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Running in winter conditions can bring a sense of sublime joy or shivering frustration with frigid fingers and toes. The key to logging successful runs through the snow and cold is bundling up the right way to keep the wintry elements at bay. (You also need to make sure you’re getting enough traction from your shoes, too!) The gear team at Outside, led by contributing writer Mark Eller, wear-tested dozens of men’s jackets, hats, running pants, tights, gloves, and mittens to come up with a collection of the best men’s winter running apparel for 2024-2025. (Click here for a roundup of this season’s best women’s winter running apparel.)
Winter Running Jackets
At a Glance
- The Best Winter Running Jackets (full review)
- Best All-Around: Gorewear Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket ($250)
- Most Versatile: Goldwin Pertex Shieldair A/L ($266)
- Best for Mild Temperatures: Norrona Senja Alpha90 Hooded Fleece ($279)
- Best for Cold Temperatures: Craft Adv SubZ Running Sweater 3 ($130)
- Best for Frigid Temperatures: Ciele Athletics VLVInsulator ($340)
- Best for Wet Conditions: Arc’teryx Norvan Shell Jacket ($400)
Best All-Around Jacket
Gorewear Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket
$250 at REI $250 at Backcountry
Weatherproofing: Gore-Tex fabric, leak-proof taped seams
Sizing: XS-XXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Reliable warmth in wet and windy conditions
⊕ Full-length zipper allows for quick heat dumping
⊗ Tight fit in the arms is not suitable for everyone
RELATED: 3 Smart Options to Enhance Your Traction for Winter Running
Winter Running Pants and Tights
At a Glance
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- The Best Winter Running Pants and Tights (full review)
- Best All-Around: On Running Performance Winter Tights ($130)
- Best for Winter Trail Running: Nike AeroSwift DriFit ($125)
- Best Value: Adidas COLD.RDY Techfit Long Tights ($33)
- Best for Low-light Conditions: Brooks Run Visible Tight 2.0 ($130)
- Most Versatile: REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Running Pants ($95)
- Best for Coldest Days: Craft ADV SubZ Running Wind Pants 2 ($130)
- Other Products We Tested
Best All-Around Winter Running Tights
On Running Performance Winter Tights
$84 at Huckberry $100 at On Running
Sizes: S-XXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Unmatched fabric comfort
⊕ Snug, supportive fit
⊗ High compression feel is not for everyone
Winter Running Hats, Gloves and Mittens
At a Glance
- The Best Running Hats, Gloves, and Mittens (full review)
Best All-Around Hat: Pinebury Redington Merino Wool Cap ($34) - Best All-Around Gloves: Arc’teryx Venta Glove ($75)
- Best Value: The North Face Dipsea Neck Gaiter ($22)
- Most Versatile: REI Co-op Flash Power Stretch Gloves ($40)
- Best Gloves for Snow and Cold: CEP Cold Weather Merino Gloves ($45)
- Best Hat for Snow and Cold: GoreWear Cap ($38-50)
- Best for High Output Running: Fjallraven Expedition Fleece Headband ($40)
Best All-Around Hat
Pinebury Redington Merino Wool Cap
Materials: Nuyarn Performance Wool blend 90% Merino wool / 10% nylon
Sizing: S/M and L/XL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Surprising warmth in a lightweight build
⊕ Soft touch
⊗ Not wind resistant but can be layered under a hood
Thin but incredibly warm, the Redington Merino Wool cap is constructed with Nuyarn performance wool, a wool/nylon blend that delivers significantly more insulation and durability than wool alone or other blended weaves. The fabric is blanket-soft and thin, but it proved more than capable for running in snow and freezing fog. The close fit allowed us to wear the cap under a weatherproof jacket hood when the conditions got nasty, but we only felt the need for extra protection when the wind was howling. The cap also retained its stretch and fit even after getting tossed into the laundry, which you’ll likely need to do after donning it run after run.
Best All-Around Gloves
Arc’teryx Venta Glove
$95 at Amazon $100 at Arc’teryx
Materials: Gore-Tex Infinium exterior, lightweight polyester fleece lining
Sizing: XS–XXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Warm and breathable
⊕ Low-bulk fit provides finger mobility
⊗ Too warm for mild temperatures
When cold, wet weather threatens to force you indoors, these gloves offer the assurance of comfort and warmth to help brave the storm. The water- and wind-resistant, breathable softshell exterior feels similar to other lightweight glove fabrics but did a better job warding off wet snow and freezing temps. The snug fit, combined with grip-enhancing TPU reinforcements on the palm, let us securely grab a water bottle or a smartphone on the move. We used these gloves for 90-minute trail running adventures above 10,000 feet in the Colorado mountains and found that our hands stayed warm without overheating from the cool to frigid conditions. Despite their relatively thin profile, however, the Venta gloves were too hot for runs in mild temps above 30 degrees Fahrenheit.