What to wear for the temperature: a degree-by-degree guide
In the 70s, one light layer is enough; in the 50s, wear two layers; below 40 °F, go to three layers with a warm coat. The tool works out the feels-like temperature from wind and humidity and tells you what to wear for it, with an adjustment if you are working out.
Feels-like uses the National Weather Service wind chill and heat index formulas. The clothing ranges are our editorial guide, not a standard: sun, rain and how warm you run change what you need.
Why feels-like matters more than the thermometer
Wind pulls heat away from your body: at 0 °F, a 15 mph wind makes it feel like −19 °F. Humidity does the opposite in summer, because sweat evaporates less: 90 °F at 60% humidity feels like 100 °F. The tool uses the National Weather Service wind chill and heat index formulas. Wind chill only applies at 50 °F and below with wind above 3 mph; the heat index starts around 80 °F.
Layers, range by range
| Feels like | What to wear |
|---|---|
| 80 °F and up | One light, loose layer in linen, cotton or rayon |
| 70s | One light layer |
| 60s | A light layer plus something thin for the evening |
| 50s | Two layers and closed shoes |
| 40s | Two to three layers with a medium jacket or trench |
| 30s | Three layers with a warm coat, scarf and boots |
| 20s | A thermal base layer, heavy coat, hat and gloves |
| Below 20 °F | Base, insulating and outer layers; cover head, hands and face |
The ranges are our editorial guide, not a standard: if you run cold, drop a range, and sun or rain change the call too.