What to Wear for Running: Choose Your Shoes and Clothing Wisely
It’s well-known that exercising regularly can help us stay healthy and energetic. What do you usually do for exercise? Where do you typically exercise? The answers can be varied from homes, gyms, and parks. It’s hard to tell which place is the best, but for me, exercising outdoors is the best.
When you exercise outdoors, you can breathe in fresh air and enjoy the beautiful natural view. My favorite outdoor sport is running because I don’t have to prepare very professional sports equipment. What I need is my running shoes and clothing.
If you’re also a running lover or want to run outdoors, continue reading. You’ll find useful tips to help you choose the best running shoes and clothing!
How to Choose the Best Running Shoes
What’s the most important item for running? It must be running shoes! Do you know why there are so many running injuries? That’s mainly because of wearing the wrong shoes. So, for your safety, it’s quite essential to choose a pair of suitable running shoes.
When choosing running shoes, it’s not wise to consider only your favorite brand, style, or color. Alternatively, the following are several key factors you need to think about.
Cushioning
For running lovers, you’re definitely familiar with the concept of cushioning. It’s the amount of thickness in the midsole. The amount of cushioning determines how much support you will have while running.
What type of shoes has the most cushioning? That must be cushioned shoes! They have an excellent amount of cushioning. If you’re new to running, they are great because they reduce wear and tear on your feet. But these shoes are heavier than other common running shoes, so your feet would feel tired and uncomfortable while running.
What about lightweight shoes? Though they have the minimal cushioning, these shoes are much more comfortable for your feet.
Either cushioned or lightweight shoes have their own advantages and disadvantages. Choose wisely according to your own body conditions.
Breathability
Breathability is another essential factor you should consider when making choices. Read the shoe labels carefully to see if they’re made from breathable materials. These materials excel in keeping your feet cool and dry, especially for summer running.
Traction
How much do you know about traction? Traction offers a firm grip and stability. It works like a brace to prevent you from slipping. If you usually run on different terrains, look for shoe soles with a great grip. Thus, you can run more safely.
Reflective Surface
Some of you like to run in the early morning to breathe in fresh air. But if it’s cloudy or foggy, low visibility may lead to some potential dangers. This means you need to choose shoes with reflective surfaces so that drivers and other passengers will notice you.
Keep these four factors in mind, you definitely can find a perfect pair of running shoes.
Key Factors for Choosing Running Clothing
After exploring the world of shoes, let’s turn our focus to running clothing. Wearing fit and comfortable clothes can improve your running experience in no time.
The key parts of running clothing are the tops and bottoms. For the tops, the popular options include shirts, vests, or jackets. For the bottom clothing, pants, shorts, and tights are on the top list.
With so many choices available, you may feel confused to make a decision. Don’t worry; I’m here to help! The following are some key factors you can consider. Think about them carefully according to your own preferences.
- A proper fit is 100% the most important factor. You can’t run comfortably wearing either too big or too small clothes.
- Only comfortable clothes can let you run without burden. Great comfort reduces chafing and lets you move easily.
- Breathability is also important for running clothing. It allows air circulation and prevents overheating in summer.
- Durable clothing is best since running is an affordable sport. It doesn’t require much money to invest. A durable material can withstand wear and tear, thus avoiding the need to replace clothing frequently.
- Moisture-wicking fabrics keep you dry and clean. They transport sweat away from your skin quickly.
- In the summertime, choose polyester and nylon for their quick-drying properties.
- If you’re sensitive to smells, try fabrics with odor resistance to maintain freshness.
- In hot weather, to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, consider clothing with good sun protection.
- For safety, on foggy or cloudy days, wear clothing with reflective materials to avoid potential dangers.
Running Clothing Fabric Recommendations
In case you don’t have specific preferences, I make a list of several great fabric recommendations. Each fabric has its own features, so choose one that suits you best.
Polyester
The first fabric I recommend is polyester, which is durable and lightweight. It can wick moisture and let clothing dry quickly, so you can stay cool and comfortable while running in spring and summer.
However, polyester may not be the best option for people sensitive to smell. It retains odors, which is bad in hot weather.
Merino Wool
As a natural fiber, merino wool is renewable and generally sustainable. If you’re an environmentalist, merino wool is your best choice.
Not to mention its moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, merino wool also excels in temperature regulation and odor resistance.
What’s the disadvantage? Merino wool is expensive, but it’s never wrong to choose such a high-quality fabric.
Nylon
Nylon is one of the most popular materials for running clothing. Like polyester and merino wool, nylon is also moisture-wicking and dries quickly. The difference is that nylon is super stretchy. It moves with you while running.
Spandex/Lycra/Elastane
As a running lover, you must be familiar with Spandex, Lycra, and Elastane. These fabrics offer excellent stretch and flexibility for easy movement.
Bamboo
As a sustainable and eco-friendly option, bamboo fabric is very soft and naturally antibacterial. However, it’s not durable compared to other fabrics and may shrink in the wash.
Running Clothing Accessories
Don’t forget to pair some necessary accessories with your shoes and clothing! These small accessories also help enhance your running experience.
Socks
In most conditions, cotton is a perfect fabric. But for running, wearing cotton socks only brings trouble. They can’t wick away sweat but only trap the moisture against your feet.
Alternatively, use synthetic materials to transport sweat away from your skin.
Hats
Do you know that your head is more sensitive to temperature changes than other body parts? So, it’s always wise to wear a hat.
In cool and cold weather, wear a fleece or wool hat to stay warm. When the temperature is higher, try a lightweight and breathable hat to keep cool and fresh.
Running Belt
Why not try running belts when you have no pockets to hold things? These belts provide extra space for your small items like cards, cash, keys, and earphones. Some larger belts can even hold your phone!
Conclusion
To sum up, you have learned many key factors to consider when choosing running shoes and clothing. Or, you can directly follow the fabric and accessory recommendations.
Choose wisely, and you can enjoy a delightful and comfortable running experience regardless of the season.
