Winter Trail Running Gear That’s Saving Me Right Now (2026)

Winter Gear We Love Right Now

TAYLOR: There’s a lot of ways to deal with winter. Comic relief used to be one of the ways I coped with the season. You know, the no-looker snowball toss, rando fake slip on the sidewalk, and the occasional friendly white wash. It was all fun and games until I had the realization that there’s really nothing funny about freezing your ass off! 

It’s one of the primary reasons I abandoned the plains of Minnesota for the mountains of Colorado. I swear it’s much more moderate here! Sure, we still have the subzero days and galeforce winds, however, getting out every day can be bearable with the sun that shines darn near every day. 

What makes these wintry conditions more bearable, even in the great white north, is the right gear. Don’t make me quote everyone’s dad who has the slightest outdoor streak. 

To save you the cyclical nature of this conversation, just dive into the gear that has been saving my butt this winter.

Apparel

TAYLOR: I’m a creature of habit. I tend to grab for things that are simple and work well. That’s the Rabbit EZ Tee LS for me. Besides being one of the softest fabrics known to man, it has a really nice updated fit and lightweight feel that is just as functional on the run as it is lounging around the house. 

As the seasons change I tend to transition from my EZ Tee Perf, to the EZ Tee Perf LS, then to the EZ Tee LS before adding layers for the colder seasons. Comfort and performance. What more could you ask for?

TAYLOR: Path Projects is known for their cult-like following. Why? Because of their extremely comfortable running gear. The Lomond Half Zip certainly falls in line with that premise. 

Apparently I’m a sucker for gridded fleece once temps dip. This is a midweight midlayer in terms of warmth but it comes in a lightweight package.  The construction is uber simple yet it gives a dual zippered pouch pocket that you didn’t know you needed, durable shoulder panel, and thumb holes. 

A lot of times, I’d rather forgo a mid-layer because of how they can interact with other layers. I really like the overall fit of the Lomond Half Zip– even over top of a long sleeve. It’s relaxed enough to accommodate without being baggy or clingy. This will be one of those sensible layers that you can start a run with and not be too upset about taking it off and throwing it around your waist.  It would be a great option to throw in the pack as an extra “just in case” layer too. 

TAYLOR: While layering is important in cooler temps, I would still rather just have a single simple layer. If the weather isn’t spitting at you, my vote is the Peak Performance Freelight Polartec Powergrid Crew. While this brand isn’t as well known in the US, and sounds kind of like Costco’s rendition of Patagonia, it’s actually super-quality stuff.  It was this item and a pair of sweet Trail Light shorts that really sold me on the brand.

The gridded fleece pattern along with an optimal fit made movement in chilly condities a very bearable thing – even enjoyable. It’s simply one of those layers that just feels right on multiple levels.

As mentioned, I utilize a vest quite often for my over layer in these months. I’m really thinking I’ll don the Freelight Polartec Powergrid Crew with a vest over top on most winter days. Money!

TAYLOR: Vests are entirely underrated. I honestly make it most of the fall and winter seasons with a nice vest as my outerlayer. The Salomon Mountain Flex Hybrid Vest has already become a go-to for cool morning runs or brisk bike rides. 

For a running vest, it falls into the medium weight category, but that is fine with me because it adds to the versatility of it. 

The thinner layer of Primloft insulation packs a powerful punch to keep you warm. It also has a nicely ventilated rear Hexaflow panel. On the occasion I got too warm, I used the inner clasp to maintain a close-to-body fit while being able to fully unzip the vest.

TAYLOR: The right base layers are an absolute game changer in frigid temperatures. I am partial to the wool base layers. These days, there are many more options than just the fluffy sheep stuff. Paka utilizes alpaca wool to leverage its durability, soft feel, and odor resistant fibers. 

Paka’s Thermal Crew and Thermal Bottom were both a more standard/loose fit compared to many base layers. The moderately thick construction packed the warmth it claimed while maintaining great breathability – both are highly appraised qualities in the base layer world. 

I was surprised that I enjoyed the more standard shirt-like fit. In baselayer terms, it was relaxed. There was no clinging, and it simply fit nicely under a jacket and a light pair of joggers for the really cold days.

TAYLOR: There’s a few questions I ask about waterproof jackets: Does it keep the elements out? Does it functionally move with my body? Does it have the option to ventilate? Does it accommodate layers as needed? 

So far, there hasn’t been a jacket that gives an emphatic yes to all of those questions– until now. The 7Mesh Guardian Apex Jacket will be a multi-sport multi-season go-to for me because of its incredible wearability and dependability while on the move. 

They utilized a Gore-Tex that will undoubtedly do its work of keeping rain and snow out – no matter how much is dumping. Under arm ventilation and waterproofed zippers worked wonderfully. Even the little things like packability, a structured bill, and a hood that accommodates helmets (bike, ski, and climbing) are all fantastic tidbits that helps set this jacket apart. 

Best, in my eyes, is that the 7Mesh Guardian Apex Jacket can accommodate multiple layers underneath and it won’t feel too restricting. I’ve worn this over top of a t-shirt, waffle fleece quarter zip, and my The North Face Summit Series puffy and still moved around just fine. That sealed the deal for me. 

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Accessories

TAYLOR: When you need a lighter, more breathable, yet durable glove, the Craft Essence has got you covered. What I like most about it is that they work. They kept my hands warm (priority A) and dry (priority B). 

Yes. You caught me.  These are cycling gloves – which I did really enjoy them for – but the grips served a dual purpose. These are great gloves to maintain grip on your trekking poles (priority C) in cooler temps.

TAYLOR: Is it really a surprise that these are on our list? During this season though, it’s the wool blends that really make a difference. The Flite XT sock has Merino wool that helps regulate temps and moisture while the Olefin fiber helps with optimal fit. Crew socks are always my favorite length. Winter is when they are a must to keep skin covered.

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TAYLOR: I’ll continue to stand by my claim that the Raide running belts have been a true game changer for me. The Raide UL 1L version takes the same top-tier performance and quality from the original LF 2L belt and slims it down to a day-to-day functional package. I do use this for nearly every run to fit my phone, a bottle, nutrition and it will still have some room to stow gloves with a buff as the run spices up. What’s 100% the best quality is the guaranteed claim of zero bounce whatsoever. It has proven itself time and time again.. 

It could be easily used for races with short distances between aids as well. 

With a 5-year warranty, this is one of the pieces of gear that will be a trusty sidekick through every season and for years on end.

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TAYLOR: I’m going to be honest, the Fractel M-Peano Winter Cap is mostly a casual wear for me. It is one of those items that I realized I kept reaching for as I left the house. 

Why? Firstly, it has that same quality and comfort that I love from the many Fractel hats I run in often. Secondly, let’s just say I’m that type that rarely grabs a jacket or a beanie for anything, but they’re nice to have, you know? The M-Peano has a really nice fleece material that is warm, blocks wind like a boss, and is water repellent. It’s like having a sweatshirt for your head. All characteristics are valuable but not overpowering from a comfort standpoint. 

So, the M-Peano’s practical matter and stylish vibe tend to  solve all my problems in fall and winter.

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TAYLOR: Keep this in mind when reading this. I do not like running with sunglasses. There are three sunglasses that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and two of those come from the same brand, Sungod. The Forty2’s are fantastically light, had literally zero bounce, have vented frames, and quality lenses. 

These have been the perfect running sunglasses for me as the 8KO Iris lenses in Black transitioned appropriately for wide-open sunny skies or meandering through the shady trees.  My pair offered great UV protection without being too tinted to taint the details of the trail. 

The Sungod Forty2s are a pair of sunglasses that I will gladly take on any trail running adventure. 

Also, at $150-200, these are very high quality pair of sunglasses that do not break the bank.

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TAYLOR: AC means “all-conditions.” My typical recovery shoe doesn’t leave the house because I don’t want them to get all icky, you know? These are essentially waterproof recovery shoes that are easy to spray off when the ick sticks. 

Beyond that, they are legitimately comfortable with a medium density foam that wraps the foot quite nicely. They are form fitting all the way around. I appreciated the lightly textured footbed that stimulated my feet while the arch supported nicely. 

They do get quite warm and are not breathable, like, at all… So, keep these for colder weather and/or as a shoe to kick on and off at the door.

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TAYLOR: Biking is the thing I do when I cannot run… Whether that means my current state is an IPOS, or the weather simply sucks too much to run, or I just want to spend a little bit of my pent up energy after my easy run, I’ve come around to the whole biking thing thanks to the Van Rysel X Zwift Indoor Trainer. 

The fact that I hop on this before the treadmill says a lot. I do actually like the gamified world of Zwift. Because it easily hooked up to my bike, had all that was needed to get going, and it can fit directly under my standing desk are all great selling points for me. Check out this more in depth review for more details.

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TAYLOR: Here’s a new brand for us. Admittedly, their style isn’t flashy by any means, but  we couldn’t argue with the performance at an accommodating price point. Both the mittens and hats delivered.

One piece that I’ve gravitated toward is the lightweight Merino Wool Beanie. It packed a punch of warmth while being very lightweight. It fits well and can accommodate a headlamp or sunglasses without the typical bunchy-ness that other beanies have. The ideal scenario for this hat is really anything above 20℉ real feel.

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