Some of us can’t go a day without running, which is not a bad thing, but what if it’s raining?
What should you wear to keep yourself safe and warm while running in the rain?
When you run in the rain, you need to wear running shoes with good grip to ensure you don’t fall. You can wear a brimmed hat to keep your vision clear and fitted clothing to help avoid chafing while running. Other items you should consider are a vest, waterproof T-shirt, and a water-resistant jacket.
Why are these clothing items so important for running in the wet? What other factors should you keep in mind when you want to run in the rain?
Let’s take a look!
What Can You Wear When Running In The Rain?
Running is a fantastic way to exercise and stay fit. Many people enjoy running daily as they find it calming, and running helps them get rid of stress and relax.
However, we cannot control the weather, and if it rains you might not be so keen to get out and run. Which is a shame!
This can put a damper on things for many people, but if you are a die-hard running fan or you have a marathon coming up that you need to practice for and cannot go a day without running, you need to know how to run safely when it’s raining.
So, let’s go through what you should wear when running in the rain.
Running Shoes With Good Grip
Running in the rain can be dangerous as the roads and sidewalks are wet, making them slippery with much less grip. If you aren’t careful, you can slip on the wet road and seriously hurt yourself. If you are going to run in the rain, you need a pair of good running shoes with excellent grip.
You don’t need your running shoes to be waterproof, but they need to provide you with good grip while running on wet surfaces. This is especially needed if your running route has hills. Not so much for the incline, but for coming down the other side.
It may feel excessive to have a pair of running shoes just for wet weather, but if you are serious about the sport, those extra-grip shoes will greatly improve your performance through the winter months.
See more: the key gear for running in winter.
Moisture Resistant Socks
When running in the rain, you need to ensure you stay as warm and dry as possible, especially if the temperature is also low. You can use some water-resistant or moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet as dry as possible.
You should wear these whether you have waterproof shoes or not as water can still get inside your shoes from the top while it’s raining. These socks will help keep your feet dry, which can also help improve your grip while running, decreasing your risks of falling.
These socks will also help keep your feet warm in cold weather. These socks are a good idea when running in the rain, not only for all the reasons above but also because, seriously… who likes wet socks?!
Pants Or Shorts That Don’t Chafe
You can find water-resistant pants at specialized running stores, but if you don’t mind getting wet, your regular running pants are fine as long as they are fitted.
You need to wear fitted pants or shorts while running in the rain to help avoid chafing. If your pants are baggy, they can cause friction in your groin and upper thighs and cause chafing. This can make the rest of your run highly uncomfortable and even painful.
A Well-Fitted Vest
If running in the rain or in extremely cold conditions, it’s a good idea to have a vest as the first layer on your torso. This will help keep you warm while you run, and it will help you stay dry if your other clothing layers start getting saturated with rainwater.
This will help keep the water off your chest, which could help prevent you from getting cold and sick from your run. There’s no need to buy an expensive, specially made running vest.
Any well-fitting vest will suffice as an underlayer.
Moisture Resistant T-Shirt
If you are running in the rain, but the temperature is still relatively nice, you can buy a moisture-resistant T-shirt to withstand the wet without overheating. This will allow you to stay comfortable and not get too wet, even if it’s too mild to wear a waterproof outer layer.
A Waterproof Outer Layer
If you are running in cold temperatures and it’s raining, you need to keep yourself warm and as dry as possible.
On top of all the layers above, you’ll need to wear a waterproof or water-resistant outer layer. You can find these at your local running supply store, on Amazon, or at a sports store.
Consider investing in a lightweight waterproof jacket. These will help keep you dry but not make you overheat during your run. A good option for wet runs in the spring and fall, or even the milder summer months.
Illuminated Outer Clothing Layer
When running in the rain, visibility is generally low, so it’s much safer to wear an illuminating jacket or strap to ensure that other people can see you. This will help cars know where you are and other runners so you don’t get hurt.
As a runner, you should already have something like this on hand. You need to wear an illuminating jacket or strap when running in rain, fog, dim light, or darkness.
A good example is the reflective gear made by brands like Illuminite.
Other Essentials For Running In The Rain
When you want to run in the rain, it’s not just the clothing you have to consider:
Purchase Waterproof Electronics
If you are a person who enjoys listening to music, a podcast, or an audiobook while you run, then you need to ensure your electronics are waterproof.
For most runners with modern devices, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Ensure your headphones or earbuds are waterproof, or you can easily damage them.
Protect Yourself From Chafing
When you run in the rain, you are at a higher risk of chafing. This is due to the extra moisture that can irritate your skin and cause more friction from your clothes. Chafing can be painful and make you want to stop running, so it’s important to keep yourself safe from this.
Get some Vaseline or Body Glide and place a generous amount on the locations of your body prone to chafing. These are your armpits, thighs, groin area, nipples, and feet.
Protect Your Cell Phone From The Rain
Some runners keep their phones in loose pockets, or even in their hands while they run.
Not a good idea in a torrential downpour.
There are plenty of storage accessories for running with your phone, and we’d strongly advise investing in one of them if you are running in the rainy season.
Our Verdict On Running In The Wet
Running in the wet doesn’t have to be such a pain.
The main objective is to ensure you are kept as dry as possible and don’t overheat during your run. The other two considerations are visibility and grip.
You should be able to see and be seen on the road. And you should have a pair of running shoes that are going to be able to withstand the elements – whether you’re on the road or deep on the trails.
