Cold-Weather Exercising Accessories

It's important to keep warm, but not too warm, when you're exercising outside in the cold.

T

his time of year is a favorite for many runners—gone are the days of unbearable heat and humidity, and in their place are crisp fall days. Unfortunately, this "crisp" weather turns to "bitter" and "biting" sooner than we ever want it to, and for that reason, we've compiled a list of some cold-weather workout gear that will keep you warm  (but not too warm!) from your warm-up to your cool-down.

In terms of shirts, things like wool keep you warm without getting too sweaty (looking at you, polyester!), and some companies make lightweight tops that are partially made of wool that even have anti-bacterial technology so you aren't the smelly kid at the gym or on the streets. Woolrich's Poly Merino V-Neck, $65, is 50 percent wool and uses "Agion Active" technology to keep you smelling as fresh as is possible for someone getting a good workout in.

Brooks Running's Utopia Soft Shell Jacket.

As far as jackets go, check out the Utopia Soft Shell from Brooks Running.  It's a semi-fitted jacket that is built to keep you warm in temperatures 40 degrees and below.  It's waterproof and has side-zip pockets as well as a moisture-proof pocket for your MP3 player or phone. It's a little steep at $135, but it has almost unanimous five-star reviews.

Now that you've got your arms and torso covered, it's time to find some protective legwear. Starting with silk long underwear is good because it's lightweight and sweat-wicking, and is thin and breathable. If you want something a little thicker, find a pair of running tights and wear those either alone or under a pair of looser pants—whatever you do, don't skip the under-layer during extremely cold weather. You'll miss it. Running tights keep the wind from hitting your skin, and though they are, as their name suggests, tight, they're like that for a reason.

ASICS Unisex Adult De-Luxe Fleece Headband.

For hands and ears, you'll want some nice gloves and a hat or ear-warmers. Pearl iZUMi Thermal Gloves are around $25, and are made of P.R.O. thermal fabric with Clarino synthetic leather in high-wear areas.

As for headwear, some people don't like wearing full hats because it can make them too hot, and that's where headbands come in. You can find them nearly anywhere, and they come in a range of prices from $2 to $20-ish. The GOGO ThickSolid Color Headband is $1.99 and comes in your choice of 13 colors. For something a little bit nicer, the ASICS Unisex Adult De-Luxe Fleece Headband is $10.99 and is made of (unsurprisingly) fleece and has a mesh lining to control odor and allow better breathability. The headband's shape is also contoured to fully cover your ears.

If you do, in fact, want a hat, though, check out the ASICS De-Luxe Fleece Running Beanie Cap, which costs around $15. Like the headband, its shape is contoured and the hat is lined with mesh.

Now that you've got a list of things to check out to keep you warm this fall and winter, there's no excuse for sitting on the couch.