I’m a sucker for slick marketing. That’s a problem because I’m a marketer and should know better.

My penchant for clever TV commercials got me into a bit of trouble recently. As summer turned into “summer light” (aka winter) in Southern California, I got sick of being cold and wet in brisk 45-degree weather during my morning trail runs.

Yes, I expect sympathy for that last sentence. Cold is relative, people. It’s not my problem that folks in the Midwest or East Coast refuse to acknowledge that they too can enjoy 40-degree winter mornings. That doesn’t make me any less cold. So there.

I digress. Late last year, Nike started to broadcast ads to support its Pro Combat line of rough winter weather gear. I was hooked from the start of the “Winter’s Angry. Fight Back” campaign, admittedly because I’m a bit of a Nike fanboy. Visuals of pro athletes battling harsh conditions to maintain their elite status? Yeah, I’m in. A little weather ain’t gonna bother these studs, so then it won’t bother me. Even though I know it’s a fantasy, I can picture myself soggy and covered in grime doing the same workout—dramatic lighting and all. It’s the extra motivation I need to get out there and train—even in the unlikely event the thermometer dips into the 30s (GASP!) with a chance for showers.

The Nike ads did their job. I asked for and received as holiday gifts a Dri-Fit runners hoodie, Hyperwarm long sleeve thermal shirt and cold weather runners leggings.

Now all I needed was the cold weather.

I’ve been putting my new Pro Combat gear to the test over the past several weekends as I prepare for a 30k trail run called The Bandit in my hometown of Simi Valley, Calif. This has meant braving brisk sunrise temperatures in the … wait for it … high 40s. The garments have served their purpose well: Sweat wicks from my torso and back, relieving me of the clammy shivers when the wind picks up. The leggings almost work too well. I’ve worn them running and cycling, and in every instance my legs feel like they’re wrapped in electric blankets. However, the material clings tightly around my outer knees and inner thighs, restricting a bit of movement and leaving me with a sensation that I’m fighting against my clothes to maintain my speed and power. The leggings fit though, so maybe they just need to be broken in more.

I’m less impressed with the Dri-Fit hooded runner’s jacket. For starters, the Dri-Fit fabric on the lower outer half of the jacket is susceptible to sweat and seems to get damp very easily. This is disconcerting when you put your hands in the jacket pockets to stay warm and they’re squishy. I’m a little surprised Nike didn’t just use the same nylon material featured on the shoulders and back as it absolutely wicks away all moisture. Speaking of the jacket pockets, make sure to use the elastic chords in each of them to tie together anything you want to keep. The pocket depth is shallow, and my keys bounced out when my jacket was unzipped. I retrieved them this time, but there are few things worse than losing a car key on a trail run and realizing it only when you’re back at your vehicle. I now prefer to run with my Brooks vest because the pockets are deeper, the ventilation is better, and it’s lighter. My Nike hoodie now serves as a stylish way to get to and from my workouts.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned in testing Nike’s cold-weather running gear is that it’s probably not meant for weather wussies like me. Guys who live in Southern California and think a cold day is simply one where you can see your breath. Cold weather gear is probably more useful for elite athletes filming TV commercials using dramatic light and weather effects, or for people training for the Iditarod. Maybe a good rule of thumb is, “If you’ve got a snowmobile in your garage, then Pro Combat is for you.”

Then again, maybe this stuff is meant for marketing geeks who buy things because of inspiring TV spots.

Excuse me now while I crawl into my Snuggie after putting away my Shake Weights.

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Ryan Schneider is an Ironman triathlete and blogger who works in brand development when he’s not swimming, biking or running. You can read his blog at ironmadman.com, follow him on Twitter (@theironmadman), and read his monthly column “Mind Games” here at LAVA.