Checklist · 13 picks · 3 categories
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Winter running hits different: crunchy snow, empty paths and a smug feeling when you get home.
The trick is layers you can unzip or stash once you warm up, plus grip and light for icy, dark mornings. Outdoor Life reviewed its winter running gear on snowy trail, pavement and gravel, so the jacket, windbreaker, tights, gloves, beanie, socks and shoes are its picks. iRunFar named the budget and best overall running gloves and the headlamp, and Treeline Review picked the slip-on spikes for city sidewalks and trails. Each card shows the drawback the testers called out. Start with a jacket, tights, gloves and spikes, and add a headlamp if you run before sunrise.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you're just starting to run; the Running Starter Kit covers shoes, socks, a belt and visibility gear for any season.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
0 of 6 on your list · tap one to see your options
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craft ADV Subz Running Jacket 3 | mid | $150-200 | cold runs where you want warmth without bulk | 1 outlet |
| Mammut Aenergy WB Hooded Jacket | splurge | $150-200 | windy, snowy days over your other layers | 1 outlet |
| Craft ADV Subz Running Wind Tights 2 | mid | $100-150 | freezing, windy runs | 1 outlet |
| Patagonia Peak Mission Tights | mid | $100-150 | chilly runs when you need phone pockets | 1 outlet |
Best running jacketmid pick · Pick by size
Best for cold runs where you want warmth without bulk
Outdoor Life's best winter running jacket: warm, flexible and easy to wrap around your waist once you heat up.
Heads up. The arms aren't wind or water resistant, and some logo letters came off after a couple of uses
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best running jacket.
$150-200
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splurge pick · Pick by size
Best for windy, snowy days over your other layers
Outdoor Life's best windbreaker for winter running: remarkably light and roomy, and it kept a tester warm and dry in wind and snow.
Heads up. Needs layers under it on very cold days
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best Windbreaker (winter running).
$150-200
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Best running tightsmid pick · Pick by size
Best for freezing, windy runs
Outdoor Life's best warm tights: its top option for winter running across varied conditions, with a windproof front and a breathable back.
Heads up. Runs small, with limited pockets and no hip pocket for bigger items
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best warm tights.
$100-150
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mid pick · Pick by size
Best for chilly runs when you need phone pockets
Outdoor Life's best lightweight tights: snug, warmer than they look, with hip pockets big enough for a phone.
Heads up. Slipped for one tester during runs
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best lightweight tights.
$100-150
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REI Co-op Liner Gloves 2.0 | budget | $25-50 | everyday runs in mild cold | 1 outlet |
| The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves | mid | $25-50 | texting without taking your gloves off | 2 outlets agree |
| Craft Hybrid Weather Glove | splurge | $50-100 | single-digit mornings and changing weather | 1 outlet |
| Smartwool Active Beanie | budget | $25-50 | cold mornings that warm up mid-run | 1 outlet |
| Darn Tough Element Micro Crew Lightweight Running Sock | budget | $25-50 | typical winter runs | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · Pick by hand size
Best for everyday runs in mild cold
iRunFar's best budget running gloves: a low-cost, low-profile glove for everyday running in mild cold, and a good layering piece.
Heads up. No silicone grippers, and touchscreen use isn't great
1 outlet. iRunFar best budget running gloves.
$25-50
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mid pick · Pick by hand size
Best for texting without taking your gloves off
OutdoorGearLab's top pick for using your phone: stretchy, with touchscreen-friendly fingers throughout. iRunFar calls it the best overall running glove too.
Heads up. Thin, so wind gets through
2 outlets agree. OutdoorGearLab top Pick winter gloves (touchscreen). iRunFar best overall running gloves.
$25-50
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splurge pick · Pick by hand size
Best for single-digit mornings and changing weather
Outdoor Life's best gloves for winter running: they handled snow, wind and single-digit mornings, and the mitten covers tuck away when your hands warm up.
Heads up. Thumbs can get cold, and they're not heavy enough for very cold-sensitive hands
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best Gloves (winter running).
$50-100
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budget pick · One size
Best for cold mornings that warm up mid-run
Outdoor Life's best hat for winter running: soft and light for cold mornings, and it packs small when you warm up.
Heads up. Not warm enough for very cold days
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best Hat (winter running).
$25-50
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budget pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for typical winter runs
Outdoor Life's best winter running sock: thin, flexible and warm without making your feet overheat.
Heads up. May be too thin for exceptionally cold weather
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best Socks (winter running).
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahtoola NANOspikes | mid | $50-100 | icy sidewalks and road runs | 1 outlet |
| Brooks Cascadia 18 GTX | splurge | $150-200 | snowy trails and slushy roads | 1 outlet |
| Black Diamond Distance Spike Traction Device | mid | $50-100 | light grip for hiking and trail running | 1 outlet |
| Black Diamond Sprinter 500 Headlamp | splurge | $100-150 | running before sunrise or after dark | 1 outlet |
Top pickmid pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for icy sidewalks and road runs
Treeline Review's best traction for city use: low-profile and light, for icy pavement and concrete.
Heads up. Slick on linoleum, and not the most aggressive grip
1 outlet. Treeline Review best traction for urban use.
$50-100
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splurge pick · Pick by size
Best for snowy trails and slushy roads
Outdoor Life's best shoes for cold, snowy runs: feet stayed dry in snow and the grip held on ice.
Heads up. The low collar lets snow creep in, and it's less suited to rugged downhills
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best Shoes (winter running).
$150-200
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mid pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for light grip for hiking and trail running
Treeline Review's best overall traction device: light and versatile, the top pick for most hikers and trail runners.
Heads up. Pricier than similar models, and not for steep ice or deep loose snow
1 outlet. Treeline Review best overall traction device.
$50-100
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splurge pick · Compact
Best for running before sunrise or after dark
iRunFar's best running headlamp: a bright 500-lumen front beam plus a flashing red rear light, so cars see you coming and going.
Heads up. It doesn't fit on a bike helmet, per iRunFar
1 outlet. iRunFar best headlamp.
$100-150
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Treeline Review picks Kahtoola NANOspikes for icy pavement and the Black Diamond Distance Spike for trail runners, though the Distance Spike isn't made for steep ice or deep, loose snow.
A warm running jacket or a windbreaker over layers, wind tights, gloves, a light hat and wool socks. Outdoor Life's picks lean light, like the Smartwool Active Beanie, which packs small once you warm up.
Outdoor Life's top winter shoe, the Brooks Cascadia 18 GTX, kept testers' feet dry in snow, though its low collar lets snow creep in.