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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 wore these exclusively for our entire trip to Broken Arrow (running) and Western States (spectating), and they were perfect– the ultra-fast photochromic technology immediately adjusts to changing light conditions, providing perfect vision in bright sun or shade. Usually, I skip sunglasses on the trail cause it is hard to see the trail with shadows and rocks, but with these full-cover shades, I had eye protection and total visibility. The fit is on point thanks to comfortable, adaptable nose pads. Functionally, you can’t do much better than these.
Meaghan’s Pick #1
It’s that time of year again when wearing a shirt is not optimal, but if you’re going to wear one, it better have holes in it. The Metarun tank from Asics has exactly that, or as they like to say: “strategic body-mapped fabric that provides targeted ventilation in key heat zones.” Either way, this is a winner for those extra warm days.
Robbe’s Pick #1
This do-it-all short has been my go-to since I got it. Made of a 4-way stretch with a snug fit, this short is perfect for everything from biking to swimming to setting off fireworks (can confirm) and its dual zip cargo pockets are perfect for storage. The knife pocket is a nice touch as well. It’s not cheap, but it is hand-sewn in San Francisco using premium materials, like dual German-made snaps and Italian seam tape. If you do treat yourself, know that you’ll be treated for a very long time.
Thomas’s Pick #2
Made from Bio-Dyneema, the most indestructible, lightest material known to man, the 70-liter Toolbox has you covered for adventure. I used it on our last trip to carry six pairs of running shoes with room left for running clothing. The removable backpack straps are handy, making it easy to transport with the handles or over the shoulders. The price of $595 may have you wondering if you can get by with a traditional ripstop or canvas duffel, but you’re paying for weight and durability. I plan on this bag lasting longer than I do.
Meaghan’s Pick #2
The Ciele GoCap has become my go-to hat this summer. It’s lightweight, fast-drying, machine washable, and comes with a pliable pre-curved brim. The best feature? An adjustable, stretchy drawstring cord that gives you the *perfect* fit. I also like wearing my Paris version since we’ll be heading there in August.
Robbe’s Pick #2
Out of the blue, One Way contacted us about testing poles the week before our the Broken Arrow 11K, a race that features nearly 2,000 feet of elevation over the middle three miles. These adjustable carbon poles saved my life, or at least my race. They’re midweight, but super versatile– you can use them from anything from running to hiking to Nordic skiing.
Ryan’s Pick #1
We all know how good a tennis ball can feel when rolled under sore feet — especially during Summer Grit. Now, give that tennis ball a grippy rubber cover and a vibrating motor and see how good it feels. You can technically use the Hypersphere on any part of your body, but I love it on my mid back and under the sole of my feet as I ramp back up into marathon season mileage.
Ryan’s Pick #2
Listen, if Robbe gets a second summer of the Legionnaire, I’m gonna do what I can to show the bucket hat some love. Hoka sent us a few of its Adventure Hats (they’re buckets by a different name), and I’ve been rocking the Global Run Club version for weeks on end. It’s light-colored, so it doesn’t grab much heat, and the adjustable string and buckle make it easy to find a comfortable fit that doesn’t slip or slide around.
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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.
More from Robbe
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.
More from Ryan
Are those metarun tanks the ones the megs were wearing at the move your mind meetups? Because they always looked 🔥 in their matching outfits!
Yes they were!