Gear Up and Get Running

26 Essential Spring Racing Picks

Racing season is here again, and with it comes our best gear picks for running anything from 5Ks to marathons! Happy racing!

COOL WEATHER

Helly Hansen Pace Block Jacket
Run in wet weather with Helly’s new X–Cool fabric jacket. Designed to keep you warm while shedding wind and rain with underarm ventilation to disperse sweat. $160 hellyhansen.com

REI Airflyte Quarter–Zip Top
On cool mornings, choose this sweat–wicking, lightweight quarter–zip. Made of UPF 50 fabric with cord port side pocket for stowing your tunes. $65 rei.com

Lululemon Tight Stuff Tights
Compressive enough to stabilize leg muscles with flat seam construction for preventing chafing. Wear alone or topped with shorts. $98 lululemon.com

Brooks Launch 2
Relaunched by popular vote, this neutral shoe is back and ideal for long–distance training. The soft heel fabric and foam in the sole provide plenty of cushioning, and reviewers were fans of the grippy rubber outsole.
$100 brooksrunning.com

Columbia Mach 38 Hybrid Jacket
Pair stretchy sleeves with insulated core panels then line it in Omni–Heat reflective to create the perfect jacket for cold spring runs. $90 columbia.com

Athleta Swift Tank
Made unstinkable with natural silver salts, this built–in bra tank is supportive enough for smaller cup sizes to run in. Gorgeous keyhole back also provides ventilation. $49 athleta.com

Helly Hansen VTR Printed 7/8 Capri
Printed tights are all the rage, and this pair’s X–Cool quick dry fabric construction makes them a perfect racing partner. Fitted, supportive, and comfortable for the long haul. $70 hellyhansen.com

TomTom Runner Cardio Watch
Monitor your distance, speed, and more with this multifunctional GPS watch with built–in heart rate monitor. Use targeted heart rate zones to gauge your effort and improvements. $270 tomtom.com

WARM WEATHER

9 Headsweats Podium Hat
A technical take on an everyday look, this classic hat is actually made of wicking, quick–dry fabrics. $20 headsweats.com

New Balance Ultra Hooded Jacket
Take to the trails in this jacket designed for ultrarunners. It’s water resistant with anti–snag fabric to prevent tree branch damage, and packs into its chest pocket. $125 newbalance.com

Lululemon Training Short Sleeve
Stink–free fabric that prevents bacteria growth and flat seam design make this shirt a winner for long runs. Plus, it’s preshrunk so it can tango with your dryer without becoming a crop top. $64 lululemon.com

Lululemon Mesh Surge Short
Built with racing in mind, the no–bounce boxer–brief liner keeps your goods in place. A smart waistband houses a loop for stowing your shirt when you overheat, along with gel pockets to keep you fueled.
$64 lululemon.com

Helly Hansen Aspire Jacket
Don’t let rain stop your run! This jacket dries fast and is nearly weightless so it won’t weigh you down. Tighten the waist drawcord for a more fitted silhouette. $100 hellyhansen.com

C9 Champion High Support Sports Bra
High support for a low price, this bra keeps your girls in place on long runs and is designed to keep you looking shapely instead of flattened. $23 target.com

Brooks PureProject Sleeveless Top and Ombre Capris
Loose in the body but fitted in the shoulders, this top’s split back keeps you cool in the heat and nets style points. Pairs well with their seamless capris that fit like a glove. $58 Top, $85 Capris brooksrunning.com

CLIF Organic Energy Food
Created for efforts of two hours or longer, these real–food packets provide nourishment in an easy–to–consume package. Savory flavors like Pizza Margherita and Sweet Potato with Sea Salt are a refreshing alternative to sugary gels. Also available in Banana Beet with Ginger and Banana Mango with Coconut. $18 for six packets clifbar.com

HOT WEATHER

Sunski Headlands Sunglasses
Expensive no, but awesome yes. The polarized lenses protect your eyes from bright sun, but the low price makes it no biggie if you lose them in the racing aftermath. $48 sunskis.com

Brooks Pure Project SS Knit Crew
Looks and feels like your favorite tee, but performs on tough runs. Wicks sweat and dries fast so you can enjoy the finish line festivities without looking sweaty. $60 brooksrunning.com

Brooks Sherpa IV 5″ Short
A bestseller for a reason, this year’s design features an updated trio of pockets on sides and back, a shorter length for speedy racing, and a next-to-nothing feel for comfort during hot summer runs. With built-in brief liner. $45 brooks running.com

Feetures Ultra Light Socks
Ultra thin and built with Lycra bands that hug your foot; this sock’s snug fit prevents blisters so you can run long without pain. $12 feeturesrunning.com

New Balance 1600 V2
One of the lightest racing flats out there, this shoe is built for speed. The sock–like interior makes them comfortable out of the box, and the well–crafted, flexible upper won’t cause blisters. $110 newbalance.com

New Balance Excel Race Day Singlet
Start race–day right with a singlet featuring airy back cutouts and UV protective fabric. Rechargeable glow–in–the–dark accents provide visibility on dark runs. $55 newbalance.com

Columbia Freeze Degree Short Sleeve
Keep your shoulders protected from sunburn with this UPF 30 tee with sweat–activated cooling powers. $55 columbia.com

C9 by Champion Premium Woven Run Short
Sold exclusively at Target, this stretchy short is vented, wicking, and easy to run in. A hidden pocket stows a key or gel. $25 target.com

Smartwool Women’s PhD Run Socks
Enjoy the temperature–regulating powers of Merino wool in a no–show sock designed with a seamless toe and mesh ventilation to keep your feet feeling fresh mile after mile. $15 smartwool.com

Brooks Ravenna 6

For runners needing stability and cushioning, the new Ravenna is a perfect fit. Great for short and high–mileage runs, this shoe secures your foot and is quite responsive with little break–in time needed. $110 brooksrunning.com