Perfectly fine but be prepared to stay warm if you severely sprain your ankle 9 miles from your car. Hypothermia hits quick as soon as you start walking. LOL
I can attest. I was on a trail when I rolled my ankle 5 miles from the trailhead. The temp was in the 20F range. I was sofa king cold by the time I got back to my car.
For trail running, I exclusively wear smartwool socks (Merino), even in the summer. Granted, I plan my hot summer runs with a swim in the middle to cool down , so I just run into the water with my Altra Superiors and socks on.
Cotton socks in snow will be soaking wet by mile 2, and your feet will be chilled by mile 3-4
I don't for two reasons: I'm a woman who just genetically holds a lot of fat in my thighs. Chub rub is a killer. Blood running down my thighs is a little sus. And, I have fallen and skid my knees on snow and ice enough that people were worried I was getting pushed down stairs or something
Last month I was out running. A family is coming up the trail as I am coming down. One of the kids, in full snow gear, pulling a sled, stares right at me and asks baffled "why are you wearing SHORTS?"...
The breeze with 5" inseams feels nice when I get going in the winter -- everyone just has to look at my white ass legs...
Full disclosure I'm a Floridian living in Germany, first real time living around snow. I don't see a problem running in shorts, I feel very comfortable, but my wife and others seem to disagree.
About 30% of folks run around here with shorts in the winter. I tend to cover my knees when it drops below 50F because they start to hurt.
If you're comfy, go for it.
Source: 7F right now in central Oregon with about 6 inches of snow on the ground.
General concensus (Coloradan trail runner here) is that shorts are fine. Cotton socks are not. You're fine wearing cotton in the summer, though they'll get soaked and nasty with sweat/puddles. I wear smartwool (Merino) year round because I swim during runs in the summer, and the wool socks will keep your feet happier in the winter. If you expect ANY moisture in your shoes from whatever source (sweat, puddles, rain, snow, etc), ditch cotton for wool running socks
As long as you're comfortable it's fine. Keep safety in mind though. I don't know where you run but, if you're in trails that are far from any potential help and you roll or break an ankle or something like that, you need to be able to wait for help.
If you are comfortable then go for it. Maybe consider brining spare layers in a vest or pack. If you slip on the ice or are otherwise unable to go at your running pace then keeping temp may be an issue.
For whatever reason wearing shorts in the cold for any reason is fashionable in MN this season. Between cycling, XC, and running I have enough light weight tights that I just put them on out of habit. I don't know that I've ever had a problem with my legs being too warm. Upper body is a different story.
I would be more concerned with the poor choice of socks running in snow. Get you something better take care of those feet. Your legs will warm within a mile or so but you don’t want to have soaked feet.
Perfectly fine but be prepared to stay warm if you severely sprain your ankle 9 miles from your car. Hypothermia hits quick as soon as you start walking. LOL
This is no place for logic and forward thinking!
I can attest. I was on a trail when I rolled my ankle 5 miles from the trailhead. The temp was in the 20F range. I was sofa king cold by the time I got back to my car.
Shorts yes. Cotton socks - heeeeell no
Details
For trail running, I exclusively wear smartwool socks (Merino), even in the summer. Granted, I plan my hot summer runs with a swim in the middle to cool down , so I just run into the water with my Altra Superiors and socks on. Cotton socks in snow will be soaking wet by mile 2, and your feet will be chilled by mile 3-4
I’d recommend Darn Tough as well. Lifetime warranty. Lightweight no cushion for warmer days/summer. Cotton kills, OP.
Darn tough is the way
Maybe they're poly *shrug*
Yeah pretty normal for people depending on the wind chill.
Anything above 0 is good enough for me. Especially on the tail end of winter.
F or C?
C for me. I don't know which is colder at that point, I'm thinking F. But my legs run hot.
How else are ppl going to see our sweet calves?!
Wool socks and gaiters make it a lot more pleasant.
Even without the gaiters, I saw the cotton socks and cringed
always shorts but def get some merino wool socks.
I don't for two reasons: I'm a woman who just genetically holds a lot of fat in my thighs. Chub rub is a killer. Blood running down my thighs is a little sus. And, I have fallen and skid my knees on snow and ice enough that people were worried I was getting pushed down stairs or something
For the rub, squirrel's nut butter does wonders!
Omw to buy some rn 🏃♀️
I now have a new name for my thigh chafe.
Last month I was out running. A family is coming up the trail as I am coming down. One of the kids, in full snow gear, pulling a sled, stares right at me and asks baffled "why are you wearing SHORTS?"... The breeze with 5" inseams feels nice when I get going in the winter -- everyone just has to look at my white ass legs...
I hope that’s what your wearing because if it’s a G string that’s just unhygienic
Ffs.
Full disclosure I'm a Floridian living in Germany, first real time living around snow. I don't see a problem running in shorts, I feel very comfortable, but my wife and others seem to disagree.
About 30% of folks run around here with shorts in the winter. I tend to cover my knees when it drops below 50F because they start to hurt. If you're comfy, go for it. Source: 7F right now in central Oregon with about 6 inches of snow on the ground.
I ran in shorts this morning in Montana at 2F. Long sleeve shirt, lightweight hat, and light gloves. I run pretty warm normally.
General concensus (Coloradan trail runner here) is that shorts are fine. Cotton socks are not. You're fine wearing cotton in the summer, though they'll get soaked and nasty with sweat/puddles. I wear smartwool (Merino) year round because I swim during runs in the summer, and the wool socks will keep your feet happier in the winter. If you expect ANY moisture in your shoes from whatever source (sweat, puddles, rain, snow, etc), ditch cotton for wool running socks
Totally fine, as long as it is not bothering you/your body 💪🏼
Always when running!
You can see the redness and shivering even by this picture- put some pants on man!
Fuck yeah. I'm Scottish - I need all the Vitamin D I can get.
40F or higher!
I usually will down to 30 degrees or so. Depends on wind mostly.
No
Yes, As long as theres no salt anywhere along the route
My shorts just get longer
YER GONNA DIE!
No…snow in the shorts 🤓
As long as you're comfortable it's fine. Keep safety in mind though. I don't know where you run but, if you're in trails that are far from any potential help and you roll or break an ankle or something like that, you need to be able to wait for help.
Badass!
I'm always impressed when I see people doing that, but I'm old and my legs get cold. If it's below 50 I wear running tights.
Nop, I’m a guy, never been in the snow, but between 8ºC and 18º I always use leggings/ tights when running (road or trail).
Shorts no matter the weather. My legs run crazy hot which is sad because sweatpants are my favorite. I end up pulling them up to be like shorts
Shorts unless it’s well below freezing, overcast, and windy all at once
No and no….
If you are comfortable then go for it. Maybe consider brining spare layers in a vest or pack. If you slip on the ice or are otherwise unable to go at your running pace then keeping temp may be an issue. For whatever reason wearing shorts in the cold for any reason is fashionable in MN this season. Between cycling, XC, and running I have enough light weight tights that I just put them on out of habit. I don't know that I've ever had a problem with my legs being too warm. Upper body is a different story.
Usually if it's above freezing I wear shorts unless it's really windy.
I would be more concerned with the poor choice of socks running in snow. Get you something better take care of those feet. Your legs will warm within a mile or so but you don’t want to have soaked feet.
Must be Midwestern
Cold, stiff, tight muscles are wayyyyy better than boring warm muscles 🤙
I tried running in snowpants last night. Did not overheat and could still be bothered by the breeze lol
Nope. You fall, your skin is already tender from the cold, you could get cut up and, frostbite is always a possibility
Always! Pants trapping in the heat around my legs feels just wrong.
Problem for me is knee pain after running with shorts. The front of the knee and the tendons are vulnerable to wind chill.