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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.
Meaghan’s Pick #1
It’s been a crazy month of traveling for the Asics Summer Hydration Tour, and there’s been one staple for all of these events: the Actibreeze singlet. It’s extremely light and breathable; I’m talking literal holes all over this thing to ensure you don’t overheat in this oppressive humidity. Get yourself one, or five.
Thomas’s Pick #1
I can’t believe that I’ve fallen in love with wearing a purse, but here we are. Robbe has probably already picked this bag for a previous Gear We Love post, but I just got mine. It comfortably holds everything a man on the go could need, and when you’re ready to pick up the pace, you pull out the extra strap to lock down the bag. This is really a must-have piece for the traveling runner.
Robbe’s Pick #1
Cascada is kind of like the Italian version of Roark Run Amok (their designs are eerily similar), but their apparel is actually made in Italy, which automatically elevates the quality. This 5-inch short has a super comfortable liner and waistband, and is made from a 4-way stretch polyester/elastane blend. The cut is right on as well, making this a nice option for fans of wolves and/or running.
Meaghan’s Pick #2
Another product that’s been a true champion for all my travel is the Smell Less Laundry Bag 2.0. There’s nothing worse than putting soaked-in-sweat running gear back into your suitcase — especially when you have multiple stops — and that’s where this gem comes in. It comes with a bamboo-charcoal insert to help wick moisture and absorb some odor, and you can even throw it into the wash when you get home.
Thomas’s Pick #2
I’m up to my eyes — or at least my bicep — in Coros gear at the moment. Of course I use my Coros Apex 2 GPS watch every day, but now I’m hooked on the Pod 2 and the all-new Heart Rate Monitor. I know what you’re thinking, “Doesn’t the watch already have heart rate tracking?” It does, but with the strap, you get better accuracy, and it can connect to three Bluetooth devices at once. That means I can ditch the chest strap on Zwift, too.
Robbe’s Pick #2
San Francisco-based Mission Workshop is known for it’s premium-quality gear, especially in the urban cycling category. In fact, I didn’t even know they made run apparel. But I gotta say– they know how to make a damn fine run tee. Made in Italy with an open-knit dimensional mesh (fabric: 100% double knit poly), this is an ultra comfortable piece of apparel that both looks and feels incredible.
Ryan’s Pick #1
My longer hair precludes me from livin’ in the Legionnaire, so I’ve been rocking the next-best thing. Outdoor Research’s Swift Air Cap is both incredibly breathable thanks to its wide-knit mesh and impressively protective with its UPF 40 rating. The mesh is also completely separate from the protective sun layer, so you can maximize airflow without sacrificing style. It doesn’t hurt that the Iceberg/Titanium colorway matches my eyes, either.
Ryan’s Pick #2
Percussion massage guns are nothing new, but it’s a whole new experience when you learn to use one the right way. I recently figured out that the Hypervolt 2 comes with Bluetooth connectivity, so I can attach it to my phone and run through curated massage “workouts” after racking up the Summer GRIT miles. It’s gone from a tool I use only when I’m tight to one I use every day because it just feels better to be in the routine.
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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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