Running in cold and wet weather is in itself more uncomfortable than running in ideal circumstances. But there’s nothing worse than having wet feet and feeling cold while running. So how to keep your feet warm while running in cold and rainy weather?
Merino wool is the best material for running in cold weather because it absorbs and repels a lot of sweat and is also a good heat insulator. Wearing warm wool socks warms your feet during the run and keeps them dry for longer. Dry feet also mean warm feet.
In the rest of this post, I’ll show you how to keep your feet warm while running. I will explain the kind of running socks and materials suitable for running in cold and rainy weather. And some suggestions on how to buy warm socks.
How do I keep my feet warm while running?
You will keep your feet warmer for longer if you keep your feet dry for as long as possible. You can do this by wearing thick, absorbent socks. The most comfortable and absorbent material used to make running socks is merino wool. These are some of the positive features of running socks made of merino wool:
- Absorb up to 30% of moisture compared to the weight of the sock,
- wicks sweat away from the skin,
- wool is a good insulator of heat, which does not let the cold in and keeps the foot warm for longer.
Cold weather makes us feel colder because outside temperatures are much lower than our body temperature. Prolonged exposure to cold, therefore, makes us feel colder. Runners generally warm up their bodies by running and only feel cold in the early stages of a run when they are not yet as fully warmed up.
Therefore, before running in cold weather, it is recommended that you do some stretching in your apartment or some other warm environment to increase blood circulation throughout the body. This will ensure you enter the cold environment warmer than you would otherwise be. During a run, your legs are the most active, so you should feel the least cold in the leg area. Resistance to low body temperatures can be increased by wearing padded tights and thick socks.
Warm up your feet with compression running socks
During a long run in cold weather, you can speed up your blood circulation with compression socks. Compression socks usually go up to your knees, giving you an extra layer of warmth and increasing blood circulation from your ankles further up your body. The increased blood flow through your legs during a run will warm your body in the cold so that you can easily cover the cold miles.
I recommend you read the detailed post and presentation of the running compression socks. I present why they are so long, how they can help your recovery and which compression socks are worth buying. Read the full article by clicking on this link.
Warm up your feet with cushioned running socks
An additional source of warmth is cushioned socks, which are cushioned in the areas where you sweat the most and are most exposed to the cold. These are the toes, heels, and around the ankle. Cushioned areas can absorb more sweat than ordinary running socks and keep feet drier for longer.
Does wearing 2 pairs of socks keep your feet warmer?
Wearing two pairs of socks will keep your feet warm. But more than that, wearing thick socks that absorb and wick away sweat is important. The most suitable material for this is wool. The key to keeping your feet warm is to keep them dry for as long as possible.
People tend to wear two pairs of socks to protect them from blisters and to keep them warm. These two reasons are related, as blisters tend to occur when socks are wet because there is increased rubbing of the feet against the shoe. Also, our feet get cold if we wear wet shoes and socks for a long time.
Two pairs of socks can warm the feet and keep them dry if the socks are made of absorbent materials. Nylon and wool are the most suitable, as they absorb a lot of moisture and repel it away from the skin.
Wearing two pairs of socks made of 100% polyester will keep your feet warmer as you will have two layers on. However, these two pairs of socks will not keep your feet dry for long because polyester does not absorb moisture. When choosing polyester socks, choose socks with a fabric texture of at least 30% wool or nylon.
The choice of materials in running socks is important. So read this post where I present and compare in detail 5 different materials used to make running socks.
What socks should I wear to run in the rain?
For running in the rain, it’s best to wear waterproof socks or thick, highly absorbent socks that dry quickly. When running in the rain, your shoes and socks will always be wet, so it is a good idea to wear socks that can absorb a lot of moisture and dry quickly.
Merino wool is the best material because it absorbs 30% of the sock’s weight and still feels dry to the touch. However, always avoid using cotton socks, which absorb a lot of sweat and become soggy. This will keep your feet in a wet environment all the time, which can lead to blisters and other infections such as fungus and athlete’s foot when running for long periods of time.
Which Running socks I will recommend for cold and rainy runs?
Below are some good-quality running socks that I recommend for running in cold and rainy weather. Some socks are completely waterproof, and some are made of absorbent and quick-drying materials. All the socks suggested can be bought on Amazon.
Alvada Merino Wool Hiking Socks Unisex
- Materials: 80% Merino Wool, 15% Polyester, 4% Nylon, 1% Spandex
- Price: 3 Pack Running Socks – $19,99
- Size: US 5-14; EU 36-49
- Gender: Man and Woman
- Colors: Charcoal; Black
These socks are highly absorbent and warm to wear, as confirmed by over 16,000 positive reviews on Amazon. They are made of 80% merino wool, making them suitable for walking and running in cold and rainy weather.
Check out the Alvada Merino Wool Hiking Socks Unisex here.
SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof Cold Weather Mid-Length Sock
- Materials: 62% polypropylene/29% Nylon/9% ELASTANE
- Price: 1 Pair – $43,05
- Size: S to XL
- Gender: Man and Woman
- Colors: Black/Grey; Black/Navy blue
These socks are made of 62% polypropylene, a similar material to polyester and, like polyester, does not absorb moisture. The absorbent material in these socks is 29% nylon, which is enough for longer runs to keep your dogs dry and warm at all times.
Check out the SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof Cold Weather Mid-Length Sock here.
SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Sock
- Materials: 90% Nylon/10% Elastane
- Price: 1 Pair – $47
- Size: S to XL
- Gender: Man and Woman
- Colors: Black; Ash Grey; Light grey; Beige
These socks are very high, reaching up to the knees, giving you extra warmth in the cold breeze. The socks are 90% nylon, which is an absorbent material and much easier to maintain than wool. Wool should only be washed in cold water or by hand. However, these socks can be washed in a stream up to 40ºC/105ºF without any worries.
Check out the SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Sock here.
RTZAT Ultra-Light Running Moisture Wicking Socks
- Materials: 90% Premium Merino Wool, 8% Nylon, 2% Spandex
- Price: 3 Pack Running Socks – 20,99$ – 7,00$/Pair
- Size: S to L
- Gender: Man and Woman
- Colors: Black; Ash Grey; Light grey; Beige
I’ve already said that my favorite material for running socks is merino wool because it’s soft and absorbs a lot of sweat to keep the foot dry for longer. But it’s hard to find socks like that because most of them are made of polyester. If you find good quality wool socks, they tend to cost $20 or more.
I found running socks on Amazon that are made of 90% merino wool, and 3 pairs cost only $20.99.
Check out the RTZAT Ultra-Light Running Moisture Wicking Socks here.