How to Layer for Outdoor Fall Workouts Without Overheating

Your body warms roughly ten degrees' worth once you're moving. Dress for the temperature it feels like plus ten, which means you should be slightly cold standing at the door. If you're comfortable before you start, you're overdressed.

The base layer moves sweat off skin — synthetic or merino, never cotton, which holds water against you and then chills you. The mid layer insulates. The outer layer blocks wind, which is what actually makes 45 degrees unbearable.

On mild days, skip the mid layer entirely: base plus a full-zip fleece is enough down to about 50 degrees.

You lose the most heat where blood runs close to the surface. Gloves and something on your ears matter more than a thicker jacket, and they're easy to shed into a pocket. Compression leggings with zip pockets mean you don't have to carry what you take off.

For what to wear once you're back inside, see cold weather walking outfits.