Running Gear We Love Right Now (February 2026)

Gear We Love Right Now

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 10-12 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.

REESE: This piece has been a mystery to me. On one hand, I wasn’t going to include it in this roundup, but on the other hand, Polartec Alpha Direct is just so, so, so good that I had to. I wasn’t going to include it simply because I really don’t like that the women’s version is somewhat cropped and not very form-fitting. For the record, if there is a long-sleeve item intended for outdoor cold-weather wear, women do want their core protected. It came down just barely below my belly button, but because it’s a boxy cut, there was a lot of space between my back and chest and the bottom of this crop. Please fix this. Fashion is cool, but function is always in style. 

All that being said, the Alpha Direct material carries this piece. If you’re not familiar with the fabric, you’ve been missing out. Alpha Direct is one of those fabrics that feels almost too good to be true until you actually use it. It’s Polartec’s take on active insulation, designed specifically for stop-and-go efforts. Think: backpacking, hiking, running, or ski touring, where you’re constantly switching between sweating and cooling down. FWIW, this fabric has been used in some of my favorite jackets; you can check out the review of the Peak Performance Freelight Insulated Hood Jacket. 

What makes it special is its structure: an open mesh core with lofty, hydrophobic fibers that trap just enough warmth while still letting a ton of air pass through. It is definitely see-through. Because it doesn’t require an inner or outer facing fabric, it’s incredibly lightweight, highly breathable, and dries faster than almost anything else I’ve worn. You can wear it directly against your skin, over a base layer, or as a mid-layer under a shell. And because it’s so airy and light, it’s an easy item to throw in a pack for those just in case of bad weather times. Think of it as a mini down insulated layer, without all the puffiness. 

That last part is important– if it’s windy, Alpha Direct won’t block any wind … at all. The same breathability that keeps you from overheating also means wind cuts right through. That’s why most people pair it with a lightweight shell when conditions call for it.

I used this piece during a few interval workouts and easy runs, and it was perfect, or even a little too hot for the weather I was using it in. Despite its see-through appearance, it is surprisingly warm. I tend to run hot, but for me the ideal weather for this piece is cloudy and 40s or sunny high 30s, low 40s. Minimal wind. The piece never held on to moisture. I was comfortable even when stopping to recover in between sets. And don’t judge me, but I wore it a few times without washing it just to see what would happen, and because it does such a great job at staying dry, it never held onto odors. 

If Satisfy can fix the cut, I’d be even happier about this top.

ROBBE: I’ve been running in the evening with my 9-year-old and my dog, which is risky when you live in a lawless town like Baltimore where pedestrians exist on the same plane as the rats in Fells Point. As dusk approaches, it’s important to be seen (and no, those patches of reflective material on the heel of your shoe ain’t cutting it). What really makes us stand out are the Knog Plus lights that clip onto our sleeves or gloves or collars. With several modes including flashing, pulse, or always-on, they keep us seen when running through intersections or against traffic. They’re also easy to recharge by simply plugging the end into any standard USB port.

REESE: I loathe being cold. I’m talking even mildly chilled. I’m definitely someone who brings a jacket everywhere, just in case. I feel like I own a jacket for every possible condition or circumstance. And this jacket is a fabulous addition to my shoulder season collection. The Concurve Windstopper Insulated Jacket has been my go-to for the past few months. Bike commutes. Dog walks. Horseback riding. To and from the trailhead. I’m kind of obsessed with it. It’s been far too warm to wear this on a run; it feels more like a deep winter running piece, but for lower intensity activities in 40-degree temps, this jacket has been absolutely clutch to have. 

It’s for those days when a down jacket feels like overkill. Also, shoulder season in Colorado means wind, and this jacket is entirely windproof. Say less. The Primaloft Active Evolve Insulation has similar properties to Alpha Direct. However, in this jacket, the fuzzy fabric is sealed between two layers. So it adds warmth without sacrificing wind protection. Even though it’s windproof and insulated, it’s not a sauna. This jacket balanced warmth, windproofing, and breathability somehow. Leave it to Gore-Tex to create a breathable but windproof fabric. 

I even appreciated the fit and design of this jacket. (Also, I love the purple color). It was functional enough to wear casually but also during activity.

ROBBE: Towels are towels– you get wet and they help you dry. But some towels stand out above the rest. Zip, a brand dedicated to run commuting, just released one of the more premium options out there. It’s made from 60% linen and 40% cotton, allowing it to dry as fast as traditional microfiber, but without giving you that synthetic feel. 

Zip partnered with The Weaving Mill for these towels, an artist-run industrial weaving studio in Chicago. The fabric is a custom designed 2/2 twill and made in-house at their Chicago studio. So yeah, that means you can get rid of that ratty towel that smells like mildew and replace it with something of much better quality and performance.

Two sizes are available– a standard sweat towel size (perfect for treadmill runs), and a larger, fully body size for when you get out of the shower.

REESE: I’d never heard of this brand before testing the vest, but honestly, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I like it. I never experienced rubbing or chafing. The fit was really comfortable, even with two full bottles. The dial closure system seemed hokey at first, but honestly, I really came to enjoy how easy it was to cinch the vest down or loosen it up as needed while running. No trying to adjust bungee cords.

As someone on the smaller side of the sizing spectrum, I was shocked that the small fit me so well, and there’s still a smaller size available. On the other end, it goes up to an XXL, covering chest sizes from 24” to 43”, which is impressive.

If you’re the type who likes to carry the proverbial kitchen sink, you’re in luck. This vest has twelve pockets and still manages to leave room for a 1.5L bladder, on top of the two included 500ml bottles. Speaking of bottles, they have a really clever design. The bite valves rotate 360 degrees and are slightly angled, which I loved. I didn’t have to crane my neck like I usually do. Even better, the bottles have flat bottoms, which means they actually dry out completely after washing. No more mystery mold growing in the corners.

And for the record, the bottles stayed put while running, no sloshing, no bouncing, thanks to the abundance (maybe even overabundance) of elastic drawcords. There are two cords to hold the flasks in place, one that closes the top of the flask compartment and another midway on the outside of the pouch that is for tightening as the water flask empties. No saggy bottles here.

With 8L of storage, this might not be the most minimal or race-oriented vest ever, but the materials are incredibly soft, light, and durable. The 3D honeycomb fabric that makes up the majority of the back of the vest does a great job at ventilation and wicking.

The only thing I want from this vest is another version of it with less storage, something more race-oriented. Asis, this is definitely a vest I would wear on big adventures now, but if there were a more minimal version, I’d be grabbing it for race day.

REESE: I have a weird relationship with wool clothing. On the one hand, I love it. It’s far more sustainable than other materials and offers tons of warmth at a lightweight. On the other hand, I find it itchy and oddly smelly. The Soar WoolTech long sleeve somehow eliminates the things I dislike about wool and capitalizes on the things I love.  

Everything about this top is just next-level quality. First, I love a quarter zip. Perfect for providing a little bit of ventilation during a tough workout or when the temps start to warm up. I found that not only did the smooth, bonded seams reduce abrasion against the skin, but the blended merino wool was so far from itchy or smelly. I don’t know if I would have guessed the top had wool in it, to be honest. 

Even though it’s lightweight and airy, it’s incredibly warm. I felt like it was great for 35F-45F degrees or even a little colder, especially if paired with a vest. Because it is so great at wicking away moisture, even when I was sweating during a tempo session, the top did a great job at keeping me warm and dry.

REESE: The Roll Recovery Solace Flip Flop is a shoe that I’ve personally talked about with friends, family, and loved ones far too much. I know it. They know it. It’s been a bit of an obsession for me since I got it. So much so that I bought a pair of the slides for my husband, and he bought a pair for his dad for Christmas. The whole fam is recovering so hard. 

Where to start…I mean, the fit is amazing. It’s everything I want in a recovery sandal. The boat or canoe-like shape hugs and protects the foot. Roll says it’s a cradle fi,t and frankly, yes. Rock me to sleep. 

Oh, the materials. Well done, Roll. It is incredibly comfortable. Unlike so many slides, which are all plastic, the upper on this sandal is suede. Need to move fast in your slides or adjust the fit for some reason? No worries, the top suede strap offers multiple adjustment points. So, go ahead, take these off-road.

The SuperPlush foam, made with algae as opposed to harsh chemicals, is next-level comfortable. Some might even say it is indeed super plush. I never want to take these slides off.  Luckily, the suede makes them appear to be normal sandals, not clunky recovery slides, so I do tend to wear them everywhere.

REESE: Thermal tights can be hit or miss. Often, they are so thick that they feel a little restrictive, or they are simply too warm to wear for most winter conditions. CEP did a great job at making these tights very versatile. Despite the name stating that they are compression tights, I didn’t feel all that compressed. The tights never restricted my movement. I’m not sure I felt the supportive nature they were going for, but maybe I needed to size down. I typically wear a small and ordered a small in these; they fit really well. A little long on me, but that’s normal since I’m 5’2. 

CEP used different materials above and below the knee. The material covering the butt, thighs, and knees is composed of warm, wind-resistant material. Again, this is supposed to offer compression, joint stabilization, and improved circulation. I am not sure I felt those things, but the tights did keep me warm, and they didn’t move around or slide down my waist. Often, a lot of tights don’t keep my butt and quads quite warm enough, and I get home, jump in the shower, only to feel like I’m searing my pink frozen legs in the warm water.  The material on the calf is a bit silkier, smooth, and has some reflective elements, always appreciated in the dark winter months. 

These tights have been my go-to pants this winter because they provide just enough protection from the cold without being overly warm or restrictive. I love the materials and the fit. The large zipper pocket on the back of the pants is large enough for most phones; however, I mostly just threw my keys in there. The zipper pocket on pants is underrated. The fear of losing keys from an unzipped pocket is real.

Shop The Tights - Women

REESE: I have had some issues with fit in other Satisfy pieces, feeling like they err more on the side of fashion than performance. The Coffee Thermal Base Layer is the exception to this. It’s a next-to-skin, tight-fitting shirt. And quite frankly, I’m obsessed with it. 

I’m not joking when I say it’s a second skin piece. I have to take my watch off to put this on. But I love it. It’s not constraining at all. It moves with me as I run. And while it provides a lot of warmth, even on its own, I still managed to run in it when the afternoon temps climbed. And to top it all off, even though I could feel my body sweating, the shirt never remained wet. Now, I’m in Colorado, so evaporation is very real in our low humidity and high sunshine. But we all know that classic low back sweat ring that tends to stick around throughout a run. Nope, never experienced that once with this top. 

The top is thin, light, and has a lot of stretch to it. But even after numerous washes and wearing a pack over it, there is no pilling or wear on the fabric.