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Your New Workout Wardrobe

The right clothing choices can boost your comfort and confidence.

Toss out the tattered T-shirts and baggy sweats. Today’s workout clothes come in an array of stylish performance fabrics that wick moisture away from the skin so you feel less sweaty, more comfortable, and more confident.

With so many choices, how do you know where to start in the clothing section of your local sporting goods store? Bring in the garments that have worked best for you in the past, suggests Jeff Galloway, a 1972 United States Olympian in the 10,000 meters and author of Galloway’s Book on Running. Experienced staff members can use these clues to direct you to good matches. The upside of a good fit: You’re likely to exercise longer because you’ll feel better doing it.

Some of the greatest fabric breakthroughs have led to clothing designed to keep you comfortable in weather extremes. To make the most of your workout, choose clothing that keeps you cool and comfortable year-round, says Galloway. Here are some tips on how to do just that.

Warm-Weather Conditions
Focus on fabric. Try some of the newer performance fabrics such as CoolMax that move moisture away from the skin. Avoid cotton, which soaks up sweat and adds heft to clothing. And just for men: Keep your shirt on. Wicking fabrics have a greater cooling effect than going bare-chested because they absorb perspiration, says Galloway.

Head off the heat. Hats can make you overheat on hot days because they trap heat, but for biking or inline skating, a helmet is a must. If you wear a hat for protection, choose a lightweight, light-colored style, or a helmet that’s vented for airflow.

Go light and loose. Dark clothing absorbs heat, so choose light colors. And be sure fabrics are somewhat loose fitting. Clothing that is too tight retains the heat.

Treat your feet. Watch the thickness of your socks—thick socks may cause feet to swell, and the pressure from the socks puts you at risk for developing damaged toenails and blisters.

Dress defensively. Some athletic wear comes with built-in UVA and UVB protection for an extra defense. But you’ll still need to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. And UV-ray protective sunglasses can protect eyes from sun damage.

Cold-Weather Comfort
Wear layers. Layering helps you to retain heat and provides ventilation at the same time. You can add or remove layers as needed.
* “You want your base layer to be comfortable and not too thick,” says Galloway. Avoid cotton, which holds onto moisture and draws heat from your body. Instead, make your first layer a synthetic such as a polyester wicking fabric that holds body heat close to the skin while transferring moisture away from the surface for evaporation. This first layer should be snug but not constricting to avoid skin chafing. Choose seamless or flat-seams clothes with some stretch for ease of movement.
* The midlayer should insulate while keeping moisture away from the skin. Wool and synthetics are good choices because they trap pockets of warm air. Quality fleece clothing keeps you warm, dries quickly, and continues to insulate when wet, as does wool.
* The outer layer is your final protection from cold and moisture. Wear a breathable wind shell or soft shell in dry weather. For rain and snow conditions, look for water-resistant fabric. For night-time activity, choose reflective fabrics so you’ll be seen by passing motorists.

Top it off. Wear a hat that covers the ears. You lose most of your body heat through the top of your head and your neck.

Cover the extremities. Protect your fingers, toes, nose, and face from extreme cold. Wear a scarf or face mask over your mouth to warm the air you breathe. Wear mittens or gloves and warm but comfortable wicking socks to prevent sweaty feet, which can cause blisters.

Get a grip. Choose footwear with some traction to prevent slips and falls.