Moving from California to the UK need clothing advice

I live in the Seattle area and used to live in Ireland, so I'd say I have some relevant experience. What I like:

1.) Indoor / outdoor thermometer. Start by knowing the temperature.

2.) Short sleeves / shorts down to 50 degrees, and high 40s if it's not raining

3.) In mid to high 40s, light weight long-sleeve shirt with shorts. I recommend getting some half zip long sleeve shirts - not quarter zip. HALF zip. That way you can unzip when you warm up a bit.

4.) Low 40s, add capri tights or full length tights. Since it will be overcast / rainy much of the time, it'll feel colder at say 43 than it would in Virginia or someplace like that where it's sunny in winter.

5.) I suggest buying a very lightweight water resistant vest for runs in the low 40s with light to moderate rain.

6.) For heavy rain and temps under 40, I suggest buying a lightweight GoreTex jacket. I have the Patagonia light flyer jacket, which is widely available on ebay for under $150.

7.) A brimmed hat makes a huge difference when it's raining. Doesn't need to be waterproof - just keep the rain off your face.

8.) I bought Goretex running shoes last year and have loved them. Keeping my feet dry makes me feel warmer and happier. I ran for years in regular non-waterproof running shoes, so these are definitely a nice-to-have, but I like them.

9.) Get some kind of ear-warmer and gloves. For borderline temperatures, carrying an ear warmer and gloves is a great way to regulate your temperature without risking have to carry an extra layer / tie a shirt or jacket around your waist.

10.) If I'm doing a run over 90 minutes in truly miserable conditions (eg low to mid 30s with heavy sleet / rain), I'll change clothes to the skin at the 60 minutes mark. So, two outfits for a two hour run.

11.) All of the above assumes easy runs. If you're going for a race or intense workout, wear less. And obviously, some people run warmer / colder. I tend to run cold, so you might not need to wear as much.

Bulletproof vest.

15mm spikes, short shorts, club Vest and gloves ;)

It depends where you live to a certain degree. London is drier and warmer than the north west for example.

A good waterproof jacket is essential though as it rains a lot nearly every where. It rarely gets really cold although there is occasionally frost or snow. It can be annoying as it can get too warm running in a jacket when it's raining but if you don't you get soaked and cold in winter. Some decent tights, long sleeved tops, hat, gloves for when it's colder is a good idea.

I would join a gym so you can use a treadmill if it's really bad weather and you want to get some quality in. It's dark about 4 pm and light about 7:30 at this time of year and days will get a bit shorter still. Its often wet and windy. Get a head torch if you live in more rural areas.

12mm spikes are fine for most cross country. Some courses are incredibly muddy and hilly. I never bothered with 15mm though and never had any problems.

If you are going to run in the hills or mountains for a long time don't underestimate how bad it can get. We don't have really big mountains and it doesn't usually get extremely cold but if it's wet and windy it's cold enough that you can easily get hypothermia, especially if you don't carry much weight like me. Take a bag with decent kit in if you are out for a long time. Trail shoes with 6-8mm lugs are needed if you go up mountains in Wales, Scotland or the Lake District or bigger hills elsewhere.

Better . . . yes, but lower paying

Nice! Thanks for all of the advice. Sounds like a lot of preparation to go out for a run.

Confirmed with my wife (who laughed that I was writing on a running forum) about what you guys said, and she emphasized the head lamp tip as well as assured me that it will be muddy all winter ( had to look up lugs to double check). I don't think I will be running xc races ( also never wore xc spikes before).

So the check list is:

Rainproof jacket, tights, gloves, head cover, x2 of everything, head lamp, back lights, layers, and pee my pants for warmth

Huge difference in climate between London (relatively dry, only 30 inches rain per year), and Bradford, West Yorkshire, close to double that figure). Bradford/ Leeds.

Where's your location in the UK?

Skip the advice to get a waterproof jacket. Expensive and they simply don't "breathe" enough for running - you get completely soaked from sweat on any run over four miles, and the waterproofing wears off pretty quickly anyway. A better option is a non-waterproof running jacket (should be a very thin, single layer of fabric with no liner and plenty of vents), or a thin fleece vest, or a windbreaker vest.

North London. May relocate to either Manchester or Leeds in the next few years.

Nice! I'm really nervous about the cold + rain. What if I get a thin jacket and then give it a little spray with some water repellent product?

You've never been to Leeds, have you?! LOL...

I have. Why? You guys had some good puddings. . . Also went to "the oldest pub" in England - The Bingley Arms. There is one from 753 in St. Albans called Ye Old Fighting Cocks

Too hot. By the time its cold enough to need a waterproof jacket, its cold enough to snow. Lightweight jackets will do fine until its snowing.

You must be insane. I wouldn't recommend coming to the UK especially from california.

The UK is a dump. Its in the worst shape its ever been in for lots of reasons. To add insult to injury the cost of living is very high, taxes very high and public services decimated. For the love of god go to Scandinavia or australia instead.

Agree with this. I've yet to find a running jacket that is truly waterproof and breathable. I got the Brooks canopy jacket which is thin and seems to cut out the wind.

Someone also said join a gym for treadmill access, but if you aren't going to be a regular gym bunny, just pay per session rather than get locked into a subscription. The number of really horrendous days each year that require leaving the roads to get on a treadmill is usually less than 10. British weather is grey, a little rainy, and a little windy, but it's still a temperate North European country without prolonged extremes of weather (other than the Scottish Highlands).