One of the many signs of grieving is that you don’t feel like doing sh*t. I could have sat in the dark by the fire, drinking Skinny Girl looking at the silhouettes of the mountains for hours last night, wallowing in this little guy…
But, we had promised we’d go get our tree and sometimes, especially as a parent, you have to suck it up and do what you said you were going to do. For the first time ever I considered a fake tree this year – no hassle, no mess. But, Ken said no and I’m glad he did. We are real tree people through and through. I hung up the stockings with care-
…and cussed under my breath as things that lit up and blinked last year don’t anymore. What the hell?
So, can you help a girl out? A reader, Aimee, needs some cold weather gear advice:
“We just moved to Oregon and I need different (running) pants. I hate when they ride up. I'm short and I sweat so I don't want lined pants. A pocket would be nice. Could you see what your opinionated followers would suggest?”
Hah! She called you guys opinionated! Make sure you prove her right and give your heartfelt, never to be humble opinions. She says, “pants” so I’m guessing you don’t have to limit yourself to just tights if you’ve got a favorite that is more of a relaxed style.
Personally, I like wearing 3/4 length capris even when it’s freezing. My legs just don’t get cold, it’s my core, arms and head I have to worry about. So, unless it’s below 20 degrees or so I choose one of these options (they don’t “ride up” on me but I don’t think it’s possible to avoid the “toe.”):
Reflective Relay Knicker from Athleta - $74.
Pearl Izumi Infinity Knicker - $70.
Skirt Sports Lotta Breeze Capri – $75
And, on really cold days I LOVE my fleece lined Go Lite full length tights – $55.99 (on sale now)
I will admit as I have before that I am total cheapskate. It is very hard for me to spend more than $30 for any item of clothing, even my mink coat. But, when something is good quality and is going to last for years (I have had all of my capris for at least three years), then I don’t mind spending the money. It’s most likely that the smell of my tights from so many uses (fart central) will make me get rid of them long before they fall apart.
What are your favorite cold weather running tights, pants or capris?
Fake or real tree?
SUAR
Real tree all the way. Only fake trees are in my kids rooms. I'm a cheapskate too, and live in FL so don't need cold weather gear, but LOVE Under Armour's capri's w/ ruche'd top that holds in my belly flab:) They also go up on the side and have matching color as the ruching. I have black w/ b & w tie dye and black w/ hot pink. They're compression tights. LOVE them!
ReplyDeleteFor cheap and comfort I love Old Navy running tights. Less than 30 dollars. My absolute favorite are New Balance tights. I am totally a tights girl because I am short. Also live in GA so no lining too hot.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering about the Ibex pants. Has anyone tried those?
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!! Definitely for cold days though.
DeleteI love the Skirt Sports Lotta Breeze. I'm short and they fit perfectly. Nice pockets on both legs under the skirt for phone, GU, tissues, etc. Light weight but fine for me if its mid-30's or higher.
ReplyDeleteI love to hit up TJ Max for running tights. Typically you can find a pair between $25-$30. I, too, live in Oregon and I throw on my running rights and pro compression socks and I stay plenty warm. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI always hated the fake tree my parents got for the no mess reason when I was a kid so ever since I have been on my own it is a real tree!!! My first xmas with my husband i made him get a real tree for his apartment, he had never had a tree since he had been on his own so as a good boyfriend trying to get some action would do he loaded up his small VW with a 6+ foot tree just to make me happy. And he still does it every year.
ReplyDeleteAs for cold pants...I love my brooks thermal utopias!
Best cold-weather pants are sugoi sub-zero. They are tights and they are AMAZING!!!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the best tights out there. We can't keep them in stock at the store I work at.
DeleteI'm a big Under Armour fan in terms of apparel, and I love my UA ColdGear Blocked Tights. They're warm but not too warm, with a pretty light fleece lining. They don't ride up, and really stay where they're supposed to.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the tree, it depends on living space. Small apartment, probably a fake tree. House, maybe a real tree. I do love the smell of real trees but hate the mess!
Contender Capris by Athleta....built in skirt to cover you butt. Hits me (5'4") about upper mid calf. Love these pants-a bit pricy but I will pay for stuff the doesn't ride up/holds up well in the wash/hides panty lines any day. If your lower legs are cold, run in compression socks too-kinda a unique look but who cares lol!
ReplyDeletePS-has a built in pocket in the back-can hold car key plus a bag of jelly beans.
DeleteI'm opinionated! I'm really opinionated! But I have nothing to say, darn it. I don't run in cold temps.
ReplyDeleteReal tree! I love the smell every time you walk in the door. We get ours today - got to to maximise the value of all the Christmas decorations I overspent on yesterday!
ReplyDeleteNext winter I'm going to invest in some Icebreaker Rush capris, they have full length version too. It doesn't get that cold where I live, but it does get wet and wool stays warm when wet!
I live in Seattle so I know the cold Aimee is talking about--it's mild all year and December hits with spiky cold rain and gusts.
ReplyDeleteI love-love my Asics Thermopolis long pants, they're warm and have 2 zipped pockets. Score! But the best deal? I got them brand new with tags at Good Will--they are normally $80 at REI or Super Jock n Jill.
I'd say they are worth the price even though I got very lucky and only paid $15.
Sorry for typos--in cell phone and there is only a teeny, tiny box to type comments in!
Fake tree...i grew up with fake tree and will embrace the fake tree for many years. If i have to remember to water it...i'm, or it's, doomed...
ReplyDeleteI bought Fila capris and love them...i'm 5' and don't have any issue with them. As far as full length tights, i got some from Roadrunner sports, their brand. I like them, but they're very thin and the seam in the crotch rubs my inner thighs up high. I turn them inside out and use runner's lube and no problems. I have the pearl izumi tights on my Christmas wishlist. :)
I am heading out in my 2nd cold weather run (under 40 degrees in Boise) in my Brooks Thermal stuff. http://runinboise.blogspot.com/2012/11/merry-christmas-to-me.html My 1st run in this outfit was about 20 degrees & I was still very warm.
ReplyDeleteReal!!!
ReplyDeleteI live in a cold winter state. In temps in the 40- 60 range in late fall/early winter I wear Athleta chaturanga yoga capris with knee highs. You can push the socks down if you get too hot. Then when it is below 40 i wear the chaturanga yoga tights. I swear these capris and tights have amazing rear view!!! I love them I also have a pair of Athleta kick booty pants for the gym and walking. They are a boot cut and well they are amazing too. I think they have petite, tall and plus sizes. When it is super cold like below 15 I wear a very old pairof patagonia fleeced line tights. I am waiting for these to give up the ghost but they just keep on keeping on!
Real trees are best! I love the smell of pine in the house. I can understand the no fuss option with a fake tree though.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a pair of Gore running tights. I live in upstate NY and it's pretty cold here in the winter. They are not lined but super warm, block wind and are waterproof. They are not "sausage casing" tight and are quite flattering. Very pricey though (I got them on sale for $90. I will use them forever so they are worth the $.
I always run in Skirt Sports skirts. When it's cold, I have the Lotta Breeze Capris pictured above OR I wear a cheap pair of leggings (Danskin/Walmart) under one of the regular skirts. LOVE the size and placement of the pockets in the shorts or capris under the skirts. Those just work for me.
ReplyDeleteWe have a fake tree. When you have 4 year old twins and 2 dogs sometimes you just have to make life easy. I love my Gap running tights. They are not lined but keep me just right. They're about $60 but I think they are worth it. I know the dreaded LuluLemon makes some great tights too. But then you're spending a shit load of money.
ReplyDeleteI love Sugoi Jackie capris (either lined or not). Super comfy, have lasted through a ton of washings (hang dry), and fit well. I don't wear full tights - can't stand the feeling of something over the calf and to my ankle. I wear them to run in and also over my bike shorts to keep my legs warm during the winter. I think they are around $50 or so.
ReplyDeleteThe "toe" :D that's funny stuff!
ReplyDeleteI love capris, but it gets really cold in Chicago, and so I can't wear them year round. I have a pair of long tights from Lucy, that I'm sure they don't sell any more. But I love them, and would buy running tights from Lucy again, even a different model. They fit great. There is a pocket in the back. No "toe" issues either.
ReplyDeleteHow do you come up with all these urban dictionary words I've never heard of before? =)
ReplyDeleteDid that chick have a calf implant? That is a sexy calf.
ReplyDelete1. saucony fleece lined tights or cw-x compression tights.
ReplyDelete2. real tree (i'm from maine. it's the pine tree state. there is no other kind of tree)
3. my kids' grandmother (my MIL) passed last Sunday. It's hard to drum up the enthusiasm for the holidays when you feel like sh*t. but as parents, you suck it up and move forward.
I always just wear my under armor (armour?) spandex pants I bought forever ago. If it's below 5 degrees, I'll throw on a pair of long underwear underneath. I guess this is neither helpful nor opinionated, so Aimee's sure to hate it.
ReplyDeleteBeth, I'm so sorry for the loss of Lucky. We had to put our very old, ill and much loved dog down about this time of year five years ago. It was heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a short, sweaty Oregon runner. I like the Nike Element tight. I have the thermal version, but I think they come without the brushed lining too. They're warm where they should be (quads and glutes) and wind and water resistant. I'm never cold in mine and I never feel the nasty kick-up from the puddles and rain. I think they come in different lengths too. I sprung for the Nike Element Shield Jacket as well and have to say, it may keep the rain off, but I find it too warm for running in our PNW climate.
Real tree. We just decorated it and it's so pretty.
Real tree for sure. Cw-x stablyx capris=no "toe", nice and thick for warmth. I am tall (5'9") so they would be pretty long. Under armour compression, not as thick but still nice.
ReplyDeleteAnd so sorry about Lucky. So hard to be without that unconditional puppy love.
DeleteReal tree....finally! We sold our fake one after 10 years of using it on Craigslist. So happy to have the real pine smell again.
ReplyDeleteI like REI Airlyte and Powerlyte (fleece lined) tights. I used the Powerlyte when it is really cold. Ran in the Airlytes last weekend and stayed warm without being too warm. Very comfy and they don't ride up at all.
Just bought my daughter the Nike Element tight and she likes them...running in Seattle. She is a curvy girl with big calves even though she is onlu 5ft 3in and 130lbs...must be muscle...medium fits her perfect in the thigh, good comfort
ReplyDeleteJust moved from FL to NC so having to learn the cold weather gear also. I don't buy anything Pearl Izumi because of their slow people suck ad campaign. I like UnderArmour so far, but the ones with zippers on the legs tend to chafe.
ReplyDeleteHave our first real tree in years since they're local.
Fake tree. So far after nearly 30 years we're on our second one. I always feel sorry for the poor trees, innocently growing and doing their best to become a big tree, when they're cut down, wrapped in burlap, and dragged to a suburban mall parking lot. Some of them never get chosen and go straight to the chipper. What a waste.
ReplyDeleteI have a great many opinions. You've just sampled one. However I will candidly admit I know nothing about cold weather gear for women, other than knowing what looks good when I see it. Plus, I suspect we need to define our terms a little better. Cold is below zero F, or -18 C. Lined is good. Layers of unlined are good too.
Wish I could still have real trees... damn allergies. I've made do with fake trees since I was 10 (but I guess the trade off is ok since I don't get sick for the whole month of December now).
ReplyDeleteOld Navy tights are awesome because I can almost always find a pair on clearance (hello, 3 pairs for under $25 a few weeks ago!) and every pair has a pocket of some sort. On me, they tend to fall down just enough to avoid "toe". Keep with the cheap theme, my all-time favorite pair I got on clearance at Target 3 years ago, but sadly, haven't found the same kind since.
I love the Nike element too! You can usually get it in lengths - which is a must for me - I'm a tad on the short side.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm feeling cheap I like Kyodan brand tights. You can get them at Marshalls or TJ Max if you're in the US, Winners if you're in Canada. When I can afford to splurge I go for Lululemon. Their Run Inspire capris are so awesome. I have 2 pairs and one pair has been going strong for over 2 years now, which is impressive for how many times a week they are worn and washed. They are my lucky racing tights! They have a zipped pocket in the pack and two from waistband pockets. Great quality and so comfortable. No camel toe and no riding up or down. They have a very comfortable waistband that stays put.
ReplyDeleteI have not found my favorite winter running pants yet. I will have to try some of the suggestions here.
ReplyDeleteWe are a real tree family all the way. One of our favorite family traditions that I hope continues even as my kids get older.
Sorry to hear about Lucky. I firmly believe rescue dogs know that they have been rescued. We had to put our 9 yo golden retriever down unexpectedly on Christmas Day 4 years ago after she developed bloat. Worst Christmas ever.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Christmas trees ago, I prefer fake. Don't have to worry about the house burning down so much and pine needles.
I wear capris down into the mid-30's then it is tights/leggings in temps below that. I have a pair of Nike Thermafit running tights that I like. I bought a pair of Gapfit Climate leggings this fall that have a fleece lining. I have worn them once in mid-20's weather. They kept me warm but not too warm.
Anything above 35, I wear running Capris, anything below and I wear running tights. That said, while Athleta is great, I tried Old Navy's Active line recently--and so far I'm loving them. I have a couple of pairs of running tights from them, and a couple of pairs of capris. The quality seems pretty good so far, the prices are good.
ReplyDeleteI run in tights from Champions line at target. I like the kind that taper down because I'm short and it eliminates fabric from being dragged in crap.
ReplyDeleteSkirt Sports Ice Queen is awesome! They actually have a length adjuster for us fun sized chicks! They have a media pocket as well as a pocket to stash your Gu or whatnot.
ReplyDeleteI love my "runder under" tights from lululemon. They were great yesterday when it was about 1 degreee C (33F) They kept me comfortable but not overly warm.
ReplyDeleteLive in a Townhouse so we have a fake tree. More convienent, less mess.
I love the look of the waist on the Athletas, I need a waist that hits lower for my sensitive tummy. Just bought (Friday) haven't worn yet, North Face GTD capri to replace the Nike capri I like but that I now have a waist prob with. Bought on rec of local running store, who also rec'd NF tights but further suggested I wait a week for their shipment of awesome Mizuno Breath Thermo tights (and shirts). Have a shirt from when they came out w/ Breath Thermo, and 5+ yrs later still fantastic. Looking at their tights if waist works (to replace underarmor) and maybe a crewneck l/s. Bought myself (and DH) a pair of the gloves they have, and a pair of the socks for myself. I'm on a "replace my running stuff" binge, dangerous. :)
ReplyDeleteGrew up with an artificial white tree (Mom allergic to pine), have had a real tree a couple times, a fake green once, those small outside pre-lit fake trees a couple years (very easy and good for small spaces) and some of the white/berry Starbucks trees for several years. (bought off the stores after the holiday, back in 2004-2005 ish) Not sure what I prefer, except that it has white lights. :) Fake sure easier to clean up after, but storage a pain which is why I like the little ones.
Did you see the feature on Runnersworld about running themed trees? I have to try that next year!
http://www.runnersworld.com/photos/finish-pine-awesomely-decorated-trees
Fake trees always for me. I have never understood why anyone would want real that they had to string light on every year (I was creating pre-lit trees long before they were popular)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am a cheapo... getting most of my stuff on e-bay and TJ Maxx... but I fork over the big bucks for CW-X compression tights. I used to run in UA compression, but once I tried CW-X, there was no going back. But, I am old with a lot of aches and pains (lol!) I also always wear running skirts, but I cut the shorts out so that I can use them over whatever length/brand bottoms I want - or I buy them without the built in bottoms which is getting more and more difficult. This is the perfect combination for me.
I've been rotating the same two pairs of Patagonia Capilene tights for the past three years, mid weight and the fleecy "expedition" weight ones if it's 40 degrees or colder. They don't have a great waist--it's kind of just like long underwear--but that doesn't really bother me since I always have to wear a running skirt or shorts as a butt warmer with tights anyway. They are super warm and still breathe. And I wear them with skirts and boots too, although when I wear them to work I will catch myself breaking into a run at inappropriate times just because wearing them makes me feel like running.
ReplyDeleteNike Hyperwarm tights. They are AWESOME. I feel like I might be able to run forever in them. Warm and compression - doesnt' get any better.
ReplyDeleteGIRL you so so had my weekend too :-)
ReplyDeletethe "as a parent we gotta suck it up and do it"
:-)
xo
I like the pictures, but I think those clothes are quite expensive. Like you I don't like to spend more than 30 bucks.
ReplyDeleteWhen it's really cold I sometimes wear long johns beneath a pair of sports pants I bought at H&M.
We tried the real tree, but the dog kept lifting his leg on it. Two years of that was enough, now we have a beautiful artificial pre-lit.
ReplyDeleteCold gear from underarmor. Love the tights with a CYA skirt from Athleta. Can't wait for it to get cold enough to use them. They are also great for under skipants, although at 5'8", I am sure there's nothing in my closet that doesn't ride up and I think the length is short.
Amy P. Philly Runner
Real tree!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm short too & found that Adidas carries running tights in a 'short'. I LOVE them! No bunching at the bottom they fit perfect.