It’s difficult to overstate the importance of a good layering system in the wintertime. In addition to helping you stay warm without overheating, it offers you protection from wind, rain, and slush. The challenge can be doing it in a way that you’re not constantly lugging around extra layers. To avoid this, Scott recommended taking a warm-up lap close to your house or car. That allows you to start your run bundled up, but still be able to drop off the layers once you’re warmer without having to take them with you on the trail.
Another option is to carry a small
running pack. These can come in handy on runs with changes in elevation that will have colder, potentially snowier conditions up top, or thickly forested trails with less warm sunlight. When in doubt, it’s best to over-layer, Scott said. “Runners often make the mistake of dressing too lightly, which ends up being worse than overdressing.” Here’s a checklist he recommends: