Gear and Apparel: Safety Gear

Reflective clothing

Sunscreen: When running outdoors, it is important to protect your skin from the sun. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen that is fragrance and color free, both of which can irritate your skin, and opt for one that is water-resistant to stand up to sweat.

Sunglasses: A good pair of sunglasses will not only protect your eyes from the sun and help you see better, but will help keep debris out of your eyes; nothing will stop you quicker than something flying unexpectedly into your eye.

Head Lamps: Head lamps are essential for running at night or early in the morning when it is dark outside. Head lamps generally attach to your head with an elastic band and can be adjusted to shine onto the path you are running. This will help you see where you are going so that you can avoid tripping on obstacles. Headlamps also make you more visible to vehicles. 

Reflective Clothing: It is very important to do everything you can to make yourself visible to vehicles. Running at night, even during twilight, can be very hazardous. Many companies incorporate components into their gear and apparel; however, wearing an orange reflective vest over your running gear is safer than just relying on the reflective logos and stripes on your clothing. Wearing bright colors is another good practice when running in low light.  

Gear and Apparel: Shoes

Running Shoes

It is tempting to head out on a run with an old pair of gym shoes—don’t!  If you are going to invest in one piece of running gear, make it your shoes.  It is easy to get bogged down by a lot of fancy terms such as supinating and pronating, which refer to how your foot hits the ground.  When you are new, the best thing you can do is go to your local running or sporting goods store and have one of their experts fit you for a running shoe.  Be sure you tell them how much you are running, on what surface, and if you have any pre-existing injuries.   Having shoes that fit well will help keep injuries to a minimum and make your runs much more enjoyable.

Gear and Apparel: Running Clothes

Runners in technical running gear and apparel

This term to remember when picking out any running clothing is moisture wicking.  Wicking is a process that draws sweat away from the skin so that you are more comfortable and less likely to chafe. Fabrics that wick moisture are typically known as technical fabrics. Many different clothing articles are made from technical fabric; the style you choose is entirely up to you.  Here are some options for you to consider.

Socks: Look for socks that fit your feet without bunching and that wick away moisture.  Whether you go below the ankle or up to the knee is a matter of preference. 

Pants and Shirts: Look for a style that you find comfortable. The best way to do this is to try on different styles and see what works best for you.  Be sure to move around in the clothing so you can tell if it is restrictive or if it has seams that may irritate your skin.

Hats and Headbands: These are great to keep your hair and sweat off of your face. 

If it is warm outside, wearing a hat with a bill will help shade your face and keep your head safe from the sun.  If it is cold outside, a hat will help keep you warm on your run.

Gear and Apparel: Hydration Systems

Hand-helds

Hand-held water bottle

Hand-held water bottles usually have a holder with a strap that is secured around the hand so that it is not necessary to grip the bottle tightly while running. Some holders are simple, while others may have a pocket to hold keys, gel, or a cell phone. Hand-held water bottles typically told between 16 and 32 oz (473 and 946 mL) of liquid. Qualities to look for in a hand-held water bottle include comfort of the strap, leak resistance, and a soft nozzle so that it does not hurt if you bump it against your teeth while drinking.

Waist belts

Waist belt

Waist belts or packs are holsters for one or more water bottles that are secured around the waist or hips. Some have a pocket for one large water bottle (usually 16 oz/473 mL) that is held against the small of the back. Others have many small (4 oz/118 mL) bottles that are distributed evenly around the belt. Many belts also have a pocket for valuables. An advantage of this type of system is that a runner can carry multiple types of liquid. For example, one bottle may have a carbohydrate drink and another may have plain water. Qualities to look for in a waist belt include comfort while running (try it out!) and security of the bottles, as well as leak resistance and soft nozzles.

Backpacks

Hydration backpack

Backpack style hydration systems can hold the most liquid, up to about 84 oz (2.5 L). A bladder for fluid is secured in a backpack and there is a tube which runs from the bladder to the runner’s mouth. The tube can be secured to a strap while not in use. Backpacks add significant weight to a runner, but they have the advantage of carrying a lot of fluid so it is easier to run for a long period without having to refill the pack. There are typically many pockets on a backpack that can hold valuables and extra gear. Qualities to look for in a backpack include a secure fit, comfort, and a bladder that is easy to fill.