Living in New England we have a wide variety of weather conditions that we need to adapt our training to on a regular basis. In keeping with the roots of parkour, we work hard to make sure that we are prepared to coach and train in ANY weather, and are proud of the #weatherproof guarantee that goes along with all of our outdoor classes. Here are some recommendations from our team for their favorite pieces of gear!
COLD WEATHER LAYERING
Parkour is a dynamic activity so we strongly recommend wearing a few different layers to class to stay warm all year round and allow for shedding / adding layers over the course of the session. Generally we recommend a few key layers that we recommend:
Shell Layer - Having a waterproof and windproof outer layer is one of the first steps to weather preparedness. Usually we look for something with sealed seams, a durable material, and large enough to allow for full range of motion without getting in the way. A jacket is a must and a set of waterproof pants can make moving (and biking) much more enjoyable in colder weather! We try to find materials that are rated at least 3k/3k (waterproof/breathability).
Warm Layer - Longsleeves, sweaters, hoodies, flanels, whatever floats your boat! Need some gear that will both keep you warm and look great? Check out the The Swirl Shop for some of our gear! Make sure that
Wicking / Base Layer - In colder months, many of us will opt to wear a tighter-fitting layer under our other clothing that will wick moisture away from the skin and also add an additional layer for warmth. A technical sports-focused material like the base layers from Underarmor are good or the gold standard is often a light wool that provides warmth even when wet and doesn’t retain smells as much as other materials.
COLD WEATHER GEAR WE LIKE
GLOVES
Ideally you want something that is insulated, waterproof, and has some sort of grip on the palms to allow you to safely grab surfaces. While we haven’t found a glove that works as well as the human hand, winter in New England requires something to keep hands warm!
One that we’re tried and tested can be found here.
HATS
Keep your noggin warm! We look for hats that are warm, breathe well (since you’ll be sweating), and will stay on your head while running, jumping, and moving around! There are lots of different ways to do it, but here are some of our recommendations from the Swirl Shop.
NECK GAITERS / BUFFS
These are very versatile fabric tubes that can be worn in all sorts of ways, but are a great way to keep your neck warm and to stop cold air from entering through the neck level of your clothing! They can also double as face coverings for especially brutal weather!
We have some in the Swirl Shop, but there are lots of great designs out there to express yourself!
FOR THE FEET
We love nerding out on shoes (see our recommendations here) and we realize that the best parkour shoes aren’t necessarily best for winter training. Two ways that we accommodate that are:
Wool Socks - The most efficient and budget way to keep feet warm in the winter. We like ones that come in a pack since we use them all the time!
Waterproof socks - The best way to ensure that you can wear your favorite shoes all winter! There are lots of options out there!
Shoe Covers - Make sure that you get some that are durable enough for training, and have a high-grip surface on the bottom. We’re still looking for the perfect ones, but these have worked well thus far!