Can you jog in winter? It is often emphasised that the good thing about jogging is that you don't need any special equipment. It is almost True, but you need a good pair of shoes and in winter you also need to think a little more carefully.
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Can you jog in winter?
You can definitely go jogging in winter, but you need to plan your clothing. If it is really cold you may need to think twice, especially if you train hard. We are everyday exercisers and have no interest in pushing extremely hard. It is also very rare that it is around 10 degrees below zero or colder here in Stockholmso we simply skip running on those days.
If you live in northern Sweden, where it's often this cold, we can understand why you might think differently. Please read our travel blogger colleague Dryden's post about Running when it's really cold. He lives in Östersund and runs 'Runstreak' (running every day), so he knows what he's talking about.
For us, "jogging in winter" usually means jogging in temperatures between plus five and minus five, or possibly slightly colder. But even in these temperatures you need good clothes!
Clothes for the weather
What should you wear when you go jogging in winter? What we have realised is that it is important to find a balance: not too much and not too little clothing. How much clothing you need is individual. We meet some joggers who have very little (shorts in December!), but we reckon they can keep up a constant high pace, thus keeping up the heat.
For those of us who exercise every day and have to walk from time to time, we need more clothes. Aim for so-called functional materials and think layer upon layer. This is what we wear when we jog in the winter:
- Long training tights
- Heat shorts/heat skirt on top of tights
- Sweaters layer by layer
- Thermal vest
- Thin windproof jacket
- Hat, buff/neck warmer and mittens
- Good trainers
- Fluid belt (Helena)
Another option is to wear lined running trousers or base layers. We simply chose to continue to run with our regular tights, but supplement with thermal shorts / thermal skirt. We found the latter at Stadium. The fluid belt is certainly many who can do without. I (Helena) cannot jog up a single hill without drinking water (regardless of the season), so for me it is necessary.
What kind of shoes should you wear when jogging in winter?
We both bought new jogging shoes this winter. I (Helena) bought a pair of regular but slightly more sturdy jogging shoes. Peter bought a pair with studs. Both have pros and cons we can say!
Peters is extremely good when it's icy and slippery. Then he walks steadily and I (Helena) have to hold on to him. On the other hand, his shoes make a lot of noise if you go into a shop ... Mine are a bit more "all round". His are extra good in winter, but need to be supplemented.
What should you consider when jogging in winter?
We usually jog in Karlberg Castle Park behind Karlberg Castle in Solna, near Stockholm. There are nice jogging trails and lovely nature, but of course it gets a little different in the winter.
Some things to consider when jogging in winter:
- It can be dark. You may need reflectors and in some cases a headlamp.
- It is heavier to run in snow. You may not be able to go as far.
- It can be slippery. Be careful not to slip and injure yourself.
- Feel free to reheat thoroughly. Warming up can be particularly important for those who feel the cold a lot in their body or lungs.
Do you jog in winter? Why/why not?
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Daniel på FlyingDryden says:
Runstreak yes, thank you for recommending my post about training in the cold! Will do running day #279 today and it is just to go out. It's "only" -18°C now 🥶, it's crazy how you get used to it. After my cold record with 6 kilometres in -29 last week, this feels... strange. When it was -10 the other day, I stood for a while and thought about how the hell I should dress.
But yes, layering is a good thing. I also wear a scarf over my mouth and nose if it's colder than -10°C and if I'm trying to keep up the pace. But of course, it won't be the fastest interval sessions when it's this cold.
I actually bought my first pair of Icebugs during Christmas and I can't really understand why it has taken so long. Really good to have nice grip even on the winter surface.
Keep up the good work! Summer is almost here. 😁
03 February 2021 - 9:00
Helena says:
Yes, it would have been some kind of arch error not to link to you here 😉 A little different climate in this part of Sweden and spring, but right now we have real winter which I think is cosy.
03 February 2021 - 19:57
Solan says:
When I was at the jogging centre many kilos ago, I got some good advice:
You should always be a bit cold at the beginning and preferably start against the wind. Jogged all year round, with a super base layer in the winter, so you didn't have to change....
😊 From the archive of memories, today it's all about walking!
👍You have a good variety on the blog, I think. Like the theme of health on Wednesdays, good that you share your knowledge Helena.
🌍 It probably feels a bit like treading water for most travel bloggers right now...
03 February 2021 - 9:09
Helena says:
Glad to hear that you appreciate the variety and content. I had almost given up on the health days, but have received some requests so maybe I'll continue 😉 Yes, it's a bit like treading water ... and yet we are so happy to have the blog! How is it with you?
03 February 2021 - 20:00
Ama de casa says:
Here you can jog without problems all year round. If you want to, that is, and I don't want to 😉 I settle for walks. But I always have water with me, at least in the summer. In winter, I sometimes get thirsty and then I have found a vending machine where they sell large, cold water bottles for one euro. Cheap for buying water outside the shops. Yes, I'm going for the economics prize again this year 😉.
Great tips here for those who are not as lazy as me 😀.
03 February 2021 - 10:04
Helena says:
Not so much problem with snow I can guess... 😉 Walking is also good of course! 🙂
03 February 2021 - 20:01
Elisabeth says:
For me it will be walks with icebugs! Have fun!
03 February 2021 - 11:15
Helena says:
Walks and icebugs are good! Have fun!
03 February 2021 - 20:01
bmlarsreseblogg says:
Dressing for outdoor activities in winter is not easy but layering is never wrong. These days we stick to brisk walks (at least this time of year) but that's okay.
We think you're admirable for keeping the blog going daily even in these times, and the theme of food and health on Wednesdays is fitting.
03 February 2021 - 16:47
Helena says:
Of course, walks are always good! And thank you! We do our best to keep the blog going, but also believe that the blog keeps us going 😉.
03 February 2021 - 20:02
Nils-Åke+Hansson says:
Walks for me about 7.8 km/h Now in winter it is warm clothes and a tube scarf is a thing that is nice to have. That you can pull up when the cold bites the cheeks.
03 February 2021 - 17:18
Helena says:
Walks are good! Nice with a tube scarf in the cold! 🙂
03 February 2021 - 20:03
BP says:
Now I don't jog (voluntarily) and especially not during the winter. However, I have a pair of Icebugs that I think are a life insurance on slippery surfaces. Sure, it sounds like them indoors, but then people know that you are on G;-) Oh people are welcome to stare, as long as I do not break the femoral neck, I offer it;-)
03 February 2021 - 19:29
Helena says:
Absolutely true! We also offer it! It's quite often that we walk around with those studs in the supermarket 😉.
03 February 2021 - 20:04
Monica says:
Don't you fold them in? And removable ones should of course be taken off indoors, it's always a bit complicated and then on again, that people stare is because they know that the floors will be completely destroyed with expensive repair costs, try it on the home floors😉 it's still good otherwise on the winter walks and PS here people would be told. You have to think about this on buses and trains too and in stairwells, yes in lots of public environments.
03 February 2021 - 21:13
Helena says:
Thanks for your comment Monica! Folding in? No, I don't think such a possibility exists? And you can't take off ... We talked for a long time with them in the sports shop and they said that you can use the shoes all year round?
03 February 2021 - 21:25
Monica says:
No should not be used indoors and wooden floors are very damaged, other floors get ugly scratches, at icebugs manufacturer it is pointed out, but often so that sellers know nothing or do not want to know. I think it is sometimes complicated, of course I will powerwalk but then I see that it would be appropriate to buy something too, there is nothing to sit on so wobbly with this take on and off, but others can fold in the thorns, If I had rods too, I almost went crazy and I have "thrown" them a long way. Of course you have to decide already at home what kind of walk but I think it is good to be able to combine especially nowadays but others have dropped everything with studs and poles and it goes well but you have to concentrate on the steps. In the house, parents have had to pay for the cost of replacing the floor in the entrance hall caused by children with their studs.
03 February 2021 - 22:30
Lena - gott för själen says:
Yep, I definitely run all year round. So nice, if a bit tricky to dress properly. Sometimes I fail completely. In those situations, I usually wear too warm clothes. Recently, strangely enough, it has become very bad with exercise. There have been walks though. Have to get out on a faster round some day.
Hug Lena
04 February 2021 - 6:24
Travelsis says:
Lovely with jogging! I jog all year round, but in Skåne we do not have so cold and snow many days or weeks in the winter, as in Sth or as Dryden has. So I run on! The days I make the most difference is when it's slippery... don't want to fall and not be able to run the next day./ P
05 February 2021 - 7:39