TFS’s Winter 2006
Apparel Guide (Part II)
Apparel Guide (Part II)
Posted December 18th, 2006 at 2:00 PM by Carolyn Hershler
Section: Gear & Apparel, Apparel, Training Tips, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab
Now that you’ve read Part I of TFS’s Winter 2006 Apparel Guide, it’s time to learn how to protect your upper body and create an outer-layer of protection.
The optimal upper-body base layer provides breathable protection against the cold, but is also light enough to fit under a potential outer-layer apparel.
One option, for both men and women, is Underarmour’s close-fitting and moisture-wicking “Cold Gear Long Sleeve Top” (Another of our Editor’s favorites - especially the mock-turtleneck). The “Cold Gear” product line is a solid choice to help you stay both warm and dry. Under Armour’s “Cold Gear” tights and compression shorts are also very effective products.
Now that the base layer has been covered (which could be sufficient in milder, winter weather), you need to focus on outerwear.
Your base layer of running tights and upper body protection insulates the body and an outer layer provides added resistance against wind and precipitation. Cool Running recommends including:
“A looser, medium-weight fabric — preferably one that wicks water. A zipper at the neck is convenient for temperature control”.
One jacket that goes well beyond the basics is New Balance’s “Overture Jacket”. The Overture Jacket includes unique details specifically designed for winter weather use, such as the added fabric in the back of the collar and a “draft flap” behind the front zipper to protect against freezing winds. The jacket consists of “Thermacore” and “Stormdry” fabrics which provide the proper amount of water and wind resistance without becoming too bulky. Running Times Magazine deemed this winter jacket as being, “as perfect as it gets” for winter workouts.
Women that prefer trendy, but effective attire may like Asics’ “Aspira” softshell jacket. This jacket not only contains “Windgard” fabric that is flexible and water-resistant, but the attractive floral design on the jackets’ sleeves contains “illuminate” material that glows in the dark! 
The addition of illuminating sleeves to the jacket enhances the visibility of the garment, and therefore provides added safety for the runner, especially during evening and early morning runs. In addition, to the “Aspira” jacket’s fashionable pattern and fit, the jacket is available in striking colors such as tangerine, lime, and powder blue, which provides a refreshing alternative to the average running jacket.
Running pants are another key item and provide an outer shell that protects the inner layer from wetness; keeping your legs warm and dry. A good pair of running pants can be utilized from winter to the early part of spring by wearing just the running pants in warmer temperatures, and adding running tights as a base when the weather is cooler. You will find a plethora of good options, like the Adidas adistar track pants, at any sporting goods or specialty running store.
There are obviously many different options of winter weather apparel to suit each runner and weather condition. It’s important to really put some time into your choices now, so you can spend the rest of the winter enjoying safe and successful runs through the winter wonderlands.
Make sure that you also read Part I of TFS’s Winter 2006 Apparel Guide so you are fully schooled on how to be protected from head-to-toe!
—— —— —— —— ——
Other research sources and for more information: [Gear Devil], [Running Times], [About.com - Winter Athletic Apparel 1], [About.com - Winter Athletic Apparel 2], [Runner’s World], [Cool Running]
—— —— —— —— ——
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: 180, apparel guide, Asics, base layer, body heat, breath ability, brooks, chafing, cloudveil, cold weather, cold weather running, frostbite, glove, hat, hydration, hypothermia, injury prevention, jacket, layering earwarmers, mitten, moisture wicking, new balance, nike, outer layer, running jacket, running pants, safe, safety, tights, underarmour, windburn, winter running
Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!
The Final Sprint