I’ve been running for the past decade, and somewhere along the way I went from couch to coach. Since gaining my coaching qualification I’ve supported around 100 runners, from people taking their very first running steps to those tackling ultra marathon distances.
One thing I didn’t expect when I started coaching was how often I’d become an unofficial kit helpline. Athletes ask about everything: what shoes to buy when they don’t know where to start, which is the best running watch , and how to pick a hydration vest that doesn’t bounce you into next week. And I get it, because kit is overwhelming now. There’s more choice than ever, a lot of it is expensive, and almost everything is advertised as essential to peak performance.
I also spend a good amount of time testing gear for running publications, so I’ve built up a slightly ridiculous amount of hands-on experience. My own running ranges from parkrun to 100-mile races, plus multi-day races, overseas trips, and plenty of hilly and mountainous days where you learn very quickly what works and what absolutely doesn’t.
Through thousands of miles on the road and trail, I’ve curated a collection of my favourite kit which I reach for year after year. This isn’t “the best kit money can buy”, it’s those tried and tested – and sometimes stinking, fraying-at-the-edges – pieces of kit I cannot run without. Check them all out below, and click “View Details” to learn more about each one.
If I could only own one road shoe, it’d be this all-round daily trainer. The Saucony Ride 18 is comfortable for long miles, happy on the treadmill, and it can handle a bit of faster work without feeling clunky. It’s a solid workhorse that doesn’t demand a second mortgage.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Saucony “,”price”:”98.11″,”wasPrice”:”145″,”currency”:”USD”,”review”:{“rating”:90,”pros”:[“Enhanced cushioning”,”Improved grip”,”Fitted upper”],”cons”:[“Unsuitable for technical or wet trails”,”Not light enough for racing”]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”7xfagNtyY3mPgJteXtxF8c”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7xfagNtyY3mPgJteXtxF8c.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Saucony Ride 18″,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FSaucony-Mens-Ride-Sneaker-Azurite%2Fdp%2FB0D31XYNF2%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fdib%3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qi_8AW6F0LMojcfkNgEgJqz0SQHtJVQrcx4sIIY0_68KSFn3cmVKzzDsmaMqpS7WqZfpGLM-QKa_KgoCprskJshKZ2CEjihBKJysJ_QvlaXVojgkgj4uboGDPYaTAnNrjuX-XrvPoyz4GxB-F8I_jqpRmkMC1TbTyhs2L7QkgtMYOMINOIgw4J8kV0y4Zw7GW6ox6nlnPbsTkc4YkrxlaRSE0waIuudNjp4oDgAiTupFwtFXWfG-GcRph-ryf67Zfz–3l8WALJmbcfQqO7KeSpW4SDCIW8zZom6_7edByo.HMup1dpE6NSGCmsaCMJGMcAADTdyquNTpFT4h0nADfI%26dib_tag%3Dse%26keywords%3Dsaucony%252Bride%252B18%26qid%3D1778167641%26sr%3D8-1%26th%3D1%26psc%3D1%26tag%3Dftr-techradar-gb-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”Amazon US”,”merchantId”:1471,”merchantNetwork”:”Amazonus”,”merchantUrl”:”amazon.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”Amazon US”},{“modelName”:”Hilly Marathon Fresh anklet socks”,”productName”:”Marathon Fresh anklet socks”,”productDescription”:”
These are the socks I trust not to turn a long run into a blister-fest. They’re sweat-wicking, stay comfy at distance, and I like the anklet height: low enough to feel unobtrusive, high enough to keep grit out and avoid heel rubbing. I go minimum cushioning, because thick socks just overheat my feet.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Hilly “,”price”:”21.95″,”wasPrice”:null,”currency”:”USD”,”review”:{“rating”:0,”pros”:[],”cons”:[]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”LfWLDW69gcVWgvyMvD5rFc”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LfWLDW69gcVWgvyMvD5rFc.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Hilly Marathon Fresh Anklet Socks”,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FHilly-Unisex-Marathon-Fresh-Socklet%2Fdp%2FB07Z3NV18G%3Ftag%3Dftr-techradar-gb-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”Amazon US”,”merchantId”:1471,”merchantNetwork”:”Amazonus”,”merchantUrl”:”amazon.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”Amazon US”},{“modelName”:”Bimble and Bolt Super Strider 8-inch shorts”,”productName”:” Super Strider 8-inch shorts”,”productDescription”:”
These shorts offer soft, stretchy, “second skin” comfort, and the length saves my thighs from chafing as my mileage (and strength work) has increased. The 8-inch inseam is the sweet spot: no riding up, no constant tugging, and there’s a useful back pocket for small essentials. I’ll happily race in these, as well as train.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Bimble and Bolt “,”price”:”46″,”wasPrice”:null,”currency”:”GBP”,”review”:{“rating”:0,”pros”:[],”cons”:[]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”7rcVVTmUf7za9TXzvgo39c”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7rcVVTmUf7za9TXzvgo39c.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Saucony Ride 18″,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/bimbleandbolt.com\/products\/teal-nova-super-strider-shorts-8″,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”bimbleandbolt.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”bimbleandbolt.com”},{“modelName”:”Kiprun Run 500 Dry breathable T-shirt”,”productName”:”Run 500 Dry breathable T-shirt”,”productDescription”:”
My ride-or-die top is an old dhb mesh tee you can’t buy anymore (I’m so glad I bought two at the time), but this is the closest match I’ve found. The magic is the micro-perforated back: it vents brilliantly when you’re sweaty, and it’s especially good under a hydration vest where most tops turn into a damp sponge. Great value, too.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Kiprun”,”price”:”24.99″,”wasPrice”:null,”currency”:”USD”,”review”:{“rating”:0,”pros”:[],”cons”:[]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”FpWoGzb4QzGWwLXexWN5Ac”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FpWoGzb4QzGWwLXexWN5Ac.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Saucony Ride 18″,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&mi=16785&pw=27131&ctc=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.decathlon.com%2Fproducts%2Fkiprun-run-500-dry-womens-breathable-running-t-shirt-mauve-346564″,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”Decathlon US”,”merchantId”:174972,”merchantNetwork”:”AL”,”merchantUrl”:”decathlon.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”Decathlon US”},{“modelName”:”Garmin Fenix 7 Pro 47mm”,”productName”:”Fenix 7 Pro 47mm”,”productDescription”:”
I don’t leave the house without a watch, and this is why: distance, pace, time, heart rate, and (crucially for trail running) navigation. I upgraded to the Garmin Fenix 7 after an older model died 14 hours into an ultra marathon, in the dark, with no map. This one has the battery and mapping I need, and I charge it about once a fortnight. It was top of our list of the best Garmin watches, until the Garmin Fenix 8 came along to supplant it.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Garmin”,”price”:”899.99″,”wasPrice”:null,”currency”:”USD”,”review”:{“rating”:90,”pros”:[“Packed with sports tracking modes”,”A slightly clearer screen than Fenix 7″,”Added flashlight for 7 Pro and 7S Pro”],”cons”:[“New software features coming to Fenix 7″,”Some minor heart rate accuracy improvements”,”Still a pricey investment”]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”UPwKUCUEJdgkzBsWA2ALFc”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UPwKUCUEJdgkzBsWA2ALFc.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Saucony Ride 18″,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FGarmin-Multisport-Smartwatch-Flashlight-Capability%2Fdp%2FB0BYFDZ6BM%3Fth%3D1%26tag%3Dftr-techradar-gb-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”Amazon US”,”merchantId”:1471,”merchantNetwork”:”Amazonus”,”merchantUrl”:”amazon.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”Amazon US”},{“modelName”:”Sealskinz Waterproof cap”,”productName”:”Waterproof cap”,”productDescription”:”
This hat works year-round. In winter it keeps rain off my face (and sits nicely under a waterproof jacket hood). In summer it doubles as a sun hat. It’s also my favourite solution on a bad hair day. If you run in UK weather, a proper waterproof cap is well worth the investment.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Sealskinz”,”price”:”29.99″,”wasPrice”:null,”currency”:”GBP”,”review”:{“rating”:0,”pros”:[],”cons”:[]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”4JsXQdX4FKXTSdBALRXQ6c”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4JsXQdX4FKXTSdBALRXQ6c.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Sealskinz, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Sealskinz waterproof cap”,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/go.redirectingat.com?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sealskinz.com%2Fproducts%2Fwaterproof-all-weather-cap&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.techradar.com%2Fcollection%2Ftech%2Fim-a-running-coach-this-is-my-long-run-survival-kit-for-all-eventualities-from-the-best-watches-and-vest-to-the-ideal-phone-to-carry”,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”sealskinz.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”sealskinz.com”},{“modelName”:”CamelBak Women\u2019s Ultra Pro vest”,”productName”:”Women\u2019s Ultra Pro vest”,”productDescription”:”
I’ve got bigger vests, but this is the one I always reach for because it fits perfectly. Proper women’s shaping, pockets where I need them, and it carries more than you’d think for its size. I’ve used it from “quick run with a bit of water” all the way to multi-day racing. No matter how much it frays, I can’t bear to part with it<\/p>“,”brand”:”CamelBak”,”price”:”96.4″,”wasPrice”:null,”currency”:”USD”,”review”:{“rating”:0,”pros”:[],”cons”:[]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”uYyZviR6KQV6xuBXjcbiDc”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uYyZviR6KQV6xuBXjcbiDc.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Saucony Ride 18″,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FCamelBak-Womens-Ultra-Running-Hydration%2Fdp%2FB07NDFJ6MQ%3Ftag%3Dftr-techradar-gb-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”Amazon US”,”merchantId”:1471,”merchantNetwork”:”Amazonus”,”merchantUrl”:”amazon.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”Amazon US”},{“modelName”:”Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7″,”productName”:”Galaxy Z Flip7″,”productDescription”:”
A flip phone is brilliant for running because it folds down small enough to fit in pockets that would otherwise be a no-go. I use it for safety, photos, and backup navigation. Paired with OS Maps in the UK and AllTrails in Europe and the US, it’s the perfect route companion – and the battery is impressive too.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Samsung”,”price”:”899.99″,”wasPrice”:”1099.99″,”currency”:”USD”,”review”:{“rating”:75,”pros”:[“It’s the most affordable Samsung foldable”,”Excellent displays”,”Good cameras for the category”],”cons”:[“Hampered software experience”,”Battery life is just okay”,”Too expensive for what it is”]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”ijwrdQwkJEDHZ5svEPCR6c”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ijwrdQwkJEDHZ5svEPCR6c.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Saucony Ride 18″,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=47773&u1=hawk-custom-tracking&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fsmartphones%2Fgalaxy-z-flip7%2Fbuy%2Fgalaxy-z-flip7-256gb-unlocked-sku-sm-f766ulgaxaa%2F”,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”Samsung”,”merchantId”:213879,”merchantNetwork”:”LS”,”merchantUrl”:”samsung.com\/us”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”Samsung”},{“modelName”:”Precision Fuel & Hydration PH 500″,”productName”:”Fuel & Hydration PH 500″,”productDescription”:”
I nearly always run with one plain water and one bottle with electrolytes, especially once the effort or the weather ramps up. I like Precision Hydration because it’s straightforward, consistent, and properly sodium-focused. PH 500 is my go-to “everyday” strength tablet, and you’re not lugging heavy premixed bottles – simply drop a tablet in your water bottle and away you go.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Precision”,”price”:”9.99″,”wasPrice”:null,”currency”:”USD”,”review”:{“rating”:0,”pros”:[],”cons”:[]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”wcduewm4oiLhx5ivFP8o6c”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wcduewm4oiLhx5ivFP8o6c.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Saucony Ride 18″,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/www.precisionhydration.com\/products\/ph-500-low-calorie-electrolyte-supplement\/”,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”precisionhydration.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”precisionhydration.com”},{“modelName”:”Veloforte Energy Chews x18″,”productName”:”Energy Chews x18″,”productDescription”:”
I’m a big believer in always having a snack in your pack, because runs have a habit of growing legs. Veloforte bars are the ones I actually want to eat: tasty, not chalky, and they give a solid carb hit. I like that there are vegan options too, so they work for a lot of my athletes.<\/p>“,”brand”:”Veloforte”,”price”:”59.99″,”wasPrice”:null,”currency”:”USD”,”review”:{“rating”:0,”pros”:[],”cons”:[]},”label”:””,”image”:{“copyright”:””,”height”:1200,”id”:”MaNepcgeLaBEFnuNdhbvDc”,”mimeType”:”image\/jpeg”,”mos”:”https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaNepcgeLaBEFnuNdhbvDc.jpg”,”role”:””,”width”:900,”credit”:”Amazon, edited by Gemini”,”alt”:”Saucony Ride 18″,”caption”:””},”link”:{“url”:”https:\/\/thefeed.com\/products\/veloforte-energy-chews?variant=40088464949311&queryID=09ddb02c88747e82972fad13470f0f0f”,”linkText”:””,”editorialMerchantName”:””,”merchantName”:”thefeed.com”},”noAffiliateTracking”:false,”linkMerchant”:”thefeed.com”}]}}” data-model-name=”Saucony Ride 18,Hilly Marathon Fresh anklet socks,Bimble and Bolt Super Strider 8-inch shorts,Kiprun Run 500 Dry breathable T-shirt,Garmin Fenix 7 Pro 47mm,Sealskinz Waterproof cap,CamelBak Women’s Ultra Pro vest,Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7,Precision Fuel & Hydration PH 500,Veloforte Energy Chews x18″ data-render-type=”fte” data-source-blocks=”featured-products” data-widget-type=”collection” class=”hawk-root”>
