26 Best Running Gear Picks to Pack for Destination Races, According to Runners

These candy honey-filled waffles really feel indulgent however are full of the power you should gasoline prerace. From vanilla to salted caramel, there are six scrumptious flavors to select from.

“Some gels simply actually do a quantity on my abdomen, or the flavors get too overwhelming in these late miles,” Roseann Gallo, a six-time marathoner and USATF and RRCA degree 1 licensed run coach for New York Street Runners, tells SELF. “Spring Power makes use of actual meals—basmati rice, maple syrup, juice, cinnamon, vanilla, yams, and fruit—and all-natural elements to gasoline athletes.” Plus, she says, they “actually style nice.”

I first tried Honey Stinger Power Gels whereas volunteering on the 2019 NYC Marathon Mile 12 water and gasoline station. After making the error of not bringing any snacks for my lengthy shift, I discovered myself reaching for the brightly coloured honey packs and was pleasantly shocked by their candy and scrumptious pomegranate taste. Now I (largely) use them for lengthy runs and races, and I nonetheless can’t get sufficient of those gels.

4-time marathoner Andie Orgando found her love for Hüma gels whereas trying up easy methods to make her personal gel. They embody fruit purée and powdered chia seeds and “style higher than another gel I’ve had,” she tells SELF. “They’re additionally tremendous straightforward to hold in a hydration pack or pocket throughout a run. I usually carry them on trip if I’m coaching or planning on operating someplace scorching.” 

“Saltstick Caps are my go-to throughout races as a result of I’m a salty sweater,” five-time marathoner Jeanine Encizo tells SELF. “Including the capsules as part of my race gasoline plan helps be certain that I’m replenishing the sodium and different electrolytes I’m dropping. With out them I are likely to really feel fatigued a lot sooner.”

“I completely don’t just like the manufactured flavors of gels and drink mixes, so I am grateful that Tailwind makes a ‘bare’ taste,” says Gallo. “It is the proper mix of electrolytes and carbs to assist gasoline your run. Not having a bizarre aftertaste in my water is the whole lot.”

“I really like Nuun Sport tablets as a result of they’re tremendous straightforward to journey with,” says Encizo. “I often pop one in a bottle or glass of water within the days main as much as a marathon race as a result of it helps be certain that I’m hydrating correctly with electrolytes.” 

Like Dahl, I’m an enormous fan of handheld operating water bottles, and this one—after the advice of many fellow marathon trainers—has been the most effective that I’ve discovered. It doesn’t leak and isn’t too massive for my (very small) palms. 

This was the primary operating belt that was really useful to me after I first began operating, and I nonetheless received’t use anything. The expandable pouch is sufficiently big to accommodate my iPhone, keys, and all of the gasoline I must race. I’m particularly a fan of the adjustable belt that doesn’t transfer round after I run. 

Just like the Spibelt, this operating belt has simply sufficient area to carry all of your cellphone, gasoline, and anything you’ll want throughout and after your run. 

“Armband cellphone holders do not work for my skinny arms, so discovering the Koala Clip was a godsend,” says Gallo. “[The Koala Clip] protects the cellphone from the climate and sweat and lets you run hands-free! You possibly can clip it to the entrance or again of your operating bra or inside your tights, no matter works for you. It could actually accommodate bank cards, money, and small keys as properly. It does not shift whereas operating, and the magnetic clip retains it in place.”

If you happen to’re not a fan of belts wrapping round your waist, a operating armband can also be an awesome decide. This armband is available in two completely different sizes which can be straightforward to regulate and match to your arm. 

Garmin runners are a crew favourite for the North Brooklyn Runners. The Forerunner 245 is barely extra reasonably priced than a few of Garmin’s different extra superior fashions, however it nonetheless has sufficient metrics to precisely monitor tempo and file your route through GPS to point out off your race afterward. 

A health watch that athletes swear by, the Coros Apex Professional GPS watch packs in a number of battery life that may final you thru even the longest of races (calling all ultramarathoners). It has a sturdy and easy-to-use touchscreen that makes utilizing it mid-run even simpler. 

Encizo particularly likes the Saucony Endorphin Velocity as a result of they’ve “nice bounce, are nylon plated, however [are] inexpensive than the Professional counterparts.”

Look down at any beginning line and also you’re certain to see runners sporting the flashy, colourful Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2. The winner of SELF’s 2022 Sneaker Awards for finest racing shoe, they’re a fan favourite for a motive: They’re mushy, springy, and tremendous light-weight.

“Outdated Navy Athletic Efficiency Ankle Socks are my racing alternative,” Encizo says. “They’re so snug and are cushioned in all the best spots.”

If you wish to splurge, the Run Low Minimize Socks from CEP are one other nice choice. They provide a bit of extra compression alongside the arch of the foot and sit a bit of additional up the ankle to forestall any blisters or rubbing from the again of your footwear.

Dahl swears by bringing her Normatec Go transportable compression boots when touring for races. Though she as soon as introduced the full-size boots for her and her husband, the Gos are rather more travel-friendly. I can personally vouch for this and have introduced mine on shorter journeys so I can all the time get well on the go.

Different seasoned vacation spot racers swear by bringing a conveyable foam curler with them. Papageorge particularly recommends buying a handheld curler like a TigerTail, which completely suits inside any suitcase. 

I carry these restoration balls with me all over the place. They’re compact sufficient to slot in even the smallest of carry-on luggage and are nice for releasing muscle rigidity that may come up from any sort of journey. The light-weight balls are available three completely different sizes, every excellent for concentrating on muscle groups in your shoulders, ft, and the whole lot in between. (Belief me, there isn’t a higher feeling than rolling your ft on one among these after a race.)

There’s nothing like soaking in a heat Epsom salt tub after pounding pavement throughout a highway race. It’s my most well-liked type of restoration, and I all the time attempt to search out Epsom salts at my native drug retailer or carry a travel-friendly pack with me in my suitcase. 

A SELF favourite, the Physique Glide Unique Anti-Chafe Balm is the key to stopping painful chafing from sweaty lengthy runs. Better of all, it is available in a small transportable stick that’s nice for sticking in your carry-on.

Supergoop’s Play lotion is one other SELF favourite. I personally love that it’s meant for each your face and physique, making it a multipurpose device so you will have one much less factor to pack. I received’t be caught on any run with out defending my pores and skin with this solar lotion: Its mild method rapidly soaks into your pores and skin and by no means runs into your eyes while you sweat. 

These reasonably priced sun shades had been made for being lively. Their nonslip coating helps them keep in your face even within the hottest temps.

One 12 months, whereas gathered round making an attempt to remain heat earlier than the New York Metropolis Marathon, one among my fellow operating membership members handed me her HotHands disposable hand heaters as she left to depart for her wave. I believed it was genius, and it immediately helped heat me up. Papageorge additionally swears by them and brings them on each race that she travels to.