Cold-weather running gear can be expensive, and your old sweatshirt is equally as warm.Sweatshirts and sweatpants have been my go-to running gear this winter.There are plenty of affordable sweats to keep you warm and cozy while running.
Running in the cold isn’t for me. I like the cold in my civilian life because I get to layer chunky sweaters with big jackets and really dress up, but it tightens my chest and makes me sniffly when logging miles.
The back-to-back blizzards in NYC have had me cycling through cold-weather gear, but instead of relying on jackets, my go-to has been an assortment of crewneck sweatshirts and sweatpants. Even in below-freezing temps, I find them to be the ideal kit for making it through my winter runs.
It’s not a far-fetched idea. Despite their laze-and-leisure reputation, sweats were first created for running, stretching, exercising with ease and freedom of movement. Émile Camuset, founder of the French sports store Le Coq Sportif, made the first pair of sweatpants in 1920 from a wool jersey-knit fabric. Other than swapping wool for cotton, they were similar to modern pairs—baggy and grey with an elasticized waist.
Muhammad Ali was often photographed training in a gray crewneck sweatshirt, sweatpants, and boots, the same outfit worn by the fictional and iconic fighter Rocky Balboa. Preppies wore them over Oxford shirts, and Princess Diana rocked them with biker shorts. Spike Lee is probably wearing a set right now; all this to say—sweats are the original workout gear that looks cool. It’s an effective way to stay warm on your runs while maintaining a sense of personal style: My Les Misérables and ’90s Houston Rockets crewnecks get a shoutout from many a passerby (I kid you not, one guy once started belting Jean Valjean’s “Look Down” and it was a much-needed pick-me-up mid run).
Pulling on sweats on a cold morning is also a lot more pleasant than bona fide running gear. Nylon, polyester, and other techie fabrics feel cold on the skin, whereas most fleece sweats have a brushed interior for softness and warmth. When I’m trying to talk myself into bracing the cold, a little coziness goes a long way. I’ll sometimes wear a compression top underneath for added warmth, but it’s not a must. It’s a frictionless transition from hanging around my apartment in sweats to lacing up my running shoes and hitting the street.
The main knocks on this argument are breathability and weight. However, as Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate always insists, cotton is breathable and a great option for running. There are plenty of all-cotton options for fleece sweats, though some include a bit of polyester for moisture-wicking. As far as weight goes, I’ll admit sweats can get a bit waterlogged, but it’s no more than my tees do in summer. Winter runs don’t cause me to perspire nearly as much, so it’s a negligible amount absorbed by my sweats. I’m no Olympian shaving milliseconds off my 400 time—I’ll gladly take the minuscule extra weight of a soft fleece set.
I’m not suggesting you throw out your running-focused cold-weather gear; I’m simply offering a classic, cozier option. I’ve run in every sweatshirt listed below and will continue to do so into spring. As they get old, I’ll cut the sleeves off or crop them and wear them into summer. I defy you to run in a fleece set and tell me you didn’t start hearing Composer Bill Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now” from Rocky. Even if it was just for a second.
Other Sweatshirts I Run In And LoveBest Running Sweats Gallery
Boxy Fit and Moisture Wicking
Russell Athletic Dri Power Crewneck Sweatshirt
Now 17% Off
Semi-Cropped Collegiate Fit
Buck Mason Welterweight Double V Crew Sweatshirt
50/50 Cotton-Poly Blend
Hanes EcoSmart Sweatshirt
Now 38% Off
Best Fitting Fleece I Own
Reigning Champ Brushed Fleece ’97 Relaxed Hoodie
Warm and Lightweight
Flint & Tinder Midweight Terry Crewneck Sweatshirt
Super Soft and Made in the USA
Imogene + Willie Hilts Sunfaded Sweatshirt 
Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men’s style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men’s shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.