Essential kit is shoes and for women, a sports bra.
What else do we need? Fill in and add please!
Check out the sale items in your local running shop/online. Last season's styles and colours are sometimes less than half price!!
Try Aldi and Lidl for cheap running gear. The tops and tights are great from Aldi but don't touch their shoes. Buy sizes bigger than normal from both shops. Quality is pretty good though.
socks
- Thorlos: Very comfortable. In nearly two years of running, including three half-marathons, I've had only one blister ever.
vest -
benefits of "wicking" tops to cotton t-shirts - wicking tops help the sweat evaporate and don't end up sodden and cold at the end of the run.
shorts: pros and cons of tight-fitting lycra vs loose-fitting baggy type
What to wear in winter??
I would recomend you wear layers rather than one very thick fleece. Thin long sleeved wicking tops are good and I wear a gillet if its wet and windy,keeps the body warm and dry without overheating.
I love my bright yellow gloves for very cold winter nights.
Hydration
When you start to run longer distance, or if the weather is particularly warm, you will need to think about taking something to drink with you. However, it is not very practical to run carrying a bottle of Evian in a Tesco's carrier. Instead, there are three main options for carrying your essential fluids with you when running.
Hand-held bottle - You can always just carry a small bottle with you, 500ml bottles generally can be carried fairly comfortably, especially if you have big hands. However, there are also specially designed bottles to make this easier.
Waist belt - These are a bit like a bum-bag, but with a compartment specifically designed to carry a bottle. Some of them even come with multiple bottle compartments to carry a number of bottles. They have the advantage over hand-held that you are able to keep your hands free, if you find holding something a bit uncomfortable.
Camelbak/backpack - These are basically a rucksack, but instead of putting your sleeping bag and tin mug in them, they carry large 'pouches' that allow you to store a lot more fluid than you are able to carry otherwise. A long tube with a valve on the end allows you to suck up some fluid as you run. With their large capacity they are particularly useful for very long runs or very hot days, when you are unable to return to somewhere to refill your drink.
sports watch/pedometer/garmin?
Watch - Link (roll over me to see where I go)
Personal Alarm gadget, a must for women
Running kit
 |
SummaryA guide to buying running kitThis article is owned by PamB |
| Recent Updates | User | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2006 | Rebel | Added a bit about Aldi and Lidl |
| Aug 2006 | Ultracat | Just added a bit on winter clothing. |
| Aug 2006 | Gus | Always looking to save my pennies. |
| Jul 2006 | WildeRover | Expanded 'hydration' section a bit. |
| Jul 2006 | Clumsula | shorts added to |
| Jul 2006 | StringSideUp | |
| Jul 2006 | Toks | |
| Jul 2006 | Toks | |
| Jul 2006 | PamB | Article created |