At MoRunning, we are runners. Not super fast or great competitors, but we are kind of averaging 10miles/per week. You know, 2 or 3 runs a week, sometimes more when the time allows it, so we know a bit about running gear.

First of all we just want to explain how we see things and then detail which piece of kit or tip we use to make the best for our runs.

If we believe having a good running kit is important to be able to run through the season, sometimes we feel that the big players are pushing it a too much on the marketing side. Do we really need this compression tights with ice pack inside? mmh, that a bit too much for us. On the other side, this year the big trend is into the minimal running and the shelves have seen the numbers of minimal/barefoot running shoes growing from 30 to more than 70 various models of minimal running shoes to reproduce the barefoot running sensations.

So you might wonder what you should get? Here’s a few essentials for your Winter kit. We believe that’s enough to run two or three times a week.

Top

Baselayer

You want a baselayer to keep you warm and cosy, that dry quickly and doesn’t smell even after 2 wash, then choose a Merino wool base layer. Most of them are designed to keep you warm and comfortable during activity; they don’t smell, they don’t itch.

We recommend using UK brands such as Howies or Finisterre as they are able to provide great quality products that last easily for 2 or 3 seasons.

Last week-end, Finisterre has launch a great promo offer where you can get one FREE Performance Base Layer when you get a Merino baselayer. It is worth to check it if you don’t have any.

Jacket

Jacket, you need it only when it’s raining or about to pour. So let’s focus on what really matters : waterproof, lightweight and no movement restriction.

For that, and after testing many products, we believe that the Montane (UK company again) Lite-Speed H2O Jacket is one of the best product to match this specifications on the market. It’s crazy light (170gr) that you won’t feel it, and still completely waterproof and breathable.

Good review by Steven Horner

And if you search a bit on the Internets, you can find the 2010 version for less than £45 instead of £100.

And if it’s cold and I need an other layer?

This is where the experience talk.

Imagine you are going for a 30mn-45mn run and it’s a bit freezing outside.You decide to put an other layer on top of your baselayer and start to run. You warm up and in 10-15mn you’ll start to sweat big time because you can’t evacuate the heat  (even if you spent a big amount of money on the last Laser top with double carbon insert). You will start to feel uncomfortable, lose your focus and this is where the run become a less enjoyable thing. I can guarantee you this is what’s gonna happen.

Now, ideally, you want to feel warm at the start of your run then be able to adjust you layers while you are running, but carrying an extra jacket or top layer in your hand isn’t an option.

So here’s the old tip from my athletic coach when I was kid :  the Newspaper midlayer!

Depending how warm you want to feel, take 2 or 3 pages of your favorite Newspaper, and put them on your chest, from the shoulder to the belly, and you will get a great protection the time your core temperature goes up. After 20mn or so of running, if you feel warm enough, you can take it out and throw it in the next bin. Simple as that!!

Careful though to choose a page with not too much ink as you might get a bit colored.

Bottom

Short or tights ? Here it’s not really complicated and it’s really a personal choice. We believe the tights should be use only when temperatures goes really low as if your legs are cold, it’s because you are not running fast enough!

Compression kit? No need for that unless you are a elite runner or an ultrarunner. If you want to spend wisely, go for a sport massage instead and get a foam roller, that will help you to recover more quickly.

The only thing we should warn you about is the chaffing with some shorts, but with a bit of bodyglide, you can save yourself from nasty pain.

Accessories

Gloves

Fine gloves can be nice on the coolest days. The thing is, if you run with your smartphone and you want to touch the screen because you are listening to music or logging your run with an app, then you have to take out your gloves to manipulate it : it’s disruptive.

Here we see two options :

• Option 1 : you buy some running gloves for smartphone that will allow you to navigate in your touchscreen phone. For example, the Brooks Vapor Dry2 are a good pick for less than £20.

• Option 2 : Run without music, listen to your breathe and your environment, stay focused, and if you use an app to record your run, then don’t touch it during the run. in that case, your gloves will be half the price for the same comfort.

On a side note, having a phone with you while you run is a good thing in case of emergency, but if you are always doing the same route, there’s no need to record it all the time, as you should know your times just by checking the watch : If everytime you go for a run on your favorite route, you define some milestones (end of the road, crossing, etc), and you check your time on your watch, you are learning to feel your pace by guesstimate and it will helps your to improve your pacing during the race.

Hat

Keep your head warm and get yourself a nice little hat with a snug fit, such as a Brooks Vapor Dry. There is a reflective band on each side. It’s a bit better than the typical fleece hat that tend to bounce on your head.

What else do I need? and what do I not need.

Don’t forget to complete your rocking Winter kit.

• some socks (try to choose them with lot of cotton more than synthetic to avoid blisters)
• a chrono watch
• and your usual trainers (we could debate for hours about trainers, but let’s keep that for later).

We consider this is the essential running kit require to run comfortably, of course you can have more accessories, question are :

• Do you really need a hand bottle for a 45min run if you hydrate 2hours before by sipping water and after? Beside the fact it’s adding some weight on one side of your body and you need to compensate, so your running form might get unbalanced and can lead to injury?
• Do you need to wear your headphones when you can listen to the nature around you (and the cars coming as well) ?

Try to keep it simple and you will enjoy the essence of your run.