Our Favorite Running Gear
Hope is officially building that there will be a 2021 bike racing season in New York City. But we’re not quite there yet, which means we’re taking out our competitive energy via Zwift and all manner of team running races - from truly awful feeling 5K’s to more casual closest to the pin competitions.
In the process of becoming a part time running team, there are a few products that we have absolutely fallen in love with. From shorts to bras to electronics, this is our favorite running gear that helped us get through the pandemic.
Tracksmith Session Shorts Review
Reviewed by Matt
Over the past couple of years Tracksmith has gone all in on replicating the early days of Rapha - beautiful fabrics, premium construction, and a very carefully curated aesthetic. And you know what? As much as I find myself shaking my head at some of the price points (a $98 cotton hoodie!), every Tracksmith product that I have purchased qualifies as extremely nice.
Lucia covers some of the Tracksmith base layers below, but for me it is the Session Shorts that come out at the top of my list of favorite running gear. Constructed with a nylon blend and available in 5 and 7-inch inseam, these are not the lightest weight running shorts that I own, but they’re by far the most comfortable.
On their website, Tracksmith writes “When we introduced our Session Shorts last spring, they quickly became a laundry day staple – the first shorts you grab when everything is clean.” and I wholeheartedly agree. These are without a doubt my go to running shorts.
Pros
The fabric and construction is super premium (albeit at a premium price point)
Durability has been top notch through a full year of wear and tear
Cons
$68 for a pair of shorts is a super premium price point
There are lighter weight and more technical options out there
Cost: $68 at Tracksmith.com
Oiselle flyout bra Review
Reviewed by Steph
I don’t consider myself a “runner”, but I’ve been running for a good portion of my life - with a few marathons and half marathons sprinkled in there. I have seen a wide range of technological advances come and go. When I first started running, it was with a CD player with a hand strap - yay anti-skip technology. Then the iPod/iPhone came in and I was holding on to my sleek device hoping I didn’t drop it, or I would tuck it into my shorts, a massive arm band , or the worst was in the front of my sports bra, where it bounced around as I tried to ignore it and enjoy my run.
Enter Oiselle, in 2007 the brand burst on the scene with a goal of creating highly-technical running apparel specifically for women. And with it came the FlyOut Bra, a bra that was the answer to all of my running pack mule prayers. With its broad coverage, and massive rear pocket, it could store anything my pack mule heart desired. As soon as I saw it I muttered, “why hadn’t anyone done this before?!” I immediately purchased.
Very quickly the Flyout Bra became my go-to running apparel - yes, I probably wore it more times in between washes than is normal. The pocket is situated on the back of the bra, positioned in the middle of your upper back between your shoulder blades. I know this doesn’t seem like the most convenient positioning — and in the winter when you’re layered up, I’ll be honest, it’s not. However, paired with my Apple Watch, I’m able to hit play, navigate it into the pocket and within seconds I forget it’s even there. In the summer, with light layers, it’s fairly easy after the first few times to navigate the phone in/out of the pocket without issue. It sits snuggly in the back with zero worry that it will bounce or fall out. The sweat from my back definitely permeates and gives the phone a light layer, however it’s not an issue with the ingress protection of most smart phones at this point.
Overall, I’m grateful for this meaningful bit of ‘innovation’ in the sports bra space and am glad I’ve got a pocket to stash some goods for my runs.
Pros
Fits my very large iPhone, so assume it fits most smartphones of today
A convenient, bounce-free place to store my phone, credit card, cash, keys, etc.
Cons
Sometimes difficult to navigate the phone into the pocket - especially when wearing multiple winter layers
If you love to ‘gram your runs, you might find taking it in/out annoying
Cost: $64 at Oiselle.com
Tracksmith Brighton Base layer Review
Reviewed by Lucia
Courtesy of Tracksmith
Dressing for a run can be challenging, especially if you run hot. I always try to wear the least possible amount to avoid overheating once I get warmed up, but also avoid freezing during breaks or during cool-down. So, I like something that is versatile. I also am picky about the material and weight of the fabric. I want it to be soft, non-chafing, lightweight, breathable, and ideally odor-resistant.
The Brighton Base Layer excels on all of these points. While it’s marketed as a base layer (and makes a very good layering piece indeed), it’s also my favorite long sleeve running shirt on its own. It’s made from an incredibly soft merino wool blend, and has smart & flatteringly placed subtle perforations throughout, but primarily on the backside, to allow for really great airflow and sweat wicking. This combination of textile choice and technical knit construction keeps you warm and cool. The fit is slim and tailored but not tight. The length feels right, falling around the hip; not super long like many other running brands’ shirts. The wool blend material is magic in its odor resistance, and stands up to multiple workouts before needing to be washed. The one downside I’ve noticed with this super delicate fabric, is that it does tend to pill and pull rather easily, so avoid wearing it if you plan on using a backpack or anything else that might rub or snag it, and wash/store with care. Tracksmith’s products are expensive, but this piece is a solid investment.
Pros
Top notch temperature regulation and odor-resistance
Flattering fit and design
Super soft, non-itchy wool blend
Very lightweight
Cons
Delicate, abrasion sensitive material that pills & snags easily
High price point
No thumb holes
Cost: $88 at Tracksmith.com
Garmin Forerunner 230 Review
Reviewed by Barb
This may seem…. basic as a product review. Yeah yeah, you like your running watch. But it’s really a matter of context, and my long running history. I started running when I was a semi-chubby 15 year old, in 1993. I had to measure courses with my dad in the car, or trust that my cross country coach, a skinny guy named Steve Lohman, had walked the course with a large tape measure like device (if this interests you I found a whole DC Rainmaker post about measuring courses!). The only time I knew how fast I ran was when we did track workouts and my coach, Miss Moos (that’s her real name I swear), timed me, or when I ran the Bolder Boulder and checked my splits in the newspaper.
When the first GPS running watches came out, they were dodgy. I would run around Wash Park and sometimes it was 2.4 miles, sometimes it was 2.7 miles. I had to carry a large transponder on my upper arm. The watch wouldn’t work if there were more than four trees on the route. So the fact that I can use this small, almost dainty watch, and know my splits instantaneously, is a miracle! I should also add, to make this a more normal product review, that I’ve had this watch for 5 years and it’s still working fine. In modern technology years, that’s kind of a lifetime. I did replace the watch band at one point when it broke but other than that it’s worked flawlessly.
Pros
Lightweight, bluetooth compatible for easy upload of your runs to Garmin Connect, TrainingPeaks, Strava, etc.
Lasts forever (my model is literally discontinued now)
Comes in nice colors if you like!
Cons
The base model doesn’t track heart rate, if you’re into that
When you run often, the battery life could be better? I’m really reaching here!
Can give a dodgy signal in areas of very dense buildings like Midtown in New York
Cost: $199 for a newer model at garmin.com
Injinji Socks Review
Reviewed by Corey
I know what you are thinking. Toe socks?!? Didn’t those go out of style along with Vibram Five Fingers and the barefoot running craze? (As an aside, “Born to Run” is an excellent read)
Hear me out… at the end of 2018 with a baby on the way I knew I wouldn’t have the time to dedicate to cycling, so I decided to get more into running. I mostly enjoyed it, so I set my sights on what felt like the natural goal - the 2019 NYC marathon.
I needed more running gear and for my sock wardrobe I turned to Injinji based on a friend’s recommendation. It felt weird at first to have extra material between your toes, but soon I no longer noticed. As I progressed my long runs from 6 to eventually 20+ miles… I never had a blister. Not one. Not even after running my first marathon in them. These socks stood up to high mileage and offered better protection to my toes and feet. I highly recommend them for anyone who is thinking of increasing mileage or has issues with blisters.
Pros
Lightweight and absorbent
Blister prevention
Cons
Wear more quickly than other socks
Take longer to put on (important for early morning runs!)
Cost: From $13 at Injinji.com
Ciele Athletics - GOCap
Reviewed by Scott
I love hats, in fact since WFH started I have finally achieved a life long dream of being able to wear a hat everyday. So of course when I am out running; rain, snow or shine I wear a hat.
Ciele Athletics is a small Canadian brand who specialises in running hats. I have tried a few hats in my time but none have come close in terms of comfort and durability as the ciele athletics GOCap. In fact these hats are that good that I have 3 of them and wear them even when I am not running.
The GOCap is the Ciele’s original model and you can get it in a multitude of colours and can even customise it for your run (cycling?) team. The hat has an easy clasp at the back that goes small enough to fit my tiny head. The colours are vibrant, the materials breathable, but also UPF+40 to protect you from the sun. However I think my favourite feature, which is a key one, is that they are machine washable. I have thrown mine in the NYC washing machine 50+ times at least and it still retains its shape and colour.
Pros
Super adjustable
Breathable
Machine washable
Cons
Sometimes the adjustable clasp loosens
Cost: from $35 at cieleathletics.com
A New York City based cyclist and sometimes photographer. Part adventure rider, part crit racer, and fully obsessed with an English bulldog named Winifred.
Instagram: @photorhetoric
E-mail: matthew@tobedetermined.cc
