The 7 Goldilocks level of warmth to Brave the Cold In

Leave it to the Canadians to design the perfect winter running pants. Montreal-based Ciele shows the cold-weather chops of the great white north through the ATW’s thoughtful, considered design. From hidden vents to cleverly designed pockets to a branded belt loop for carrying cast-aside layers, the brand brought its A-game to the ATW pant.

The not-too-hot, not-too-cold Goldilocks level of weather protection kept me in the temperature-sweet spot from the start of our run to the finish. The secret is two cleverly hidden vents over the knee that allow warm air to escape and give runners some extra range of motion.

Ciele describes the pants as a “loose” fit, and it’s true you could layer these over a baselayer on extra cold days. But I found the fit slim enough to run comfortably in without the dreaded swooshing sound. A DWR finish sheds moisture but still allows breathability. Breathability proved to be the biggest factor and why I awarded the top marks to the ATW in a field of very good pants. I never got too hot, and I never got too cold despite varied weather conditions and temperatures.

Yes, $185 is pricey — but they may be the only pair of pants you need for three season running.

The husband of Cat Bowen, a senior editor here at Runner's World, only runs outside when it's cold out, because, as he puts it, "It's nature's air conditioning." When he and Cat go out on runs, this is his preferred jogger. He says that he loves how breathable it is while still keeping his muscles warm enough to get going and keep going. He is also a huge fan of the fact that unlike many other joggers on this list, it comes in different inseams.

100% of the poly in these pants are made from recycled materials, which makes this a more circular product than many other joggers. It's also designed to be highly sweat-wicking and dries in a hurry, even if areas of the pants bunch a bit on the run. The Lycra in the pant gives it comfortable stretch, but also helps it hold its shape over multiple washings.

If you're a fan of wearing sweats outside of running, the tapered style looks great paired with a hoodie and topcoat or tee shirt and boots. It's a versatile pick you'll keep coming back to over and over again.

Puffy pants are usually reserved for skiers and mountaineers. Or that’s what I thought until I tried Arc’teryx’s Norvan Insulated running pants. From the brand’s trail running line, the Norvan’s use a small amount of insulation to give runners an extra boost of warmth on cold days.

It really is a minimal amount of insulation—with 25gsm of strategically placed synthetic loft, these pants pack into their own back pocket, roughly the size of a rounder cell phone. I stashed them in packs for trail runs where we needed extra summit protection and wore them as is for neighborhood laps in freezing temps.

While I have some qualms about long-term durability (insulation tends to migrate and leak), I’ve been surprised at how abrasion-resistant they are. And Arc’teryx has a deserved reputation for longevity and durability.

Good waterproof pants are worth investing in. Are very expensive? Yes. Are they good? Also yes. While we shudder to recommend a $420 pair of pants, these are the best waterproof pants on the market.

Runners (and gear testers) have varied opinions on Satisfy’s signature MothTech pattern of strategically placed holes in organic cotton t-shirts, but the ceiling on waterproof goods is much higher. A good jacket can run you anywhere between $400 and $700.

Rain pants, the oft-neglected younger sibling of a waterproof outfit, are just as important. Satisfy’s Pertex 3L version proved adept at holding off rain, sleet, and puddle splashes. Thanks to an innovative blend of recycled Japanese fabric and taped internal seams, they even passed the shower test, repeatedly soaked in a deluge of overhead spray.

They’re fantastically lightweight— the only way I knew they were actually on is my legs were dry and I heard the swishing sound that all waterproof layers make. Most importantly, they deliver on breathability thanks to three-layer membrane construction. Are they for everyone? No. But runners who live and frequently run in the rain should consider investing (and sizing up, the brand is French in more than one way).

Janji Atlas pants are an optical illusion of storage. Few visible outside pockets might leave you scratching your head and wondering what the big deal is. But when you pull them on and discover the innovative waistband, you’ll get it.

In addition to the two zippered hand pockets and one zipper rear pocket, the waistband conceals three hidden pockets where you can stash nutrition, a phone, or even loop an extra layer through. And the rest of the pants deliver too. A slim fit tapers below the knee even more for optimal performance and I love the elongated ankle zippers that go all the way up to the knee.

I particularly like the feel of these pants — the 23 percent spandex makes them the stretchiest on this list, which means the pants can fit slimly without restricting movement. Janji’s trail-oriented Half Tights were my go-to under-layer for winter runs and the Atlas pants interacted particularly well with them, even with the waistband pockets loaded full of snacks and electronics.

I tested a lot of pants this winter (as did the entire team), so to say I was surprised by the intelligence of Craft’s design means a lot. Dare we say this is a crafty pair of pants?

These are packed full of cold-weather design features that made my winter runs easier. First up, the cargo pocket on the right leg. It’s easy to deposit gloves without breaking stride and it’s even slightly insulated to keep your phone battery on green. The back of the pants takes cues from a cycling jersey, with three integrated stash pouches for nutrition or headphones. The ankle has both cuffs and zippers for security while running and easy on and off.

Best of all is the material: the pants stretch well, but block wind gusts and gales in equal measure. In short, a very good, very wind-resistant pair of winter running pants.

Most winter runners will say the same thing: “Be bold, start cold.” If you’re warm before your body is warm, then you’re going to be too hot on your run. But there’s another option: start out with a layer you plan on discarding later on.

Bandit’s System R Joggers are ideal for this winter layering strategy. Slim, but still capable of fitting over a pair of shorts or tights, they provide weather protection without overheating your body. The elastic waistband is comfortable when worn over a bottom layer. And most crucially, sippers on the bottom of the pants mean you can ditch them mid-run without removing your shoes.

I like to wear Bandit’s joggers on any run with variable speeds or conditions where I know my core temp will fluctuate. I’ve worn them for dawn patrol trail runs and ditched them at sunrise and tossed them on over half-tights for stroller runs when I knew my two-year-old would interrupt my 5K with a playground stop. The pants are versatile utility players that can handle a wide range of conditions.