Running Gear Roundup: Summer 2020

Summer’s here, and with it comes those early morning drench fests and late evening sweat seshes, hopefully followed by tailgates complete with Guy Fieri Flavortown Igloo coolers filled with crispy-cold beers for all the good boys and girls. And if you’re gonna do summer running right, you need some good gear. We got you covered. Along with our regular reviews, we’ve compiled some of our favorite gear that we’ve been wearing over the last month or so, from lightweight t-shirts to iced coffee containers (an important part of any runner’s collection). Check it all out below, and remember to get hot, stay cool, and make the most of a summer of free running (also sign up for GRIT, Believe in the Run’s summer distance project).

Rabbit Running

♦ Surf ‘n’ Turf 4″ Shorts

We’ve always been fans of rabbit’s running apparel, and this season’s Surf ‘n’ Turf 4″ short may be one of our favorite items yet. Obviously the print is a nod to rabbit’s SoCal home (where all of its apparel is crafted, btw). The 2-way stretch woven fabric is uber comfortable and the cut is that perfect summer length. Features a traditional rear zip pocket (which, btw– not good for carrying a phone). Think of it as a lifestyle/run crossover short. Pick up a pair for all those beach runs, even though we think running on sand is dumb. So maybe just save it for the boardwalk.

PRICE: $65

Skechers

♦ Hyper Slide

I mean, what can we say that that photo doesn’t give away? This sandal is a slab of Hyper Burst foam (quite possibly the best midsole foam in the game), connected to a smooth leather upper. Simple. Easy. Comfortable. And to save your ass when walking through a pool locker room, it even has a Goodyear rubber outsole. Like our boy Dave said, throw on some duct tape and you could probably throw down in a pop-up 5K race. Bonus points for being the first Skechers shoe ever with a name that isn’t longer than the line at a Florida COVID testing center.

PRICE: $65

Camelbak

♦ Horizon Drinkware Collection

We’ve had a Yeti, Thermos, Nathan, and all other kinds of other water containers, and I gotta say– the Camelbak tumblers are our favorite insulated tumblers yet. We got the 16 oz. on the right, and the 30 oz. (not pictured), and it is legit. I use it every day for my post-run ice coffee, although apparently the Camelbak staff have even better ideas with their Palomas and Bloody Marys (refer to the above photo). By the way, one day I forgot my tumbler in my car for about 6 hours in the summer heat, and I came back to find my drink still had ice cubes in it. Blew my mind. Pick one of these up, designs range from stemless wine glass to rocks glass to camp mug to classic tumbler.

PRICE: $20-30

100% Vision

♦ Active Performance Sunglasses

Since the 1980s, 100% has been rooted in Americana, specifically in motocross and BMX, but has since transitioned over to cycling and now running. Its latest active performance line provides high-quality, ultralight sunglasses that look and feel amazing. We received the Legere Round and Konnor sunglasses and have been wearing them on the reg the last few weeks. Both models are designed in California and handcrafted in Italy with French optics.

Legere Round

The Legere Round in particular has gotten Robbe a lot of compliments– its rimless spherical shield design is a striking contrast from your typical running sunglasses. He received the bronze multilayer mirror lens which just looks phenomenal. And they are featherweight– made with UltraCarbon technology, they almost feel like they’re not there. (In fact, they’re almost too light, there’s no weight to keep them perfectly situated on the nose for an entire run, but it wasn’t a deal-breaker.) We’d also like to see these with some rubber nose grips in the future. Another bonus– the arms are detachable, so you can swap out other Legere lens styles. In any case, they’ve quickly become his go-to sunglasses for both lifestyle and running.

PRICE: $130

100% Legere Round

Konnor

Thomas received the Konnor, in matte black and soft tact Havana. The Konnor is a modern reinterpretation of the classic aviator, with a nod to 1950s riders in the peloton. The lens treatment repels water, dirt, and oil, and comes with a high-quality scratch-resistant coating. The rubber grips for the nose and temple tips provide a secure fit through the run as well. He’s also been wearing these as his go-to glasses. They look straight-up cool, they’re super light and comfortable, and offer that high-end quality you don’t get from your typical running sunglasses.

PRICE: $130

100% Konnor (w/ BronzePeak Polar Lens)

YMR Track Club

♦ Anggarden Singlet & Shinjuku Short

Anggarden Singlet

The Anggarden singlet draws inspiration from streetwear fashion with a slightly wider cut, but the looser feel provides good breathability. Like all YMR apparel we’ve worn and reviewed, it’s super comfortable, made with an ultralight mesh-like performance knit. It’s environmentally conscious as well– the OEKO-TEX class 1 certified polyester fabric is made from recycled plastics. To top it off, all YMR apparel is designed and knitted in Sweden.

PRICE: $55

Shinjuku 3″ Short

The Shinjuku short takes inspiration from Japanese culture, namely Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s busiest and most urban districts. Of course, there’s Japan’s obsession with running culture in general. In any case, this short features the same recycled polyester as the Anggarden singlet, with a high split for optimal fit and flexibility. There’s also a pocket on the inside of of the shorts for a smartphone, wallet, or keys. Thomas loved the fit and feel of the short, and of course the styling is very classic running. Just like the Anggarden singlet, the Shinjuku short is designed and crafted in Sweden.

PRICE: $67

Under Armour

♦ Breeze Short Sleeve T-Shirt

PRICE: $60

If there’s on thing Under Armour knows, it’s the cutting edge of temperature controlling fabrics. The Breeze tee is no different– it’s an impossibly light-yet-strong shirt made from GORE-TEX Infinium fabric, built from the same fibers used in marine ship ropes. It dries fast, chafes less, and seems paper-thin, but it still holds up to anything you throw at it. It is also insanely soft and comfortable. The whole package of strength/ultralight weight/breathability seems almost impossible, but it’s real. Thomas loved running in this and found that the shirt holds up to all its claims. A long-sleeve version is also available.

Ultimate Direction

♦ Fastdraw 500 Handheld

The Fastdraw 500 is a classic in the UD hydration lineup. The Flexform II bottle molds to the hand, while the clear pocket with touchscreen window can hold up to an iPhone X and allows you to use it without removing from the handheld (note for all you music listeners out there). The fabric of the strap is made from a nylon-spandex stretch mesh, which is super comfortable, while the pocket back is made from a perforated mesh. Now, I’m going to warn you people with small hands like mine– be aware that you will not be able to get a good lockdown because the strap cannot be tightened enough. You’ll end up gripping the bottle the whole time. It’s a clear oversight on Ultimate Direction’s part and I hope they change it on the next version. If you have normal/larger hands, it won’t be an issue. That said, Robbe appreciated the larger size of the bottle (500ml) and its pocket, and took it on runs up to 12 miles with my iPhone SE and a couple of gels.

Believe in the Run

♦ Bunk Fast Lid

I mean, we’d be remiss not to mention our favorite running hat of the summer (and ever), the Believe in the Run Bunk Fast Lid, made by BOCO Gear. The 5-panel, lightweight, and breathable cap is packed with style, if we don’t say so ourselves. We wear it on pretty much every run– in the rain, in the sun, in a box, with a fox. Featuring our Believe pattern on the underside of the bill, a BELIEVE patch stitched on the crown, and a large Believe logo on the right panel. Pick it up now, because we won’t be re-ordering.