20 °C outfit by wind, rain and effort
The same 20 °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 | Warm | Short-sleeve technical tee | Shorts | Cap or visor |
| Tempo or interval workout | Warm | Short-sleeve technical tee | Shorts | Cap or visor |
| Race | Hot ● | Singlet or light tank top | Short running shorts | Visor or cap, sunglasses |
| Easy run, 10 mph (16 km/h) wind wind adds little at this temperature | Warm | Short-sleeve technical tee | Shorts | Cap or visor |
| Easy run, 20 mph (32 km/h) wind wind adds little at this temperature | Warm | Short-sleeve technical tee | Shorts | Cap or visor |
| Light rain or drizzle Cap with a brim; no cotton | Warm | Short-sleeve technical tee | Shorts | Cap or visor |
| Heavy rain Cap with a brim; accept getting wet; anti-chafe balm | Warm | Short-sleeve technical tee | Shorts | Cap or visor |
| You usually feel the cold | Mild ● | Short-sleeve tee | Shorts | Nothing needed |
| You usually run hot | Hot ● | Singlet or light tank top | Short running shorts | Visor or cap, sunglasses |
● 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 20 °C?
Shorts. If you feel the cold, dress for the mild level; if you run hot, the hot level is usually enough.
Is 20 °C good weather for running?
Yes. 20 °C (68 °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.
Staying cool at 20 °C
At 20 °C the question is how little to wear. Choose light colours and loose, wicking fabrics, protect yourself from the sun, and slow your pace on longer runs. The heat pace calculator shows how much slower to run, and the sweat rate calculator how much to drink.
What to wear at other temperatures
In Fahrenheit: what to wear running at 70 °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.