Rundefeated

Winter is coming. Not for Westeros this time, but for Australia. Meanwhile, back home in Indonesia, people are still complaining about the heat and humidity while I’m here experiencing this mysterious thing called “cold.” As someone who grew up believing 24°C at the mall was chilly, running in single-digit temperatures feels like willingly stepping into a freezer with sneakers on.

Of course, being the running shoe and gear hoarder I am, I came prepared. Or at least, I like to think so. My wardrobe back in Jakarta never had a section labeled “winter running jackets” because, frankly, we don’t do seasons — we do sweaty, soggy, and rainy. But down here, I’ve assembled a collection of running jackets from Adidas, Nike, Hoka, and Under Armour. All promising to keep me warm, dry, and alive with their fancy-sounding fabric tech. It’s like each jacket had to attend an exclusive marketing seminar before it could be sold.

Adidas brought me Climawarm, a name that sounds like it could be a minor Marvel character. To its credit, the thing works. It’s thick, it’s tough, and it feels like wrapping yourself in a warm, slightly overprotective hug. Great for early morning runs, though after a couple of kilometers I usually find myself regretting how heavy it feels. Not that I don’t appreciate warmth — I just don’t want to feel like I’m running with a small mattress strapped to my shoulders.

Then there’s Nike’s Therma-FIT, which I originally bought just to see if I’d look cooler running in a swoosh. It’s a bit lighter than the Climawarm but still has that fleece-lined interior that turns you into a human sauna after fifteen minutes of steady jogging. It’s the kind of jacket that’s perfect for standing around, holding a takeaway coffee while pretending to be on your way to a casual jog. Mid-run, though? It sometimes feels like you’ve overdressed for a date with hypothermia.

But the real MVP of my winter running kit is the Hoka jacket with Polartec. Now, this — this is a game-changer. It doesn’t sound as menacing as Storm Gear or as dramatic as Therma-FIT, but it gets the job done with minimum fuss. The moment I put it on, I noticed it was lighter than both Adidas and Nike’s offerings. It felt less like a jacket and more like a polite suggestion of warmth, which is exactly what a tropical-born runner needs when trying to avoid becoming a human popsicle in foreign climates.

It surprised me how something so thin could keep me so comfortable. I half expected to start shivering by the second kilometer, but instead, it regulated my body temperature better than a concerned auntie with a thermometer. I stayed warm without getting sweaty, and even when the wind picked up like it had a personal vendetta against my face, the Polartec held its ground.

Meanwhile, Under Armour Storm Gear is the overachiever in my collection. It’s built like it expects you to outrun a tropical cyclone or a minor apocalypse. Water-resistant, wind-resistant, and possibly bulletproof — it’s serious gear. I wore it once during a particularly foggy, wet morning in Melbourne and while it kept me dry, it also made me feel like I was jogging in medieval armor. Impressive? Absolutely. Practical for someone from Jakarta who still considers 22°C chilly? Not really.

One of the secret perks of living on the equator is that if you ever get the itch for winter, you can just fly to it. No need to wait for the seasons to change. Want to feel cold in August? Head down to Sydney. Craving snow in February? Sapporo’s waiting. It’s like having a year-round weather buffet. Equatorial life means you get to pick your climate, and sometimes, your running adventures get a bonus seasonal side quest.

What I quickly learned from collecting these jackets is that their fancy tech names matter way more to marketing than to actual running. If your jacket isn’t promising warmth, resistance, and protection against a blizzard or a dragon attack, it won’t sell. I wouldn’t be surprised if next season ASICS launched KatanaWarm™ or New Balance dropped CendolShield™ for tropical monsoon jogs.

But here’s the thing about winter running — the weather often refuses to follow the rules. Your app says “Feels like 5°C,” and your legs argue “Feels like betrayal.” It’s one of those humbling moments when you realize no amount of Climawarm or Therma-FIT can protect your dignity from a sudden headwind.

And still, we run. Because something about defying terrible weather makes you feel oddly heroic. Or perhaps unhinged. It’s a fine line. Wrapped in jackets with more marketing certifications than a luxury car, we jog into the mist like B-grade action movie extras. Slower, colder, a little snot-nosed — but determined.

Of course, I’ve had my share of jacket mishaps. I’ve started runs feeling invincible in my Climawarm, only to unzip it after 2 kilometers when it felt like a steam room inside. Or I’ve braved a sudden downpour with Therma-FIT, realizing too late that while it repels light drizzle, it has no defense against heavy, sideways rain. The Polartec, however? It’s consistently saved my tropical backside.

What truly impresses me isn’t just the jackets — it’s the stubbornness that comes with winter running. That voice at 5:30 AM, when your alarm goes off and it’s dark, freezing, and your brain says, “Mate… are you sure?” And somehow, you lace up your shoes anyway.

Coming from Indonesia, where layering up means adding a second t-shirt, experiencing this whole winter running culture has been both hilarious and humbling. My idea of cold used to be standing under the AC vent at a mall. Now, I’m jogging in gloves, beanies, and debating jacket insulation technology like it’s a life-or-death matter.

Yet, despite the numb fingers and foggy breaths, there’s something incredibly satisfying about it. That post-run warmth when you peel off your Polartec, thaw out your face, and cradle a hot cup of coffee like a survivor. The glow of knowing you braved the weather and didn’t chicken out.

And let’s be honest — it also makes it easier to justify owning way too many jackets. “I need the Climawarm for dry, windy days, the Therma-FIT for light drizzle, the Polartec for most mornings, and the Storm Gear for if a tornado ever hits Melbourne.” Never mind that most runs are at the same park loop, and the biggest hazard is an aggressive magpie.

So as winter creeps in, to my fellow tropical runners venturing into colder lands — suit up. Whether it’s Climawarm, Therma-FIT, Polartec, or a random hoodie you found at the back of your suitcase, keep moving. Because no jacket tech can replace the warmth of sheer stubborn determination.