What to wear running
What to Wear Running in Chicago Today
Right now in Chicago, IL: feels like 33°F, rain
A long-sleeve base under a light insulated layer, with tights or thermal bottoms. Add light gloves and a headband or beanie that covers the ears. Wind is up, so a packable wind shell on top blocks the chill and tucks away once it eases. Cold rain is the day for your most waterproof shell, wool socks, and warm gloves, since soaked layers stop insulating fast.
The kit
- Long Sleeve Tech Shirt
- Waterproof Running Jacket
- Running Tights
- Merino Wool Running Socks
- Daily Trainer Running Shoe
- Lightweight Running Gloves
- Running Headband / Ear Warmer
- Wrap-Around Running Sunglasses
Feels like
33°F
Actual
43°F
Wind
31 mph
Humidity
71%
Coach tips
- ·Wind at 31mph: a wind shell will make a big difference
- ·Cold rain pulls heat fast and can tip toward hypothermia: pick fully waterproof over breathable, even if you sweat a little more.
- ·Soaked gloves and socks stop insulating, so go wool or bring spares, and cut it short if your hands go numb.
Timing
Coolest upcoming hour in Chicago: 1 AM (feels like 27°F). RunnersKit scores every hour across heat, wind, rain, and air quality. The app tells you before your best window opens.
Running in Chicago: what the weather does to your run
The lakefront giveth and taketh away. Summer humidity off Lake Michigan inflates the feels-like, and Chicago winters pair real cold with a relentless wind that can drop wind chill far below the air temperature. Dress for the wind, not just the number, especially on exposed lakefront miles.
Stop guessing. Start running. Get a personalized recommendation tuned to how you run, plus proactive alerts before your best window, right on your phone.
RunnersKit is a convenience tool, not a substitute for your own judgment about safety and conditions. Check local forecasts and trust how you feel over any algorithm.