Winter Running Essentials
First off, none of these brands sponsor me, and I didn’t start my running journey with any of these products. I am an ASICS Sound Mind, Sound Body ambassador, and my Texas Tech reps take great care of me with ASICS gear, but everything else you’ll see here is stuff I’ve invested in because I’m passionate about this sport, run culture, and style.
That said, during my first marathon, I wore the same shoes I trained in daily around Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX—as the ones I raced through New York City in. I went on Amazon, grabbed the least expensive Garmin I could find, and ran three marathons with that watch. My point? You don’t need any of this gear—or anything fancy—to get started.
To be 100: I’m also not going to sit here and pretend that style and gear don’t matter to me. I truly believe that when you feel like you look good, you show up more confident, and you perform better because of it. Like anything else in life, when you get into something, get good at it, and fall in love with it, your resources tend to follow.
So, the products I’m sharing below—they’re things I actually use every week and love training in.
THE HEAD
Right now, I’m loving Bandit’s SOFTSPEED™ BALACLAVA for covering my head, ears, and face during winter runs. It not only keeps me warmer but also feels incredibly comfortable thanks to its high-quality material. Plus, it adds a stylish edge to your running gear—because let’s be honest, looking dope while you’re out there putting in the work is always a win!
THE TOP
One of my all-time favorite running tops is Bandit's AURAGRID™ MEN'S MOCKNECK. This top makes you feel like you can fly—it keeps you warm without overheating, even on those longer runs. The material is lightweight yet effective, providing the perfect balance of comfort and performance. On really cold days, I’ll layer a tightly fitted thermal shirt underneath for extra warmth, but I try to avoid over-layering since I tend to heat up quickly on my runs. This top is a game-changer for staying comfortable and focused, mile after mile.
THE BOTTOM
For my legs, I usually prefer wearing shorts, but when it’s really cold—I’ll rock my Bandit’s FLO-RUN™ MEN'S RUN PERFORMANCE PANTS. If it’s really cold, I’ll layer them with my Asics tights for added warmth, though I try to avoid over-layering to prevent overheating. These pants are comfortable, have convenient pockets, and feature a back zipper for extra storage. Plus, they’re designed to move with you, making them ideal for keeping warm without sacrificing performance on cold-weather runs.
THE SHOES
Heavy in rotation are my ASICS SUPERBLAST™ 2s—this pair in the photo is actually my second pair, which says a lot about how much I love them. These shoes are designed for performance, combining lightweight FF BLAST™ PLUS cushioning and an energetic bounce-back that feels amazing during long runs or speed work. The breathable mesh upper keeps my feet comfortable, while the durable outsole ensures they hold up over time. They strike the perfect balance between responsiveness and softness, making them an ideal choice for runners aiming for both comfort and performance.
THE ACCESSORIES
For my wrist game, I just got the COROS PACE PRO, and I’m loving it so far. The design is clean, the interface is super easy to use, and it’s perfect for tracking all my runs. To keep my hands warm, I’ve been rocking Bandit’s SOFTSPEED™ GLOVES in black. The best part? You can wrap them around your watch, so it’s easy to check your pace, distance, heart rate, or whatever else you’re tracking without messing with your gloves. Not in the photo, but definitely in my rotation, are my Bandit wool socks.
