Between 20-40F weather and 70-85F running weather, there’s really no question, right?

40 degrees and sunny beats 70-85 for me

I am in S Florida now nd this is about the weather we're having (70-85)

Iwould take it a million times over 20-40 however for a race id imagine 40>85

ideal for me would be around 60-65

I’m an over 80 guy for most runs. Racing is different but I’d happily wear less and drink more water

runne. wrote:

Am excited to be escaping east coast 20-40F weather and going to be spending 2+ weeks starting in a couple days in 70-85F shorts running weather. I know people have their preferences of cooler or warmer ideal running temperatures, but between those two choices (and escaping 4:15pm sunsets), there’s really no question, right?

It depends on humidity and wind.

20 to 40 and windy is pretty horrible. You end up too cold at the start, but then feeling wet and gross at the end because you need to be bundled up to prevent frostbite.

On the other hand, 85 and humid is also horrible, especially if it is sunny.

But 70 to 85, breezy, and not too intense of sunlight is pretty nice and I'd probably take that over 20 to 40 and no breeze.

I would take 20 over 85 and 40 over 70. I might take 70 over 20 though. Wind/rain/snow obviously make the colder temps worse and humidity make both 20s and 70+ worse. So, I think there are lots of questions.

Running in 20-40°F is so much more comfortable than 70-85°F. Running in any temperature >65°F, I start to overheat unless it's windy and/or raining.

55 degrees, low humidity, sun, no wind, a bit of altitude. Nothing better.

Sub 40 is better than 70+.

Because with a good warm up sub 40 doesnt feel that cold you maybe need one light sweater and thats it or if youre gonna run nice and easy just wear pants.

But 70+, its comfortable to walk and jog around in, but progressively feels warmer and warmer as you get into your workout. Thats just it, the golden rule for running weather is that it SHOULD feel uncomfortably cold to walk in. Because once you warm up it wont. If its comfortable to walk in, it will be unbearably hot to run serious mileage in.

Only a non-runner would describe 60-70 as "perfect running weather". Thats the kind of commentary you hear from inexperienced casters. In reality, the ideal running temperature is actually much much colder because your body generates A LOT of heat while you run.

It will be about 35 on my run this morning. There is nothing better. I'd be happy with weather in the 30-50 range all year round.

runne. wrote:

Am excited to be escaping east coast 20-40F weather and going to be spending 2+ weeks starting in a couple days in 70-85F shorts running weather. I know people have their preferences of cooler or warmer ideal running temperatures, but between those two choices (and escaping 4:15pm sunsets), there’s really no question, right?

I’m general, my thought is whichever is the temperature I’m most happy with when not running, is the same temperature I prefer when running.

For me, 20-40 I don’t want to leave out the house.

70-85 I can walk around happy and comfortable. So I prefer the hotter temps.

Not for actual ideals:

If I’m running shorter intervals, I actually do prefer hot temperatures so 80 is fine. I can get water in between.

If I’m doing long intervals or a tempo, 55-65 works.

chickenug wrote:

40 degrees and sunny beats 70-85 for me

This. 40F is near perfect.

However, 20-32 is no fun. I would rather run in 70-85 than sub-freezing.

<32 is too cold.

32-40 is chilly and you need to wear extra

40-55 is ideal.

55-65 is still good.

65-75 is starting to get too warm, and could be bad if the humidity is high.

>75 is too hot, especially with humidity.

OozmaKappa wrote:

Sub 40 is better than 70+.

Because with a good warm up sub 40 doesnt feel that cold you maybe need one light sweater and thats it or if youre gonna run nice and easy just wear pants.

But 70+, its comfortable to walk and jog around in, but progressively feels warmer and warmer as you get into your workout. Thats just it, the golden rule for running weather is that it SHOULD feel uncomfortably cold to walk in. Because once you warm up it wont. If its comfortable to walk in, it will be unbearably hot to run serious mileage in.

Only a non-runner would describe 60-70 as "perfect running weather". Thats the kind of commentary you hear from inexperienced casters. In reality, the ideal running temperature is actually much much colder because your body generates A LOT of heat while you run.

It's ideal running temp for me. 50 degrees is alright but any colder than that and i need a long sleeve or my hands are cold. Nose tends to chap too. I would have had no problem running at 30 degrees in t-shirt and short as a kid but I just don't enjoy that nemore

I like to sweat nuts. Really love a low humidity 75 to 80.

Would take 90 over 30.

Obviously, trying to race fast I like cooler conditions but there’s something about running shirtless I’ve always liked.

I’m 44 btw. Super hot dad bod too.

a runner g wrote:

I like to sweat nuts. Really love a low humidity 75 to 80.

Would take 90 over 30.

Same, not even a question. Cold sucks.

As others have said, other factors are big deciders for this question. With wind and/or rain? 70-85, hands down. Dry and sunny? I'll take 20-40 no questions asked. Snowing and 20-40? If it's light fluffy flakes I'll still take the 20-40, but if it's wet heavy snow that warmer weather feels more inviting. Unless it's a humid 85, in which case wet heavy snow and cold is better (but not cold and rain). There's obviously a lot more to it than just temp.

As I’ve gotten older the cold has lost its appeal. I get what people are saying on paper, 20 vs 70.

But 20 is not just 20. 20 is also often windy, often dark, and often slippery.

When you’re running 3 miles, it takes just as long to get geared up for a 20 degree run as it does for the run.

I’d take 70 over 20 all day. And leave the windbriefs, headlamp, spikes. Reflective vest, and gloves at home.

40F is the perfect running temperature and the curve is equally distributed to both sides from there.

30 is as good as 50.

20 is as good as 60.

10 is as good as 70.

0 is as good as 80.

This is assuming little wind on the cold side, and little humidity on the hot side. For example, 0 with no wind is way more comfortable for running than 80 with high humidity. But 80 with low humidity is better than 0 with a stiff wind.

as read on Letsrun wrote:

It will be about 35 on my run this morning. There is nothing better. I'd be happy with weather in the 30-50 range all year round.

I also choose 30-50.