5 Must Haves for Runners

Runners don’t actually need a whole lot in order to enjoy running. Apart from a good pair of shoes – which I strongly suggest you go to a local running store – you could, if you had to, make do with everything else you already own. In this post, we’re going to do some virtual window shopping for everything that we could ever dream of having for our next run.

So let’s get a list of the top 5 must-have items for all runners. I go from “least” necessary to “most” necessary – so number 5 is still a big deal, but not a deal-breaker!

5.  Running watch:  

Even the most basic watch – something that has the ability to start and stop is good enough. You can find something that takes your time from your phone to a really cheap watch. You absolutely do not NEED a GPS watch, although most watches and devices now comes with that standard.

If you’re going to get a GPS watch, find one that fits what you’re looking for. You might not need one with music or all of the fancy bells and whistles.

Disclosure: There also may be affiliate links present – which means if you buy something with that link, I make a smal

Personally, I have the Garmin 235 and I love it. It does everything I want/needs it to do:

• Tracks my steps
• Takes my heart rate
• Allows me to put workouts in
• I have a community with Garmin
• Shows my workout splits/elevation/heart-rate/stride length

GPS watches provide instant feedback on the run which is definitely useful if you know what the data means.

You can find more posts I’ve written about GPS watches here:

4.  Safety gear:  

If you’re a night runner or an early morning runner, now is the time to wear “nightlife” running gear.  You know, the stuff that looks like a highlighter.  Those particular colors reflect well and keep you visible to cars and other motorists.  You might need some headlamps and blinking lights that will help alert oncoming traffic of your presence. It’s really important that you are seen, especially if you are running when it is dark out.

Also, whether you’re running at night or in a more remote location, something like Road ID is a great way to notify someone who you are in case of an emergency.  Finally, leave a note or post online where you’ll be running.

3.  Running shorts/running bra:  

There’s nothing worse than guys wearing boxers or ladies wearing a regular bra on a run.  Besides it being quite uncomfortable for your respective parts, a good pair of shorts and a sports bra are really designed to help you keep everything in place. When everything is where it is supposed to be, you can focus your attention on running faster.

2.  Moisture-Wicking Apparel:  

Companies have drastically improved the quality of running and workout apparel. While cotton is a great fabric for clothes, it is NOT very productive for sweaty runs and workouts. Moisture-wicking gear will help keep you dry while also improving the quality of your workout session.

1.  Running shoes:  

The most must-have item on my list is definitely running shoes. Without the right shoes on your feet, you risk an injury right off the bat. Not only do shoes protect your feet, but they also allow you to run more freely based on your foot’s pattern (neutral versus pronation). When in doubt, you should be visiting your local running store to make sure you’re in the right type of shoe.

I’ve written a few articles about running shoes and their importance in these posts. Check them out!

Summary

Running does not require much gear.  Really, all we need is a pair of shoes and a place to go.  The open road is very forgiving if you’re prepared. That being said, to really be comfortable and to run consistently over a long period of time requires having gear to support your training. The list above is definitely not a be-all list – there are 100s of things I use regularly that is not included. These are just the top 5 items I think every runner can and should own.

What is your must-have item? Leave a comment or share with everyone on social media!

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