It’s been gray days in New York City, but I’m still excited because my favorite walking season is here. I’m talking autumn, baby! Fall! The air will soon turn brisk (a word that I will be using waaaay too often in the coming the months) and fallen leaves will soon be crunching under my boots. That said, I’ll miss the brilliant greens and bright, sunny days of summer. Which got me thinking, what is your ideal weather for walking? Do you love a warm, wet spring evening? Or do you prefer a cold, crisp winter morning? Describe what your perfect walking day (or night!) is looking like it terms of weather.
I love it all, though humidity harshes my walking mellow. Who doesn't love a sunny day around 70 degrees, but give me a quiet winter snow and Narnia lampposts, evening is best.
The first walk I take after winter has (not officially, like, on the calendar, but spiritually) ended. I don't slip on ice or soak my shoes ONCE. I can finally smell incoming rain... and there are lots of puppies. The walk equivalent of a perfect bite 😍
I do a daily two-miler for exercise, different routes around the valley where I live, and like it always unless its really hot, which I usually can avoid by going earlier in the morning. My favorite walks, though, have always been at night. Daylight is beautiful, nighttime is magical. Jim at jampags.com
Although I (alas) am not where I belong, instead in a warm climate (though the skies are fairly incredible), my favorite walks would be a misty grey morning in autumn (big sweater, muffler, boots), & a brisk winter morning, visible breath, the afore-mentioned clothing plus, possibly, hat & gloves, if needed. Cooler air makes my blood actually dance...
The end of fall, the beginning of winter is the best. I live in the PNW so it is rainy and cloudy this time of year. It is cold enough for a coat and maybe a rain jacket but not too cold that it is uncomfortable. I run super warm, so the cold air is a good way for me to cool down and think. I tend to talk more on these walks and think deeper.
Spring: early morning around the neighborhood, just as things are waking up
Autumn: late afternoon/early evening with the knowledge that after the walk I'm going to go home and curl up under a blanket with some hot tea and binge watch a show (bonus points if this walk happens on a rocky beach by the ocean and fish & chips can be easily acquired)
Winter: late night with slow falling snow and the world is so so quiet and it's almost too magical to bear
Summer: no walks in the summer...it's too hot and I get too cranky and it's just not worth it
So much echoing of "no thank you" to the humidity. I love a chilly walk I have to bundle up for. Wool socks and shoes with a firm tread. A soft, heavy quiet of snowfall is always a bonus. Perpetual twilight vibes.
Do I have to choose? Early fall when the lake is warmer than the air and the mist skims the surface, later fall when the leaves are in full blooming colour and the dirt roads are quiet because everyone is either back to school and/or work; then that first snowfall, having to change my sneakers for boots so I don't slip but hearing the squee sound beneath my feet, feeling the snowflakes hit my cheeks even though I'm still wearing a peak cap instead of a toque. Can't choose, blessed with so many! :D
fall, 55-65 degrees, wearing a hoodie, at least some sun ... walking along with the leaves crunching. That's my favorite. I will also take similar temps and spring weather so I can admire the flowers.
Tis the motherfriggin season! I'm in the south and the best time of year to walk is autumn or spring mornings. It's not over 80° which is crisp to me 😆
It depends, doesn't it? They're all beautiful in their own way. (And that said Fall has always been my favorite season, in no small part because it's inherently suggestive of the ephemeral.)
Wow now that's a tough one. (By the way I'm really enjoying responding on these threads!) In the UK, my favourite season is most definitely autumn, probably for the same reasons it's yours. I love the colour of fall and the coolness and crispness (here's a word to use when you've used "brisk" too many times.) in the air. But out here in Asia my favourite walking weather is the summer when it's hot and dry. I love the feel of the sun licking my skin and the dry heat enveloping me. It makes the walk rejuvenating and oddly refreshing.
Summer nights (mid June ish in particular)! Around 8:30 or 9, as the light is fading out of the sky. Preferably on a warm but not muggy night (a little humidity, with a little sea breeze - in Boston - is the perfect amount!). Something about that time and that feeling the air is just all possibilities to me - the summer is still stretching out in front of you, the days are long, winter is a distant memory :)
Brisk is the word! That's exactly the right weather for walking. Something about those first days of spring, fall, and winter. The air is crisp, the energy is crackling. It feels like change. Like something is, ahem, afoot...
Great question! I love summer walks, but don't like getting overheated. I think my ideal walking day is a classic autumn day - cloudy, some spitting rain is okay, brisk or crisp air, and some wind. I love the wind and find it to be exhilarating when I'm out there. Autumn has great sights (Halloween decorations and mushrooms) and great sounds - crunchy leaves!
I'm an Autumn (UK) girl by nature, but here in Doha, Qatar, its finally 'cool' enough (36 degrees at 5pm) to get outside and actually walk instead of having to take air conditioned taxis everywhere. I am loving our evening walks at sunset in the desert behind our compound; waving to the local goatherd as he takes his flock back to the farm, watching the silhouettes of the camels against the huge red ball of the setting sun. Then we enjoy that quiet golden light when the birds have stopped twittering in the few trees and listen to the peace under the dome of the sky.
I love it all, though humidity harshes my walking mellow. Who doesn't love a sunny day around 70 degrees, but give me a quiet winter snow and Narnia lampposts, evening is best.
Shorts + hoodie weather
The first walk I take after winter has (not officially, like, on the calendar, but spiritually) ended. I don't slip on ice or soak my shoes ONCE. I can finally smell incoming rain... and there are lots of puppies. The walk equivalent of a perfect bite 😍
I do a daily two-miler for exercise, different routes around the valley where I live, and like it always unless its really hot, which I usually can avoid by going earlier in the morning. My favorite walks, though, have always been at night. Daylight is beautiful, nighttime is magical. Jim at jampags.com
Ideal: 35-55F and sunny. Anything over 80F is a no go for me. I hate hot weather.
Although I (alas) am not where I belong, instead in a warm climate (though the skies are fairly incredible), my favorite walks would be a misty grey morning in autumn (big sweater, muffler, boots), & a brisk winter morning, visible breath, the afore-mentioned clothing plus, possibly, hat & gloves, if needed. Cooler air makes my blood actually dance...
Cold and crisp! Much better for walking and thinking than hot and dank imo.
The end of fall, the beginning of winter is the best. I live in the PNW so it is rainy and cloudy this time of year. It is cold enough for a coat and maybe a rain jacket but not too cold that it is uncomfortable. I run super warm, so the cold air is a good way for me to cool down and think. I tend to talk more on these walks and think deeper.
Any season really, but morning is my favorite, just as the sun is coming up.
Spring: early morning around the neighborhood, just as things are waking up
Autumn: late afternoon/early evening with the knowledge that after the walk I'm going to go home and curl up under a blanket with some hot tea and binge watch a show (bonus points if this walk happens on a rocky beach by the ocean and fish & chips can be easily acquired)
Winter: late night with slow falling snow and the world is so so quiet and it's almost too magical to bear
Summer: no walks in the summer...it's too hot and I get too cranky and it's just not worth it
Walking in the fog. Being enveloped by a cloud, not knowing quite what's ahead provides a magical environment for fun imagining.
I love it all! My favorite time is when it’s changing from one season to the other. Change feels good and exciting.
So much echoing of "no thank you" to the humidity. I love a chilly walk I have to bundle up for. Wool socks and shoes with a firm tread. A soft, heavy quiet of snowfall is always a bonus. Perpetual twilight vibes.
Do I have to choose? Early fall when the lake is warmer than the air and the mist skims the surface, later fall when the leaves are in full blooming colour and the dirt roads are quiet because everyone is either back to school and/or work; then that first snowfall, having to change my sneakers for boots so I don't slip but hearing the squee sound beneath my feet, feeling the snowflakes hit my cheeks even though I'm still wearing a peak cap instead of a toque. Can't choose, blessed with so many! :D
fall, 55-65 degrees, wearing a hoodie, at least some sun ... walking along with the leaves crunching. That's my favorite. I will also take similar temps and spring weather so I can admire the flowers.
Tis the motherfriggin season! I'm in the south and the best time of year to walk is autumn or spring mornings. It's not over 80° which is crisp to me 😆
i just hate humidity when walking! everything else is fine!!
It depends, doesn't it? They're all beautiful in their own way. (And that said Fall has always been my favorite season, in no small part because it's inherently suggestive of the ephemeral.)
55-65, dusk, culminating in a stop somewhere cozy (bar; fireplace; house full of cats)
Wow now that's a tough one. (By the way I'm really enjoying responding on these threads!) In the UK, my favourite season is most definitely autumn, probably for the same reasons it's yours. I love the colour of fall and the coolness and crispness (here's a word to use when you've used "brisk" too many times.) in the air. But out here in Asia my favourite walking weather is the summer when it's hot and dry. I love the feel of the sun licking my skin and the dry heat enveloping me. It makes the walk rejuvenating and oddly refreshing.
Summer nights (mid June ish in particular)! Around 8:30 or 9, as the light is fading out of the sky. Preferably on a warm but not muggy night (a little humidity, with a little sea breeze - in Boston - is the perfect amount!). Something about that time and that feeling the air is just all possibilities to me - the summer is still stretching out in front of you, the days are long, winter is a distant memory :)
Brisk is the word! That's exactly the right weather for walking. Something about those first days of spring, fall, and winter. The air is crisp, the energy is crackling. It feels like change. Like something is, ahem, afoot...
Great question! I love summer walks, but don't like getting overheated. I think my ideal walking day is a classic autumn day - cloudy, some spitting rain is okay, brisk or crisp air, and some wind. I love the wind and find it to be exhilarating when I'm out there. Autumn has great sights (Halloween decorations and mushrooms) and great sounds - crunchy leaves!
Cool fall weather after a long, humid, suffocating summer is such a relief and a joy. I walk longer and farther; it feels like a new world.
I'm an Autumn (UK) girl by nature, but here in Doha, Qatar, its finally 'cool' enough (36 degrees at 5pm) to get outside and actually walk instead of having to take air conditioned taxis everywhere. I am loving our evening walks at sunset in the desert behind our compound; waving to the local goatherd as he takes his flock back to the farm, watching the silhouettes of the camels against the huge red ball of the setting sun. Then we enjoy that quiet golden light when the birds have stopped twittering in the few trees and listen to the peace under the dome of the sky.
In winter, with snow up to the ankle. Crispy air, red cheeks, and the mystery of footprints on the pathway to solve while walking.