Rain, snow, seriously low temperatures and biting winds — winter brings an array of uninviting and unpredictable weather.
If you’re a runner who wants to keep pushing their PBs through spring, you’ll need to think about how to wrap up as you head out on your runs, whether it’s a 5k or a longer route.
Right now is peak London Marathon training time, so banking those miles is a must, yet so is finding the right layers, trainers and gloves to avoid getting blue fingers, overheating, and returning home freezing because you’re drenched in sweat.
As you run, your core temperature will rise, so investing in sweat-wicking gear is crucial, as are trainers that can cope with anything from ice to rain, and even muddy terrain. While your kit is important, so is your recovery. This is why I’ve also rounded up the best technology to help your muscles be free of DOMS the following day.
How I tested
I spent a month wearing and trying out winter running gear, trainers, technology and recovery tools in the name of rigorous and robust testing. I spent the month putting in the miles come rain, shine or snow. I also tested all gear on different styles of runs to ensure they stayed put or felt comfortable, whether short sprints to the gym or longer weekend runs. For this guide, I wanted to include an array of brands to suit every budget and every running discipline, from marathon runners to trail runners.
For running kit, I gauged how comfortable and sweat-proof they were, also noting their flexibility as I moved. For tech products, I zoned in on how easy they were to use, the results they gave me, metrics to improve form and PBs, plus any motivation they provided. When it came to recovery tools, I tested them on how I felt the next day and whether they helped me recover quicker - especially after a long run.
The expert view: A trusted name in fitness
I’ve been a health and fitness journalist for the last 10 years, testing everything from the best massage guns to the best running trainers. I run around 10 miles a week for fitness and to train for races, so it’s key for me to have the best running gear, whatever the weather.
You can’t overestimate the importance of the right kit; it can make or break your run. The wrong gear can result in awful chafing or distraction when all your focus should be on pounding those pavements. Sub-par trainers can equal blisters or uncomfortable feet, but the right ones can give you a smoother ride, help energy return, and make your run more enjoyable. I’ve also found that the right gadgets and recovery tools can help improve PBs and help your body recover quickly.
Below, you’ll find my pick of the best running gear, technology and recovery gadgets to get you through the cold, wet weather — and beyond.
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Lululemon Crewkneck base layer
If you’re going to buy a base layer, it’s best to invest in one made of high-quality material that helps you regulate heat and sweat well. This Lululemon long-sleeved top is crafted from a merino-wool blend, so it’s lightweight, warm, and sweat-wicking.
Extra brownie points for the thumb holes, which means those sleeves won’t creep up as you hit the pavements. It’s soft, but form-fitting and comfy enough to wear under other layers. Available in black and ivory, it’s one I’ll keep reaching for when you’re facing extra chilly long runs.
Buy now £78.00, Lululemon
Under Armour Velociti tights
Running leggings should have two key factors: secure enough to stay put when you're running, and pockets — lots of pockets, to keep keys, cards and other essentials on board. UA’s leggings, which come in blue and black, have both.
Made with a secure waistband, in my tests, they didn’t fall down or become baggy around the knees over time. Plus, they come with side pockets that are roomy enough to accommodate keys, your phone, gum, and more.
Winter running means your temperature can fluctuate very quickly, but these leggings, part of Under Armour’s HeatGear® range, kept me warm despite the sweat and the cold weather, and afterwards. The four-way fabric gave enough flexibility, whether I was doing intervals on the track or jogging in the park. If you’re running in low light, the reflective taping around the knee helps improve visibility.
Buy now £55.00, Under Armour
Vouri energy top
If you're running to yoga or pilates in the winter months, Vouri’s energy top is perfect for slipping on underneath your jacket or base layer. Available in five colours, including white, it's made with a super soft stretchy jersey material. I wore it under my base layer for a quick 3K run to yoga, and its moisture-wicking fabric kept me warm, without leaving me looking like a sweaty mess as I started my class.
Buy now £60.00, Vouri
The CORE 2 body temperature sensor
Overheating when you’re running, especially on race day, can lead to dizziness or severe dehydration — yes, even in the winter. The CORE sensor, which attaches to your heart rate monitor, helps you understand how your body responds to heat, all great data to help you train smarter. The app also offers skin temperature and heat strain metrics, plus reveals heat zones to note as you work out.
I always worry about overheating when temperatures plummet. In the winter, it’s about layering up enough and knowing when to take them off when you start to warm up — but even with so many miles under my belt, I still feel like I get this wrong. This gadget helped me assess when my core body temperature was getting too hot, so I knew when I should slow down, remove layers, or take a break. It’s definitely upped my training game and made winter runs more enjoyable (no easy feat).
Buy now £264.95, The CORE
New Balance London Marathon 1080v15 trainers
Even if you’re not doing the London marathon, you can pretend (like me) with New Balance’s 2026 marathon range. From bright yellow jackets and tops to their new trainer range, this is a collection that will make you stand out.
I laced the trainers up for a short, speedy run and a longer 12k jog, noting the comfort New Balance’s new midsole technology felt underfoot, flexible but sturdy, while its Infinion Foam gave me a bouncy ride. The grip on the outsole of the trainers, which you will also find on in a men’s design, means I stayed steady when it got slippery outside, while they also cut through muddy terrain.
Buy now £170.00, New Balance
Lululemon fast and free fleece running gloves
I frequently leave the house thinking I won’t need gloves for a winter run, and return home with fingers on the verge of frostbite. So, popping these on when the weather gets below 5°C is a good idea. I pulled them on during a particularly cold day, and they kept my extremities warm and sweat-free throughout.
They also have reflective detail on the front, absorbent fabric, and clips, so one won’t go AWOL in your wardrobe. The cleverest thing? They have screen-conductive fabric on the fingers, so I didn’t have to remove them to check my Strava progress mid-run.
Buy now £38.00, Lululemon
Adidas sunglasses
Running sunglasses aren’t strictly for the summer — they’re also perfect for those crisp, cold days where blue skies greet you, and we finally get some much-needed vitamin D.
Adidas is a leader in sports sunglasses, with lots of attractive options on offer. This lightweight design boasts large cylindrical lenses and come in an array of colours for both the lenses and the frames. Just like their original anemos design, they have a half rim wrap-around style, which sits well on the nose and didn’t budge, even when I did sprints.
Buy now £160.00, Adidas
BAM Thermal sculpting jacket
Zipping up this jacket made me instantly excited for my run. It’s snug, but breathable, and looks great too. Made with sustainable enduro material, it gives it a stretchy feel, so I don’t feel constricted on runs. It also has reflective strips on the front, which heightened visibility when I wore it at night.
The side zipped pockets served two functions — hand warmers when I forgot my gloves and perfect for securing my keys, earbud cases, and my phone. The jacket comes up quite small. I tried a size 10, and it felt tight, so if you want something looser, I’d advise sizing up.
Buy now £75.00, BAM
Vuori AllTheFeels leggings
A runner can never have too many black leggings — my wardrobe bears plenty of evidence of that. These AllTheFeels leggings have been a favourite for years, versatile enough to wear to the gym, on a run, or just around the house.
I love how smooth they are, with a waistband which doesn’t pinch or feel too restrictive — yet they stay put when you bend, stretch, or sprint. Made with the brand's BlissBlend™ fabric, they felt buttery soft, so while they’re great for working out, I love climbing into them after a post-exercise shower too.
Buy now £110.00, Vuori
Merrell Agility Peak 6
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Even if you’re not a trail runner, it’s wise to have a pair of trail running shoes on rotation, because if there’s one thing you know living in the UK, it’s that you can never predict what the winter weather is going to throw at you.
From Merrell comes this new launch with floatpro foam in their midsole, which means the trainers feel comfy as soon as you step into them, while they also give you lots of energy return every time your foot hits the ground. The stability and protection come from the rock plate, between the midsole and outsole, which allowed me to be a little more adventurous when I ran around the trails.
Like the shoes' predecessor, the outsole has a Vibram Megagrip — I used them on a trail run, and they cut through muddy terrain and hilly ascents with ease. The trainers, which come in a selection of colours, will be my go-to for winter runs, and summer trail runs too.
Buy now £145.00, Merrell
Silva 3L Fly Reflective vest
If you're planning a long run in winter weather, you’ll probably need a running backpack or vest to store your running gels, extra layers and water. This Silva vest sits close to the body and has numerous pockets to add all your essentials. With two water bottle holders at the front, you can store up to 3L of water — I used one for water and another for hydration while I completed a long run, and the bottles didn’t move an inch.
When you’re running in low light (which feels like all the time in winter), the vest also has reflective patterns, so you’ll stand out to other runners and traffic. There’s also an emergency whistle and a mesh back pocket, giving you space for bigger items and more ventilation as you run.
Buy now £65.49, Amazon
Flowlight Red Light therapy panel
Red light therapy is everywhere, but does it work for running recovery? This small panel is said to help support cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and improve energy regulation.
Easy to use, you can switch between red light and near-infrared light, and add a timer. I put the timer on five minutes, switching between lights for different areas of my body. Some parts were harder to reach, such as the top of my thighs, so I found myself balancing it or holding the panel up to reach those areas.
It’s a worthwhile habit to get into to boost recovery. After a week of use, I found it lowered the inflammation in my knee slightly, while DOMS in my legs were also slightly eased, especially after shorter runs. It’s small enough to travel with, and comes in a small case for ease of packing or protecting when you’re not using it.
Buy now £199.00, John Lewis
Beats by Dre Powerbeats FIT earbuds
My go-to for motivating beats when running is my AirPods. They slip into the ear easily and never fall out when I’m on the go. That said, Powerbeats is giving Apple a run for its money.
Powerbeats Fit earbuds launched last September, with a compact charging case, which admittedly isn't as small as Apple’s but still fits neatly in my running jacket pocket.
Once I’d swapped in the smallest tip, they fit snugly into my ear and stayed put for the duration of a 5k race. Sound was really clear, and they also have noise-cancelling and transparency modes, which is great from a safety perspective when you’re running on city roads.
Compatible with both Apple and Andriod they’re sweatproof, and offer 30 hours of battery life, so they won’t conk out during a marathon, something that bugs me about my AirPods.
Buy now £199.95, Beats by Dre
Hyperice Normatec Elite Hips
Running can mean tired legs and even more fatigued glutes and hips. My main running injury is partly down to tight glutes and an IT band, so I was excited to see if Hyperice’s new compression recovery device (specifically for these areas, plus the hips and lower back) could help ease my injury.
I’ve already tried Hyperice’s compression boots, which use compression technology to soothe sore muscles and improve circulation in your muscles, post-run.
The device has seven intensity settings. If you’re a beginner, I’d recommend starting at 2 or 3, as it can be quite a weird sensation. As I’ve tried it before, I opted for a 5 and a 30-minute session. Once I was 10 minutes in, and I relaxed into it, it felt as though someone was giving my hips, legs and glutes an intensive massage. After a few sessions, I really started to see the difference: less achy hips before and after I ran, and more flexibility when I did classes such as yoga.
Buy now £529.00, Hyperice
