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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
I have a chest strap heart monitor that I will wear on my stationary bike, but I won’t leave the house with it. Besides being uncomfortable, it is like a Wonderbra. I don’t have much to squeeze around my ribs, but the chest strap creates a weird focal point. This is coming from a guy who is fine running without a shirt in the summer and wears tights without shorts over them.
The Coros Heart Rate Monitor is comfortable and works well. A big bonus is that the device will pair with other brands and software via Bluetooth. If you have a Garmin, no problem; the monitor will pair with it.
Meaghan’s Pick #1
Every once in a while, I’ll take a shoe straight out of the box for a long run only to find out (after it’s too late) that the shoes have caused some gnarly blisters. Luckily, I can just stick one of these band-aids on it and keep running without any issues. Honestly, these little sticky slabs of fabric are life-savers.
Robbe’s Pick #1
I just got this jacket last week and already know it’s a winner. It’s made from the same Japanese Toray Primeflex fabric that’s used in the running shorts of the same name, which are my favorite lifestyle/running hybrid shorts of all time. The jacket is no different. It’s cut perfectly, the hood is fantastic, and it stretches with your movement. It also looks great off the run. It’s not waterproof, but it is water-resistant and offers strategic vents to release heat. In short, it’s everything you want from a jacket, and it’s way more affordable than other jackets in its range since Path Projects is a direct-to-consumer product.
Buy The Path Projects Graves PX Jacket
Thomas’s Pick #2
We test out stuff before we would endorse it. RNWY is interested in sponsoring the Fuel For The Sole podcast, so we asked for a sample to try for a month. I already use Collagen in my coffee, so I knew about the joint benefits. I also don’t like adding a step or making things more difficult, so I was skeptical about adding another supplement. What was missing from my routine that RNWY has in one serving is the vitamin C you need to absorb the Collagen, L-Carnitine, B3, B6, B12, Zinc, D, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium. To get rid of the jargon, RNWY is good for your joints, energy, and hydration. I still drink my coffee cause, well, coffee is amazing, but now I wash down eight oz. of RNWY, too. Since I struggle to get enough water during the day, it is easy to start the morning with 18 ounces (10 oz. coffee, 8 oz. RNWY) before I head out for my run. I have been using RNWY for a month, and everything has been going well as I increased my mileage for the month of January during Winter Grit.
Meaghan’s Pick #2
The Olympic Trials have me (and basically every running brand) feeling some sort of way right now. Super shoes are dropping left and right, and so are custom pieces of apparel that you’ll see on your favorite marathoner. Right now, I think the Trials & Triumphs singlet from Rabbit is about as cool as they come. The woman-owned brand teamed up with one of our favorite artists, Greg Itahara, to make a race-ready top with a striking two-part pattern. One side represents shattering the old you, while the other shows the waves you send into the future — not a bad motivator as we head towards the spring racing season.
Buy Rabbit Trials & Triumphs Singlet
Robbe’s Pick #2
With winter running through snow and slush in full swing (plus sledding with kids), the Ozo Dry shoe dryer has been a lifesaver. Unlike other shoe dryers, this one is actually shaped like a shoe, so your footwear can slide on perfectly for full drying potential. Set the timer and let it run at whatever temperature you’d like and they’ll dry out faster than the newspaper method (who even has newspaper anymore). Also perfect for sweaty or rain-soaked gloves and hats. Plus, it has an ozone setting to remove odor from shoes (just be sure to use it in a ventilated space like a garage or outdoor patio).
Ryan’s Pick #1
We all know that running in winter means cold hands and feet, but what about your eyes? As a dedicated bike commuter, I’ve had more than my fair share of days with windblown tears streaming down my cheeks, so I’ve started wearing my Mach-Gs to work. They’re one of Goodr’s more forgiving silhouettes (they fit my big head), and the aviator style is a classic look.
Ryan’s Pick #2
I’m a hat guy. I have a lot of hair, but not enough for a ponytail, so I end up shoving it into a hat whenever I run. In winter, that means a beanie, and right now, I’m loving Smartwool’s cuffed Merino option. It’s just the right size for my head (similar to the sunglasses), and the reversible design means I can swap between patterns or a solid color whenever I want. Oh, and don’t forget that Merino wool is naturally stank-resistant.
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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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