13 °C outfit by wind, rain and effort
The same 13 °C can call for very different clothes. Harder running warms you up, so you can dress a level lighter; wind and rain make it feel colder. Rows that change the outfit are marked.
| Situation | Level | Top | Bottom | Hands & head |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy or long run, calm and dry | Mild | Short-sleeve tee | Shorts | Nothing needed |
| Tempo or interval workout | Mild | Short-sleeve tee | Shorts | Nothing needed |
| Race | Warm ● | Short-sleeve technical tee | Shorts | Cap or visor |
| Easy run, 10 mph (16 km/h) wind wind adds little at this temperature | Mild | Short-sleeve tee | Shorts | Nothing needed |
| Easy run, 20 mph (32 km/h) wind wind adds little at this temperature | Mild | Short-sleeve tee | Shorts | Nothing needed |
| Light rain or drizzle Cap with a brim; no cotton | Mild | Short-sleeve tee | Shorts | Nothing needed |
| Heavy rain Cap with a brim; water-resistant shell and a spare layer; anti-chafe balm | Cool ● | Long-sleeve technical top, or a tee with arm sleeves | Shorts or capris | Light gloves optional; headband optional |
| You usually feel the cold | Cool ● | Long-sleeve technical top, or a tee with arm sleeves | Shorts or capris | Light gloves optional; headband optional |
| You usually run hot | Mild | Short-sleeve tee | Shorts | Nothing needed |
● a different outfit level from the calm, easy-run outfit. "Feel the cold" and "run hot" shift the temperature by 7 °F (4 °C); workouts by 5 °F and races by 10 °F.
Shorts or tights at 13 °C?
Shorts. Hardly any runners need tights at this temperature. If you feel the cold, dress for the cool level; if you run hot, the mild level is usually enough.
Is 13 °C good weather for running?
Yes. 13 °C (55 °F) is comfortable for easy running, though a little warm for racing: an analysis of marathon results (El Helou et al., 2012) found the fastest finishing times at about 39–50 °F (4–10 °C), with times slowing as it gets warmer. On long runs, drink regularly and expect your pace to feel slightly harder.
Why you should feel cold at the start
Running produces so much heat that the clothes that feel right standing still will have you overheating within ten minutes. The common rule is to dress as if it were about 20 °F (11 °C) warmer than it is: at 13 °C, dress for about 75 °F (24 °C). If you are comfortable before the run, you are probably wearing one layer too many. Gloves, a headband and a vest are the easiest layers to take off or tuck away as you warm up.
What to wear at other temperatures
In Fahrenheit: what to wear running at 55 °F. Every temperature in one table: what to wear running calculator.
- National Weather Service. Wind chill chart and formula (2001 revision).
- El Helou N. et al. (2012). Impact of environmental parameters on marathon running performance. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37407.
- Outfit levels are a practical guide compiled from common coaching advice; adjust them to how you feel on your own runs. Last reviewed October 2026.