We are NOT meteorologists.
But one of us is an unofficial storm chaser. And one who used to be us is an official storm chaser/meteorologist who was a consultant on the recent Twisters movie (heyo, Justin Walker). But that's irrelevant to this post.
Compared to more northerly parts of the country, Oklahoma has relatively mild winters. Sure, there's the ice storms, those are intense, but it's not all that cold. Usually.
Last year, though, saw some "feels like" conditions in the negative teens and lower, if my memory isn't elaborating. That's very cold. I had to bust out some of my Colorado running gear (which has largely gone untouched since moving to Tulsa) to get out and get the miles done.
As your local specialty running store, we stock things that will motivate and enable you to meet your running goals. When it comes to winter, that goal can be as simple as "continue to run." Having the right gear makes that possible, but what is the right gear?
The Right Gear Depends on the Conditions
Cold, hot, rainy, humid, windy, earthquake, alien invasion?
What you wear depends on what the conditions are outside. Running raises your body temp in the winter just like any other time of the year, but in the winter you'll start out cold. It can be tricky to find the right balance of not freezing half to death before your run starts and not becoming a puddle of melted flesh and bubbling Gu a few miles into your run.
Here in Tulsa, winter running gear needs to be able to insulate you against the wind without sacrificing breathability, so you don't have to constantly take off and put on your layers.
Most importantly, every person/runner experiences temperature differently! What's too hot for one runner might be way too cold for another. So don't fall into absolutes.
We're going to make some recommendations that you should consider going into this winter, but let's start with some science!
What to expect from winter 2024-2025
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its winter 2024-25 forecast a few weeks ago. The report forecasts a slightly drier and warmer winter for the southern states which begs the question: Is Oklahoma really a Midwest state?
According to this forecast, yes, but only some of it. A bit of the state is in an area that can reasonably expect the drier/warmer forecasted weather. However, Tulsa is in an segment that technically might have warmer/drier OR colder/wetter weather this winter.
How does this help me buy running clothes for winter?
While Tulsa and the surrounding area are not in the defined warmer/drier section of the map, we're very VERY close to it. So, maybe it's safe to say most of the time will be warmer/drier but we'll get some colder/wetter days.
This means that a runner who has a "normal" sensitivity to temperature will want to have a few key winter running pieces that protect from the elements without locking heat in. Opt for more versatile items and maybe one or two things for those real, real bad weather days we're bound to have.
Our Winter Running Picks for 2024-2025 In Tulsa
Here's how we're gearing up for this winter's maybe warmer/drier but also sometimes colder/wetter conundrum.
The Winter Running Essentials
Your head and hands are some of the first body parts to wish they were warmer. How will you take the perfect selfie for your influencer profile if you can't use your fingers? Or if your ears are frostbitten? That's a bad look, I don't care who you are.
We recommend a hybrid glove, which is a basic fingered glove with a pullover wind/rain cover mitten-thing. We have these from Craft and On, Craft has a little more grip on the palm/fingers and On has more reflectivity (the nose wipe zone on the Craft is luxurious, which bumps it up a few notches in our minds).
A headband is a great choice too, it'll keep your ears warm without overheating you once you warm up. We have a bunch of On, Craft, Cotopaxi, and Nathan headbands you can choose from to match your spirit animal.
Winter Running Tights
We've had Brooks running tights forever, and they're awesome. The women's Method tight and men's Source tight are go-to's for providing warmth without overdoing it. We just got a ton of Saucony tights in, too, and I think their Triumph tight is a little bit thicker without being too insulated, so those would be worth a try on, for sure!
I'm pretty excited to be testing the On Performance Tight for the winter. I have a pair of very warm tights that are just too much for a normal Oklahoma winter so I've been looking out for something a little less thick but still good quality for when shorts become more of a statement piece than necessary (we all know one of those guys). These On tights feel like they'll be perfect. They're lightweight but feel like there's some substance to the material. Plus, they have pockets. I love pockets. On makes really great apparel and I hope to have only good things to report during this winter!
Winter Running Tops
A mid-to-heavyweight zip top is a necessity for winter running. A long-sleeve is often not enough, so these slightly warmer tops are perfect for layering or on their own. If you do warm up, just unzip to vent.
The Brooks Dash 1/2 Zip is a standout in this category. We've been stocking this one forever too, and they keep improving the fabric! This year, it's softer than ever and the fit is just a little better for the women's (they had shortened the torso for some reason for a few years). It has the best balance of being breathable and buttery-soft--plus Brooks is bluesign approved!
Winter Running Jacket
The final piece to a winter running wardrobe is a shell, or a water resistant/proof jacket. The choice between water resistant and waterproof is up to you--it comes down to breathability. A waterproof jacket does more to protect you from the elements at the cost of not venting as well and therefore being more prone to heat accumulation and sweat. A water resistant jacket might allow some moisture through, but will also keep you from getting as sweaty within that jacket as it is rainy outside of it.
Our selection of Cotopaxi jackets are the best choice for a protective layer against the elements that does a lot to keep you dry from within and without. They strike a nice balance between a waterproof and water resistant jacket--the material is more stiff/protective than most water resistant jackets. But since it isn't waterproof, it breathes better.
Besides being durable and practical, Cotopaxi stuff always has the best designs and (I think) all of their gear is made 100% from recycled materials.
Winter Running Wrap Up
Weather is, by nature, unpredictable. There's no way to say exactly what this winter holds for us runner-folk. Will is be warmer/drier? Will it be colder/wetter? Most likely we'll get some of both, and what matters most is that we keep our running habit going.
Good gear helps you do the things you want to do. It's shocking, the difference between cheap, poorly made gear and well thought out, sustainable running stuff. So come on in and try these pieces on! Or, better yet, do that and ask as many questions as you can. We'd love to hear about your trips and races and whatever else you need running stuff to do.
Let's keep running this winter!
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