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 start.

But it 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, spring racing is just around the corner.

Whether you want to run your first 5K or earn another star at Abbott's flagship world marathon, training can't stop because of the cold and snow. Getting through the next few months will require dedication, discipline and the right equipment.

I speak from experience. I spent last winter 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 running gear can sometimes be quite pricey, but packing on key layers can leave you cold and miserable. The key is to look for deals and get the best bang for your buck.

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

Runners love socks

When I was a kid, I groaned when I found socks in my Christmas stocking. Now I'm getting 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 finish line with bloody feet.

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

When the temperatures drop below freezing, I reach for my pair Smartwool running for cold weather crew socks. When it comes to keeping your feet warm and dry without adding a lot of bulk, you just can't beat wool.

At $24, they are worth the money. Like other Smartwool products I've used, they managed to survive several wash cycles without shrinking, as wool socks can be prone to.

For great shoes, leave it to the professionals

I could tell you what shoes I ran in the TCS NYC Marathon (Saucony's Endorphin Pro 4) or what are my favorite daily trainers (New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14), but that 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 in one brand may fit quite differently than another. The shoes that your best friend, or even a world-class marathoner, thinks are amazing, may be excruciating when you step into them.

If you're shopping on your own, go to your local running store and get some expert advice. The mounting technology used by many shops has come a long way. In 2023, I took a closer look the system used by Fleet Feeta national chain of running 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 that 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 doing that, I slipped on a pair Kane recovery shoes. Yes, they look a lot like Crocs, and at $80 a pair they're a lot more expensive, but I think they're worth the money.

My swollen feet had the room they needed to breathe, while the small knots on the relatively firm foot massaged them as I walked the eight blocks to the subway. The shoes were easy to slip on and off, and luckily they didn't rub raw marks on my feet on the ride home.

The shoes are available in a variety of fun colors and patterns, including licensed versions for alumni and fans of over two dozen colleges and universities. Each pair also comes with a handy carabiner that you can use to secure them to the outside of your bag.

Bright light

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

I have several sets of lights, but my favorite remains Tracer2 Glowing 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 the optional one Searchlight ($32) that zips up the front. It's super bright and can be aimed downward to help you spot cracks in the pavement and avoid blinding fellow runners who might try to look right at you.

The vest, which includes reflective straps, fits me perfectly and doesn't slide around like the cheaper version I used before, which was made by another company.

My teammates would be upset if I didn't mention it 39G Noxgear Bluetooth Wearable Speaker ($56). It puts out a surprising amount of sound for its size. Instead of using headphones or earphones that might block out the sound of an approaching car or other threat, you can use the speaker to listen to your tunes while 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 running coat, consider getting one with reflective elements. Features, mentioned above, also have new reflective crew socks. They offer the same damping and performance as the company's other models, but are designed to appear on the car's headlights.

Modern and functional

I grew up in Michigan, so it takes a lot to catch a cold. I ran the New York City Marathon in my team singlet and 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 leggings with belt ($65) this past week.

Flipbelt has made its name by producing stretchy running belts designed to hold everything you might need for a long run. In the past I have had problems with the belt stretching and going downhill in the middle of a race.

Shorts and leggings solve that problem by building the same storage into compression bottoms that stay in place. They offer enough space 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 a bit difficult to pull on, but once you get them in place, they don't budge and provide cat-like support, even if you stuff your pockets. The thermal version kept me warm without adding much weight. I look forward to wearing these for my next race.

Whether it's to shade my face from the sun or to keep my ears warm, 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 softer options.

Sprints, famous for their wacky designsmakes my favorite ultralight and super comfortable baseball style hats. They have some cool new winter options which I look forward to trying.

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, keeping my ears prone to the cold.

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

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

The shoes weren't available for testing, but the outfit 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 pulling them out a lot this winter.

Shades for every budget

Just because it's cold doesn't mean it's not bright outside. Good shades are still a must. Gudros line of active sunglasses ($25) remain the best budget option. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays, don't slide down your nose when you sweat, and come in a variety of fun colors and frames. They don't last forever, especially if you buy the ones with mirror lenses, which are easily scratched.

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

For people looking to upscale and look really cool doing it, the Adidas Dunamis ($210) have crystal-clear, reflective lenses that are feather-light and will make you feel like a professional athlete. Just a note that they are meant for larger faces. If you are a small person like me, you might find it a little big.

Another great piece of equipment

Runners need to stay hydrated even when it's cold outside, and any runner would be happy to have a great water bottle.

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

Best of all, it's leak-proof and you can throw it in the dishwasher. I would use this bottle a lot more if my daughter didn't steal it for her runs.

Gels, gum, and other types of fuel are also worthwhile. 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 Unuseda maple syrup company based in — you guessed it — Vermont. Hers maple syrup athletic fuel with 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 generally a Morten. While other brands offer a variety of Baskin-Robbins-like flavors, Maurten comes in just one, which doesn't really taste like anything, but isn't super sweet. It takes some getting used to, but I found it easy on the stomach.