Running gear : The Q&A

[Forestcantrun]

Just that really. Please feel free to add your must haves or great value finds or discounts. There's a wealth of knowledge on this site which I personally hugely appreciate.

My Q: which aftershokz? Do I go straight for the aeropex or is one of the cheaper models just as good.

Sleeves are now on my Christmas list. Hopefully the sizing is self explanatory or my husband and kids will be surreptitiously measuring my limbs in my sleep🤣

@Magpie1976

I get very cold, painful ears running. Any recommendations for something to stop the wind chill and listen to music comfortably?

I have Aftershokz for the music and use a buff as a headband to keep ears warm. My favourite, which I use year round (to keep hair under control) is a merino one from a random camping shop. Cool in summer, warm in winter. If I need more warmth iwhen it gets cold then I have a fleece headband and a hybrid fleece/fabric buff (sold for skiing). I do have a knitted bobble hat, but I prefer the buff-as-headband

I splashed out on an Innov8 Stormshell for a lightweight, breathable, windproof waterproof.

PS: love the idea of stealthy nocturnal limb investigations!

@AuntieStella the risk is real 🤣🤣

@Magpie1976 I just use a buff most of the year. It was a castaway from a family member. Ive a fleecy headband I got on Amazon for about 5quid if I'm especially cold. It's lovely actually, soft, warm but not too hot.

Anyone bring their dog running? Do you use a tracker? I'm going to do some trail runs over the winter and would love to bring my very eager dog but I don't want to lose him especially when I don't really know these areas yet. I don't have an iPhone so those apple tags are no use to me but if anyone has a brand they recommend that would be appreciated. Thank you

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSICOZY-Bluetooth-Headband-Sleep-Headphones-Wireless-Music-Sport-Headbands-for-/284452210103?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

@Magpie1976 I use these wireless headphones which come as a headband. You could always wear a buff over the top if it’s not warm enough

I love the sound of the sleeves, how have I not known about these? I find my long sleeve tops tend to be a bit more fitted than my short sleeve ones and I can get a bit self conscious wearing them to run, so I stick a looser T-shirt on top and end up boiling 🥵 Definitely going to check these out

forestcantrun I take my dog running but do not use a tracker. We have canicross kit (belt for me, bungee lead, running harness). Most of the time he's on the lead.

Where do you buy sleeves? I am a sweaty runner and they sound ideal.
Which leads to my next question - can anyone recommend reflective tops? I have armbands but I would like reflective clothing but NOT jackets - I am too hot for the extra layer after just a few minutes even at minus 1 or 2. I have managed to find tops and leggings with small reflective areas but would like a bit more shine! I was in Decathlon last week and thought I might find something in the cycling section but the closest I could find was a bright yellow men's top with just a few reflective areas, not dissimilar (but brighter coloured) to the tops I already own.

@dangermouseisace thank you. I'll keep him on the belt lead maybe. He is generally a good boy and he would love to be on a trail providing he gets a swim after 😊
@Niconacotaco I've a Proviz one on order that I saw on another link here. Just the short sleeve one. I will probably graduate to long sleeve in a month or so but I'm still finding long runs super warm. It's not arrived yet so I can't comment on the fit. There 15 percent off for new buyers

My sleeves came from Decathlon.

I'm eyeing up those for sale on Wiggle

@Niconacotaco Ronhill make a range called 'Nightrunner', which includes long sleeved tops with reflective details on the arms and shoulders. The top is a lightweight fabric, I was looking at them yesterday in a shop.

https://www.ronhill.com/collections/womens-night-running

Hi! For the aftershockz fans out there…are you able to control your music through the headset? I use Powerbeats wireless which I like - you can pause and skip tracks (but not repeat tracks annoyingly!). Also has microphone for calls on the run. Are aftershockz the same? My Powerbeats are getting a pounding from all the running plus I use them for seemingly endless video calls at work. I’d like a second pair I could keep separately for running

I couldn’t get on with sleeves at all for some reason. I bought a couple of pairs over the years but end up getting annoyed with them once I’m ready to take them off…I hate carrying anything when I run and I also hate wearing running belts. Also hate having them pushed down and bunched up on my wrists like a big tight sweaty scrunchies😆.

Thanks everyone

@GrandPrismatic

Hi! For the aftershockz fans out there…are you able to control your music through the headset? I use Powerbeats wireless which I like - you can pause and skip tracks (but not repeat tracks annoyingly!). Also has microphone for calls on the run. Are aftershockz the same? My Powerbeats are getting a pounding from all the running plus I use them for seemingly endless video calls at work. I’d like a second pair I could keep separately for running

Yes, on Aftershockz you can pause, skip track, volume up and down, and they work on phone calls the same as my in-ear Jabra buds.

I would like reflective clothing but NOT jackets

would a 'runining' vest work -- these mesh/strap reflective things that runners or cyclists use.

Sleeves are something cyclists use a lot. I have some 20+ yrs old that were custom made, & my good pair is from Wiggle. I bet ebay is cheaper.

neckbuff worn like a head band over the ear buds for the person who gets cold ears but also wants to listen to music

Years ago I bought a fantastic running gilet from Aldi. It was black with reflective pattern on it. The reflection material has faded a lot and I’d love to find something similar again.

Actually this might be ok.
startfitness.co.uk/products/asics-lite-show-womens-running-gilet-black?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiNSLBhCPARIsAKNS4_fuzxXhOa10hlsLTC-lu28unhgKCaNgRPwRb0jfakli4Ses5dOnQHwaArJtEALw_wcB&variant=39839660900560

I have reflective kit from Ronhill.
Lightweight tops which are fully reflective.

@GrandPrismatic

Hi! For the aftershockz fans out there…are you able to control your music through the headset? I use Powerbeats wireless which I like - you can pause and skip tracks (but not repeat tracks annoyingly!). Also has microphone for calls on the run. Are aftershockz the same? My Powerbeats are getting a pounding from all the running plus I use them for seemingly endless video calls at work. I’d like a second pair I could keep separately for running

I have the aftershok aeropex which do everything and more than my beats did.

Thanks @ThankYouDebbie and @FrangipaniBlue…am sold! Will look out for Black Friday deals on the headphones.
Also considering the Apple Watch. I use strava with an armband for my phone for runs but like the idea of just a watch with everything on it. Anyone any tips? The apple watches seem to come with their own fitness app…is that better than strava?

You can use Strava directly on an Apple Watch as well as it having its own tracker app so you have both options !

I used to have an Apple Watch and loved it, I only upgraded to a Garmin because I needed more features but that is the one thing I miss, not being able to run without my phone anymore!!!

The Garmin can control my music playlist though so it's a halfway house

Anyone know the sizing of Inov8 shoes.?

I want a pair of oroc with the studs on bottom for the icy winters where I stay

I normally wear 7.5 or 8 in Altras

I'm unsure about Inov8 if they run big or small

Anyone any idea.?

You can use Strava directly on an Apple Watch as well as it having its own tracker app so you have both options

Plus you can upload the Apple Watch workouts to Strava as they are compatible, although I have sometimes found that the pace is slightly different

Can anyone recommend a great waterproof, lightweight running jacked, I am so fed up getting soaked.