A Warm & Toasty Winter with Smartwool

When the cold and rainy season arrives, runners begin to ask for cold weather gear recommendations. My answer is always Smartwool. Learning about merino wool was life-changing for me because I used to think wool was that itchy, uncomfortable material so many sweaters in the 80’s were made of.

A recommendation from an employee at a running store led me to trying a Smartwool long sleeved top, and after that, there was no turning back. Sweat wicking, quick drying, breathable, odor resistant all this and warm too? A runner’s dream material!

There are lots of activewear wool brands out there these days, and many of them are very good, but Smartwool has always been my go-to. They have withstood the test of time in my winter running closet. And I wear Smartwool products not just for running but for any event where I’ll be outside in the cold for a long time.

I recently got to review the Womens Active Fleece Wind Pants, the Womens Active Fleece Insulated Vest and a pair of Run Cold Weather Crew Socks. Not surprisingly, I stayed warm and dry in all three.

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Looks & Fit

The Active Fleece Wind Pants (men’s also available) come in a basic black and are considered a regular fit. Many wind pants are bulky, a bit stiff, and sometimes noisy with that “swishy” material. They honestly just don’t feel comfortable when you have them on.

That’s not the experience you’ll have at all with these, because these are soft and flexible and they actually move well with your body thanks to the built-in 4-way stretchy material. There are also some reflective elements to help with visibility if you’re planning to be out in the dark while wearing them.

I personally love a good vest for the days when you want to keep your core warm but also want a little freedom for your arms. The Active Fleece Insulated Vest (men’s also available) come in two color choices: Black and Deep Blue. The women’s vest is a slim fit, as it curves in a bit at the waist for a women’s shape. Like with the Wind Pants, there are reflective elements on both the front and back of the vest.

The Run Cold Weather Crew Socks are unisex sizing and the color is called “Ash” which is a heathered gray with a darker gray color in the mesh zones. Like any crew style sock, they come up over the ankle to about mid calf.

Function & Construction

If you’re worried about staying warm when the temps fall for the winter months, the Active Fleece Wind Pants are a wonderful heavy-duty option. The front panels on them are windproof and the soft-brushed Merino wool will keep you warm and dry. There are also two zippered external pockets and an adjustable drawcord inside so you can adjust the waistband to your liking. These were designed for high aerobic activity so go out and get after it!

The Active Fleece Insulated Wind Vest is also a super warm option, with 50% recycled wool insulation. It’s also water-repellent which is a plus for those particularly rainy days. Like the wind pants, these are made with 4-way stretch fabric and there are some windproof front panels as well as some great coverage across the back.

It also has a quick drying mesh interior lining which means that when you pull it off, it will be ready to go again before you know it. There are two zippered hand pockets in the front, perfect for people like me who are always paranoid about losing a car key.

It’s hard to go wrong with Smartwool socks. I own many pairs and having warm and dry feet when the weather is bad is priceless. The Run Cold Weather Socks have a 55% wool content, so they will keep those tootsies warm even if the rest of your body is cold. There’s some targeted cushioning that’s not too bulky and some body-mapped mesh zones for the sake of breathability.

They are made with Indestructawool Technology which makes them extra tough wear after wear and the Virtually Seamless™ Toe keeps them from rubbing your feet the wrong way. Bottom line: These socks are durable, breathable, and so comfy!

Overall

Since all of the products I tested were made with merino wool, they were all winners. Merino wool is great for temperature regulation, have awesome moisture wicking superpowers, and strong odor resistance. With Smartwool’s Wind Pants, Wind Vest, and Run Cold Weather Crew Socks, I’m ready for winter!