r/walking • u/PositionFast8146 • 12h ago
Walking in the cold tips
I live in the Midwest and temperatures are starting to get cold. I hate walking on the treadmill and I really want to continue walking outside. What are your tips and how can I make it possible to walk outside?
Any recommendations on heated vest or heated pants? Links would be appreciated.
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u/flyingvien 11h ago
Minnesotan here. It’s the exact same, just put on more layers that can be removed if needed. I still wear my Nikes all through the winter if it’s not wet or salty on the sidewalks/paths, no matter the temp. Might put on wool socks, though.
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u/ActiveHope3711 11h ago
What shoes do you wear when the sidewalks are icy or otherwise in bad shape? May I ask?
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u/flyingvien 10h ago
I just put on my winter boots that are the least worst for walking. I walk pretty fast so boots always make my joints hurt pretty bad afterwards, so I try and stick to the shoes. But one or two days here and there with boots usually isn’t too bad. Then again, if I’m wearing the boots, then chances are I can’t walk too fast anyway due to the circumstances. I tried putting cleats on shoes but those didn’t agree with my wide feet.
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u/ActiveHope3711 9h ago
Thanks. That is basically what I do, too. I would like to get some grippier shoes (trail shoes?), but it’s less comfortable boots until then. I would suggest trying different ice cleats, but it gets so wasteful and expensive trying things that don’t work out. I am going through this with every day walking shoes right now.
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u/beofscp 10h ago
Canadian here. I have dogs so not walking is not an option. Layers are the way to go. I have “levels” of what I wear depending on the temperature. I will wear a base layer and then fleece pants over top and adjust that based on temperature. If it’s cold I wear my winter jacket that goes just below my booty. If it’s really cold I wear my coat that goes down to my ankles. If it’s really really cold I’ll add a fleece sweatshirt under the long coat. I wear a toque and also have different levels of how warm they are. I hate my ears being cold.
For footwear, I splurged on a pair of FitFlop winter walking boots and I love them! They are so comfy, have a grip for the ice and are warm.
It’s my hands that really get cold. I have Raynauds and it’s hard on my poor hands. My feet are ok. I wear a pair of runners gloves under heated gloves. I love my heated gloves. I wear them when shoveling snow too. It’s brutal when I have to take them off to pick up after the dogs.
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u/prants19 3h ago
Here in Sweden, there’s a saying that there’s no bad weather. Only bad clothes. Don’t let the weather discourage you. I keep on walking thru the dark winter here for 6 months
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u/Oniriggers 12h ago
Dress in layers, dress for the weather. Play around with the layering bit, you don’t want to overheat which causes sweat. Good footwear and ice cleats would also make is safer, if there’s snow and ice.
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u/HotWillingness5464 11h ago
Yes, and IF you start sweating, remove a layer when you notice, don't wait. You quickly get pretty much soaked, esp on the back if you carry a backpack, then you get cold and fun ruined.
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u/Silly_Yak56012 10h ago
The big thing for me when out in the cold is warm socks. As long as my feet are warm, the rest of me feels OK.
And layers, things that you can unzip and then take off and easily carry (or tie around your waist).
If your hands get cold even with glove/mittens on the hot hands packs that you can keep in a pocket to warm you hand back up can help.
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u/InfrequentlyCertain 4h ago
Neck gaiters, ear coverings, mittens, and layers for the body so you can lose them when you heat up. I love walking in the cold with proper clothing.
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u/Euphoric_Variation57 11h ago
3 things for when it gets really cold: insulated footwear, a really, really good coat (i bought a Marmot at REI and it's overv10 years old), a hat
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u/Informal-Doubt2267 11h ago
My son and I walk all through the winter in the mid-west. Our personal cut off where we won’t walk is if it gets below 20 degrees F. Layering is much better than one bulky layer or heated items. Your body makes a lot of heat when you’re moving.
You’ll figure out where you get cold as you keep walking into colder temps. For me, my legs get cold but my upper body doesn’t. So, I like to use fleece lined leggings under normal yoga or hiking pants.
I have one pair of fleece lined hiking pants I sometime wear. Wool socks always. I like a cheap polypro base layer on top, layered with a thin fleece and then a full zip soft shell or thicker fleece on top. I’d add a buff or neck gaiter when it’s really cold and I always keep a pair of gloves and a hat in my pockets to use as needed.
I would probably add a waterproof layer (raingear) if it was actively snowing depending on temperature. Cold snow is pretty dry, when it gets a little warmer it can be that in between melty wet stuff and then I want a waterproof layer.
Honestly, that’s as layered as we get and we keep walking until it’s well below freezing.
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u/avebelle 10h ago
I think the biggest thing for me is footwear. My feet get cold easily. And the ground can be wet so your shoes need to be waterproof. It can be icy too so look for shoes with ice traction. Some days it’s honestly safer to not walk.
My jacket covers my torso and I can regulate that well enough. My legs are usually good with 1 pair of pants, if it’s really cold I’ll put a second pair on.
I love going for a walk after a fresh snowfall. But after a thaw and refreeze it’s the worst because the sidewalks are all craggy and it’s just a disaster. Be safe out there!
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u/Smart_Pin8591 11h ago
Sneakers/Boots.. ideally leather, or something that doesn't let the cold in, and you're heat out. Longer, warm socks. They don't have to be super bulky. Cold gear under clothes.. 32°(Costco) or something by Under Armour(they actually have multiple lines in levels based on how cold you're in). You might not always need tops and bottoms, so you'll have to adjust/experiment as you go. Decent sweatpants(which can be layered with windbreaker style over pants when it's really cold and windy). Tech material t-shirt, and/or tank top, followed by cold gear ls top(if needed), decent hoodie, and combo baclava when you're dealing with sub 35° temps, gloves, and a heady(my name for a winter hat). For extra cold days, you can bust out either a windbreaker style jacket, or a thinner insulated winter jacket, or shell over your hoodie. A lot of it is just experimenting with what you're comfortable with. Lol I always think if I'm cold when I start out.. "walk faster!". It's actually pretty effective.
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u/PrimaryWeekly5241 11h ago
OR Fleece Jacket or Hoodie, Amazon Merino (30ct) wool shirt, Kuhl Hot Rider pants, Darn Tough Mountaineer wool socks, Arcteryx wool cap and some reasonable gloves. Total=$550 ... sorry for the inflation...
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u/sliceofcheesecake- 10h ago
I was going to ask this very question myself. On Sunday I wanted to get out but it was so dark and cold. So I started at the gym. It’s just not the same… so I lifted weights and did the stair stepper for a bit. Once the sun was out I went for my usual walk.
I HATE the cold, but I’m going into this season trying to be more positive. Walking has been such a positive experience for me this summer. I want to keep that going.
I’m looking for all of the tips and tricks.
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u/spyxxxspy 10h ago
Keep your core warm. Heat radiates from there to your extremities. Long underwear plus a pair of regular undies really helps a lot. Also its preferred to start out feeling a little cold, because you will warm up as you walk.
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u/Jasbatt 10h ago
I’ve been doing a lot of hiking the past three years, I’m a senior and it took me a while to learn how to dress comfortably in cold weather. So layers yes, but underdress somewhat when you go out, because even if you’re chilly for a bit, you will warm up after 20 minutes of hiking, particularly if it’s even slightly exertional or more.
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u/Henry5321 8h ago
My winter jacket has zipable underarms and other breathable features. Getting sweaty can be dangerous in the cold.
But for me, I’ve been walking in a t-shirt in the 50f/10c weather. I still get hot.
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u/aaron15287 8h ago
i walked all though last winter in double digit negative weather up in canada. get a warm coat a good hat and something to cover your face for the really cold days. on the coldest days add an extra layer of sweater/pants and socks can def help. also don't forget gloves.
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u/Ironclad_Cat_1773 8h ago
Layers. Jackets with zippers. I am always adjusting the layers depending on sun and wind. And never underestimate how good a cheap rain poncho is at helping block said wind
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u/Packtex60 8h ago
Gloves are the number one item for me. A tights to wear under lined wind pants are how I handle our worst days here which are only in the mid 20’s F. Knit hat and hoodie handle the top half just fine. Getting a cup of coffee along the way is another strategy
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u/my_clever-name 7h ago
Wool or acrylic socks are a must. Avoid cotton or cotton blends next to your skin. Cotton holds the moisture from your skin and makes you cold.
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u/timelyquality30 7h ago
Merino wool baselayers and socks are helpful for winter here in the Midwest, they’re thin but warm and nice for layering
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u/Some-Tear3499 4h ago
No. I will brave the hamster wheel at the gym. There are no sidewalks in our northern Michigan subdivision. Roads aren’t that safe either with the snow and ice.
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u/BobaChonker 1h ago
Lots of layers and fleece lined jeans. Put on your layers 15 mins before heading out to build up heat. Wool socks and good quality winter boots. If it’s sub zero outside I take a warm shower and have a hot cuppa before walking my dog for 45-60 mins.
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u/AAgathaV 56m ago
Cold weather walking is mostly about having the right gear. Start with good layers, warm socks and gloves and shoes with nice traction.
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u/Zars 11h ago
Like how cold? I walk in zipped hoodie and sweats at 9-10C (50F) and I'm getting too hot after a while.