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Here’s where to find some of the best gear out there that doesn’t make it into reviews
Because we’ve been wearing it all the time this past month
Anything from running to hanging out to livin’ the good life
We get a lot of gear to review here at Believe in the Run. Sometimes we get a whole seasonal collection to review, but more often than not, we get a bunch of items meant for different purposes. Some nutrition here, a couple hats there, tack on some casual pants and maybe some socks.
If you’re like us, you probably don’t want to read a review about just one pair of socks, or a backpack, or whatever. But if we’re using something all the time– if it’s become part of our running life– we want you to know. That’s where this monthly roundup comes in.
Each month, we give you a list of items that we really, truly love. Everything on this list is something we keep coming back to again and again. Maybe it’s the fit, maybe it’s the performance, maybe it’s just something we can’t explain. But at the end of the day, we love it, and we hope you do too.
Of course, we’re always looking for new gear to fall in love with, so if you have any recommendations yourself, please leave them in the comments below.
Thomas’s Pick #1
Look, yellow isn’t usually a color my pale ass can pull off. However, I’ll stretch the comfort zone for this tee. I’ve been feeling nostalgic recently, listening to Tears for Fears, Joy Division, The Cure, etc. The Basquiat collection played into my ’80s virtual diorama, giving me the same feeling as the Mike McGill Powell-Peralta tee I had as a kid. It wasn’t a performance tee unless you count catching 2 feet of quarter pipe air. But it told people I was a skate-or-die kind of 13-year-old. The Roark shirt is a performance tee and is perfect for the run. I’m no longer “skate-or-die,” but in some ways, I am even more hardcore these days, and this graphic tee leaves me inspired in ways that most running shirts don’t.
Meaghan’s Pick #1
I’ve never been one for bone conducting headphones. To be honest, I always thought the audio quality was trash and I didn’t care for the external noises. But here were are, and I’m absolutely loving the Bose Ultra Open earbuds. They wrap around your ears with “immersive” audio that makes it seem like music is being played in the room vs. your earbuds. The batter life is crazy long and they work great out on the run (in all sorts of weather), or just hanging in the office.
Robbe’s Pick #1
As with everything Ortlieb, the commuter-ready, made-in-Germany Soulo is waterproof and weatherproof thanks to the PU-coated polyester shell. With interior braces to give it structure, laptop sleeve, and plenty of space, it’s the perfect volume for daypacking or weekend trips (and fits within Spirit Airlines limits). What’s super rad about this pack is that it has a magnetic lid closure that also locks, preventing unwanted access. It’s the perfect pack for a laptop, extra pair of shoes, and running clothes, and it will last a lifetime.
Thomas’s Pick #2
There are three things you have to do after a long run: first, get your protein, second, find a shower that has scalding hot water and pressure that can knock your teeth back, and finally– throw on this hoodie and find a couch to sink into. This overly cuddly cocoon of a sweatshirt will have you feeling like you’ve been swaddled up by your mum. If you have other responsibilities, forget about them as you nod off.
Meaghan’s Pick #2
I think it rains in Baltimore every day now, and running absolutely sucks when you’re soaking wet and cold. This Hoka jacket is one of the only ones that has really done its job of keeping me dry. It’s not as performance-designed as one might hope, but for the easy running days, it’s perfect.
Robbe’s Pick #2
You don’t want sunglasses that are throwaway, but you also don’t want something that’s gonna break the bank. That’s where Tifosi comes in. The Stash is supposedly for baseball or cycling, but it works equally well for running. With lightweight an durable TR=90 frames and shatterproof polycarbonate lenses with glare guard, the Stash is a straightforward shield that looks great, feels light, and gives needed comfort thanks to the adjustable nose tips and ribber grip on the arms.
Ryan’s Pick #1
This one is for all of you who say we only pick expensive gear each month. Near Earth sent us several pairs of the Distance Sock, and I was lucky enough to grab one of the crew-length black versions. It has specific padding for the left and right footbeds, and there’s just something about Near Earth’s knit that makes me want to keep adding miles to my long run.
Ryan’s Pick #2
It’s officially spring racing season, and that means it’s time to bust out the singlets. In my case, that means Tracksmith’s tried and true Van Cortlandt — the only singlet I’ve raced in since I picked running back up during the pandemic. Sure, it comes in a ton of other cuts, but I’m partial to the way the sleeveless 2:09 mesh feels when I head out to shoot for a PR.
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As the founder of Believe in the Run, Thomas’s goal is to help runners pick the shoes and gear that will make their running experience the best that it can be.
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Meaghan signed up for her first marathon three weeks before the race, because it was $10 more than the half she planned to run. She learned everything in running the hard way. Now a USATF & UESCA certified run coach, she loves encouraging friends to go for big goals as she continues to chase faster times. She enjoys a hot cup of coffee, a cold martini, and making bagels for friends and family.
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Robbe is the senior editor of Believe in the Run. He loves going on weird routes through Baltimore, finding trash on the ground, and running with the Faster Bastards. At home in the city, but country at heart. Loves his two boys more than anything. Has the weakest ankles in the game.
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Ryan is kind of like Robbe’s Igor behind the scenes. He helps to compile and clean up everyone’s reviews, and finds time to get in a few miles of his own. When he’s not running or editing, Ryan writes and reviews for Android Authority, spending time with the latest tech and complaining when things don’t work quite right. If he’s not doing any of that, maybe you’ll find him nose-deep in a crossword puzzle or trying to catch up on an endless backlog of shows to stream.
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