Can the Right Cold-Weather Workout Apparel Get Me Outside?
Have I mentioned not loving cold weather? Okay, I have a time or two. I won’t be a broken record. Instead, I will bring to you solutions for cold-weather hatred when you still want to get outside and get your workout on. I, for one, am sick of treadmill runs, so I was all for testing out Under Armour’s ColdGear Infrared line, which has fancy-sounding thermo-conductive coating that absorbs and retains your own body heat. Could it make me enjoy or at least tolerate outdoor workouts? Read on to find out …
ColdGear Infrared V-Neck Long Sleeve
First up, the long-sleeved ColdGear Infrared V-Neck ($49).
I really loved everything about this shirt. It’s soft and smooth and fits close to the skin to keep in body heat. The drop-tail hem gives a little shirt length over your backside so that you’re not worried about flashing crack or getting a cold burst of air on your derriere. Then there’s the fancy dual-layer construction, which combines a fast-drying exterior with a brushed, heat-trapping interior. It’s basically perfect for cool days but not super cold days on its own, but it’s slim enough that you can layer it with additional options for more protection.
Let’s also talk thumbholes. Jenn has reviewed numerous shirts and jackets that have boasted the coveted thumbhole, but I never had until now, when I got not one but two thumbhole-having options to review. I don’t know what it is about them, but I had a feeling I’d love them — and I did. It’s like a way to get extra cozy in your shirt. They keep your hands just a little bit warmer, and it keeps your shirt from moving around. All in all, I’m a thumbhole fan — except when I have to wash my hands and then they get a little annoying.
ColdGear Infrared Thermo Full Zip Hoodie
Next up, the ColdGear Infrared Thermo Full Zip Hoodie ($79).
I got this in bright pink, and it is first of all so fun. It brightens up my typical black workout wardrobe a lot. Like the shirt, I love that it’s super fitted to keep body heat in, and it’s got the fast-drying performance technology that the shirt has, plus a moisture-wicking system to keep you dry. The collar stands up to give you extra coverage — which is great if you pair it with the V-neck shirt, you’ll need that neck protection in the cold. This hoodie also has thumbholes and that drop-tail hem for extra back and rear coverage. An added bonus? Anti-microbial technology that fights odors to keep your gear fresher for longer (meaning you may not have to wash the jacket every time you wear it — ain’t nobody got time for that!).
Did it make me a fan of cold weather? No. Did it make me want to go running in 15-degree weather? Nope! But I will say that it certainly makes chilly runs way more tolerable and that 30- and 40-degree weather no longer seems like the misery that it once did!
Do you don the right workout duds for cool outdoor workouts? Are you stocked up to get through the chilly spring months? —Erin