Runners: what has been your best purchase(s) that you couldn't be without?

[Stumpedasatree]

Could be shoes, watch, clothing etc.

I think mine are my:
Ambit 3, merino baselayers (brilliant at keeping warm, yet breathable and sweat wicking) and my compressport headband which is sweat wicking and keeps my earphones in. Also my running belt from decathlon for phone and key, although it does keep slipping!

[lotusbell]

Another tiny ear sufferer here too, so hard to find ones that stay in!

[Runningonempty84]

The Garmin 245 comes in two versions, @ThatThereWoman - the music model and the non-music model. Think it costs an extra £50 or so for music, but they're still good value compared to the rest of the market, IMO.

[ThatThereWoman]

Thanks @Runningonempty84 I don't think that the Garmin watch does music does it? (I actually have, but had forgotten I had, a forerunner 735). I only really want a watch to record my runs and rides on strava and to play music while I run.

It would be a bonus if I could record my exercise while I'm doing other things like yoga.

[Runningonempty84]

Watches, @ThatThereWoman... it's got to be Garmin all the way. Apple watches aren't great for running, and Suunto are glitchy IME. My old trusty Garmin 220 is still going strong, but I'm tempted to upgrade to the 245 anyway, for the extra features...

[Runningonempty84]

@Salene I've got the smallest flipbelt they do, but it still doesn't stay put. It rides up during long runs and then, when it reaches a narrower part of my body, twirls around. I know others love them, but they just don't work on me for some reason. I wonder if it's because I've got a (comparatively) big arse and narrow waist, so as soon as it comes up off my hips it's free to spin as it pleases. Very annoying!

[Strandliv]

@thattherewoman I had the first Apple Watch so admittedly things may have moved on. But it wasn’t great as a sports watch. I used it for about 18 months, and the I dropped it and literally shattered the entire screen. My DH swears by Garmin but I like Polar. There’s loads of YouTube reviews/comparisons out there so I’d have a look and find the right one for you.

[ThatThereWoman]

Which Running watch? I’m tempted by the Apple Watch...

[ThatThereWoman]

Thank you @BikeRunSki I find all pods massively uncomfortable too - think I have freakishly small openings in mine!

[Strandliv]

I love my 2XU compression running tights. I’m super pleased with my polar ignite watch.
Balega hidden comfort socks are the bees knees.

[Insaneinthemembury]

Thanks, that's my problem too! Will see if DH wants me to buy me some for valentines day!

[BikeRunSki]

@insaneinthembury, I’m not petite in any way (5’8”, size 16, size 9 feet) but I do appear to have tiny ears. No “bud” type headphones have ever sat securely in my ears. I had some limited succcess with the type with a hook round, but the hooks were always too big!

[Insaneinthemembury]

@AuntieStella yy to spotify premium!! A friend persuaded me to get it and I dont know how I lived without it!!

[Insaneinthemembury]

@BikeRunSki have you got small ears or normal size?! I find it hard to find headphones for petite women when they all seems to be sized for men. They fall out.
The only ones I found that worked were my beats headphones but they're dying after 3 years and might look into these

[BikeRunSki]

@ThatThereWoman, my Aftershokz are fantastic, I love them. They don’t fall out of my ears (like anything “poddy”), the sound quality is brilliant,,they are light and comfortable. There is nothing not to like.

[Pippioddstocking]

Pretzel nao head torch
Solomon running vest
Sealskin waterproof socks
Omn waterproof trousers

[ThatThereWoman]

I'm interested in the after shockz @Pinkarsedfly and @AuntieStella - are they good? Otherwise I may get some nike earpods.

I don't particularly like the flip belt but find Sweaty betty leggings really good- particularly the ones with pockets (and a zip pocket at the back for my keys). And I like lululemon tops as they're long enough for my long body.

[Salene]

@Runningonempty84 you must have one that's too big. It should be pretty tight and worn down over hip bones.

[Runningonempty84]

Am I the only one who can't stand the Flipbelt? Mine just rides up and ends up twirling round, somewhere under my boobs. I'm yet to find a decent gel-carrier for marathons.

[Neolara]

I love my flipbelt too.

[Stumpedasatree]

@Bat3 my favourite running bra is from Lidl too! Similar price and no pads that keep dislodging in the wash.

[Stumpedasatree]

@tyrannosaurushex I would love your flipbelt if ok? I have one that slips all over the place currently.

[kemosabeimalone]

Also Nike and Next running tops (which tend to have lots of handy pockets in on the arms or in the neck seams) and Run keeper which is free but wonderful app. It keeps track of all your runs / gives you time stats / motivation as you run If you want and sync’s with your own music playlists (I use iTunes).

[Spudlet]

Ooh, and not a purchase, but I listened to RunPod (Jenni Falconer’s podcast) yesterday morning and really enjoyed it... I don’t listen to anything running as I like to hear the sounds around me, but I was in the gym and it helped to block the pain of being there before 7am (not a morning person). Would recommend it!

[kemosabeimalone]

Without a doubt my Apple Watch - it means I can run without my phone, just my key and a pair of cordless headphones - I feel really light and unencumbered it’s lovely. I have my music on my watch, a phone function and even Apple Pay so I feel I’m ready for anything. Expensive but worth every penny!
Also Boden legggings - I’ve bought pricier Under Armour things before but they always always need to be hoiked up.
Lastly I buy a pair of New Balance trainers in the sales every year or so - I love them they feel like you are running on memory foam and I have had far less injuries since doing so.

[evilharpy]

AuntieStella Do your Aftershokz vibrate a lot? Mine do when the volume is quite high and I really don't like it. Hence I tend to use a pair of bluetooth Havit headphones from Amazon more often, if I'm sticking to pavements and not likely to need to hear traffic.