This One Simple Base Layer Transformed My Winter Running
The idea of running in the winter honestly never occurred to me until the year 2020. Running, in general, faded from my exercise routine when my fair-weather college jogs only ever seemed to bring me sore legs and a sense of defeat. But recently, the revelation of audio-guided runs teamed with a reliable athletic wardrobe has turned me into the type of person who Googles “what is a good 5K time” and “how to foam roll IT band.” I signed up for an April half marathon, knowing that my training would have to take place through New York’s chilliest months.
Before I started running regularly, it was hard to imagine what clothes would keep me the right temperature on an hour-long romp through the city. I needed to withstand the chill I would feel at the start of the run, and avoid overheating during it. Clearly cotton wouldn’t do the trick.
On my way to the Grand Canyon last fall, I was looking for a last-minute layer and happened upon a dark turquoise Patagonia top that stretched perfectly without feeling tight. Even better, it had a face-fitting hood that lowered into a weightless turtleneck. The clerk mentioned it was an innovative design—seamless 3D knit, in fact—made of a blend between merino wool and Patagonia’s proprietary recycled polyester material, Capilene. I wore it during the entire hike the next day—in the cold before sunrise with pants and a puffer, and with shorts as the day got hotter. After that temperature test, I figured it might serve me well in winter training—and I’ve worn it on every run since.
It’s easy to, because (at the risk of revealing myself to be a human who perspires) the specialized material stays smell-free for multiple weeks, even when I’m sweating in it on a regular basis. Turns out, I’m not the only one to wax enthusiastic about this item: Outdoor Gear Lab noted that it “has broken into a new realm of what’s possible in a base layer,” while Gear Patrol highlighted it as “quite possibly the best base layer.”
It’s not the only key to a good winter running outfit—I wear it with a vest so I have pockets, and a baseball cap to shield my face from the wind—but knowing that I have a reliable source of warmth and comfort has made getting out the door that much easier, whether it’s raining on the Manhattan Bridge, snowing in Brooklyn, or 8 p.m. at night near the office. Sure, with the hood up I might be more bank robber gone rock climbing than spandex-clad superhero, but it’s worth it: My woolly hooded base layer has served me better than any piece of workout gear I’ve ever owned.
