Oh, we know this well: This photo was taken near where Dimity and I first ran in the snow (alas, not together)

If you’ve read Run Like a Mother, you know that Dimity and I were both introduced to running as a cross-training tool while rowers at Colgate University. The school is in central New York where, during the winter, it snows like it rains here in Portland: every.single.day. Some of my most vivid memories from the collegiate era of my life is of running head-on into driving snow, past open fields that let the wind whip unabated for miles. Somewhere there’s a photo of me pre-run, outfitted in red, wool union suit with gym shorts over that and a hooded sweatshirt (cotton!! Quelle horreur!) on top piled over a tee or two (again, cotton). I shudder at the thought.

Yet, 25+ years later, I’m proud I didn’t let the weather stop me from running. And this weekend on our Facebook page, a lot of mother runners testified to the same: Tami ran a 16-mile race when it hit a “high” of 20 degrees; Tammy did 16-mile training run, solo, in Wisconsin sleet. (Makes me wonder if “Tami/Tammy” means “badass mother runner undeterred by crappy weather” in some language.)

Still, some moms were asking what to wear, like Nicole, who fretted that it was 9 degrees and her winter gear is only rated to about 20 degrees. So I figured it was time for a primer on running in craptastic weather, whether it’s frigid, snowy, or wet.

-Dress like it’s 10 degrees warmer than it really is. Maybe it’s just me and my hot blood, but I despise overheating while I exercise. You should feel chilly, if not almost cold, when you step outside. On my 18-miler this past weekend, my forearms were cold for the first few miles, but I never regretted my choice of a vest instead of a jacket.

-Have escape hatches built in, like a zip neck on your shirt, sleeves that can easily be rolled up, mittens that convert to gloves, arm warmers that can be pushed down or pulled up. My favorite? A Sugoi jacket that converts to a vest. One of the single most versatile garments I own.

-Wear a wicking first layer–and that includes socks and undies (if we haven’t convinced you to go commando yet). Having a sweaty garment stuck to your body, trapped underneath other layers, is a sure-fire ticket to getting chilled and being miserable. Wear a synthetic fabric that’ll pull sweat off your hard-working body and move it toward the outer world.

-If you need an insulation layer, fleece, down, synthetic fill, and wool all make smart choices.

-Go lightweight on your outer layer, unless you favor the terrarium effect. Go for a jacket with lots of zippers and mesh inserts—escape hatches for built-up heat and moisture. I say forego a hood—too much flap-flap-flap when not in use—and opt for a hat instead.

This baaaaaadass sheep knows how to stay warm in the snow.

-Get wooly. No, not suggesting you let your leg hairs grow long enough for insulation. Instead, invest in a wool running top. It’s true what they say about this natural fiber: It keeps you cool when it’s hot, and warm when it’s cold. And it retains heat when it gets wet, as I was reminded when it started raining around Mile 10 of the weekend’s run. Wool socks are a must-have for running outdoors in frigid weather—Dimity loves Balega ones.

-Remember accessories: A fleece beanie really can make the difference being comfortable and miserable. A brimmed running hat is my BRF on rainy days. And lightweight running gloves keep my mitts warm, and then can be stashed in my waistband or held if I get too hot. In colder temps, consider a balaclava to keep your neck toasty and warm the air before you suck it in.

Now your turn to share: What’s your go-to gear in cold or wet weather?