Good Sam

Winter is coming… here’s our guide to staying warm for outdoor training (consider it a gift guide too!)

Some warm stuff we recommend is below (use our Amazon affiliate links to help support us over the winter!)

Full disclosure: we copped some of these recommendations from the NYT Wirecutter reviews.

JUMP TO…

Gloves / Mittens
Hats / Ear Muffs
Layers
Base Layers
Middle (Insulated) Layers
Outer (Rain/Wind) Layers
Yoga Mats

We tested a couple different kinds of gloves and mittens. Both worked well unless they were too thick – you want a relatively thin material here. A little grippy stuff on the palms and fingers is helpful. Mittens are typically warmer than gloves, and you don’t need to be able to separate your fingers to do CrossFit.

Note that these worked well for things that are not excessively grip-intensive. Specifically we didn’t test a glove that would allow for heavy pulling (deadlifts, heavy snatches/cleans) or kipping movements. But, these gloves should work for dumbbell and kettlebell work, lighter snatches and cleans, and strict pull-ups, strict toes-to-bar, etc.

We like these options —

Arc’teryx Venta Mitten $50

Outdoor Research Gripper Convertible Gloves $55

Outdoor Research Men’s Gripper Sensor $42

Touch Screen Running Gloves – Thermal Winter Glove Liners $13

You’ll want a light hat or ear muffs to keep your ears warm during training. Too heavy a hat will become overly warm.

We like these options —

Skull Cap Helmet Liner Running Beanie $11

Smartwool NTS Mid 250 Beanie $30

180s Fleece Behind-the-Head Earmuffs $22

Ear Warmer Headband – Winter Fleece Ear Band Covers $8

Dress in layers so you can strip down as you warm up. Here’s a good guide to layering from REI. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html

We’ve including some spendy and less spendy versions of everything here – the more expensive stuff tends to be more breathable, wicks sweat better, and be made from materials like wool that keep you warm even when they’re wet. However the cheaper stuff will still get the job done!

Icebreaker Merino Men’s 260 Tech Merino Wool Base Layer Long Sleeve T-Shirt $115

Icebreaker Merino Men’s 260 Tech Merino Wool Base Layer Leggings $115

Men’s Uniqlo HEATTECH Extra Warm Crew Neck Long Sleeve T-Shirt $24.90

Men’s Uniqlo HEATTECH Extra Warm Long Johns $24.90

Icebreaker Merino Women’s 260 Tech Merino Wool Base Layer Long Sleeve T-Shirt $115

Icebreaker Merino Women’s 260 Tech Leggings $115

Women’s Uniqlo HEATTECH Extra Warm Crew Neck T-Shirt $24.90

Women’s Uniqlo HEATTECH Extra Warm Leggings $24.90

Outdoor Research Men’s Transcendent Down Vest $150

Uniqlo Men Ultra Light Down Vest $40

Lululemon Down For It All Vest $148

Uniqlo Women Ultra Light Down Vest $40

Heated Options

These have a removable battery pack that runs heated coils, like a heated blanket that keeps you extra cozy.

Venture Heat Men’s Heated Vest $139

Venture Heat Women’s Heated Vest $139

Patagonia Men’s Torrentshell 3L $149

Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket $50

Patagonia Women’s Torrentshell 3L $149

Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket $40

Nothing fancy, it’s probably going to get wet and maybe muddy? We’d go for one of these —

Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat $30

CAMBIVO Yoga Mat (7′ x 2.5′ x 6mm), Extra Long and Wide TPE Workout Mat $37