Who hasn't experienced disappointments during a winter trail outing? 

1. The Base Layer: 

The base layer ( or 1st layer ) is your first line of defense against the cold. Choose a t-shirt (short or long sleeves)  made of technical material that wicks moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry. Synthetic fibers like polyester or polypropylene are ideal because they wick away sweat effectively.

2. The Insulating Layer: 

The insulating layer ( or 2nd layer ) is designed to retain body heat. Opt for a long-sleeved T-shirt or a lightweight fleece jacket made of breathable material. Modern fleeces are lightweight, compressible, and excellent at retaining heat without adding excessive weight.

3. The Outer Layer:

The outer layer ( or 3rd layer ) must be both waterproof and breathable.

Choose a waterproof and windproof running jacket to protect you from wind, rain or snow.

Make sure it has ventilation areas to prevent overheating during exercise.

When a garment is not waterproof by nature, manufacturers have two solutions to make it waterproof by treatment:

• By coating : coating aims to put a "coating" (hence the name) on the textile. Generally, this coating is composed of oil or grease which fills the pores of the textile, thus preventing water from getting in . This method has two weak points: the waterproofing is imperfect and only lasts a few weeks .
• By applying a membrane : More effective, this solution is also called the hydrophilic membrane because it lets perspiration escape. Both breathable and waterproof , the membrane is therefore more versatile but also more expensive than the coating.

Remember to choose an index adapted to your outing and the expected weather conditions. 

For example, for infrequent outings lasting less than 2 hours, a 3000 Schmerber jacket is more than sufficient.

On the other hand, activities such as a trail lasting several hours will require you to find a more protective jacket (at least 10,000 Schmerber)

Nb: The impermeability value is often expressed in Schmerber , and note that one millimeter of water column is equivalent to 1 Schmerber.

In fact, during the test, the garment undergoes the hydrostatic pressure of a column of water. The test stops when the water begins to penetrate the garment. In these cases, the height of water that it has managed to withstand is measured. This value, described in millimeters of water column, then expresses the degree of impermeability of the fabric. The ISO811 standard tells us that a garment is considered very waterproof if it can withstand a column of 10,000 millimeters and totally waterproof from 20,000 millimeters . 

4. Accessories:

Don't forget essential accessories like gloves, a hat or a cap to protect your extremities from the cold. Opt for windproof and breathable gloves, as well as a hat or cap made of insulated material to keep your head warm.

5. Tights or Pants:

For the legs, you can always run in shorts but you can also opt for thermal running tights or running pants lined with windproof material to protect you from the cold. Especially when you are going to have slower sections.

Make sure they are snug enough to prevent chafing, but stretchy enough to allow for optimal freedom of movement.

---------------------------------------------------------------- 1 + 2 + 3 ------------------------------------------------------------

By layering these different layers correctly, you can create the perfect balance between warmth and breathability. Feel free to adjust your outfit depending on the intensity of your run and the weather conditions.

It is important to listen to your body and adapt your outfit accordingly to ensure optimal comfort during your cold weather running session.

So you can continue running in all seasons, even in cold weather. So, equip yourself properly, go out and enjoy your run in peace, whatever the weather conditions!

The Anonymous Trailer