8 Ways to Afford Fitness Gear This Winter Season

There are two types of weather people: those who like the changing seasons and those who don’t. Personally, I cannot imagine living some place where the weather is steady all year round. I love the variety that comes with changing temperatures and landscapes. Call me crazy, but I’d get bored with perfect 80 degree days every single day.

 That said, it can be more expensive to live where the seasons change. In Colorado it’s not as if I can wear the same running clothes in December that I wear in July (well I could, but I wouldn’t live to see the next July). Bottom line: a change of seasons means  a change of clothes. So, how can we keep from going bankrupt every time the temperatures drop and rise? Below are some ways to make your transition from wear to cold weather run a bit more affordable.
 

1. Pick quality over quantity (even if you have to do laundry more often). You simply need a few basic necessities for cold weather running – a good pair of tights, wool socks, a base upper layer, a windbreaker, gloves and a hat. 

2. Go with a dependable, stylish and affordable option such as Target® C9 gear.  I’ve been wearing this brand for years and find the gear to be comfortable and durable with no compromise on performance or quality. 

3. Get creative and frugal. Make your own arm warmers using a pair of long socks or use wool socks as mittens. Wear Vaseline on your face to protect your skin from the wind.

4. Use what’s already in your closet for layering purposes. If you have a good first performance layer, that is what really counts to pull the sweat off of your body (“wicking”), but keeps you warm.

5. Purchase items that have more than one purpose such as a hat that also can become a balaclava or a windbreaker with removable sleeves.

6. Make your fitness clothes last longer by letting them air dry rather than using the dryer. In the winter air drying also reduces static and can be easier on your electric bill.  

7. Visit a  thrift store. This is a great option when you need clothes to hang out in prior to beginning a race, because you can just discard them when you begin running and warm up.

 8. Shop end of season sales. While it might be a bit late to do this for the 2014 to 2015 winter season, make a note at the end of February to start keeping an eye out for discount clothing for next year’s cold weather running season. Target® C9 has some great online and in-store close out deals.

Do you have any tips for affording winter running gear? Do you prefer to live in a multi or one season climate?

SUAR

 Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Target® C9 through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Target® C9 all opinions are my own.