Essential Running Gear for the Beginner Runner

January 14, 2021January 14, 2021

Having the right gear can make or break your running experience when you’re just getting started, and it can be a bit overwhelming to identify what you truly need and where to find it. This guide from Team RunRun coaches and athletes will help you find the essential gear you need to begin running, and to maximize your chances of enjoying the experience from the very start!

A Proper Fitting Pair of Running Shoes

Running is a relatively simple activity when it comes to equipment. The primary piece of gear every runner needs is a good pair of running shoes. There are many types of shoes from numerous brands, which can make shoe shopping an overwhelming endeavor. Coach Megan Smith suggests finding the best shoe fit at a specialty running store where staff are trained to assess your running mechanics and will help fit you for a pair of shoes that compliment the way you run. Alternatively, there are online tools. Check out the Brooks “Shoe Finder” or the “Shoe Dog” from Road Runner Sports. You won’t have the experience of feeling the shoes on your feet, but some good research is the next best option! Get this gear decision correct, and you’re well on your way to starting your running journey successfully!

Moisture Wicking Socks

Following the theme of taking care of your feet, socks made of synthetic moisture wicking material, like polyester or nylon, will help keep your feet dry and avoid blisters. Socks containing cotton should be avoided because they hold moisture and become abrasive against your skin. Some of my personal favorites are from Darn Tough and Swiftwick.

A Well-Fitting Sports Bra

For female runners, a sports bra that is comfortable and supportive is of equal (or greater) importance to moisture wicking socks. A sports bra that does not fit properly or has seams in high-friction areas can cause discomfort and chafing while running.

essential running gear — Coach Keith Laverty, Photo: James Holk @Run The Rock 50k

Visibility Safety Gear

Many new runners are venturing out in the dark before or after work. This makes visibility safety equipment, like headlamps and reflective vests, necessary for running safely on roads and trails. Lights and reflective gear allow you to see where you are going and be seen by motorists and other pedestrians. In addition to wearing visibility gear, it is a great idea to plan routes that are well lit, if possible.

Technical Running Apparel

Whether it is shorts, tights, pants, shirts, or jackets, a common theme for essential running apparel is synthetic technical materials like polyester and nylon that wick moisture, help prevent chafing, and enhance breathability for body temperature regulation. It is easy to spend large sums of money on running apparel; however, this is not always necessary to get started. The technology and function in running apparel is relatively unchanging from year to year, making it a great idea to target clearance items from previous year’s models. If you live in a fairly active community, you can often find awesome running apparel at second-hand stops. Buying only seasonally appropriate apparel, like shorts and t-shirts in the summer or tights and jackets in the winter, is a great way to spread out the initial investment in running clothes when you are getting started.

Running is an amazing life-long sport because you can do it almost anywhere and it takes so little equipment to get started. By making the investment up front to find the essential running gear for beginning your running journey, you will have a much better experience starting off and it will increase your odds of falling in love with running and sticking with the sport.

Maxx Antush is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Maxx, check out his coaching page.

Ultimate Direction Mountain Vesta 5.0 Gear Review – Kim Whitesell

January 6, 2021

Kim is a runrunner on the team and received this pack from Santa in 2020 and tested it out on a run right away. A special thanks to Kim for sharing her feedback on the pack!

Gear Name: Ultimate direction Mountain Vesta 5.0

Size: Small

Fit: The pack fits very well and snug. Once I had the elastic cords on the pack tightened, no bounce occurred while running. I wore 2 long sleeve shirts but didn’t notice any rubbing on the outside shirt. The outer edge of the front of the pack is firm, it feels like a thick plastic wire in the seam, which I wasn’t sure about at first but notice the less flexibility helped taking on and off easier and kept the pack in place better. I like the variety of pockets. So many pockets I’m not sure what I’d put in each one!

Pros: Snug fit and no bounce, a lot of space for food and gear, breathable

Cons: My biggest con is the collapsing water flasks. If you take them out of the pocket, they are hard to get back in to the pocket. I’m planning to order the bottle that comes with a straw so I don’t have to take it out of the pocket. Otherwise I like the flask because it isn’t chunky feeling or slosh around too much. Aside from that I haven’t found any other cons about this vest as of now.

Side note for the women who read this: I am a little “chesty” at 34dd. So I get worried about how packs will fit around my chest, which is another reason I like this vest has the firm and supportive seams.

Things I carried during this run:

Front right pocket: mashed potatoes and applesauce packets
Front left pocket: flask bottle with skratch hydration
Pocket below bottle on my left carried my phone.
A small pocket above the bottle carried the car key.
Doesn’t have anything in the back except my water bladder so I used the elastic cords to tighten the back of the pack and keep it from bouncing. I’m sure for longer runs I’ll be packing this more. I’m sure I could fit a packable rain jacket in the back and other gear.
There are several other small pockets in the front to carry gels, hand sanitizer, kleenex, as well as a zippered pocket, perhaps for cash and ID.

Have a piece of gear you’d like to tell more about? Write it here – we love to hear about gear – what works, what doesn’t, and what you have lots of info on. A special thanks once again to Kim for taking the time to write this gear review!

Naked Running Band Review – Nathan McBride

December 15, 2021September 25, 2020

Gear: Naked Running Band

Runner: Nathan McBride

Typical Price: $50

Where to buy: http://www.nakedsportsinnovations.com

Best Use: Earlier this summer I tried and did not like their vest because it just did not work on my long torso. About a week or so ago I bought their Naked Band and this thing is a game changer. I wore it on Monday for a 75k training run and again today for a 50k run and both times I had it absolutely loaded with crap…

Monday I had 8 clif blox gel packs, my cell phone spare battery and usb cable (about 5 oz), 2 baggies of tailwind, my car keys, my airpods case, spare buff and two hand wipe packs….ZERO bounce, zero movement and never noticed it was there. It just sits on the hips so perfectly…no chafing or rubbing and I found an added bonus with today’s run that I could just hook my hat to the back when it got too sweaty.

I used to have to carry all this crap in my vest and I just could never get comfortable with the bouncing effect. I only had two bottles in my orange mud pack and my phone and it was like I was completely freed up top and felt much lighter overall. Can’t recommend this belt enough. I will be wearing it for my 100 in 2.5 weeks and expect it to carry everything I need.

Naked Running Band Sizing: True to size

Additional Sizing Comments: I am a 37.25″ waist when I wear my CWX compression shorts so I ordered their 37″ size and it is a perfect fit.

Comparison to Past Models: Never tried a belt before – I have always tried to make do with either my OMud pack or my Nathan vest and always end up having to just cram crap in everywhere and then spend all this time trying to find what I need later in the race.

Durability: So far so good! 80 miles of abuse and sweat and it’s still like new. 🙂

Changes for the next model: I personally hope they don’t change anything.

The True Test – Would you recommend this to a friend? I plan on gifting this to several people this Xmas.

Keeping it Honest – Any affiliations or free gear? I am not affiliated and I paid my hard earned cash. Like I said, I tried their vest this summer and was disappointed but I liked the concept so gave it another try. Winner!!

Want tips on other gear? Check out our list of Essential Running Gear.

Favorite Women’s Hydration Packs

September 19, 2020September 18, 2020

We asked the women on the team to pick their favorite hydration pack – the result? There are lots of great options out there! Find out below which are our runners’ and coaches’ favorites, along with why, sizing tips, and the most important test of a good pack: if they’d recommend them to a friend! Most of these packs range in price from ~$100-150 and you can find them in lots of places, including local running shops and online. Have one we missed? Let us know! *Note: None of the links below are affiliate links – these are just straight-up products that we like and recommend!

Nathan

Ultimate Direction

Osprey

Salomon

Camelbak

UltrAspire

Nathan

Jillian loves both of these Nathan vests:

VaporHowe 12L – Why? So much storage space, insulated reservoir, super comfy fabric, awesome purple color
VaporAiress 2.0 7L – Why? Slightly larger reservoir, deeper front pockets, really good fit/adjustment system, and most importantly, loops for collapsible trekking poles

Best Use: Long runs (any terrain) and long trail days (esp. the VaporAiress w/pole loops – see photo!)

Sizing pro-tips: The VaporHowe has fairly particular sizing (XS, S, M, etc) whereas the VaporAiress has two size ranges (XXS-M and L-XXL) and more adjustment points.

Durability: So far both of these vests are going strong, I’ve had the VaporHowe for about a year and other than one snag I put in it ducking under a fallen tree it’s held up in near perfect condition over hundreds of miles! The VaporAiress I’ve only had a couple months but it’s going well so far.

Changes for the next model: The VaporAiress has bungee cinches on the frontmost pockets that stick out and brush your arms – it’s kind of annoying, but other than that small change I’m really happy with it!

The Friend Test: These are both super solid recommendations that I would definitely be comfortable making to a friend.

Other runners that recommend them: Margaret’s go-to running pack is a Nathan VaporShadow in order to carry a lot of “stuff” (sunscreen, chapstick, phone, s-caps, food…), for the accessible pockets, the 2L bladder for water, and for adjustable straps so there’s no bounce or chafing. CJ also love the Nathan Vaporhowe because it’s held up well and is super-comfy.

Ultimate Direction

Coach Liz Crain loves the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta 4.0

Why? I like that it fits snugly without being too tight, which means minimal bouncing without feeling so tight! It has plenty of space for a long trail adventure or race. It also comes in different sizes rather than being 1 size fits all, which is great for finding a good fit. I haven’t had any real issues with chafing or rubbing with it on longer runs either.

Capacity: 12L gear, 2L reservoir

Best Use: Trails and Long runs

Other runners that recommend them: Amy likes her osprey pack but loves her ultimate direction because it’s lighter and more breathable. Caroline has an older men’s pack – the AK Adventure hydration pack, and still loves it: “The bottles sit high enough on my chest for easy accessibility without feeling like I have water cleavage, the straps are adjustable and I love the pockets (including the ability to carry some backup gear like gloves or a hat if the weather changes on the trail.”

Osprey

Two favorite Osprey options out there, the Duro and the Dyna:

Gemma loves her Osprey Duro 15

Why? I bought this at a pinch from a local store and have been delighted with it. The reservoir works so well and the vest fits very snugly. I can fit other extras in it, and don’t feel I am carrying a heavy pack on my back. I have worn it all summer for runs and bike rides and will continue to do so into the winter

Capacity: 2.5L

Best Use: Running – long runs on roads and trails

Comparison to Other Brands: I was using Ultimate Direction before – and this vest beats UD hands down!

Durability: So well made. I wash it after especially sweaty runs, and it still looks like new after a hard summer’s use.

The Friend Test: Yes! Would definitely recco to a friend!

Coach Anna Simmons loves the Osprey Dyna

Why? It’s small & perfect for my small upper body. Also very lightweight.

Capacity: 1.5L

Best Use: Tested in distances up to the marathon so far

Compared to other brands: I used to run with a Nathan pack but this one is lighter and fits my frame better.

Durability: It’s held up very well. I bought mine used from eBay and it’s still going strong.

The Friend Test: Yes I would recommend this pack to any women!

Other runners that recommend them: Jami also loves the Osprey Dyna 1.5: “Good fit, doesn’t move around and feels like it’s part of me.”

Salomon

Coach Elizabeth Carey uses the Salomon ADV Skin 8 Set W

Why? For the reasons listed here: https://www.outsideonline.com/2412272/best-hydration-vests-packs-review >> I helped test these women’s packs and it was the best!

Capacity: 8L

Best Use: Trail, long, and ultra distances.

Camelbak

Coach Annika Brubaker loves the Camelbak marathoner

Why? I have an older model of the camelbak marathoner vest. It’s about 6yrs old and I still use it! The vest has held up really well and the plastic doesn’t give a funny taste to the water

Capacity: 1.5L

Best Use: Long runs, trail, hiking

Durability: Very durable; super impressed with how it’s held up over the miles

Changes for the next model: More pockets

The Friend Test: Yes! Best running gear next to my shoes

UltrAspire

Shoutout to UltrAspire from runner Barb: “Ultraspire has been my go to! Momentum, Alpha, and Zygos are all awesome !! I love their products. Super comfy and well designed.”

There you have it – a guide to our favorite women’s hydration packs, brought to you by the awesome runners and coaches that make up this team. A special thanks to all the runners and coaches on the team who helped contribute to this article. Onward!

Team RunRun is all about connecting runners with coaches. We’re a growing team of over 600 runners and over 90 coaches, all supporting the goal of being better runners and therefore better people, and a better world. We embrace that journey with passion, grit, focus, and care.