Okay, we know for many the idea of outdoor exercise in the winter sounds like hell on earth. But working out in the great outdoors has been shown to have plenty of mood-boosting, stress-relieving effects, from lessening the impact of seasonal affective disorder to increasing your levels of serotonin. You need to have the right clothes for your workout though – so what should you wear to exercise outside in cold weather?
Whether you are running, cycling or training outdoors, it’s all about clothes that will keep you warm without over-heating. For this you need high-performance, technical fabrics and layers that you can remove as you heat up. The right accessories including hats, gloves and scarves designed for exercise can also help.
Here’s our round-up of the best cold weather workout clothes, including leggings, jackets, tops and accessories to wear for winter exercise sessions.
The best workout clothes for cold weather exercise
Best leggings for outdoor workouts
Power reflective leggings, £75, Sweaty Betty
If you’re running in the dark, then a reflective pair of leggings will help you be seen and stay safe. Sweaty Betty leggings are super-comfy, supportive and, in our experience, worth the money!
Leopard print leggings, £25, Marks & Spencer
If the weather is grim you need fun, mood-boosting exercise gear to tempt you outside. These leggings definitely tick the box.
High-waisted leggings, £12.50, George at Asda
High-waisted leggings are great for winter running, when even a centimetre of exposed flesh under a ridden-up top could make you feel chilly.
Eco Therma running leggings, £95, Sweaty Betty
Made from recycled plastic, these leggings feature breathable, brushed fabric for winter warmth. Mmm snuggly.
Best jackets for outdoor workouts
Grey marl running jacket, £29.50, Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer’s workout gear packs a punch at a very reasonable price. This jacket features reflective trims and thumb holes to stop those drafts.
Lightweight gilet, £18, Tu at Sainsbury’s
If a full-on running jacket leaves you feeling too hot and sweaty, try keeping just your core warm with a gilet instead.
Running jacket, £198, Lululemon
An investment piece, for sure, but if you exercise outside regularly this breathable, lightweight, down-filled jacket – which promises to keep you warm even when wet – is a smart buy.
Running jacket, £80, Ronhill at John Lewis
How better to stand out on grey days than with this reflective jacket? It’s wind and water resistant.
Proving that technical sportswear doesn’t have to cost a fortune, this H&M jacket has handy pockets, a hood and an anti-chafe chin guard.
Leopard print jacket, £99.50 (was £199), The Upside at Net a Porter
If you fancy some designer workout gear at 50% off, then this jacket is perfect for your outdoor PT session.
Best tops for outdoor workouts
We love the fact this top has extra-long sleeves with thumb holes for winter.
Thermal high neck running top, £35, Marks & Spencer
As we all know, a chilly neck can make you feel icy all over, which is why we love this thermal funnel neck workout top.
Merinotec exercise top, £25, Marks & Spencer
A great base layer such as this breathable top will keep you warm and dry – layer under a workout jacket for ultimate protection against the elements.
Seamless long sleeve top, £55, Sweaty Betty
A sweat-wicking, long-sleeved top is great for keeping you cosy without over-heating. This versatile version from Sweaty Betty is suitable for most sports.
Double layer top, £25, Marks & Spencer
Made from recycled polyester, this top from M&S takes the effort out of layering up with its semi-sheer outer layer.
Hooded sports top, £19.99, H&M
With fast-drying, functional fabric, this top is a winner, especially thanks to the handy hood.
Best accessories for outdoor workouts
Cold terrain run gloves, £25, Lululemon
These multi-tasking gloves will keep your hands warm while also helping you stay seen on dark mornings and evenings.
Neck warmer, £4.99, Decathlon
The neck warmer is a small but powerful piece of clothing when it comes to winter workouts outdoors – you won’t regret this purchase!
Reflective headband, £10, Sweaty Betty
Keep your ears snug with this headband, which reflects light in the dark.
Running gloves, £35, Sweaty Betty
Oh-so-warm and featuring touchscreen fingertips so you can change your music as you go.
Available in four colours – including a rather fetching luminous yellow – this hat is a winter workout essential.
An on-trend fabric means this headband looks as good as it will feel.
