How to Dress for Winter Sports: Staying Warm When You Work Hard

In the winter, it can be hard to find the motivation to get out and run in the cold. But if we want to stick to our training program and not lose the (hard-won) form of the previous months, we have to face the cold temperatures and exercise in winter! We all know that running in winter is good for your health because the low temperature stimulates the metabolism and makes the body fully active.

Generally speaking, it is advisable to choose close-fitting clothes, which can reduce the amount of air between the skin and the fabric. Recently, the quality of synthetic fiber clothing has improved considerably, allowing for a combination of comfort and a high degree of water resistance: this wicks perspiration away from the skin while maintaining thermal comfort.

Cotton is recommended to be avoided (it absorbs sweat and cools down quickly). In general, it's best not to overdress so that you don't sweat too much.

Here are 6 winter sportswear tips.

Our first and most important tip is to dress like an onion. Depending on how warm the weather gets, we add or remove layers to the garment, which should be as technical and lightweight as possible.

The layering principle states that in order to function in cold temperatures, we must dress in layers, specifically three layers:

First Layer: For the first layer of the onion, we have to wear clothing directly on the skin so we stay dry. It is important to prevent sweat from evaporating on the skin, as this makes us feel cold. It is therefore advisable to wear functional underwear (sweat is transported from the skin to the outside, and body temperature remains constant as heat is retained and the skin remains dry). It should be warm but lightweight so as not to wet our bodies when we sweat. It makes sense to invest in quality technical clothing made from breathable materials. We recommend that women wear a sweat vest, long sleeve tee or tee, top, or sports bra.

Second Layer: The second layer helps with thermoregulation and has a big impact on performance and health. The clothes to be worn with this layer are less skin-tight, but heavier. Their function is to protect us from the cold and the weather (many of today's clothes are made from innovative waterproof fabrics that are useful in light rain). To create this insulating layer, we recommend wearing a thermal sweatshirt or soft-shell jacket. Again, it's best not to skimp on quality!

Third Layer: The final layer provides full protection from rain, moisture, and wind. Here we recommend a hardshell running jacket that can withstand the harshest weather. If it is more useful to wear a softshell jacket (stretchy, light, comfortable, but not waterproof) for the second layer, then the characteristics of the hardshell jacket are indispensable for the final layer. 

Windproof and waterproof materials are the most suitable (there is no need to bring a heavy jacket to restrict our actions, in order to reduce the cold for the purpose. It is best to choose technical products made of lightweight waterproof materials). The zippered jacket is practical (you can open it while running to let the heat out, but you have to close it to stay warm when resting). In severe weather conditions such as heavy rain or snowfall,

Now let's look at other elements of winter runner clothing. The extremities (hands, feet, and head) are very sensitive in cold weather because they are the last to warm up! For this reason, we recommend winter running gloves (avoid wool gloves, as they suck in too much air. Touchscreen gloves help keep you from having to take them off every time you want to use your smartphone), winter running socks, neck braces, The hat's breathable technical fabric protects your forehead, head, and ears (more than 30% of heat is lost through your head). If you don't like running with a hat on, ear muffs are an option.

The vest is underrated, but a valuable ally. This cloth provides low-temperature protection without restricting movement! Keeping your core warm is more important than covering your arms or legs.

Compression running pants (winter tights) are used by many runners. This kind of trousers is close-fitting and comfortable, and the fabric is breathable and has the following advantages:

Reduced risk of injury (by reducing muscle oscillations)

It speeds up recovery (by removing more lactic acid from the blood and reducing swelling)

Protection from vegetation and sunlight if necessary

Winter running shoes are essential equipment. The aspect to keep in mind is to keep out water, cold, and moisture, but at the same time be breathable. We also recommend trail shoes for their excellent grip on the ground. The soles of regular running shoes are too slippery, making running on slippery surfaces such as ice dangerous.

Finally, it is important to be clearly visible on the road when running in winter. People typically exercise after dark, so it is advisable to wear clothing that will help signal to motorists on the road. For example, jackets with reflective material and inserts. Other tricks are to mount small lights on your ankles or use a headlamp. You can also take this opportunity to use bright colors to add glamor to your outfit

The above briefly introduces some tips for wearing sportswear in winter. If you want to customize winter sportswear, please contact us.

YOYOUNG is a professional custom sportswear manufacturer. We specialize in manufacturing women's/men's sportswear, and we have cooperated with hundreds of brands for several years. 100% OEM service, from material to product design and packaging, you can have all our possibilities. It doesn't matter if you don't have experience in this field, we provide you with professional services. We are your partner and your guide.