With longer days, warmer temps and restless legs, Spring is not only when runners begin tackling more miles, it’s also the perfect opportunity to take stock of your running gear. Updating your run gear can provide a great motivational boost to your running, and get you properly prepared to fly along the trails and roadways that were blocked by snow for the last several months.
Following up on our Spring Running Shoe Guide, here are ten essential pieces of running gear that can help you ramp up your training this Spring.
Soleus GO!
For those looking to monitor their training beyond the run, the new Soleus GO! tracks daily activities and sleep, steps taken and calories burned. It also allows you to set a vibration alert to let you know when it’s time to get up and move. And unlike some of the other big name activity trackers on the market, the Soleus GO gives you the benefit of a distance metric. Move into Exercise Mode, and the device tracks speed, distance and pace. The mobile app is sharp, easy to operate and logs all your activity in an easy to read graph… and did we mention it shows incoming messages and phone calls on its OLED display? (MSRP $129)
Salomon Park WP Jacket
Spring weather can be fickle and unpredictable, so having an dependable outer layer at the ready is mandatory. The Salomon Park WP Jacket is light, waterproof and breathable for moving in the city like you move in the mountains. The Park is a daily training jacket with earphone hole in the chest pocket for those times when you want music in the background. An instant win with our gear team, it’s a great addition to any runners gear stash. (MSRP $175)
GORE Running: Essential AS Vest
For cool evenings and early mornings, a full jacket can be overkill, but that doesn’t mean you should abandon protection at your core as you head out for your daily endorphin fix. The Essential Windstopper Active Shell is made from DWR-treated shell fabric that shrugs off light rain and shields you from chilling winds while the mesh liner helps wicks sweat away to keep you dry and comfy. Reflective prints keep you visible when your run goes longer than anticipated. (MSRP $110)
GORE RUNNING WEAR: SUNLIGHT 2.0 GT AS LADY Jacket
Looking for a women’s specific jacket to provide ultimate protection for gnarly days? Fear not ladies, GORE Running has got your back. This versatile GORE-TEX Active shell jacket offers outstanding breathability and complete rain protection. A comfortable fit and excellent next-to-skin comfort, design includes adjustable hood, reflective print, adjustable hem width, and elastic cuff sleeves. (MSRP: $249.99)
Zensah Tech+ Compression Socks
Between your foot and your favorite running shoe, Zensah’s new Tech+ Compression Socks provide a dynamic interface keeping your foot ever-prepared for the next stride whatever surface is underfoot. Graduated compression technology helps increase the flow of un-oxygenated blood up out of the lower legs so it gets refreshed more quickly with oxygenated blood, which adds life to tired legs. Moreover, since the Tech+ is made with 200 needle count, you can expect a more durable, denser, better fitting compression sock. Luxurious levels of comfort for a perfect level of performance.
Salomon Start Series
You run for the simple pure joy of running, so why do you need overly complex shorts and shirts that cost a fortune and have features only a PhD of Physical Therapy can understand? The Start Series from Salomon running offers simple, straightforward performance ready attire that’s comfortable and ready for action. Lightweight running shorts with breathable mesh panels on inner leg, sides and back for comfort and freedom of movement for warm days. The Start Tee offers a relaxed fitting tech tee with breathable mesh panels and pocket at side hem for gels, MP3 or key. (MSRP $35 – $40)
Headsweats High Visibility Line
Now that you’ve got your run apparel figured out, you’re going to need some killer headwear to go along with it. Enter the new Headsweats High Visibility Supervisor and Race Hat with Reflective Piping. Made with hi-vis yellow Coolmax® fabric that wicks sweat away quickly and is fast drying, this visor/hat has reflective piping around the bill and the edge to help runners be safe and seen on early morning and evening runs. (MSRP $20)
SKINS Recovery Compression
Unless you’re living the life of luxury, a trip to the massage therapist after every training session is out of the question. So treat your muscles to a dose of good ole’ fashion technology with SKINS Recovery Compression garments. Admittedly, just tossing around the term “compression” doesn’t mean that there’s actually any advantage to a particular piece of clothing. SKINS RY400 Compression Tights and Calf Compression Tights MX however were designed by compression savvy designers utilizing massive amounts of scientific research to ensure that you perform at your best. Gradient compression delivers more oxygen-rich blood to your resting muscles, reducing tenderness and delayed onsent muscle soreness. With your legs and calves clad in this Hi-Tec compression gear, you can safely take your workouts to the next level. (MSRP $49 – $140)
Nathan Mercury 2 Hydration Belt
Ergological neoprene and monofilament belt design offers soft, multi-directional stretch that eliminates that obnoxious belt bounce syndrome. With a pair of molded holsters, the Mercury 2 give you quick access to a pair of 10 oz water bottles that keep you hydrated without requiring you to stop for a drink. Add in reflective highlights for visibility and stretch pocket for that fancy smart phone and you’re ready to roll. (MSRP $39.95)
Dr. Cool Recovery-On-The-Go Wrap.
Every runner knows the importance of ice therapy and compression in the recovery process. Unfortunately we all know the downside of sitting on the couch eating up valuable time to attain the benefits of ice and compression therapy. Dr. Cool is the ONLY product to combine ice and compression in one flexible wrap. Dr. Cool wraps can be used dry as a compression wrap to support and protect various body parts during activities, or frozen to combine cold and compression to reduce swelling and speed recovery mid or post-activity. The proprietary design enables athletes to immediately start recovering after a race or run and still continue on with other activities. (MSRP $24.99 – $34.99)