The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke with founder of The Athletic Clubs Dane McCarthy and trainer and running expert Ben Lauder-Dykes about their go-to products for running in cold weather.
Dane McCarthy got his start playing rugby in Australia, where he was immediately inspired by the benefits of group exercise. “The camaraderie and collective energy of team sports laid the foundation for what would eventually become ‘squad training’ and, later, The Athletic Clubs.” he tells PS. The private-member community opened its first location in 2020 and is aiming for national expansion, with five current gyms across the Tri-State area. Ben Lauder-Dykes, a former professional and semi-professional soccer player, was introduced to The Athletic Clubs by a client he was coaching, and is now the head of Run Athletic.
“At The Athletic Clubs, our mission is to help more people enjoy running and use it as a tool to reach their broader fitness goals. By improving their running form and performance, we help members run more consistently and at a level that feels right for them,” Lauder-Dykes explains, continuing, “These improvements don’t just enhance their running; they also boost strength, conditioning, and work capacity during their squad sessions. Ultimately, this empowers them to pursue whatever fitness goals they set — whether that’s signing up for a race, competing in events like Hyrox, or simply enjoying weekend runs with friends or exploring new cities while on vacation.”
Being that temperatures are dropping, I had to ask these pros how they recommend their squad stay warm, centered, and mentally sharp for outdoor runs in the cold weather — and they more than delivered. “The key is to keep your core warm, as that helps prevent blood from being redirected away from your extremities,” Lauder-Dykes says, suggesting a high-quality thermal base layer for upper and lower body; moisture-wicking socks, gloves with hand warmers, and a hat for the extremities; a winter coat made with windproof and water-resistant materials; and even winterized running shoes with thermal insulation. “In cold weather, I try to adjust my training to keep my body moving continuously, which helps maintain warmth while minimizing the time spent outside. This can also be a great opportunity to structure workouts with fewer breaks or active recoveries, which helps keep the blood flowing and your body temperature up.”
After you’ve collected all of the proper fitness gear, McCarthy reminds us that the final key is showing up — whether it’s for yourself, on a solo outdoor run, or with a team. “If you’re starting out, consistency is key. For over a year before we opened our first studio, I trained outdoors in all kinds of weather — cold, rain, heat — without missing a single session. But more than just showing up, it’s about connecting with people and staying grounded in the ‘why’ behind what you do. That’s where the real fulfillment comes from,” he says.
Ahead, shop the essentials The Athletic Clubs’s McCarthy and Lauder-Dykes rely on for running in cold weather, and find out how they use each item on the list.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Ben Lauder-Dykes, NASM CPT, is an RMP (Running Mechanics Professional) Level 2, Precision Nutrition Level 1, and Strong First Kettlebell Instructor Level 1.
Strava: Run, Bike, Hike Tracking App ($0)
“If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it, did it really fall!?” McCarthy jokes about the Strava app, a popular platform among runners. It allows users to share routes and activities with friends, record details of their fitness journey, and build a supportive community network. You can also get data insights about your movement to understand your progress, and you can sync any wearable fitness trackers you might use, from a Garmin to an Apple watch.
Rosebud AI Journal & Diary ($0)
“This is an application that helps me collect my thoughts with an AI transcribe at the end of the day,” McCarthy says. “Journaling is an important practice, and this provides me a conversational way to reflect on where I am, process my feelings, and relax before bed. It’s an important part of my nighttime routine.”
Therapists back the benefits of Rosebud, which allows users to track habits, check in on their mental health, and answer personalized prompts that cater to growth. Reviews show that it’s helped many people manage stress and anxiety — or at the very least be more in tune to their changing moods.
HotHands Glove Warmers ($11)
While you’ve probably tried classic hand warmers, you may not know about these reusable liners, which work in tandem with the gloves you already own. Just slot them in with the addition of a packet ($28), and you’ll be doubling down on warmth and comfort during your run. “It’s such a game-changer,” Lauder-Dykes says. “If you have warm hands on a run, that can really hold you over, especially in the dead of winter!”
Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 ($19)
“Even though the temperatures are low, the sun is still up, so keeping on top of skin care with an SPF 15+ is a must!” Lauder-Dykes says. His choice is the Trader Joe’s brand, which is oil- and fragrance-free and has an invisible gel formula that’s water- and sweat-resistant. It leaves a silky-soft matte finish and protects against UVA and UVB rays. Shop more of our favorite face sunscreens here.
Nike Therma Running Neck Warmer ($30)
“This is a great article that feels lightweight but still gets the job done,” Lauder-Dykes says. “It’s toasty without feeling overbearing.” It’s a highly-rated product on Amazon and many reviewers say it’s easy to cover both the nose and mouth with a nice, breathable fit. “Other gaiters I tried were either too thick for breathing while running, or too thin to provide enough warmth or stay in place. This was my go-to gaiter for running in below freezing temps this winter,” a fellow customer wrote.
Sweetfeet Black Performance Compression Mid Crew Sock (3 Pairs) ($32)
McCarthy calls these socks the best in the business, and they come in a convenient three-pack bundle in three different shades (also including white and neon yellow). They’re made of a nylon sweat-proof, wicking material and have a unisex sizing — you can choose between small/medium and large — for a simplified compression fit.
Nike Therma-FIT Tech Fleece Gloves ($40)
Lauder-Dykes uses Nike’s Therma-FIT gloves to protect his hands in frigid temperatures. “When my hands get cold during my run, it’s the only thing I can think about — it’s the beginning of the end!” he says. You can shop these gloves in heather gray (pictured here), black, sage green, and navy blue. They come in sizes small to extra large, and are lightweight with a smooth interior, so they don’t add too much bulk to your running gear. The contoured design provides an optimal fit, and they have a touchscreen-compatible thumb and forefinger if you need to access your phone while you’re on a run.
Ten Thousand Interval Short ($68)
Ten Thousand is a brand that produces training clothes that can be custom-fit, beyond just a classic sizing guide. With the Interval Short, you can choose between a five-, seven-, and nine-inch inseam, 16 different colorways and patterns, and whether or not you want a liner. “Our brands are aligned, and they do a lot of community efforts,” McCarthy says of the company. “It’s been great to see the brand grow and we love collaborating with them whenever possible.”
On Climate Jacket ($130)
“I have tried a few different running jackets, but this the best one I have found that is both warm and lightweight,” Lauder-Dykes says. He’s not alone in his review — the On Climate Jacket has earned five stars on the brand’s website as it pairs multipurpose protection with targeted insulation for the cold weather. It’s available in both women’s and men’s, and grape and auburn colorways, in addition to the black pictured here. Made of polyester and elastane, it can be machine-washed at a low temperature — just let it air dry, rather than tossing it in the dryer.
On Cloudrunner 2 Running Shoe ($150)
“I’ve been a fan of this brand from the start, and you’ll usually see me rocking a pair,” McCarthy says. The popular On running shoes are an all-purpose sneaker that provide a “softer, lighter ride,” according to the brand. They have a plush cushion with a grippy sole for stable footing, and the tongue is meant to support the shape of the wearer’s foot. The insole is also removable, in case you have your own orthotics you want to sub in.
Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.
