days. It features reflective elements that make us more visible to vehicles that might be passing by, like bicycles or cars. With nice long sleeves to cover the wrists and a back that's slightly longer than the front. Its price is .

• Reebok Hexawarm Quarter Zip Sweatshirt: with HexaWarm technology that keeps us warm once we've started training, this sweatshirt has a high collar to protect the throat and extra-long sleeves that cover the entire back of the hand. It also has mesh panels on the sleeves and sides for better ventilation. Its price is .

• Saucony Omni SportTop Sweatshirt: one of my favorites when it comes to training outdoors in winter, as it keeps us very warm and the inner fabric is extremely soft. It covers the throat with its high collar and has convertible cuffs that allow you to wear it as a regular sweatshirt or fully cover your hands. From $49.99 on Amazon.com.

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The last layer: a jacket for the coldest days

Third-layer running jackets from Nike, Adidas, and Puma

For those really, really cold days (because, in principle, two layers should already be enough) we can opt for a jacket or vest to put on over our sweatshirt and shirt, as a third layer. We want it to be waterproof to be able to weather (no pun intended) the elements; but, above all, we want it to help us retain our body heat and be lightweight so we don't feel like a balloon while running.

We can also combine our technical shirt from the first layer with a jacket from this third layer if we think we'll be more comfortable. It's a matter of trying it on days with different temperatures.

• Puma Winter Zip-Up Jacket: Puma's warmCELL technology is capable of maintaining the most suitable temperature for our body even on the coldest days. The padded panel on the front helps us insulate better from the cold and retain heat. With long sleeves that fully cover our hands. Its price is .

• Nike Aeroloft Running Vest: water-resistant, wind-resistant, and very lightweight, this Nike vest is specially designed for runners. It has laser-cut perforations that improve ventilation while not letting heat escape. It's foldable and packs into a small pouch, making it very easy to carry if we want to take it off at any point. Its price is .

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• Adidas Own The Run Jacket: with a water-repellent and also reflective fabric, it's a perfect jacket for the coldest days of winter. It has a high collar, zipper closure, and zippered pockets so we can carry everything we need with us. Its price is .

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