My Favorite Running Gear

I have some go to gear that I absolutely love and want to share with you!  This are hands down my favorite gear of all time, and I hope you will try some of the gear and let me know what you think!  Also if you have a product I need to try, let me know as I always like trying new things.  I am not an ambassador for any of these products so these reviews are truly what I love to use. 

Running Clothes/Products I love

a few of my selection

Shorts:  Hands down Gypsy runner is my go to for shorts!  The HUGE pockets on either side are my number one favorite part of them, but they fit well, are compressive in all of the right spots, and come in all kinds of fun prints from just black to outer space!!!!  The pockets are so big that I can fit my iphone in the mophie charging case in one pocket and a collapsible dog bowl and or water bottle in the other with NO BOUNCING!  I discovered Gypsy Runner at the expo of my very first half marathon, and I follow her on Facebook here and also check in on her website here regularly.  I love the dog themed gear she carries including shorts, tanks, t shirts, sweatshirts, and stickers that go on anything.  Heck she even has hats, and now buffs!  Gypsy Runner is a mobile business and she travels to race expos all over the country.  You can follow her FB page to see where she is going to be next and you can even run with her during the races!!!  Amy is hands down one of the NICEST people you will ever meet and her hubby Dave is equally wonderful!  I love the new reflective shorts as well since I run at the butt crack of dawn most days, and that is one less piece of gear i have to put on when running.

Tights/Winter gear:  Good gear is essential when running in sub zero temps.  If you aren't comfortable, you won't run or you won't run far at least.  Plus, if you try and use heavy gear that isn't as responsive, you will sweat and get cold from the moisture.  Winter gear is something I will splurge for and pay full price for.  My go to winter gear is the Mizuno Breath-thermo line.  I have several base layer shirts and several options on tights.  I have one pair for the colder runs that have more thickness and more breath thermo material in the upper thigh and calf area, and a pair of tights for the cool runs, where I don't need as much warmth, but still want my legs covered.

Shoes:  Shoes are very personal and need to fitted to you and your foot by a professional. Through much trial and error, I have found what works for me is the Saucony Triumph line.  These shoes are super cushioned, yet responsive and neutral, which is perfect for the way I run.  As always, get fitted for you and your running style by a professional at a running shoe store for the best fit!  I have found too with different models coming out every year, that I always need to get refitted to make sure that the size and fit are what I need.  For instance, the last model  of Triumphs had me in a 7.5 and the Triumph 4s fit me better in a 7 wide.

Hats:  I am a trucker hat girl through and through.  While I have tried a few brands and do have some favorite designs no matter what the brand, I keep coming back to the BOCO brand.  Another Mother Runner sells this brand with a variety of themes and colors, and for the shape of my little pea head, their brand of hats fit the best!  They don't sit up too much like some truckers and I can adjust them perfectly to stay on no matter what.  The hat in the above picture is a Headsweats brand and while I love the design, it does have a rather large design area that sits up rather high on my head.

A few Moving Comfort Junos in my rotation

Running bras:  Okay let's get real here.  I am a 36 DD and finding a good sports bra that keeps the girls in place and doesn't chafe me bloody is essential.  For me, after trying many styles of bras, Moving comfort is the only bra that seems to work for my girls with the style Juno being the best for me and my running.  I still have to use lube to keep from having chaffing issues when it is hot and humid outside, but Moving comfort bras are truly comfortable, easy to get on and off, and cute even for the bigger sizes.  Our local running store carries them luckily and can properly fit you for the correct size band and cup.  If your local running store doesn't carry them, try this website here!

For chaffing:  I have tried lots and lots of products for this issue.  Since I am a bigger gal in the top, I have had horrible issues with chaffing under the band of my sports bra, no matter which bra I try.  I had used body glide for years with mixed results, and then I found a product called Trail Toes.  I used it in my epic 7 hour 50 K in which it rained pretty much 6 hours and 30 minutes of. I applied liberally once and I had 0 issues chaffing under my sports bra.  Now I did have chaffing in some surprise areas but not where I applied my Trail toes!  This product is a miracle product and I love it!

Love the bright colors!

Socks:  Balega socks have been my go to for years.  I tried a variety of brands and my feet and body loved Balegas.  If I get a blister, it is not because of the socks or shoes, it is usually because of my feet being wet due to water crossings.  Balegas are so comfortable on the run that I sometimes cheat and wear them to work on days I will be on my feet all day.  I just love the fun colors and they are so very soft and cushy.  My favorite are the Mohair performance version for long runs and races. 

Pro sleeves for the win!

I do also love compression sleeves and Pro Compression are my favorites!  I also love their full compression socks but more for recovery after the run.  I have run a few races in them and my feet take a beating, plus my feet don't appreciate compression like my calf muscles do.  For that reason, their sleeves work perfectly with my Balega socks. 

These are my favorite but I always like trying new gear so let me know if you have some must have gear I need to try!