Running Gear Guide: Everything you need for the New Year

Happy new year! If you have decided to become a better runner in 2025, now is the time to go.

But this might not be easy. With the frankly frigid weather in many parts of the country, it’s tempting to curl up with some hot cocoa and enjoy Netflix. The spring races are just around the corner, though.

Whether you’re trying to run your first 5K or earn another Abbott World Major Marathon star, training can’t stop because of the cold and snow. Getting through the next few months will require dedication, discipline and the right gear.

I speak from experience. I spent last winter training for the Boston Marathon. Now I’m digging out my favorite thermals as I get ready to run the TCS London Marathon on April 27th.

Winter running gear can sometimes be quite expensive, but skimping on your key layers could leave you cold and miserable. The key is to look for deals and get the best bang for your buck.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite winter and other running gear.

Runners love socks

When I was a kid, I was shocked when I found socks in my Christmas stocking. Now I get excited.

Runners don’t cut corners when it comes to socks. They can make the difference between finishing a happy race and limping to the finish line with bleeding feet.

That’s why there’s always more than a couple of Feetures exchanged at my racing team’s annual gift exchange. Priced at around $18 a pair, Feetures’ colorful, long-lasting socks are my go-to for training and running. In particular, the “Elite” versions. of the socks offers targeted compression that helps protect and support your feet while running, without feeling too heavy.

When the temperatures drop below freezing, I reach my pair Corsa Smartwool for cold weather crew socks. When it comes to keeping your feet warm and dry without adding a lot of bulk, you can’t beat wool.

At $24, they are worth the money. Like other Smartwool products I’ve used, they managed to survive several wash cycles without shrinking like wool socks can be prone to do.

For big shoes, leave it to the professionals

Can I tell you what shoes I ran the TCS New York City Marathon in (Saucony’s Endorphin Pro 4) or what are my favorite daily trainers (New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14), but it doesn’t really matter.

The truth is that the best shoe for you will depend on you, your feet and your needs. A size 9 in one brand may be completely different than in another. The shoes that your best friend, or even a world marathoner, think are amazing, may be wrong for you to walk in.

If you’re shopping on your own, head to your local running store and get some expert advice. The adaptation technology used by many stores has come a long way. In 2023, I had a close look the system used by Fleet Feeta national chain of running stores. It uses artificial intelligence to compare a 3D scan of your feet to those of millions of other customers, along with the store’s inventory. Combine this technology with suggestions from a store employee and you’re bound to walk out with a pair of shoes you love.

So shoes make a very bad gift, but I had a better idea.

I was happy with my marathon sneakers, but I couldn’t take them off fast enough after crossing the finish line. Once I did, I slipped on a pair Kane recovery shoes. Yes, they look a lot like Crocs, and at $80 a pair they are a lot more expensive, but I think they are worth the money.

My swollen feet had the room they needed to breathe, while the small knots of the relatively firm floor massaged them as I walked the eight blocks to the subway. The shoes slipped on and off easily, and thankfully didn’t rub raw marks on my feet on the ride home.

The shoes are available in a variety of fun colors and patterns, including licensed versions for alumni and fans of two dozen colleges and universities. Each pair also comes with a handy carabiner that you can use to clip to the outside of a bag.

Bright light

Whether you run in the morning or in the evening, it is dark outside this time of year. Lights and reflective gear are a must, both to make sure cars see you and to see all those cracks in the sidewalk and all those unfortunately placed piles of dog poo.

I have a few lights, but my favorite remains the Tracer2 luminous vest by Noxgear. Its rechargeable LED lights flash in a rainbow of fun colors. They can be seen a quarter of a mile away and last up to 20 hours on a single charge.

At $51, it’s not cheap, and I recommend adding the optional Trace lamp ($32) that clips in the front. It is super bright and can be intended to help you see cracks in the pavement and avoid blinding fellow runners who might try to look directly at you.

The vest, which includes reflective straps, fits me perfectly and doesn’t slip like a less expensive version I’ve used before that was made by another company.

My teammates would be upset if I didn’t tell them Noxgear’s 39G Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($56). It picks up a surprising amount of sound for its size. Instead of using headphones or earphones that could block the sound of an approaching car or another threat, you can use the speaker to listen to your tunes and also be aware of what is happening around you.

Reflective clothing can also help drivers see. If you’re in the market for a winter running coat, consider getting one with reflective elements. Feetures, mentioned above, also has new reflective crew socks. They offer the same cushioning and performance as the company’s other models, but are designed to be seen in the headlights of a car.

Fashionable and functional

I grew up in Michigan, so it takes a lot to get cold. I ran the New York City Marathon in my team singlet and a trusty pair compression shorts by Flipbelteven though it was 38 degrees outside when I started the run. That said, I finally pulled out my pair Flipbelt thermal leggings ($65) this past week.

Flipbelt has made its name by producing stretchy running belts designed to hold everything you might need for a long run. I have had problems in the past with a belt stretching out and riding in the middle of a ride.

Shorts and leggings solve this problem by building the same compression bottom storage that stays in place. They offer enough storage to hold your phone, keys, water bottle and all the fuel and snacks you need to get you through a long ride.

I found the leggings a little hard to pull on, but once you get them in place they don’t move and provide catsuitlike support, even if you load up the bags. The thermal version kept me warm without adding much weight. I can’t wait to wear these for my next run.

Whether it’s to shade my face from the sun or to keep my ears warm, I almost always wear a hat when I run. Usually, it’s a baseball cap, but when the mercury rolls around, I’ll reach for one of my fleecier options.

Sprints, known for their strange drawingsmakes my favorite ultralight and super comfortable baseball style hats. They have some cool, new winter options I look forward to trying it.

Meanwhile, one of my new favorite hats comes from Turtle Fur. This merino wool hood ($58) is super light and stays put when I run, and keeps my cold-prone ears toasty.

Speaking of merino wool, Smartwool knows a few things about winter clothing. He collaborated with shoemaker Altra to create a collection of winter running apparel complete with a pair of Altra shoes in smartwool.

The women’s collection comes in a beautiful combination of aubergine, black and charcoal and includes a long sleeve top, vest and half zip pullover, among other items. It was launched earlier this year as a Exclusive REIbut now you can find it on the Smartwool website.

The shoes weren’t available to test, but the clothes kept me toasty on a day when the temperature dropped into the mid-20s. The layers gave me the range of motion I needed to run, without adding much bulk. I’m sure I’ll be pulling from you a lot this winter.

Shades for every budget

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it’s not bright outside. Good shades are always a must. Goodr’s line of active sunglasses ($25) remains the best budget option. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays, don’t slide down your nose when you sweat, and come in a bunch of fun colors and frames. They don’t last forever, especially if you buy ones with mirrored lenses, which scratch easily.

I recently tried a couple of pairs from Tifosi. At around $35, they cost a bit more, but so far seem a bit more durable. They are not heavy, but feel sturdy. My teenage daughter instantly fell in love with my pair Sanctum models, and I have yet to find them, but it has not broken them yet. I brought the Swank model

For people who want to go upscale and look very cool doing it, the Adidas Dunamis ($210) feature crystal clear, reflective, wrap-around lenses that are light as a feather and will make you feel like a professional athlete. Only a head that is designed for larger faces. If you are a small person like me, you may find them a little big.

Another great piece of gear

Runners need to stay hydrated even when it’s cold outside, and any runner would be happy to receive a large water bottle.

My favorite right now is Nathan’s ExoShot 2.0 Portable 14oz Bottle. It is a soft flask that is kept in a cloth case. There’s an adjustable strap that goes around your hand, so you don’t really have to cling to it while running. It is easy to squeeze and drink.

Best of all, it doesn’t waste, and you can throw it in the dishwasher. I could use this bottle a lot more if my daughter didn’t steal it for her runs too.

Gels, chews and other types of in-stream fuel are also worth it. I am a fan of Skratch Labs chews up energy. They taste less like chemicals and more like gummy bears. Some of my favorite products are coming up UnTappeda maple syrup company based in — you guessed it — Vermont. I know maple syrup at the tip of coffee athletic fuel it gives me the zip I need without including chemicals I can’t pronounce.

When you reach for a traditional gel, it is usually a Maurten. While other brands offer a variety of flavors similar to Baskin-Robbins, Maurten comes in just one, which doesn’t really taste like anything, but it’s not super sweet. It takes some getting used to, but I find it’s easy on the tummy.