Over the past few years at the Runoffs, we’ve gotten accustomed to relatively mild weather—maybe some foggy and chilly mornings, but overall, warm and pleasant. Enter 2020. While the weather at Road America for the 57th running of the Runoffs looks to be seasonably pleasant, many participants are likely to be caught off guard by highs in the low to mid 50s this weekend and the week-long lows in the 40s. As such, we’ve got ten suggestions of products to order NOW to make the most out of your visit to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
1. The Easy Button
Disposable hand warmers. This one may seem a tad silly to list before say, insulation, but you have to produce the heat before you can retain it! There are a ton of variations in a wide variety of multi-packs, and Amazon will deliver as soon as tomorrow.
2. Stay Dry
Right now, the forecast isn’t calling for much rain, but the #1 rule of staying warm is to stay dry. Whether you’re on a corner station, in the paddock or somewhere in between, a basic rain suit is a vital addition to your gear bag. We recommend the basic Frogg Toggs Ultra-lite2 suit for a good balance between cost and durability, especially if you’ll only need it once or twice a year.
Pro Tip: If used, make sure to let the suit dry completely before repacking. It’s vital to its durability.
3. These Little Piggies Stayed Warm
The English language is full of metaphors about keeping your feet warm, and what happens when they get cold. So this one’s a no brainer—a few pairs of warm socks. While a little high on the budget side, you won’t regret splurging on this two-pack of Woolie Boolie socks and we guarantee you’ll use them in the future.
4. By Their Powers Combined
Staying dry applies to your little piggies too. If you don’t have a pair of lightweight waterproof hiking shoes, they’re a great investment for race weekends now and in the future. Amazon has options here for all budgets, but they’re admittedly a little skewed towards the guys. Ladies, if you try these out, let us know how they do.
5. Protect Those Hands
It doesn’t matter what your role is at the track, you’re going to need good dexterity in your hands. For this, we’ve rounded up a few different glove options so you can grab one that works best for your tasks.
Since this is written by the marketing department, digital connectivity is a must and we’ll be testing these touchscreen-friendly gloves.
If waving a flag is on your to-do list for the week, these warmer ski gloves are probably perfect for you:
And, if you plan to spend most of the week with tools in your hands, these mechanic gloves should give you the protection and warmth you seek.
6. Hot Head
We’ve all probably had an elder tell us that we need to put a hat on because, “you lose 50% of your body heat through your head!” While modern science tells us that it’s more like 7-10%, that still means you’ll be 7-10% warmer with your head covered. Head gear is a pretty personal choice, but a quick search of Amazon revealed a few that look really comfortable. This one even comes with a ‘scarf’ that can double as your face covering when you’re out and about.
7. Layer Up
This one is obvious. Put on lots of layers in the morning. As the day warms up, you can shed a layer or two, and replace them in the evening as it cools back off. The advice that’s important here is to invest in some non-cotton long underwear. Wool or synthetic are good but avoid cotton as it’ll hold moisture from rain and/or sweat. That said, you don’t have to splurge on Under Armor, but you’re welcome to. Thermajohn has a wide variety of options for the whole family.
8. That Fleece-Lined Feeling
So cozy. Whether a set of bib overalls or a warm coat, a layer that’s lined in fleece might as well be two layers. On price, Dickies edges out Carhartt a bit, but the choice between the two is a personal one. You can save a bit of cash by going with an off brand here, but we don’t recommend it unless you spend at least 90% of your time in a warm climate.
9. The Unfair Advantage
We first saw heated coat technology from Snap-On, but now it’s becoming more widespread. If you’re just sick and tired of being cold, it may be time to splurge on your cool-weather comfort with a power heated coat. As long as you charge that battery pack every 6-10 hours, they’re as blissful as they sound.
10. So You’re Camping?
A portable propane heater is about to be your best friend, and coincidentally, this one is called “Buddy.” Just trying to get a little extra heat during the day? Try the “Little Buddy” for a more portable option.
Photo Courtesy of Road America
