5 Pieces of Gear that Make Running in the Snow Easier!

Since most of us in the Northeast (and Midwest) have encountered some snow over the past weekend, I put together a list of five pieces of running gear that make running in the snow and frigid temperatures much more bearable. So PIN THIS LIST and make sure you are ready to embrace winter running!

Stabilize Your Shoes

One of the biggest challenges with running in the snow and ice is stabilizing your feet on slick surfaces. There are a few different options for helping you get better traction. You can screw ice spikes or screws into the bottom of your running shoes. If this doesn’t sound appeal, you can opt for Yaktrax, which slide over your running shoes. There is a network of coils on the bottom that help you get better traction on slick surfaces.

 Yaktrax Run Traction Cleats for Snow and Ice, Gray/Red, Small Yaktrax Walker Traction Cleats for Snow and Ice, Black, Medium

Snow shoes

There are shorter snow shoes now that really allow you to mimic the motion of running in the snow, while giving you a greater surface area underfoot to help stabilize your body. Snow shoeing is a great way to keep up your cardio when it’s tough/impossible to go for a long run. It’s also a great way to fight cabin fever after a winter storm. Get outside and explore while you get a good workout!

 Atlas Run U120100901220 Snow Shoes 56 cm 34-86 kg Atlas Snowshoe Company Fitness Snowshoe, 22

Balaclava

I consider this to me a frigid/snowy weather essential for me. I have asthma, so it’s important for me to breathe in warm  air when temps get really cold. Since a balaclava is one piece, it keeps everything protected and nice and toasty! When the wind is howling and temps are very low, the balaclava can help you get through a training run!

 Saucony Drylete Balaclava Hat(Black, One Size) Nike Pro Combat Hyperwarm Hydropull Hood (Black, Osfm) Balaclava with Ponytail Opening

Good running gloves/mittens

I love my Brooks adapt mittens, but Saucony makes a similar model. The Brooks adapt mittens have gloves with a pull down mitten cover for really cold temps. My hands tend to get warm over the course of a run, so I like the two different options of mittens/gloves. They also have reflective piping nightlife fabric, along with a removable thumb tip to allow you to use devices. If your fingers get really cold while running, opt for mittens over gloves–by allowing your fingers to touch one another, it will keep them warmer!

 Pearl Izumi Shine Wind Mitt,Black,Medium Nathan PopTop Convertible Glove/Mitt, Large, Black/Sulphur Spring Saucony Women’s Ulti-Mitt Running Convertible Gloves, Black, Large

Running beanies or running hats

If you don’t want to go the balaclava route, a great running beanie can be your best friend! You lose half of your body heat through your head, so cover it up in cold temps! When it gets into the 30s, I definitely wear a hat, and I prefer one with a pony tail opening for comfort. You can choose a lighter weight hat if you run hot, or a more insulated one if you tend to run cooler.

 Saucony Drylete Skull Cap (Black, One Size) ASICS PR Shelter Beanie, Black/Heather Iron, All TrailHeads Women’s Space Dye Knit Ponytail Beanie – black & white Saucony Swift Skull Cap, Vizipro Electric, One Size