running trousers

[mitsuko]

Hi

Want to start jogging, but not sure about the price of 'proper' running trousers of the sweaty betty stylee - thinking of the loose fit drawstring waist ones, nothing too tight.

Do they look OK on short legs (rest of me pretty much in proportion, just short overall)

And are they really better when you've worked up a sweat (all that talk of the fabric letting it wick away - yuk - but it's not likely to be a pretty sight as I've never run properly)

Are you paying extra for the technology or the style or both?

And do they look OK enough for the school run (when not running IYSWIM)?

Any thoughts/recommendations appreciated

Ta

No idea I just wear those jersey jogging trouser things. About £5 from matalan!

I started running last year and started off in normal tracksuit bottoms then aldi or lidl do running and also cycling clothes specials certain weeks and I bought 2 x running 'tights' for £7 each and a couple of tops. i would say that the proper stuff does make a difference as you don't get so hot/sweaty. But to start off with just wear what you've got, but please make sure you have proper running shoes.

ps - have you seen these podcasts to help you.

I ran 10K quite regularly before I was pg last year, and have just taken it up again (DS is 6 months old). I do wear "proper" running tights - certainly not to be worn when not doing sport! They make a big difference, keep you cool, don't flap about, don't rub...

Have a look at Wiggle Wiggle running tights

• they often have bargains. But if you are unsure of what to buy, then spend the money on proper shoes - go to a proper sports shops (not a big high street name that sells sports wear as casual wear) and get fitted properly. They should try you in several sizes and brands and video you running on a treadmill to understand how you run (gait analysis). Expect to spend around £60-£70ish. Don't trust mail order - sizes vary between styles and brands, and running shoes need to be a bit bigger than normal shoes, but also fit.

Proper shoes will make the difference between enjoying running and not, hurting yourself and not! And I find my iPod makes a big difference.

Next most important I would say is a high impact sports bra.

Start with alternating intervals of running and walking, then gradually build up how long you run for, and decrease how long you walk for. There are a few plans on Runnerswolrd.co.uk and realbuzz.co.uk

thanks very much - will check out the advice sites too

as if by magic from 19th march

Are running shirts or running socks any more beneficial than a normal vest top and socks?

Yes NappyAddict!

Generally cotton + sweat = sore skin/blisters

Running socks wick (posh name for transfer outwards) sweat so your feet stay dry. I used to be slightly dubious about this until I got home after running in the pouring rain, took my trainers off and left dripping wet footprints on the floor despite my feet not feeling wet.

They are expensive (around £10/pair) but last for years, look out for brands like Thorlos and Falke.

Same applies to tops, if you watch the marathon at the end of next month, you'll see people (usually blokes) with streams of blood down their shirts. Shirts will invariably be cotton and will have rubbed them raw - owww!

Does it make a difference if you only run short distances like 2 miles though?

I wear the gear to run 2 or 3 miles. Buy the lidl stuff next week as it's cheap. To me it has made a difference and I wouldn't want to run in normal clothes now.

If cash is an issue, I'd just spring out on shoes, and wear whatever for the rest. Padded socks make a difference for blisters, but I don't think mine were that expensive.

Oh, and if you're norkish, a good bra makes a difference, obviously.

The only issue, for me, with running bottoms, is chafing. If I'm carrying a few extra pounds, my thighs chafe, enough to make running not enjoyable.

I suppose it's one of those things where you don't think it will make a difference until you try it.

Furball - how do those Lidl tights compare to the "proper" running brands? I have my eyes out for them, but when I have bought other cheaper brands, compared to say Ron Hill/Asics, I have always been disappointed.

I know no different, to me they are fab because I was wearing normal trackie bottoms. I also only run 4km. But they have umbelievably to me made a difference.

late to this thread (blimey s&b's busy lately isn't it? i thought it had dropped off the front page) but reporting back on wearing proper running kit for the first time today.

i'm still on the c25k but i'm up to 4k now and i reckon it did make a difference to keeping me cool having proper wicking stuff rather than cotton, especially the trousers.

i got a t-shirt and trousers from tkmaxx £15 for both. i picked them half and half for techy fabric and stealth - i.e. something that doesn't scream "running kit" with lots of swoopy lines and big logos. and i went for loose bottoms rather than tight tights cos i still have an entirely natural aversion to lycra. i wouldn't be embarrassed to wear my new stuff to school drop off, no way would i go in tight tights.

i'd say you need to see in flesh/try on rather than buy online cos sizing seems to vary dramatically e.g. i'm roughly 10 top 12 bottom but adidas 12 top too small, nike 10 bottom too big. and i reckon with short leg you also need to check bottoms are short enough (i.e. they don't look like slightly shrunken full length trews on you).

I don't know whether to get leggings or trousers. Are one better than the other? Also do I need more than one set of trousers, top and socks? Oh and I so sports insoles on the Lidl website. What are they for?

i've got by so far with rewearing t-shirt and trousers all week (not v sweaty + slattern) but i need clean socks each time and don't wash whites often enough to get away with just 2 pairs so have 4, is plenty for running 3x wk. m&s do reasonable ones (i.e. v comfy so far but am beginner) for £5/2 pairs.

i reckon if you wear tight tights it's harder to get away with running for shit but either way cropped best if buying now.

I bought the Lidl running capri's today for about £6. I'll road test tomorrow and let you know whether they were hot/fell down etc. I also bought one of their running t-shirts for £4.88. T-shirts are definitely one run and into the wash.

I have lovely sweatyBetty and Puma running tights but after 2 outings they become baggy and slide off my waist.

The sweatyBetty bra's aren't up to the job if you are a C-cup or bigger. High impact Shock Absorber bras are great.

Good running shoes are essential. I recently bought some Asics Gel-Enduro online for less than £30.

I have these running socks and I got some Lidl ones aswell.

Oh I also saw this top but wasn't sure whether to get it cos it's made out of polyester. Won't that make it very hot?

Urgh to polyester!

My running socks are sweatyBetty, 3 pairs for £10. Very comfy. (arf, can you tell that I won an MN competition for £250 sweatyBetty vouchers?)

The Lidl one is polyester too

Most sports clothes are polyester - much more comfortable and cooling than cotton. - I know, it's surprising but true.

even this swetty betty 30 quid one is polyester

all manmade fibres are non-absorbant (at least those based on plastics like polyester/nylon) it's the structure of the weave that makes them wick moisture, so specifically designed running/sports gear should be cooler than "regular" manmade fibre clothing

didn't check the fibre composition (although i'm guessing the top is mostly nylon from the hand) but my nike bottoms are definitely more "cooling" in their effect than my puma tshirt, although both are moisture managing tagged fabrics.