This time of year, when so many of us are hitting the reset button on our exercise regimens and making health and wellness goals, I thought I’d round up my favorite winter workout gear. I think it goes without saying, but it’s always more fun to work out when you have cute new clothes to wear… am I right?
I do strength training twice a week at the gym, and I run or walk a few miles outside several days a week. I also have a treadmill in the basement for the days that are too cold or rainy to go outside, so I need quite a variety of workout gear in the wintertime.
My Favorite Activewear for Winter Gym Workouts
Vuori Clean Elevation Legging (M) // Vuori Halo Essential Hoodie (S) // On Cloudflow Running Shoe (8.5)
I have two pairs of the Vuori Clean Elevation Leggings (Black Camo and Brick Heather), and I usually reach for whichever pair is clean when I set out to go to the gym. We lift heavy and rest in between sets, so I don’t get so warm that I need shorts.
These are the perfect lightweight, soft and stretchy leggings that don’t slide down or bag out with wear. I also love the super high smooth, soft waistband that doesn’t bind or illuminate unwanted lumps and bumps.
Vuori Clean Elevation Legging (M) // On Cloudflow Running Shoe (8.5)
My other favorites are the Sweaty Betty Power Pocket Workout Leggings. These are so flattering, and they’re also stretchy and soft, with a little more compression than the Vuori pair.
Sweaty Betty Power Pocket Workout Leggings (M) // similar Sweaty Betty running tank // Hoka Mach 4
On top, I usually wear a workout tank or short-sleeve performance top, like the Vuori Energy Top or the Athleta Ascent Seamless Tank.
Occasionally I wear the Vuori joggers to the gym, but I usually opt for leggings. They just seem more comfortable when I’m doing a lot of bending and stretching because they stay in place better than joggers.
Athleta Ascent Seamless Tank (M) // Vuori Performance Jogger (M) // On Cloudflow Running Shoe (8.5)
I also like the Sweaty Betty running tank (pictured with the Sweaty Betty Power Pocket Workout Leggings above) but they discontinued it. I just ordered the Breathe Easy Running Tank in the Amaranth Pink to try, since it’s on sale.
If it’s not terribly cold outside, I’ll throw on one of my running jackets and head to the gym, but more often than not, I wear a thinner hoodie like the Vuori Halo Essential Hoodie and then put my big The North Face Metropolis Parka over top.
Athleta Inlet Jacket (S) // Vuori Clean Elevation Legging (M) // On Cloudflow Running Shoe (8.5)
When I head downstairs to run on the treadmill, I usually dress as light as possible. For that reason, I keep some of my summer running gear in my closet all year ’round.
My favorite running shorts are the Brooks Chaser, and I love the Vuori Energy Top for running because it’s so lightweight and breathable. Plus, in the summertime, it provides sun protection for my chest, which tends to burn easily.
Vuori Energy Top (M) // Brooks Chaser 3″ Shorts (M) // Brooks Ghost 14 (9)
My other favorite shorts for treadmill running, and gym workouts on milder days, is the Vuori Clean Elevation Shorty. They have the same soft, high waist as the Clean Elevation Legging, just a shorts version.
I’m also a big fan of the Zella Ava T-Shirt for treadmill runs and gym workouts; I have it in several colors.
Zella Ava T-Shirt (S) // Vuori Clean Elevation Shorty (M)
My Favorite Winter Running Gear
When it comes to outdoor running and walking, I need a lot more gear because it gets COLD here in Pennsylvania in the wintertime.
similar base layer // similar jacket // Patagonia Pack Out Tights // Smartwool Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks // GOREWEAR Windstopper Headband
The picture below was taken on a mild fall day, and sometimes an outfit like this will suffice in the winter, but usually I need a lot more coverage.
Vuori Cozy Sherpa Jacket c/o (S) // Vuori Energy Top c/o (M) // Vuori Performance Jogger c/o (M)
When it’s seriously cold outside, I wear fleece lined leggings or pants with a long sleeve base layer (usually a turtleneck) and a fitted jacket designed to block the wind and cold.
My current favorite jacket is the Athleta Inlet Jacket. I picked mine up when it was on sale last winter, and it’s the one I reach for on the coldest days.
Athleta Inlet Jacket (S) // Athleta Flurry Seamless Turtleneck (S) // Athleta Altitude Pant (S) //
The Athleta Flurry Force Insulated Primaloft Jacket is a good one too, but not quite as warm.
The Athleta Altitude Pant is great for power walking, but I typically prefer a legging when I’m running so I don’t catch my sneaker on the opposite pant leg and risk a fall. For that, I like the Athleta Altitude Tight in Polartec Power Stretch.
Athleta Altitude Tight in Polartec Power Stretch (S)
For a more affordable option, I also like the 90 Degree by Reflex Soft Tech Fleece Lined High Rise Leggings. You can find them at Nordstrom Rack for under $25. They’re a little shinier, but just as comfortable and just as warm as the Athleta version.
Socks, gloves, and head coverage are important too. I love the Smartwool socks, Outdoor Research gloves, and GOREWEAR headband I’m wearing here.
Smartwool Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks // Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves // GOREWEAR Windstopper Headband // similar jacket
The headband protects my ears from not just the cold, but also the wind. I often pull my hood up over to when it’s really cold outside. And these gloves are some of the warmest I’ve ever tried.
I have several pairs of Smartwool Run Socks, and sometimes I wear my Balega crew socks, but I make sure that no skin at my ankles is exposed when I’m outside exercising in sub-freezing temperatures.
Refresh Your Winter Workout Wardrobe
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13 Responses
The jackets in the last two pics are very nice! Leggings are a love/hate thing with me, though: if it involves working out or casual setting clothes, they’re perfect. *If* the temps outside aren’t at least in the 50s, on the other hand, they’re honestly not really all that warm (unless you’re doing high intensity running). Love all the retro-style Mother denim you always show!
The fleece lined leggings are warm! 🙂 The others I only wear at the gym.
Thank you for responding 🙂 . Oh, you look in great shape girl — like you’re ready for the entire palette of either Peloton/Zumba/HIIT/or a marathon lol! I’m 47 and, wish I could find the time to dedicate toward going to an organized fitness class (there’s a point when you would rather just LOSE those 5-10 extra pounds you don’t want INSTEAD of banking on shapewear to hide them!).
I always like a 7/8 ankle-length legging. The fleece lined ones you mention there not being flattering, I think, look almost like bike riding pants. The grey are long too, but they look so much better with the cute contrasting color of that pinkish-red jacket!
Enjoy your day and, a HNY!
A timely post for me. I swim laps regularly but just took up pickleball and needed a refresh to my winter athletic wear. I’m struggling to find short sleeve tops as I wear tanks most of the time. (I LOVE my Sweaty Betty’s- they never ride up.) The Zella short sleeve featured above looks perfect but they seem to be sold out in size large in every color. I’m wearing Under Armour but I don’t like them. In order to buy them big enough to fit the girls properly, they balloon at the waist and they are a bit long as I’m short-waisted. I tried several from Athleta, but most of them are CYA style– cover your assets– and waaay too long to suit me. Any suggestions for other short-sleeve V-neck styles? I’m a crew neck hater, even in athletic wear unless it’s a low crewneck. Great post, Jo-lynne!
Argh! I didn’t realize it was low inventory. That’s a bummer b/c it really is hard to find good tops and I’ve loved that one for a few years. I really don’t have any other suggestions.
Favorite non-hoodie sweatshirts? I just don’t care for the hood feel/look and wear hats anyway. Thanks!
I like this one for a running jacket – https://shopstyle.it/l/bQZHo – or this for a lightweight pullover – https://shopstyle.it/l/bQZGl – but I haven’t tried many non-hoodies.
Great post as usual. I need to thin the herd on all my workout clothes. I have WAY too many pairs of leggings so I’m purposely picking a pair I haven’t worn in awhile each day I workout and determine if I wash and keep/donate or toss. By then end of the month I’ll have it paired down.
What have you found like like for sports bras as I do know i need to replace those?
I’m still not thrilled with any I’ve bought post-surgery. I usually wear this – https://shopstyle.it/l/bQZFo (good under racerbacks but not enough support) – or this – https://amzn.to/3CqyLrt (tight, okay support, terrible shape) – or this – https://shopstyle.it/l/bQZF1 (good shape, not enough support for high impact activities or running.)
The one I loved pre-surgery has been discontinued, but it looks a like this – https://shopstyle.it/l/bQZGa – which I ordered in a few sizes, but none seemed to fit right.
I need to figure something else b/c I want to start running again. If anyone has suggestions, let me know!
I really appreciate this post, my workout/activewear needs an update and I wasn’t sure where to start. Your post really helps me focus on a few clothing brands and styles.
I don’t see an option to purchase the Vuori clean elevation legging in black camo when I click on your link. I guess it is sold out? I only see one other color option- do you think this style is being discontinued?
Ugh, yeah, it looks like they finally sold out. They’ve been on sale for a while.
Front zip-closure sports bras have been such a gamechanger for me: after hating the constant hassle of feeling like I was going to dislocate a shoulder trying to climb out of a (sweaty gross!) pullover racerback. I’m a 38C and need the support of cross-back straps.