The first thought I have while perusing winter running clothes with Fast Trax Run & Ski co-owner Mekita Aznar: I desperately need new gear.
This isn’t a style issue. My wide-leg fleece-lined Running Room pants from 2008 have come back in style — and they’re still in one piece (shout out to the Edmonton-based company). But it turns out running gear has come a long way in 20 years.
“Up to -10 C, I wear two layers, where the base layer is close to the skin — something that traps your heat — and one wind-proof layer that’s breathable,” Aznar says. “On the bottom, I just wear tights.”
If temperatures dip more than that, she simply wears an extra top layer. The single pair of tights, though? They’re not your typical athleisure variety.
“It’s one layer, but it’s a good layer,” she adds. “They have wind protection around your quads. Your knees are fully flexible for movement. You want to be able to generate heat to have your free-flow movement and breathability at the back.”
Whether you hit paved trails in the River Valley or a snow-covered singletrack, it can be hard to lace up and run outside in winter. Good gear, however, goes a long way. Wool is the best material for all layers, including socks (they don’t have to be thick to be warm), a versatile buff that can both keep your neck warm and double as head protection, and base layers, Aznar says.
Ultimately, though, keeping your core warm is the goal.
“As soon as your core gets cold, that’s when your hands get cold,” she adds. “Your head and your core are what you have to keep warm.” (I was also surprised to learn that mittens, not gloves, are the right choice.)
The other obstacle to overcome: staying upright. Hoka, Salamon and Icebug all make running shoes with built-in ice cleats for slick days. Some are also Gortex to keep your feet warm and dry.
“They’re an investment,” Aznar says. “ But they will last me for years. Because you’re using them mainly in ice and snow, which are soft surfaces, the foam is not compressing as much. The cleats are carbide, which is pretty much indestructible.”
A less expensive option is removable cleats to pop on and off your shoe as needed. Plain old trail runners, meanwhile, should have enough tread to serve you well when conditions are more snowy than icy.
Once you have the right gear for sub-zero temperatures, the only ingredient missing is motivation. Fast Trax has a fix for that too: their weekly run clubs. New and experienced runners gather at the Terrace Heights store every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. (as long as it’s above -20 C.)
“You’re going to meet people, then you’re going to go for coffee and that holds you accountable,” Aznar says. Signing up for a race can also help nudge you out the door when you’d rather stay inside. “We’re always signed up for something in the spring,” she adds. “Setting a goal helps.”
Route-wise, co-owner Simon Stewart says pavement isn’t the only option. Single-track trails often get packed down nicely, but be sure to have proper trail runners — or in icy conditions, cleats. “Anywhere near the river there are a lot of good trails,” he says. “But as you get further out from the city centre, it gets better.”
The winding trails below McNally High School, the Capilano neighbourhood and throughout Gold Bar park (though watch out for pressed cross-country ski tracks) are just a few examples. (Aznar also recommends running loops near your home in very cold weather in case you have any issues.)
“You do get a workout on the treadmill, but running on a treadmill doesn’t have the same effect,” Aznar says. “It doesn’t relieve my anxiety. It doesn’t help with brain fog. It doesn’t help with troubleshooting. It doesn’t help me with the rest of my life. Being outside does the trick.”
