Shopping for Running Gear
Get equipped for winter running and more
Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Whatever day you like to shop, this is a good time of the year to check out deals on running gear.
With so many options, what would get you the most bang for your buck?
Whether you're shopping for yourself or your favorite runner in your family/friends, here are some of my favorite gear to get during holiday shopping.
Cold Accessories
Sure you have the jackets, running tights, or baselayers to run in the cold, but what really makes those winter runs even more comfortable?
Accessories.
I'm talking about the gloves. Beanie hat. Warm running socks.
These are the nice touches that can make a winter run go smoothly.
My favorite accessory are wool socks for the winter.
Oh and don't forget the neck gaiter too.
Running Shoes
I know. I'm crazy over running shoes, and I really am.
But hear me out.
If you already have a pair, then great! This could be your opportunity to expand to a shoe rotation to extend the life of your shoes.
I'd recommend getting a pair of running shoes that compliments your current pair. Or if you really like your current pair, then you could get the same pair, likely at a lower price.
Here are some shoe models to look for during these holiday sales:
Saucony Triumph 20
The updated Triumph 21s is a minor update from the 20s, so picking up the 20s is a great deal right now. Originally $140, you could find a pair for less than $100. This is a maximum cushioned shoe that could also do any of your speedwork workouts if needed.
ASICS Novablast 3
Just recently, ASICS updated the Novablast to the Novablast 4. This means you can find the Novablast 3 at a discount. The Novablast 4 was updated with a new foam, but the latest reviews are finding the Novablast 4s are slightly firmer. The Novablasts are known to be the perfect daily trainer shoe. The shoes are versatile for all kinds of training runs, from slow easy runs to fast tempo runs.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3
This is the lightweight shoe recommendation. You could find this shoe for under $100, which is a steal. The shoe can also be versatile for a variety of runs, with the exception of maybe your long runs. The midsole foam is the same foam used in New Balance's more high-end shoes. The foam is soft, but bouncy. This is great to add to your rotation if you're looking to add a lightweight speedster of a shoe.
Running Watch
If you're looking to get a new running watch, this is a good time to pick one up.
Running watches now can double as a smartwatch if you'd like.
But I like to keep running watches simple. What you really need from a running watch is the GPS feature to help you track your run. Cheaper models don't have the GPS sensor in the watch but instead piggybacks on your phone's GPS. I'd recommend getting a dedicated GPS running watch though.
Garmin Forerunner 55
I'm a big fan of Garmin watches. This model is the "base" model, but honestly it will easily get the job done. What makes it the base model is that it's missing common smartwatch features, like taking phone calls or writing texts.
Polar Pacer Series
Polar's entry level running watches are the Polar Pacer and Polar Pacer Pro. These were released just last year, so I'm not sure if you could find these on sale. But if you do, I consider these watches. For entry-level watches, Polar gives you a ton a features. For the advanced runners I'd recommend going for the Pro model so you can get a Power reading from your run.
Polar is having 50% off for the week.
Thank you for reading. Have an amazing Thanksgiving holiday, and happy running out there!
