There are a lot of gear, gadgets, and clothing pieces out there for runners. I have tried a lot of different things over the years, and here are 10 things I am currently loving and don’t regret purchasing.
lululemon Track That Shorts
I am very picky when it comes to my running shorts. I want a comfortable waistband, a brief liner that isn’t too tight nor too small, a flattering cut, and and the Track That Shorts checks all the boxes for me. I am surprised more people don’t rave about these because I love them so much, and they are often the first pair I reach for. I like the 3″ inseam version, but they also have a 5″ version.
Peloton Treadmill
I have been so happy with my Peloton Tread. I know there are even nicer treadmills out there (ahem. . .Woodway), but for my budget and a couple of key functions I wanted, I am really happy with how the Peloton performs. I have done a 19 mile run on it along with many, many speed workouts, and it has stood the test of long runs and fast runs as well. I love that it speeds up quickly, the belt is smooth, and I am obsessed with the dials on each handrail to increase/decrease the speed and incline. After owning the treadmill for 18 months, I haven’t had any issues with it. I even wrote an entire blog post on my honest reviews on the Peloton treadmill for all my thoughts on it and the other brands I considered.
Oofos Recovery Sandals
They may not be the cutest sandals, but they are by far the most comfortable sandals I have wore. I wear my Oofos sandals all the time in the summer inside our home on our hardwood floors. The arch support is unmatched, which feels so good after a run. There is a wide range of styles and colors, so everyone is bound to find something they like. If you do want something cuter, I would recommend these lululemon slides. They don’t have the arch support of the Oofos, but they are still very comfortable as well.
Lagoon Pillow
Sleep is vital for me as an athlete, and I will pay good money for quality sleep. (The same reason I also splurged on a good mattress and bamboo sheets.) But if anything, a good pillow can make or break my night of sleep. Once I discovered Lagoon pillows, I cannot go back to using anything else. Trust me, I’ve tried, and I always come back to my Lagoon pillow. You take a two minute quiz, and then are recommended a pillow based on your sleep habits. I have the Fox and the Otter, and I love both of them. (Get 15% off with my code: THERUNNERSPLATE)
Nike Sports Bra
I can’t get over how cute and reasonably priced this Indy sports bra from Nike is. The design is super flattering, the fit is comfortable, and for $38, it seems like a steal. This is a light-support sports bra, so if you are larger-chested, this may not work for you. (I, on the other hand, have nothing to support.) Also, check out all the colors because they’re all super cute.
Pillar Magnesium
I did not think I would find the benefits of magnesium that great. I’ve always been a decent sleeper, but the added benefits of muscle recovery are what eventually sold me on the product. This Pillar Performance Magnesium tastes good + works really well, and I sleep even deeper when I take it. I don’t take this every night but more like once a week when I feel like I need a really solid night of sleep. I’m a big fan!
Stance socks
I don’t feel like many people know about Stance running socks. I’ve been wearing their socks for years, and I love their design, construction, and they last forever. I reach for their tab socks often because the tab of the heel on the sock comes up higher than any other brand I’ve tried. This is crucial since a lot of my shoes seems to have a high heel collar that comes up higher on my Achilles. I love a thin sock girl, so the Ultralight Performance Socks are my favorite. But more recently, I’ve been reaching for the crew length and quarter length socks, so Stance’s Quarter Socks are quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
Noxgear Tracer Lighted Vest
I do a lot of running in the dark in the winter, so being bright and visible is important. Honestly, I went years without wearing any lighted or reflective gear, but I have learned as a motorist how nice it is when a pedestrian is wearing flashing lights so that I can see them as I am driving. It makes a huge difference in being seem when someone is wearing blinking lights vs a solid light. But, I will say, any lights are better than just reflective gear. I have tried cheaper lighted vests from Amazon, but this Noxgear one fits so much better. I love that it is USB rechargeable, and the charge lasts for several days.
TriggerPoint Recovery Ball
I have the most basic recovery tools. I don’t have any fancy compression boots, scraping tools, cold plunge, or sauna. I simply use my foam roller and this massage ball every single day–and sometimes twice a day. The 5 inch size is perfect for getting specific spots in my glutes, hamstrings, and calves, and the areas feel noticeably loser when I am done.
Garmin Running Watch
If you don’t have a running-specific watch, I would highly recommend getting one. These watches have a lot more bells and whistles, are easier to use, you can take splits on them, and program workouts into them. Plus, now some of the Garmin watches are pretty enough to wear throughout the day like the Venu if you don’t like the sporty-ness of some of the other models. I have an old Fenix (the Fenix 6s Pro), which I love. But Garmin has several different running-specific watches from their Forerunners to the Fenix and Enduro. All are great, so you’ll just have to decide on your budget and what features you want. I will say, I have also tried COROS watches, and you can’t go wrong with that brand either. The big advantage to the COROS brand is their long battery life.
All of these items are things I have had for a long, long time, so they have stood the test of time. Plus, I can be a hard critic, so these 10 items are must-haves in my book.
Leave any of your running favorites in the comments below!
