I have no tolerance for cold and am also out of shape. Unfortunately for me, I decided this winter that I’d run a half marathon in June. To have a fighting chance of making it to the finish line, I would have to do a combination of my least favorite things: cold-weather training.
Usually, I’d run (or, more accurately, jog-walk) the other way. But then I found the best no-excuse clothing I’ve ever owned: ($110).
I’m a frugal gal, so trust me when I say these are worth the price. Gore designed them for cross-country skiing and running, but I also wear them hiking and as camping pajamas. I once wore them during a blizzard while snowshoeing in knee-high powder; over another pair of nylon leggings, the R3 kept me warm and dry all the way through. And as the weather has gotten warmer, one of my favorite parts of the R3 has been the flat and reflective zippers at the ankles—I unzip them to dump a little heat when the sun smiles upon a run day.
The anatomy of the perfect all-weather workout legging goes as follows: They have an elastic waistband that cinches with an interior drawcord, which means they don’t slip down. The water-resistant, windproof nylon-elastane blend keeps me dry, even when tromping through mud and slush, and comfortable on blustery days, and it also holds up to branches, doesn’t pill, and resists excitable dogs’ claws. Panels of stretchy, breathable poly-elastane along high-sweat areas like the hip, lower back, groin, and backs of your knees and ankles mean the tights still breathe well enough for early spring runs.
I’ve made my fair share of excuses to avoid running. But when I put these on, I want to get moving.