Advice on running gear?

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richhrichh Frets: 461
I've started running some 5k runs with local running groups.  And to my surprise I am quite enjoying it!

I do have proper running shoes, got from the running shop with gait analysis.  So, I'm sorted for that.

But I don't have any other kit.  Initially I thought it was not an issue, but am starting to wonder.  I'm going out in clothes that are not really right for this, and ending up soaked in sweat.

I am not serious enough to want / need all the accessories, but am wondering if a few key bits of kit would improve things?  Maybe a hi-viz running top that can wick the sweat?

I'm genuinely completely ignorant on this stuff, and don't want mountains of extra stuff.  So, if any experienced runners can advise on the essentials, that would be really helpful?

I don't particularly want to go on a running forum, as I'd probably be told to spend £3k on the latest 'Tom Murphy aged jersey' or whatever.  I'm just not that hard core!

Thanks...


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Comments

  • ElectricXIIElectricXII Frets: 1467
    If you're going to run in winter, then running tights are pretty much essential, and a windproof top is really useful too.

    I bought some Gore Running Wear shorts, tights and tops (now called Gore Wear) over 10 years ago, and it's all still going strong. It was expensive stuff, but absolutely fantastic quality.
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  • richhrichh Frets: 461
    Thanks for that, exactly what I needed to know.  I can see the sense in paying for quality if it lasts and is the right thing.

    The running groups are completely free and on my doorstep, so compared to paying big bucks for a David Lloyd membership every month, I guess the cost of some decent kit is a drop in the ocean!
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  • djspecialistdjspecialist Frets: 966
    edited February 4
    Decathlon is your friend!

    Depending on the weather, I wear some selection from the following (all Decathlon except where noted):
    • Long-sleeved running jersey, half-zip
    • Technical T-shirt (as you said, wicks sweat better than a standard cotton tee)
    • Vest
    • Long tights (actually these are Ron Hill rather than Decathlon, but I'm sure they stock similar)
    • Shorts
    • Thin gloves
    • Thin beanie hat if it's cold, or peaked cap if it's sunny
    • Very rarely, a windproof / shower-proof top (Ron Hill again)
    Always accompanied by:
    • Running belt for phone, plus a couple of snacks if I'm going long. Gloves / hat usually get stuffed in after a few miles.
    • Aftershokz Aeropex headphones (I know you said you didn't want to descend the gear rabbit-hole ... but these are absolutely brilliant)
    • Garmin watch (ditto)
    And if it's dark:
    • Reflective harness with front and back LEDs
    • Head torch
    As you said, it's a relatively cheap sport, even if you do eventually decide to get a couple of not-strictly-essential gadgets.

    Happy running, and pop in to The Fretboard Running Thread 2025 if you feel like it 
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  • droflufdrofluf Frets: 4739
    edited February 4
    If there's a Decathlon nearby make that your first port of call. I have some of their running and cycling gear
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  • RevolutionsRevolutions Frets: 2203
    edited February 4
    Sweat wicking tops (& vests for summer), lightweight shorts, belt for phone & super thin rain jacket are probably the only essentials for me.

    I get itchy when my hands & head get hot, so hate gloves or hat. I live in London though, rarely have an issue with it being too cold. Similar for tights, I never use em. I like it fresh.

    I do like compression shorts & sometimes socks when I'm doing half marathon sort of distances. But I rarely run for more than 10k these days.
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  • richhrichh Frets: 461
    Thanks guys - forgot there was a running thread, will check it out!

    We have an 'Up and Running' store near us, I'd prefer to support a bricks 'n' mortar store in general, though I guess it will be a bit more expensive than online places?
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  • "Up and Running" are good - I bought my first pair of running shoes (with gait analysis) in the Cambridge store when I started running, and have picked up a few other bits and pieces since. They are quite a bit more expensive than Decathlon though (which also has a physical store in Cambridge) and I haven't noticed much difference in quality.
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  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 26660
    Just remember there is a difference between running tights and a base layer.

    If you wear a base layer then you need shorts over the top. You don't for thicker running tights.
    Unfortunately there is a guy near me who wears a light grey base layer as running tights and until it gets cold I can tell what religion he is.

    I used to buy Sugoi running tights - I always got the cold weather ones as the fronts of them were wind / rain proof as well but it doesn't look like they are sold in the UK anymore and they won't ship from Canada. They were perfect for me - the backs of the legs allowed more air movement so they were both wind proof and never excessively sweaty.

    I have a Proviz reflective waistcoat type thing for running in duck / dark. The reflective quality is amazing.

    Underwear choice is important as chaffing can be horrible. But it's very personal so try a few different things. Runderwear are popular but I didn't get on with them at all, mainly because I have massive thighs as a former prop forward and they were very tight round the leg holes. After trying out a variety of shorts and briefs I found an old fashioned jock strap was most comfy for me. No chaffing at all. The bum can get a bit cold in the winter though!

    If you are doing a lot of cold weather running then you can get running underwear with extra insulation and wind proofing over the crown jewels. Going for the first after run pee with an ice cold todger can be deeply unpleasant when the hot flow comes through it!
    "Be careful. When a democracy is sick, fascism comes to its bedside, but it is not to inquire about its health."
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  • KeikoKeiko Frets: 1242
    Get the gear, you'll enjoy it more if you're more comfortable. A wicking T-shirt is essential. I've run in normal pants before, legs don't sweat that much. The T-shirt is essential though.

    I would also recommend getting a Garmin Forerunner, to record your times, routes, heart rate, calories burned etc. Track your progress. They are awesome.
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  • trevAtrevA Frets: 42
    I'll add another vote for a running watch. Even a cheap one will let you see your pace and adds up weekly mileage etc. The fancier ones monitor sleep and have built in training plans for you to follow.
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  • IamnobodyIamnobody Frets: 7205
    Don’t over think it is my advice. We don’t get cold enough weather here to make tights essential. I’ve got 3 pairs that haven’t seen any action in as many years. I’m hard though.  ;)

    You lose a lot of heat from your head and hands. You’re likely to see me running in a t-shirt and shorts with a gloves and a hat most of the time in winter. I have a couple of long sleeved wicking t-shirts if we get really low temps and a lightweight coat if it’s raining. 

    Technical fabric is a must for me though. 

    Just grab some wicking T-shirts some decent running shorts and get out there! For shorts I like Adidas with a built in liner then you don’t need separate underpants as well. 

    For shirts I like New Balance persobally for for - but anything sweat wicking will work. I’ve got all brands. 

    I only tend to get run specific clothes, inc hat and gloves as I run a lot at night and they usually have reflective details on them rather than any old gym top. 
    Previously known as stevebrum
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  • AK99AK99 Frets: 1855
    Iamnobody said:
    Don’t over think it is my advice. We don’t get cold enough weather here to make tights essential. I’ve got 3 pairs that haven’t seen any action in as many years. I’m hard though.  ;)

    You lose a lot of heat from your head and hands. You’re likely to see me running in a t-shirt and shorts with a gloves and a hat most of the time in winter. I have a couple of long sleeved wicking t-shirts if we get really low temps and a lightweight coat if it’s raining. 

    Technical fabric is a must for me though. 

    Just grab some wicking T-shirts some decent running shorts and get out there! For shorts I like Adidas with a built in liner then you don’t need separate underpants as well. 

    For shirts I like New Balance persobally for for - but anything sweat wicking will work. I’ve got all brands. 

    I only tend to get run specific clothes, inc hat and gloves as I run a lot at night and they usually have reflective details on them rather than any old gym top. 

    Just a query on this - any time I try any of the 'Under-Armour' or similar type technical gear, the stink of the stuff (well, me moreso than the gear really) afterwards is horrendous. Any training I do in cotton or natural fabrics never seems to cause a problem, but the smell of the man-made kit after even a short workout is seriously off-putting.

    Is all 'technical' kit the same in this regard, or are there versions I could try which aren't as bad ?
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  • IamnobodyIamnobody Frets: 7205
    edited February 4
    The smell isn’t something I’ve noticed @AK99 but if it’s there maybe I’ve become immune as I’ve been wearing them for years long before I started running. I’ve got some UA stuff as well. It’s probably something to do with the synthetic materials as you say.

    The ones I prefer for running tend to be a bit thinner with a mesh type of material on the back. Not sure if that makes any difference. 
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  • Decathlon is your friend here.  Personally, I never wear tights.  My legs are hairy and within about 2 mins of being out my legs are warm.  I never feel the cold on my legs.  And unless it is SERIOUSLY cold (i.e. below freezing and breezy) I'll only ever wear a long sleeve top, no gilet, hoody, or raincoat.  I just don't need it.  Again, within a few mins, I'm warm.  

    A decent set of running gloves are great, as is a snood (so versatile).

    In terms of materials, go for something mainly polyester.  They can be smelly, but I don't find them too bad as long as you get them washed quickly after you've finished.  It's when you stand around in them after you've run, or leave them in a laundry basket for days, that the smell gets impregnated in them.

    Oh, and if you're thinking of running longer distances, seriously think about a tighter top, and tight shorts.  I've got some absolute horror stories of thigh chafing from loose shorts, and nipple rub from loose tops.  It's just not worth the risk.  Trust me.

    Finally, in terms of lights, take a look at Million Mile Lights.  I've got a few sets and they are just incredible.
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  • monquixotemonquixote Frets: 18828
    tFB Trader
    My top tip is under armour running boxers!

    Other than that sweat wicking t-shirts are great and some light weight gloves for when it's cold. 
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  • ElectricXIIElectricXII Frets: 1467
    Iamnobody said:
    Don’t over think it is my advice. We don’t get cold enough weather here to make tights essential. I’ve got 3 pairs that haven’t seen any action in as many years. I’m hard though.  ;)


    I'm guessing you don't run in winter in Scotland, the windiest country in Europe. ;) 
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  • thecolourboxthecolourbox Frets: 10991
    There's a lot of supposedly essential kit here that I've never even heard of, and even more that I haven't even considered needing. Admittedly I only run 5 or 6 km at a time (because any further than that takes me into various surrounding shithole areas) but I started back on the running thing in mid October and still going now, I just wear an old football shirt and shorts and it seems fine. I did get the shoes via the Up and Running foot measuring thing and I got a fitness tracker to help me, but other than that I feel like the whole benefit of running for me is that it's basically a free and uncomplicated exercise. Run half as far as you can, then turn around and run home.

    I imagine it's probably more useful to think about kit for the longer distances, but if i was putting all those tights and jackets and hats on it would take me longer to get dressed and undressed than it would take to do the 5k itself. Plus surely people get far too warm in long sleeves and coats and hats etc? And thus even sweatier?
    I'm scared and I'm waiting for life
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  • IamnobodyIamnobody Frets: 7205
    Iamnobody said:
    Don’t over think it is my advice. We don’t get cold enough weather here to make tights essential. I’ve got 3 pairs that haven’t seen any action in as many years. I’m hard though.  ;)


    I'm guessing you don't run in winter in Scotland, the windiest country in Europe. ;) 
    Nope! Neither does the OP by the look of his profile! 

    Bloody foreigners, coming here - taking over our running threads thread.  ;)
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  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 26660
    Iamnobody said:
    Don’t over think it is my advice. We don’t get cold enough weather here to make tights essential. I’ve got 3 pairs that haven’t seen any action in as many years. I’m hard though.  ;)


    I'm guessing you don't run in winter in Scotland, the windiest country in Europe. ;) 
    I'm in East Mids, but I tend to run at 6am and it's plenty chilly then in the winter.
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  • d8md8m Frets: 2445
    edited February 4
    You've started off well by getting a decent pairs of shoes fitted at a running shop - arguably the most important thing.

    • Dont buy the expensive Nike stuff (unless you really want to) - I've been running for years in nothing more than Karrimor shorts and t-shirts(long sleeve and short) 
    • Cap for summer and a beanie for the colder months aswell as a thin pair of gloves.
    • Torch is essential -It amazes me how many people I see out running without them in the dark! I couldn't get on with a head torch so use a chest strap one.
    • If you start to up the distances one of the hand strap water bottles can be useful.

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