In the midst of 2023, Ciele, once solely renowned primarily for its performance hats, unveiled a range of new apparel, signaling a significant expansion beyond its hat-centric identity. In 2024 they launched a performance line, and their 2025 had a super cool Summer Nights collection. Now they are back with a new Cold Weather Collection as we head into the winter doldrums.
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When the temps drop and the Willamette fog rolls in, most runners face the winter gear shuffle: too warm, too bulky, or just not up for the cold grind. Enter Ciele Athletics, who decided to tackle the problem head-on with its all-new 2025 Cold Weather Collection.
Tested in the brutal Montréal chill (we’re talking –31°F kind of brutal), this line is built for the kind of runs where frost clings to your beard and the sidewalks crunch underfoot. Anchored by their new fabrics (diamond-grid recycled fleeces with embedded carbon yarns that manage heat, wick sweat, and fight funk) the collection promises breathable warmth without the marshmallow man bulk.
Key pieces include:
- IBTLongsleeve & IBTHoody: **new this season** Lightweight fleeces designed for high-output runs and versatile layering.
- FRDWintertights: Wind, snow and sleet-resistant tights built for endurance in cold weather.
- VLVInsulator: Wool/silk insulated outerwear for extreme winter conditions.
- Headwear & Accessories: Merino wool beanies, UPF +40 balaclavas and breathable neck collars.
We recently tried out a few from this collection.
IBTHoody
There’s cold-weather gear, and then there’s the kind of piece that makes you wonder why every winter top doesn’t do this. The IBTHoody takes the classic fleece pullover and flips it into something far more versatile: a hoodie that doubles as a balaclava.
Think of those bone-chilling mornings running in the Columbia Gorge, when the wind comes whipping through the canyon and sneaks down your collar, leaving your face stinging. With the IBTHoody, you can pull the integrated hood up high for full coverage, then roll it down once you’re warmed up and cruising. It’s not just clever—it’s the sort of practical design you’ll wonder how you lived without.
The brushed COOLmatic | EXP DIAMAfleece lite fabric with embedded carbon takes care of the rest. It regulates temperature, wicks sweat, and keeps funk under control when you are layering for a frigid run.
Add in ninja cuffs (yep, built-in hand coverage) and a sustainable fabric makeup of 67% recycled polyester and 33% carbon, and the IBTHoody earns its spot as one of the most unique and functional winter running pieces we’ve seen in a while.
UHCollar
A good neck covering in the chilly months can often be the make-or-break factor for me when it comes to lacing up and braving the elements. Take the Cascade Half in January, for example—80% of the time it’s so dang cold at the start line that you’re shivering just waiting for the horn, but by halfway through the race you’re already fighting off the dreaded mid-run overheat.
That’s why I love pieces like the UHCollar: easy to wear, simple to peel off or adjust on the fly, and versatile enough to double as a face covering on those biting, frosty mornings.
Ciele ditches the bulky “polar fleece” vibe and instead uses the same new COOLmatic | EXP DIAMAfleece lite constrution. It locks in warmth but stays impressively breathable, managing temperature and moisture so you’re not left damp and freezing halfway through your run.
It’s a simple piece, but one designed to shine when the snowpocalypse or arctic chill show up.
At the end of the day, winter running is all about finding that balance between comfort and performance—staying warm without overheating, protected without feeling weighed down. Ciele’s Cold Weather Collection nails that sweet spot with simple but seriously smart pieces.
