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If you’re lucky enough to have landed a spot in the London or Manchester marathon this spring, you’re probably facing a long training block through the coldest parts of winter.
As someone who has run three marathons (including an ultramarathon), two of which were in winter, I totally understand how miserable it can be. Between freezing limbs, the lack of daylight and ice-cold hands, it’s not pretty, and morale can often be low.
Thankfully, there’s plenty of winter running gear that will get you to the finish line without picking up frostbite along the way. Staying warm, dry and comfortable is essential, not just to tick off your training plan as you go but will help you stay motivated too.
Throughout my training blocks, there are a handful of products that became my ride or die for keeping warm without overheating, and in the best condition for pounding pavements and park runs throughout the week.
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My list of recommendations spans functional and affordable running vests, headphones to help me lock in and leggings which are unbeaten in terms of quality and stretch.
Kiprun Adult Running Gloves
Take it from me, do not head out on a run in zero degree temperatures without a pair of running gloves. Another thrifty find for me was this pair from Decathlon, which are form-fitting so no cold air can get in and you don’t need to take them off to use your phone. Instead, the index finger and thumb inserts are made with a conductive material, so you tap your smartphone and watch screen while running. They’re perfect for skipping songs and podcast ads. Better yet, if your hands do warm up, shove them in one of the many pockets of your running vest.
Buy now for £5.99 (was £7.99) at decathlon
Luxtreme Training Headband
Keep your ears warm, and I promise your runs will be so much easier. While Lulumeon is known for costing a pretty penny, its headband is only a tenner and well worth it. Not only does it keep your ears protected from the cold, but it also does a great job and keeping my Airpods in my ears no matter how much I sweat and the short hairs of my fringe out of my face. It also doubles up as a great headband for pilates, spinning classes, skiing holidays and more, so you’ll get plenty of wear out of it, and thanks to the velvet fabric on the inside, it never slips off or pulls your hair.
Buy now for £10 at lululemon
Utobest Running Vest
If you’re working towards those dreaded long weekend runs of 20km and upwards, a running vest is the best investment you can make. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to drop hundreds of pounds to find the right one. I’ve worn this one from Amazon to run three marathons and have nothing but positive things to report, especially how affordable it is – some running vests can cost three times the price. It can store all your valuables, such as a bank card, house keys, lip balm, water, and Lucozade bottles, thanks to six separate compartments, including a 5-litre zipped compartment at the back. There’s also a whistle, which comes in handy if you're running alone and need help, and reflective strips on the front and back for extra visibility if you’re running in the dark.
Buy now for £27.80 at amazon
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds
I use my AirPods for everything, including work calls, walking, commuting, you name it, and they're a great all-rounder if you love running too. Despite how sweaty I am, they never slip out my ears. Once they're in my ears, they automatically connect to my iPhone, and the audio quality is fantastic. I love the noise-cancelling feature, as I'm always keen to tune out crowds while running around London – but the transparency mode means I can still stay aware of my surroundings. For example, I can be fully absorbed in a new podcast and still hear the sound of a traffic light. One of the cleverest features is the adaptive audio. If I start speaking to someone nearby, it automatically lowers the volume of my music or podcast so I can hear them clearly. Once the conversation ends, it returns to the original volume. It’s ideal for those quick moments—like ordering a post-coffee pastry.
Buy now for £169 (was £199) at amazon
E45 Lips & Dry Skin Lip Balm
There’s nothing worse than dry, cracked lips, and running in Baltic temperatures does nothing to help. This lip balm is basic but brilliant. There’s no fancy scent or luxurious gold packaging, but inside is a soothing, rich balm that I apply before every run to keep my lips hydrated, smooth and soft. Despite how it may look, you can also apply it while running directly onto skin, without needing to take off gloves and get your hands messy mid-run.
Buy now for £5.99 (was £8.99) at amazon
Wunder Train High-Rise Tight with Pockets 28"
Before you dismiss this pair for being eye-wateringly expensive, let me tell you why they’re the only pair of leggings I run in. Firstly, they’re the perfect amount of compressive without feeling restrictive, and the sleek, elasticated side and back pockets mean they can hold my keys, phone and bank cards without moving around while I’m doing interval runs in my local park. Secondly, they wash well – in the four years that I’ve owned them, they’ve never bobbled, ripped or lost elasticity, unlike cheaper leggings I’ve bought have done. The internal elastic waist cord means you can tighten and loosen it to your preference, and they’ve never, ever rolled down mid-run, squat or yoga pose. I own one pair, wash them at least three times a week and never had a single issue. Yes, they’re not cheap, but worth every penny for the quality.
Buy now for £118 at Lululemon
Apple Watch Series 11 GPS 42mm Smartwatch
I've been wearing my Apple Watch everyday for over a year and find it the most useful tool possible for tracking my running, overall health and staying on top of messaging. My favourite feature is Workouts – a built-in app designed for tracking exercise. When I select running, it gives me a three-second countdown, then starts monitoring everything from heart rate and time to calories burned, distance covered, and more. It's very accurate, especially as it's able to monitor your pulse from being so close to your pulse point, and gives me a detailed breakdown of every run. If you have a time goal in mind, or want to stay on top of interval runs, sprints and long run analysis, it’s a great investment.
Buy now for £299 (was £369) at amazonIf you’re looking for the best running trainers too, or perhaps a pair of earphones/headphones – we’ve got you covered there too!
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