The Best Workout Apparel For Fall

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Welcome to October, the best of the fall months! Autumn is my favorite time of year in New York. I love seeing the leaves change colors, buying pumpkins and squash at the farmer’s market, wearing cozy sweaters, and going on long walks through Central Park. Honestly I think I walk more in the fall than the summer, because the temperature is much milder—not sweltering hot and not freezing cold. Plus, by the time you read this, the Fall Pure Joy Wellness Walking Challenge will be in full swing, so you know I’ll be walking daily! 

In honor of the Walking Challenge, and this seasonal change, I’ve pulled some of my favorite pieces of workout apparel. If you’re in the market for new gear, I hope this is helpful and that it makes the Walking Challenge even more special for you. 

Alright, here we go.

Tops/Shirts

During the fall and winter months, it’s crucial to strike the right balance between being hot and cold on your walks. As I mentioned in last week’s blog post, your body temperature increases when you exercise, so I like to check the weather and dress as if it’s 10 degrees warmer outside. Layering your workout clothing is key, because it allows you to remove pieces as needed to ensure you are comfortable. Here are some of my favorite base layers, long sleeves, and jackets for working out this fall. 

Tank tops / Base Layers

Whatever the weather, I like to wear a tank top as my first layer in case I warm up a lot. Sometimes on my walks, I’ll end up jogging for part of it if my body is feeling good, or I’ll challenge myself to walk faster and really break a sweat. These are my go-to tank tops—they’re affordable and last forever! 

Long Sleeve Shirts

Long sleeves are absolutely essential for fall weather—I usually start in a long sleeve shirt and leggings, and then once I’m in the zone shed my outer layer and tie it around my waist. When shopping for long sleeve workout shirts, I always look for ones made from sweat or moisture-wicking material, like merino wool. Merino wool is super high quality, so it’s a little more expensive than a lower quality alternative, but it’s worth the investment. (Otherwise, you’ll be buying fast-fashion products that will likely deteriorate after a few washes.) These long sleeve shirts can also be a great base layer for the really cold months; just skip the tank top and start layering sweatshirts and jackets on top of the long sleeve!

Jackets

A good outdoor activewear jacket is one of the best purchases you can make if you’re going to be walking outside this fall. It’s an imperative piece for layering, and similar to a long sleeve shirt, you can easily take off a jacket and either tie it around your waist or drape it over your shoulders. Not to mention, a high quality workout jacket is a staple that will serve you for years, and you can wear it for any kind of outdoor workout or activity. 

Bottoms 

And finally, bottoms. As much as I love my running shorts, I don’t like my legs to be cold when I’m walking. Not only does the cold air dry my skin out, but I find that it also makes my muscles tighten up, which I try to avoid. Leggings are my preferred bottoms for walking, but I’ve included two pairs of pants too, in case that’s more your style. 

For some of my other favorite walking gear and accessories, you can check out my blog post from the Spring Walking Challenge here, my love letter to Brooks Sneakers here, and a post about the best accessories for tracking your steps here. 

And if you haven’t already jumped on board the Walking Challenge, there’s no time like the present. Join the Private Pure Joy Wellness Facebook Group here, and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Xo, 

Renata