What's the minimum temp where you will wear shorts vs. tights to run outdoors?

Jerk

Gk wrote:

For me, generally very high 30s or above and I will wear shorts. But I know some people who wear tights in the low 50s.

In the fall when I'm not used to the cold temps yet I'll wear tights if it gets below 40. In the winter I'll wear shorts if it's above 30. Give or take.

Never wear tights. When it gets cold, wear knee high compression socks/calf sleeves instead. I've tried this all winter and last winter and it does the same.

To answer the question, the minimum temp for me is freezing. But that's only if it's sunny and calm.

I'll wear tights up to 50 degrees if it's windy, and rainy.

I was told not to leave your knees uncovered in anything colder than 40-45. It depends on effort too. If its just an easy run I will more likely dress on the warm side, since I'm not going to over heat. If I am doing a hard workout, then I am more likely to over heat, so I dress on the lighter side...

In my area, we had a "warm" day, it got up to about 35 on Sunday, I saw numerous runners in shorts, in the morning when it was about 25...It was kind of breezy too. I think that's being kind of stupid...When your skin is bright red because its so cold, you need more clothes on...and it can't be comfortable.

273.15 K

windchill of 18. It could be 30 feels like 18 or 18 feels like 18, I will wear shorts.

Gk wrote:

But I know some people who wear tights in the low 50s.

*raises hand*

tightless wrote:

Never wear tights. When it gets cold, wear knee high compression socks/calf sleeves instead. I've tried this all winter and last winter and it does the same.

So when I went out the other morning and it was -12F with a stiff wind I should do this? Ok then.

The real answer is 38.6F.

25-30, it depends on the windchill and the workout. I've raced in shorts in sub 20s. I'm one of those middle-aged aholes who tromps through the snow to the gym in a light t-shirt and shorts just to show the Millennials just how Ford Tough I am.

30 F is my over/under for shorts. Below that it's windpants, or Sporthill pants. Never tights.

Northern climate wrote:

I was told not to leave your knees uncovered in anything colder than 40-45. It depends on effort too. If its just an easy run I will more likely dress on the warm side, since I'm not going to over heat. If I am doing a hard workout, then I am more likely to over heat, so I dress on the lighter side.

My Mom told me not to go out on a cold day without a scarf on. Maybe she thought you can catch a virus from the weather. My sister-in-law lives in L.A. and won't take the kids out when it's less than 60 degrees because she thinks they'll get a chill. Women are absurdly protective!

Northern climate wrote:

When your skin is bright red because its so cold, you need more clothes on...and it can't be comfortable.

No you don't ... and I'm more comfortable being a cold than sweaty.

Northern climate wrote:

I was told not to leave your knees uncovered in anything colder than 40-45. It depends on effort too. If its just an easy run I will more likely dress on the warm side, since I'm not going to over heat. If I am doing a hard workout, then I am more likely to over heat, so I dress on the lighter side.

My Mom told me not to go out on a cold day without a scarf on, maybe she thought you can catch a virus from the weather. My sister-in-law lives in L.A. and won't take the kids out when it's less than 60 degrees because she thinks they'll get a chill. Women are insanely protective!

Northern climate wrote:

When your skin is bright red because its so cold, you need more clothes on...and it can't be comfortable.

No you don't ... and I'd rather risk hypothermia than be sweaty. Men are insanely stubborn!

Gk wrote:

For me, generally very high 30s or above and I will wear shorts. But I know some people who wear tights in the low 50s.

30 and above: shorts

40 degrees = shorts & long sleeve, probably a headband and gloves

anything under, change shorts to tights

although lately we've been having weather in the teens and 20s, so today when it was 45 I was in shorts and a t-shirt; it felt spring like after the chilliness lately

it depends on how adjusted I am to the cold and the wind chill/ if the sun is out

If it's sunny I'll wear shorts down to a wind chill of 30 or maybe 25. A long sleeve begins at a wind chill of around 40-45. Having said that, I like the cold and do well in the cold. The heat: Yuck.

it's more about wind than temp. maritime damp cold isn't that bad, but throw in a 25-mile an hour headwind, it makes 40 feel like -10.

So, to answer your question: 40 and up with no wind = shorts

40-45 and windy = tights

...and below that should say, yikes

Always wear shorts. If it is cold enough for tights, wear thermal slim pants:

http://www.asicsamerica.com/Shop/Bottoms/Running/Mens/Thermal%C2%AE-XP-Slim-Pant/p/0010222867.97

Never wear tights. Tights are for cyclists.