It is hard to race walk or speed walk in the snow and slush.

What to Wear for Cold Weather Walking – 7 Tips

Deciding what to wear to keep walking throughout the winter can be difficult. And this year, with fewer of us visiting gyms to use treadmills, it is more important than ever.

On the WALK Podcast and in winter issues of WALK! Magazine, we covered dressing for cold temperatures. The consensus is, walking outside in the winter is perfectly safe with the proper precautions. Following are seven tips.

How to decide what to wear when walking in the winter. According to WALK Magazine.
From the WALK Magazine Facebook page, December 2012.

Dress for the Right Temperature

Because your body generates an enormous amount of heat when you are walking hard, dress for temperatures about 10° warmer than it really is. The harder you walk the more body heat you will generate. If you plan to go for a casual stroll, you will need to dress more warmly.

How to Layer

Dressing in layers traps warm air between them, helping to keep you warm. Because you will generate body heat, your base layer should be made of a wicking fabric to pull sweat away. You don’t want to be sweaty and wet, especially once you stop moving. This layer can be long-sleeved or short-sleeved.

The next layer should be insulating. A heavier long-sleeved shirt, a vest, fleece, or light sweatshirt are options, depending on the temperatures.

Finally, a windproof and water-resistant outer layer is a must! I prefer a jacket with vents that can be opened if I get too warm. Water-resistance is especially important when it is snowing.

Choosing what to wear when it is cold outside. Walking in the winter, what to wear? Walk magazine chooses winter clothes.
From sparkpeople.com.

Legs

Winter-weight tights made of a wicking fabric are a good start for your legs. Some include wind-resistant panels, which can be very helpful. Looser-fitting pants will trap warm air, so walking pants or sweatpants may keep you warmer than tights. When it is very cold, layer loose pants or wind pants over tights.

Head and Neck

Cindi Leeman of WALK Magazine is wearing winter clothes, layering clothes for walking in the winter.
Keeping warm wearing several layers including a warm hat and gaiter.

Most of your body heat is lost through your head, so invest in a warm hat that covers the ears. If you tend to get overheated, a headband or other ear covering are options.

I hate having a cold neck, so I often wear a fleece gaiter. Other options include scarves or buffs (thinner than gaiters). One of my friends wears a balaclava—a hood that covers the head and neck, and sometimes the bottom of the face.

Buffs or gaiters pulled over the mouth can keep the lower part of your face warm but breathing through them while walking will make them wet and uncomfortable.

Gloves or Mittens?

Because the fingers are separated in gloves, they are not as effective as mittens for warmth. If you still prefer gloves, look for pairs that have a mitten-like cover for wind protection. Or look for mittens with a flap up so you can still use your fingers or cool your hands if they get too hot.

My hands get much colder now than they used to. I recently purchased a pair of Seirus gloves that are supposed to reflect the heat inside the glove. (I haven’t worn them enough to know if they really do.)

On the coldest days, consider carrying hand warmers.

Cold Feet?

Socks

It can be difficult finding the right socks to keep your feet warm. Years ago, wearing two pairs of socks was recommended, but I always ended up with uncomfortable wrinkles or my shoe wouldn’t fit. Some thick socks are great, but then again you can’t always get your shoe on over them. Lately I opt for wool athletic socks. Wool is great for keeping you warm, even when wet. Crew-length socks will help protect your ankles.

Shoes

This time of year, water- and wind-resistant athletic shoes or trail running shoes can help to keep your feet dry and warm. If you plan to walk at a slower pace, or if it is very snowy, a hiking boot may be a better choice.

For walking in snow or on ice, consider wearing shoes or boots made for snow or attach traction devices, such as Yaktrax. For added safety, trekking poles can be helpful.

Conclusion

Regardless of your sensitivity to cold, if you follow these suggestions you can walk safely outside all winter long.

Sources:

It is hard to race walk or speed walk in the snow and slush. What do I wear to walk in the snow? WALK Magazine covers what to wear in the winter.

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