Running is hard. It requires physical and mental endurance, determination and a bit of stubbornness. One way to make it a little bit easier is finding the right clothes to provide you comfort and help prevent injury.
Fabric Matters
When purchasing running attire, pay attention to the fabric used. The right materials can prevent chaffing, keep you cool or warm and can help you dry.
Some of my favorite choices are:
- Nylon – Wicking, breathable, and super stretchy
- Polyester – Durable, lightweight, and breathable
- Merino Wool – Great for hot and cold weather, temperature regulating, extremely breathable, wicking, and anti-bacterial
Avoid cotton. Although cotton is breathable, it absorbs moisture and holds it against your skin. This creates the perfect environment for chafing.
My Favorites
Constantly Varied Gear
Constantly Varied Gear (CVG) is a small business out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. They have a big heart for fitness and helping people be excited about working out.
The CVG tanks are my go-to’s for tops. The tanks are a blend of polyester and viscose fabric and are very light-weight. I have never experienced chafing with these tanks, unlike other tops I have tried. I even layer with them in the winter.
I also wear CVG’s full length leggings for cool temperature workouts. These are made from 73% polyester and 27% spandex. They are soft, stretchy and stay in place while I run. They are also squat proof and have deep pockets.
Under Armour
Whether hiking or running, there is no one I trust more than Under Armour to help keep me warm during the winter.
I wear both ColdGear Leggings and ColdGear Tops. The leggings stay put, keep me warm even on longs of 10+ miles, and are very comfortable. The tops are also great at keeping me warm but they can ride up. I always tuck mine into the leggings before I run.
Under Armour is also my choice of brand for shorts and their HeatGear leggings are perfect for when the temperatures are too cold for shorts but too warm for regular leggings.
Socks
Out of all the socks I’ve experimented with, the only ones I have not had blisters with are Balega and Smartwool.
Belega Silver
I bought my first pair of Balegas this year and I can’t wait to buy more. Made of 75% polyester, these socks keep my feet comfortable and dry. They are heavily cushioned which make them perfect for long trail runs.
Smartwool
Smartwool socks are made from Merino Wool and are well worth the hefty price. They have a variety of options for cushion types and have provided me with blister-free feet for over 2 years.
The only problem I have had with Smartwool is with their Ultra Light versions. These are not as durable as some of the other ones I have. I usually go through them in 3 to 6 months.
Finding the right clothing to fit your body type can help enhance and improve your run. They can create comfort and excitement for each of your workouts. The brands above are my personal favorites but that doesn’t mean there are not other fantastic options out there.
Find what works for you and run with it.