I’m training for a half marathon in the winter – this is the running gear I’m wearing

These Sweaty Betty leggings are specifically made for those bone-chilling winter runs. Hailing from the brand’s HeatProtect collection, they’re designed to insulate while still wicking away sweat to keep you dry. “They’re also softer than most insulated leggings with a brushed fleecy lining that doesn’t chafe as you move,” our tester Clare O’Reilly said in their review of the best women’s running leggings.

“Reflective seams make them a great option for night runs.... [and they] also offer two side pockets big enough to hold a phone and a zip back pocket which is great for holding keys and other valuables.” Our Fitness and wellbeing editor Emilie Lavinia says: “These leggings have seen me through several winters and I always come back to them. They look great but also offer plenty of support and warmth, as well as a high level of compression.”

Instead of a head torch – which can cause irritation and neck ache – try a chest strap design. This Proviz one secured a spot in our fitness expert Zoe’s review of the best head torches. “You can also enjoy more visibility from all angles if you choose this particular chest light from Proviz, the night-time running expert,” she said. “It features reflective strips along the length of the band so you can easily be seen in car headlights, as well as a slow flashing red light at the rear to keep you safe from behind.” Adding that it felt like she was wearing nothing around her head, she said it made a “difference on wet days, as I could use the hood of my running jacket without fear it would obscure the torch.”

The perfect layer for running in the winter, this Bam zip-up top received tall praise in our review of the best running jackets. Described as “buttery-soft” and “sculpting”, tester Sian Lewis said that it “feels lovely to wear, looks flattering and can be worn as a jacket, over a sports bra, a long-sleeved running top, or under a waterproof shell.”

In wet and windy conditions, this Rab jacket is a top performer. Tester Sian Lewis described it as “highly windproof and waterproof but feather-light to wear” at just 104g. The hood can be rolled away, or you can squish down the entire jacket in the hood.

This Hoka shoe is designed to be a hybrid road and trail trainer – and is endorsed by the Royal College of Podiatry. Securing a spot in our fitness editor’s round-up of the best women’s running shoes, she noted that “the 4mm lugs give it superior grip to a road shoe (these are well placed and perform well) but it doesn’t have the weight and heft of a trail shoe from features such as toe protection.” Ideal for autumn and winter running, the shoes give you a “little extra grip for the park, firmer trails or races that are a mix of road and moderate trail.”

Boasting a cushioned and nicely responsive sold, she said that the “miles feel easy, especially if you’re not on tarmac for the whole run.”