Your uniform for outdoor workouts in the summer was pretty simple: shorts, a light, breathable tank top, and maybe a hat or visor to keep the sweat out of your face. Come fall, however, it’s a totally different story; what you choose to wear for exercising al fresco is anything but a given. The weather can change drastically from day to day—60 degrees and sunny today, 45 and windy tomorrow—and so will the clothes and accessories you suit up in. Plus, shorter days can mean your after-work exercise is suddenly way darker than usual, which can affect your clothing choices, too.
Read on for six recommendations to add to your rotation, which include lots of layers that will keep you warm without being too hot, and tons of reflective detailing to keep you visible and safe when you’re up before the sun or getting your sweat on at dusk.
1. BROOKS LSD RUNNING JACKET; $95
A windbreaker is key for outdoor workouts, both to keep you dry when it’s raining and to deflect the breeze so your upper body will stay warmer. This one is ultra lightweight and water-resistant. But the best part is, it folds up into a small pocket and has an elastic band attached, so you can wrap it around your wrist or upper arm to carry it with you easily once you warm up.
Find it: Brooks Running
2. SUGOI ZAP RUN VEST; $96
If there’s just a slight chill in the air, you might want to forego covering up your arms and opt to just keep your torso covered with a vest. This one from Sugoi is great for in-between weather—it’s lightweight, breathable, and water-resistant and boasts two pockets for stashing your keys or gloves once your hands warm up. Plus, it’s covered with a super-reflective pattern that glows when a car’s headlights or a street light hit it.
Find it: Amazon
3. ASICS LITE-SHOW ARM SLEEVES; $30
Slip these sleeves onto your arms with a tank (if it’s just a tad chilly outside) or under a long-sleeved shirt or jacket for extra warmth (once the temp really drops). They’ll keep your arms cozy without adding unnecessary heat to your torso, and they’re easy to pull off once you get going and are warm enough without them. Once again, the reflective details make you extra visible when it’s getting dark out.
Find it: Asics
4. 2XU HYOPTIK MID-RISE COMPRESSION TIGHTS; $110
With their big reflective logo running down the sides, these leggings are all about keeping you safe and visible in the dim light of fall evenings. The lightweight compression fabric (which will help your leg muscles recover post-workout) is just right for making you warm but not overheated while you exercise, and it wicks away moisture so you stay comfortably dry.
Find it: 2XU
5. CEP PROGRESSIVE+ COMPRESSION SOCKS; $50
Pull on a pair of these snug knee-high socks before you head outside. They won’t just keep your feet and calves toasty; the compression material ups circulation, helps reduce lactic acid buildup, and can help you bounce back from a workout faster.
Find it: CEP
6. EMPOWER FITNESS NITEBRIGHT HEADBAND; $15
This fleecy headband is an ideal option for keeping your ears warm on a chilly day without adding the heat of a full beanie; just pull it down to your neck or put it away in a pocket if your head gets too hot. Like other items on this list, it’s covered in a print that looks silver in the light but turns super-bright and reflective when you’re working out in the dark.
Find it: Empower Fitness
November 1, 2016 – 4:00pm