Running gear guide: Everything you need for the New Year

happy new year! If you’ve decided to become a better runner in 2025, now is the time to go.

But this may not be easy. With the weather downright cold in many parts of the country, it’s tempting to just curl up with some hot cocoa and binge on Netflix. However, the spring races are just around the corner.

Whether you want to run your first 5K or win another star at the Abbott World Major Marathon, training can’t stop because of the cold and snow. Getting through the next few months will require dedication, discipline and the right gear.

I speak from experience. Last winter I was training for the Boston Marathon. Now I’m digging out my favorite thermals as I prepare to run the TCS London Marathon on April 27th.

Winter gear can sometimes be quite expensive, but skimping on your key layers can leave you cold and miserable. The key is to look for deals and get the best you can for your money.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite winter and other top gear.

Runners love socks

When I was a kid, I used to groan when I found socks in my Christmas stocking. Now I’m excited.

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

That’s why there’s always more than one pair of Feetures exchanged at my team’s annual gift exchange. At around $18 a pair, Feetures’ colorful and long-lasting socks are my go-to for training and racing. Specifically, on “Elite” versions of socks offer targeted compression that helps protect and support your feet as you run without feeling too heavy.

When the temperatures drop below freezing, I reach for my pair Smartwool Cold-Weather Run crew socks. When it comes to keeping your feet warm and dry without adding too much bulk, you just can’t beat wool.

At $24 they are well worth the money. Like other Smartwool products I’ve used, they managed to withstand several wash cycles without shrinking like wool socks can.

For great shoes, leave it to the pros

I could tell you what shoes I ran the TCS New York City Marathon in (Saucony’s Endorphin Pro 4) or what are my favorite casual sneakers (New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14), but it doesn’t really matter.

The truth is that the best shoe for you will depend on you, your feet and your needs. A size 9 of one brand may fit completely differently than another. Shoes that your best friend or even a world-class marathon runner thinks are amazing, you might find it excruciating to walk in.

If you’re shopping on your own, go to your local running store and get expert advice. The mounting technology used by many shops has come a long way. In 2023 I saw up close the system used by Fleet Feetnational chain of operating stores. It uses artificial intelligence to compare a 3D scan of your feet with those of millions of other customers, along with the store’s inventory. Combine this technology with suggestions from a store employee and you’re sure to walk away with a pair of shoes you love.

For this reason, shoes are a very bad gift, but I have a better idea.

I was happy with my marathon shoes, but I couldn’t take them off fast enough after crossing the finish line. After I did, I put on a pair Kane recovery shoes. Yes, they look a lot like Crocs and at $80 a pair they are quite a bit more expensive, but I think they are worth the money.

My swollen feet had the space they needed to breathe as the small nodules of the relatively firm footbed massaged them as I walked the eight blocks to the subway. The shoes slipped on and off easily and thankfully didn’t leave a trail of raw marks on my feet on the ride home.

The shoes come 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 that you can use to attach them to the outside of your bag.

Bright light

Whether you’re running in the morning or the evening, it’s dark outside this time of year. Lights and reflective gear are a must, both to make sure cars see you and to see all those cracks in the pavement and all those unfortunately placed piles of dog poo.

I have several sets of lights, but my favorites remain Tracer2 Luminous Vest by Noxgear. Its rechargeable LED lights flash in a rainbow of fun colors. They can be seen a quarter mile away and last up to 20 hours on a single charge.

At $51, it’s not cheap, and I’d recommend adding an option Tracking lamp ($32) that fastens in the front. It’s super bright and can be pointed down to help you spot cracks in the pavement and avoid blinding other runners who might try to look directly at you.

The vest, which includes reflective strips, fits me perfectly and doesn’t slide around like a cheaper version I used before that was made by another company.

My teammates would get upset if I didn’t mention them Noxgear’s 39G Wearable Bluetooth Speaker ($56). It makes a surprising amount of sound for its size. Instead of using headphones or earplugs that might block out the sound of an oncoming car or other threat, you can use the speaker to listen to your tunes while still being aware of what’s going on around you.

Reflective clothing can also help drivers see you. If you’re in the market for a winter coat, consider getting one with reflective elements. Features mentioned above are also there new reflective crew socks. They offer the same cushioning and performance as the company’s other models, but are designed to show off in the car’s headlights.

Modern and functional

I grew up in Michigan so it takes a long time to cool down. I ran the New York City Marathon in my team gear and a trusty pair compression shorts by Flipbelteven though it was 38 degrees outside when I started the race. That said, I finally got my pair out Thermal wedge with flip belt ($65) last week.

Flipbelt has made its name producing stretchy running belts designed to hold everything you might need for a long run. I’ve had issues in the past with a belt stretching and falling down mid-race.

Shorts and leggings solve this problem by building the same storage space into compression bottoms that stay in place. They offer plenty of room to store your phone, keys, water bottle and all the fuel and snacks you need to get you through a long race.

I found the leggings to be a little difficult to get on, but once you get them in place they don’t move around and provide support like a suit, even if you load up the pockets. The thermal version keeps me warm without adding much weight. I look forward to wearing them for my next race.

Whether to shade my face from the sun or to warm my ears, I almost always wear a hat when I run. Usually it’s a baseball cap, but when the mercury drops, I’ll reach for one of my woolier options.

Sprints known for their wacky designsmakes my favorite super light and super comfortable baseball caps. They have some cool new winter options that I can’t wait to try.

Meanwhile, one of my new favorite hats comes from Turtle Fur. this merino wool hat ($58) is super lightweight and stays on when I run and keeps my cold-prone ears toasty.

Speaking of merino wool, Smartwool knows a thing or two about winter dressing. He collaborated with shoemaker Altra to create a collection of winter running apparel, complete with a matching pair of Altra shoes with smart wool lining.

The women’s collection comes in a beautiful color combination of aubergine, black and charcoal and includes a long-sleeve top, vest and half-zip pullover, among other items. It launched earlier this year as REI exclusivebut now you can find it on the Smartwool website.

Shoes weren’t available for testing, but the clothes kept me toasty on a day when temperatures dipped into the mid-20s. The layers gave me the range of motion I needed to run without adding a lot of bulk. I’m sure I’ll be taking them out often this winter.

Shades for every budget

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it’s not light outside. Good shades are still a must. Goodr’s line of active sunglasses ($25) remains the best budget option. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays, don’t slide down your nose when you sweat, and come in tons of fun colors and frames. They don’t last forever, especially if you buy the ones with mirrored lenses that scratch easily.

I recently tried a few pairs from Tifosi. At around $35, they cost a bit more, but so far they seem a bit more durable. They are not heavy, but feel sturdy. My teenage daughter instantly fell in love with my pair The sanctuary models, and I have yet to return them, but she hasn’t broken them either. I have worn Swank model.

For people who want to get taller and look really cool doing it, the Adidas Dunamis ($210) feature crystal-clear, reflective, wrap-around lenses that are feather-light and will make you feel like a professional athlete. Just a heads up that they are meant for larger faces. If you’re a small person like me, you might find them a little big.

Another great outfit

Runners need to stay hydrated even when it’s cold outside, and any runner will appreciate a great water bottle.

My current favorite is Nathan’s ExoShot 2.0 Hand Bottle 14 oz. It is a soft flask that is kept in a canvas case. It has an adjustable strap that goes around your arm, so you don’t have to hold on to it while running. It is easy to squeeze and drink from it.

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

Gels, gummies and other types of liquid fuel are also worth it. I’m a fan of Skratch Labs Energy Chews. They taste less like chemicals and more like gummy bears. Some of my favorite products come from Untappedmaple syrup company based in—you guessed it—Vermont. That’s it athletic fuel maple syrup spiked coffee it gives me the zip I need without involving chemicals I can’t pronounce.

When I reach for a traditional gel, it’s usually a Maureen. While other brands offer a variety of flavors like Baskin-Robbins, Maurten only comes with one that doesn’t really have a flavor, but isn’t super sweet either. It takes some getting used to, but I found it easy on the stomach.