Former Washingtonian and current Michigander checking in. I usually run about 30 minutes, and I dress pretty warm. Info for others wanting cold weather ideas and a few brands for
GreenSheep.In Michigan, my biggest issue is the cold breeze. I consider anything in the 30F range "full" cold weather gear, but I naturally have cold hands and feet. I wear ankle socks, long underwear (synthetic), running shorts, "breathable" shirt, running sweater with a neck zipper (synthetic), ear warmer, gloves and a face mask. I'll shed the gloves and facemask first and carry them in my hand as I usually don't have pockets.
I just started using
these disposable face masks, and they changed my life. Breathing in cold air is the worst part for me and burns my throat and lungs. The masks are softer and stretchier than I expected, and you could easily sew something like this out of scrap fabric if you prefer. You don't have to throw them out, they seem to last a few uses, but they get swampy from your moist breath. I love them! I used to get a disgustingly snotty nose running in the cold, but with the facemask I don’t. A buff might work well, but I don't like anything on my neck.
I prefer synthetic/blend long underwear, and enjoy the softness and longevity of
these from REI . I wear these under my pants every day in the winter. Win-win! No pilling or fading after one year of heavy use both running and as a daily base layer; I do not put them through the dryer. I plan to buy more.
I just wear those ubiquitous stretchy cotton gloves because they’re the first thing I take off, and I might lose them.
I bought Puma running socks at Costco about 8 years ago and they are still perfect. 100% cotton, but nicely padded along the heel and forefoot. I wear these year round and like them in the summer if I'm going to a concert where my feet will get sweaty.
I bought an off-brand of running tights and a running sweater at Costco about 8 years ago and they are just okay. I still wear the running sweater every day, but it started pilling in the arm pits after a year or two. The tights are very thin and pilling and not as warm or soft as the REI base layer. The brand starts with a P? It wasn't Kirkland.
Everything else is just normal exercise stuff in a synthetic material – I also hate running in cotton sweats. I mostly buy out of season at the sporting goods store. I've found underarmour and reebok running shirts and soccer shorts for $5-15 on the clearance rack at Dick's.
I've also found some name brand running shirts at Goodwill, but I learned that if it smells like BO at the store, you may never get the stink out at home. I didn't try that expensive detergent specially made for athletic clothing, though.
In Washington, my biggest enemy was puddles. It's really not very cold, except in February when it's damp and below freezing. I tried running in my REI rain shell with vents fully unzipped and it was super gross and sweaty and didn't keep me dry. If it was just misting rain, I would wear my running sweater and a baseball cap to keep the water off my skin, whatever bottoms fit the temperature, and ran along a path with trees to block some rain. I just accepted that I would be wet and immediately jump in the shower after. Socks and shoe fitment were most important for me running in the rain to avoid blisters. I ran sometimes in winter wool blend socks if it was very wet out or my Puma short socks (they are similar weight, so my running shoes fit well over both). I wore normal running shoes (love my low-drop Merrells) but never water proofed them, so I couldn't run every day if they weren't drying out fast enough.
Talk to a local running shop about their rain layers and see if they'd recommend any of the ultra-light rain shells just for running. I haven't tried them, but they seem promising if they breathe well enough.
TL;DR Buy
any known brand on sale or second hand. Consider a good base layer in
synthetic materials. Cover the parts of your body that get coldest naturally and don't worry about the parts that don't get cold.
Don't forget your legs have more surface area than your arms, so cover them!
Protect your lungs from freezing with a face covering.
Consider puddles and moisture induced blistersin Washington.
Re: starbuck's post - check out the sizing carefully on Uniqlo, they seem to run smaller than American sizes. I have a shirt from them and it seems slimmer than normal. Good quality for the price.