Of all sports, running is one that requires very little equipment. Let’s be honest, you could grab a pair of shoes and head out the door right now for a run. Yet, as humans we tend to want stocked with all the right gear before we get started. If you are new to running or just looking for some new gear, I have a few of my favorites to share with you.

A Good Pair of Shoes

Lace Up and Go is my running motto, however I do believe that shoes are the most important gear to get right. The wrong pair of shoes will break a run (and maybe you). The biggest mistake new runners make is grabbing any pair of tennis shoes and heading out the door.

I will tell runners until the day I die the best thing you can do for your body is get fitted for a pair of shoes. Local running stores are the best place to start. They are trained to watch you walk, how your legs move, what shape your hips are, etc. They might not always have the prettiest shoes in stock, but they will have the right ones.

If you don’t have a local running store usually sporting good stores will have someone on hand to help. Right now, that isn’t necessarily possible so a running shoe quiz is a great alternative.

Clothing That is Comfortable To You

It took me 6 years of running before I figured out how to wear shorts to run in. (Newsflash: deodorant works in more than just your armpits). Until that point I always stuck with leggings or cropped leggings. Figure out what is comfortable for you to run in. Don’t forget to wash it first to soften it up!

Here are a few of my favorites from over the years.

Accessories

The truth is, you don’t need much to run. Once you have your clothes and your shoes, you’re pretty much good to go. However, there are a few things I would recommend having on hand depending what type of runner you are.

What Gear Do I Need To Start Running

In the summer, I like to carry a water bottle with me. Many people will stash them along their route but I tend to make up my route as I go so I just carry it.

My most recent and FAVORITE discovery is the Kola Clip. For many years I was using a FlipBelt to carry my phone but ever since upgrading to a bigger phone it did not fit the right way on my stomach. Kola Clip changed everything! It clips right onto your sports bra and you don’t even notice it! I’ve used it for biking as well and it is a MUST HAVE!

This year is the first time I’ve tried running with a hat or sunglasses. Truthfully, I don’t know what took me so long! A visor was a great investment and I was able to find a decent pair of sunglasses on amazon for a good price.

A GPS watch is not required to run with but if you’re a data nerd like me I don’t leave home without my Garmin Forerunner. You can also use apps on your phone or any activity tracking watch.

If you’re an experienced runner, what is your go to gear?

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