From the history of time, humans have been subjected to the natural elements of climate. Whether it’s in our genes, our culture, or just our particular comfort zone, there will always be those who prefer running in colder climates than warmer climates, and vice versa.
But when it comes to actual disadvantages, is there one that has the edge over the other?
Your vision
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are usually worse in hotter climate, because this is the time of year the sun is closest to the earth. But UV rays can actually reflect off snow and wet surfaces, making UV rays just as hazardous in the winter. Hot: 1, cold: 1.
Dehydration
We would normally conclude that hydration is far more critical in hotter climate. Though this is true, when you think about it, most people know this already, particularly veteran runners. We might neglect liquids more in cold weather because we don’t feel as thirsty, and in hot weather, we’ve probably already consumed a lot of liquids before we start running. But in colder weather, we have more of a propensity to consume caffeinated drinks, which makes dehydration worse. So even though hotter climate might take more of toll on us physically, colder climate can take its toll on us mentally and our lack of preparation. Hot: 1, cold: 1.
Calories
The common myth is that the more you sweat, the more calories you lose. But you’re actually losing water, which is just replenished during more liquid intake. Though studies did find that the cardiovascular system works more when it has to cool the body, the trade-off is that the body shuts down faster in hotter temperatures. So, all in all, when it comes to losing calories, there really is no significant advantage one way or the other. Hot: 0, cold: 0.
Cost
This really depends on what wardrobe you choose to don while you run. If you aren’t that big on style, then you’ll probably just wear extra clothes you already have when you run during colder climates. If you’re big on style and actually go out of your way to buy running clothes specifically designed for winter, then it will obviously cost you more than wearing cotton shorts and a tank top. Hot: 0, cold: 1.
Physical effects
Hyperthermia (too hot) can be just as detrimental to your health as hypothermia (too cold), but hypothermia typically doesn’t come as quickly. It’s easier to keep your body warm than it is to keep it cool, because exposure to cold is simply resolved by the type and the amount of clothes you choose to wear. During hotter climates, hyperthermia is always a serious health threat, and there really is no way to prevent it other than staying hydrated, carefully monitoring your exposure to the sun, and not overexerting yourself. Hot: 1, cold: 0.
The bottom line is that it probably just comes down personal preference. And if you’re an avid runner, unless you live in the Bahamas or the Antarctica, you’re going to be forced to run in both at some point, so it’s best to make precautions for all weather conditions.