15 Pieces of Running Rain Gear for When It’s Wet and Gross Outside

When the clouds start to roll in, could you opt to stay home and not run outside that day? Of course. And sometimes that’s the best option. (You can file that under: Things I’ve Learned the Hard Way). If the conditions are thunder and lightning, heavy winds, or anything that falls under a weather advisory, there’s not enough gear to make that safe for you. It’s better to miss one run than putting yourself in an unsafe situation—things get slippery, and visibility really falters—and risk having to miss many future runs.

As for regular old rain, though, if you have the right gear, you don’t need to let the weather dictate your plans. (Just make sure you get out of your wet clothes as soon as you get home to guard against getting the chills!) I’ve run in tropical rain, cold rain, sorta rain, and oops-I-didn’t-know-it-was-going-to-rain rain. Here are some of the running rain gear pieces I swear by (plus some other similar products!) to help me get out and clear my head even when the weather is anything but.

I start with solid basics that work for most weather.

My closest-to-the-skin layers for when it rains aren’t actually different from my normal-running base gear. That’s because, well, for one, I sweat a lot so being drenched in my own sweat is not that different from being drenched in rain. I know, gross, but also just incredibly real!

I need all the wicking, whether it’s hot and humid or dreary and dewy. I also have a pretty low tolerance for cold (that’s the Cali girl showing out), so I also tend to have long sleeves and light jackets as part of my everyday wear, running or not. I start with super solid, quality basics as my first layer—and sometimes my second!—no matter what the weather, and then I build on those basics for rainy days. The advantage of this is that using what I already have keeps me from having to buy entirely different gear for every possible weather combination.

1. Nike Dri-FIT ADV Aura Tank

2. Lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank

Lululemon

Lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank

This is another great option for a soft, wicking tank that can serve as a baselayer, and sometimes I’ll reach for this one based on its tons of color options!

3. Athleta Momentum Tank

Athleta

Athleta Momentum Tank

I also have a few of these Athleta tanks which are soft, seamless, wicking, and breathable. I found this one doesn’t keep its shape quite as well as the others after getting drenched, but it’s a great option for lighter-rain days!

4. Nike Epic Lux Legging

Nike

Nike Epic Lux Legging

I am a huge leggings fan, even when it’s hot out. In fact, it’s usually not until the temperature hits 75 degrees or so that I feel the need to run in shorts. I’ve worn these leggings in 70-degree, rainy weather. I love that they have a good thickness to them that offers great wicking for both sweat and rain, and they have some great pocket options too for keys and ID. As an all-weather (but super helpful in the rain) bonus tip: I wrap my keys and cards in a small Ziploc bag before sliding them into a pocket.

5. Athleta Ultra Light Run Cap 3.0

Athleta

Athleta Ultra Light Run Cap 3.0

I always wear a brimmed hat when running to keep the sun off my face and my ponytail from bouncing all over the place. The only time this ever changes is if it’s cold (by my California standards) and I need to wear a beanie or headband that covers my ears. When you run in the rain, a brimmed hat also acts as a bit of a mini umbrella for your face. So I really make sure the hat is made of wicking material—this Athleta one I love is made of ripstop nylon—to keep the water from pooling in the material. Makes it beat any old baseball hat!

6. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38

Nike

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38

Every runner has shoes they swear by, usually for very specific, very personal reasons. The same pair of shoes one runner loves, another will hate. The Nike Pegasus, which release a new version each year, are by far my favorite for my feet. I need stability, cushion, space for my orthotics—and I don’t mind that they come in lots of color combos! I’ve been wearing Pegasus versions for years. A solid pair of shoes will serve you in light rain, but see below for heavier rain options.

7. Tavi Parker Thin Sport Socks Socks

Tavi

Tavi Parker Thin Sport Socks Socks

Having running socks that don’t slide around becomes increasingly important when sweat or water get involved. These are the socks that I wear for most of my runs. They stay put, handle sweat pretty well, and they are durable—meaning, they don’t develop holes after only a few runs and washes.

Then I keep some key pieces at the ready for light rain, or when I’m not sure if it’s going to rain.

Watching the weather super closely is your first line of defense for any kind of rainy conditions. I keep my eye on my iPhone’s weather app leading up to my run, and will generally try to time it for the least rainy moments of the day if at all possible. That means that sometimes the weather on my run might be on the verge of raining, sprinkling a bit, or raining lightly. It might also be a mix of all of those. Plus, I often run in San Francisco where the fog can be so dense that it feels almost like light rain. So in these conditions, I look for some slightly more specialized gear from my norm.

8. Nike Dri-FIT ADV Running Hoodie

Nike

Nike Dri-FIT ADV Running Hoodie

Like I mentioned, I almost always wear or bring a long sleeve option even when it’s not gloomy out. I prefer to start warm and shed layers as needed. But when it is gloomy, I like to use a long sleeve with a hood. I also think thumbholes are a necessity in long-sleeved tops—but that’s probably my long arms talking. I like my sleeves to cover as much as possible, which is extra important in the rain. This long sleeve—yes, I’ve been a Nike fan lately—is my new favorite because it has thumbholes and a slit to check your watch without having to roll up your sleeves.

9. Brooks Run Visible Carbonite Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Brooks Run Visible Carbonite Long Sleeve T-Shirt

While I do mostly prefer hoodies in the rain, if it’s only precipitating lightly, this long sleeve T-shirt with thumbholes is another great option—especially if you have a jacket with a hood you’re going to layer over it, or a hat with a brim and don’t mind getting a few drops on the back of your neck!

10. Athleta Momentum Half-Zip

Athleta

Athleta Momentum Half-Zip

If a half-zip is more your style, this is a great option from Athleta—and it has thumbholes, too! Personally, I like as few zippers as possible, but I know some people LOVE to be able to ventilate part way instead of having to completely remove the top to allow some air in.

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11. Brooks Carbonite Jacket

REI

Brooks Carbonite Jacket

In light rain, I love a light jacket, and this one from Brooks really fits the bill. It’s also very packable if you don’t actually need it (tie it around your waist, or if you run with a fanny pack or hydration pack, you can stuff it in there). Plus, it has some great reflective tabs on it for extra visibility when the skies get dark and gloomy, and the hood stays put even over a brimmed hat. For those of you who don’t like to be too hot, this is really breathable.

I swear by these pieces for heavy or cold rain.

This is where the right gear is game-changing. For one, safety first. The skies are usually darker in these conditions and maintaining your visibility is incredibly important. I opt for reflectivity and brighter colors so cars can see me. Then, doing whatever you can to stay dry will allow you to feel more comfortable despite what’s happening around you. These rain-specific options help me make the most of my super-rainy runs.

12. Nike Dri-FIT Run Division Fast Leggings

Nike 

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Nike Dri-FIT Run Division Fast Leggings

When it’s really rainy, I make sure to wear reflective leggings. These leggings are very similar to my regular pair above, but they are highly reflective—meaning, I stay visible—for when it gets darker outside. They’re still moisture-wicking but are slightly less thick. Still, I would sacrifice a bit of fabric thickness for safety any day.

13. Nike Gore-Tex Infinium Trail Running Jacket

Nike

Nike Gore-Tex Infinium Trail Running Jacket

Full transparency, my favorite jacket for heavy or cold rain is a jacket I bought out of desperation while in Iceland. It’s not meant for running at all! But this weather-resistant option from Nike is: I like the poncho style, which allows it to go over other layers or a hydration pack. Buy a size up for extra room!

14. Tavi Chase Sport Socks

Tavi

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Tavi Chase Sport Socks

When it’s cold, really rainy, or both, I choose socks that go higher up on my legs, which spares my ankles from the cold and my feet from getting extra drips sliding in from the bottom of my pants. These are the longer version of the socks I use as my basics. Bonus, they work great for running in sand too!

15. Nike Pegasus Trail 3

Nike

Nike Pegasus Trail 3

OK, in conditions like these, this is when special shoes come in handy, especially if you’re running on trails. Trail shoes in general already give you better grip on uneven ground, which is super helpful in rainy, muddy conditions. Because I love the Pegasus so much, I do the trail version of the same shoe. (If I’m running on the road in really rainy weather, I choose the Shield version, which has weatherized uppers and solid traction.) If you have another preferred shoe, see if it has a trail running counterpart that you can keep on deck. Dry feet make all the difference in the world; it’s what makes the puddle splashing fun and free like when you were a kid rather than utter misery.

So as I mentioned above, in some conditions—storming, downpouring, or any other weather advisories—shelving your run is going to be the best bet. But in less extreme rainy conditions, as long as there’s no safety threat to you, running in the rain really can be fun. 

And if you’re not into running at all, in any kind of weather? Even just going for a walk in the rain can be enjoyable. Again, it’s all about preparation (you have the benefit of an umbrella if you’re walking) and mindset. There is something equally childlike and badass about being out in the rain if that’s your thing and that’s what you’re feeling for that particular situation—but also, no one will judge you if you just run to your couch and get under some blankets instead.

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