TempoLife › Features › What to wear for a run or walk by temperature › 20c
Dressing for 20 to 24 C
At 20 to 24 C the layer plan is: t-shirt or singlet, shorts. — with the wind and rain modifiers, separate running and walking notes, and the layering principle it follows.
The layers
| Layer | Job | What to wear |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Wicks sweat away from the skin | T-shirt or singlet, shorts. |
| Mid | Traps warm air | None. |
| Shell | Stops wind and rain | None. |
| Extras | Hands, head, neck | A cap. |
Running vs walking
| Activity | Note |
|---|---|
| Running | Shorts and a tee are plenty. |
| Walking | Comfortable in one light layer. |
Adjust for wind and wet
Strong wind: feel about 3-5 C colder, add the shell. Rain: about 3 C colder, and change out of wet base layers as soon as you stop. The modifiers are stated approximations — your climate and your pace move them.
Cold injuries are real: at 20 to 24 C watch exposed skin for numbness or white patches, especially hands, ears and face. Keep sessions short enough to stay safe.
Layering principle: REI Expert Advice — layering basics (base, mid, shell) · checked 2026-09-03
Frequently asked questions
What do I wear at 20 to 24 C?
Base: T-shirt or singlet, shorts. Mid: None. Shell: None. Extras: A cap.
What about wind and rain at 20 to 24 C?
Apply the modifiers: strong wind feels about 3-5 C colder — add a shell; rain about 3 C colder, and wet layers must come off. The felt temperature is what you dress for.
Will I overheat once I start moving?
Probably — that is what the zips and the tied-around-the-waist mid are for. Start slightly cool; you warm up in the first kilometre.
15 to 19 C
Most runners are happy in a tee and shorts once moving.
25 to 30 C
Easy pace: heat is the limiter. Run early or late, hydrate before, wear as little as decency allows.
Log the session the clothes made possible
TempoLife tracks the run or walk against your plan — distance, pace, and how the weather felt.