Running gear guide: Bundle up when it’s cold outside

With the big races of the year now in the rearview mirror and the temperatures starting to drop, it can be tempting to just curl up with a hot cocoa and binge on Netflix. But for many runners, training never ends, no matter how cold it gets.

As for me, I’m coming off a tough finish from the TCS New York City Marathon. I took a little time off, but I’ll be back. I have my team’s annual turkey trot on Thanksgiving and a half marathon later this weekend. It’s getting cold, so I dig out my favorite wool.

Whether you’re gearing up for your first turkey run or starting to plan one of the Abbott World Major Marathons this spring, we’ve got some great gear ideas to keep you warm and cozy as winter approaches.

On top of that, the holidays are coming. If you need to play Santa Claus for your life’s favorite runner, we’ve also got plenty of suggestions for the perfect gifts.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite winter and other high end riding gear.

Runners love socks

When I was a kid, I would gasp when I found socks in my pantyhose. Now I’m getting excited.

Runners don’t cut corners when it comes to socks. They can make the difference between the end of the race happy and limping to the end with bloody feet.

That’s why more than one pair of Feet is always exchanged in my running team’s annual gift exchange. Features’ colorful and long-lasting socks, priced around $18, are my go-to for training and racing. More precisely “Elite” versions The socks provide targeted compression that helps protect and support your feet while running without feeling too heavy.

But with temperatures expected to be over 20 degrees at the start of this weekend’s half marathon, I’ll be reaching for my pair Smartwool cold weather running crew socks. Keeping your feet warm and dry without adding a lot of bulk, you just can’t beat wool.

At $24 they are worth the money. Like other Smartwool products I’ve used, they’ve survived several washes without shrinking, as wool socks can tend to.

If you want great shoes, leave it to the professionals

I could tell you the 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 depends on you, your feet and your needs. One brand’s size 9 may fit completely differently than another’s. The shoes that your best friend or even a world-class marathoner thinks are amazing can feel painful to walk in.

If you’re buying on your own, go to your local running store and get some expert advice. The fitting technology used by many stores has come a long way. Last year, I got up close and personal with the system used by the national store chain Fleet Feet. It uses artificial intelligence to compare the 3D scan of the feet with the 3D scan of millions of other customers as well as the store’s inventory. Combine this technique with the store employee’s suggestions, and you’re bound to leave with a pair you love.

This makes shoes a very bad holiday gift, but I have a better idea.

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

My swollen feet had the space they needed to breathe, while the small knots of the relatively firm soles rubbed them as I walked the eight long blocks to the subway. The shoes slide off the feet easily and luckily they didn’t rub raw marks on the feet during the trip 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 to attach them to the outside of the bag.

Holiday lights

Whether you run in the morning or in the evening, it’s dark outside this time of year. Lights and reflective gear are essential so that cars can see you and you can see all the cracks in the pavement and poorly placed piles of dog poop.

I have a few sets of lights but my favorite is still Tracer2 light vest From 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 Signal light ($32) which clips on the front. It’s super bright and can be pointed down to spot cracks in the pavement and avoid blinding fellow runners who might try to look right at you.

The vest with reflective straps fits me perfectly and doesn’t slide around like the cheaper version I used before that was made by another company.

My teammates would be shocked if I didn’t mention it Noxgear’s 39G wearable Bluetooth speaker ($56). It makes a surprising amount of sound for its size. Instead of using headphones or earbuds that can block out the sound of an approaching car or other threat, you can use the speaker to listen to your music while staying aware of what’s going on around you.

Reflective clothing can also help drivers see you. If you’re looking for a winter running jacket, consider one with reflective elements. Feetures, also mentioned above new reflective socks. They offer the same shock absorption and performance as the company’s other models, but are designed to be visible in the car’s headlights.

Fashionable and functional

Growing up in Michigan, I get cold a lot. I ran this year’s New York City Marathon with my team and a trusted couple Flipbelt compression pantsdespite the fact that it was 38 degrees outside when I started the race. That said, I finally pulled out my pair Flipbelt Air mid-weight leggings ($45) last week.

Flipbelt made their name by producing flexible running belts designed to hold everything you need on a long run. But I’ve had issues in the past with them stretching and riding down in the middle of a race.

Shorts and leggings solve this problem by building the same storage space into a compression base that stays in place. Both have enough storage space for your phone, keys, water bottle and all the fuel and snacks you’ll need to get you through a long race.

I found the leggings a little difficult to put on, but once you get them in place, they don’t move and offer catsuit-like support even when you load their pockets down. Flipbelt also makes a thermal version of leggings and I look forward to trying them soon as well.

Whether it’s to protect my face from the sun or to keep my ears warm, I almost always wear a hat while running. Usually it’s a baseball cap, but when the mercury drops, I reach for one of my fleeball options.

Sprints, known for it funny modelsmakes my favorite very light and very comfortable baseball style hats. They have some great new winter options that I’m looking forward to.

And Smartwool, which I already mentioned, knows a thing or two about winter dressing. They teamed up with shoemaker Altra to create a collection of winter running apparel with matching Altra smart wool-lined shoes.

The women’s collection comes in a beautiful aubergine, black and charcoal color combination and includes, among other things, a long-sleeved top, a vest and a half-zip sweater. They were released earlier this year as an REI exclusive, but now you can find it on the Smartwool website.

The shoes could not be tested, and the clothes are intended for harsh winter weather, so I have only tested them briefly. But the layers gave me the movement I needed without adding a lot of bulk. I’m sure I’ll be using them a lot more in a month or two, whether it’s running or sledding with my kids.

Shades for every budget

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it’s not bright outside. Good shades are still essential. Goodri active sunglasses ($25) are still the best budget option. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays, won’t slide off your nose when it’s sweating, and come in fun colors and frames. But they won’t last forever, especially if you buy lenses with mirrored lenses that scratch easily.

I recently tried on a couple of pairs from Tifos. At around $35, they cost a bit more, but so far seem a bit more durable. Although they are not heavy, they feel sturdy. My teenage daughter immediately fell in love with my pair Sanctum model and I haven’t gotten them back yet, but he hasn’t broken them either. I have used Swank quid.

For those who want to go high-end and look super cool while doing it, Adidas DUNAMIS ($210) features crystal-clear, reflective wrap-around lenses that are as light as a feather and make you feel like a professional athlete. Note that they are intended for larger faces. If you are a small person like me, you should find them a little big.

Other great gifts

Runners need to stay hydrated even when it’s cold outside, and every runner would love to have a great water bottle.

My favorite at the moment is Nathan’s ExoShot 2.0 Handheld 14oz bottle. It is a soft bottle that is kept in a fabric case. It has an adjustable strap that goes around your arm so you really don’t have to cling to it while running. It is easy to squeeze and drink.

Best of all, it doesn’t leak and you can throw it in the dishwasher. I would use this bottle a lot more if my daughter hadn’t been stealing it for her own runs too.

Gels, chews and other running fuels can be made into great tights. I’m a fan Skratch Labs Energy Chews. They taste less like chemicals and more like gummy bears. And some of my favorite products come from Untapped, a maple syrup company based in Vermont. Its coffee-infused maple syrup sports fuel gives me the zip I need without the chemicals I can’t pronounce.

When I reach for a traditional gel, it’s usually a Spices. While other brands offer flavors like Baskin-Robbins, Maurten’s is just one that doesn’t really taste like anything, but isn’t super sweet. It takes some getting used to, but I’ve found it easy on the stomach.