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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
Foam rollers suck, but they work. They make my legs feel like Sour Patch Kids– first they’re sour, then they are sweet.
The Chirp RPM is like a roided out foam roller. Spinning rods rotate at five speeds while you apply pressure either using the handles or resting the device in a stand. The wide surface can massage the widest quads. The handles work well to pinpoint a massage wherever you need. It also includes a stand to set it up like a traditional foam roller.
In the past I’ve used a vibrating foam roller. It was fun the first time, but now it collects dust. I was almost certain the Chirp RPM would suffer the same fate. However, I find the spinning dowels actually work the tissue more effectively than a traditional foam roller. It’s also rechargeable. At $250, it’s not cheap– but it does what it says it will do, getting to all the places you need it.
Meaghan’s Pick #1
These pants might be designed for hiking, but they’re also pretty great for everyday life, pre-race/run attire, or just hanging out. However, if you’re looking for new hiking pants, Janji’s Atlas Multi Pants come with three secure zip pockets, three drop-ins in the waistband, and knee-length ankle zips.
Buy The Atlas Multi Pant (Women) / (Men)
Robbe’s Pick #1
The number one rule of marathon traveling is this: keep your race day shoes with you. The easiest way to do this is to get a Nike Shoe Box Bag. Even if you pack them in your suitcase, this bag (which is essentially an oversized lunch box) is perfect for keeping your shoes separate from the rest of your gear. If you want to go hard, go for the Oregon-inspired design ($29 on sale), if you want to save money, stick with the classic orange shoe box ($17 on sale). Pro tip: they make good packing cubes for other things too; I’ve been using it to transport shoes and snacks around.
Thomas’s Pick #2
If you’re a parent like me and have 15 minutes to get ready after your long run, then you know a sit down breakfast is a rarity. This is a grab and go shoot out the door bug out situation. Since I listen to everything Feathers says about nutrition, I know I need post workout protein within 30 minutes of exercise.
My go-to solution that satisfies my hunger in a pinch is the Rise Protein Bar. With 20g of protein made with only three ingredients – almonds, honey, and whey protein isolate– it’s everything you need to recover. The bar is Non-GMO soy-free and gluten-free, with no artificial sweeteners (not even sugar alcohols), and no preservatives. Get a box for the house and keep one in your backpack for emergencies.
Meaghan Pick #2
The Soar Ultra Jacket is designed to perform across a wide range of temperatures, hitting the sweet spot between lightweight, waterproof, and breathable. It’s built with a full-length zip and drawstring waist for the perfect fit. I’ve worn it for temps in the high 30s to high 50s, and it’s felt great for all of them.
Robbe’s Pick #2
We got this boot in August but I hadn’t been able to test it until now. It’s the perfect fall/winter boot, mainly because I’ve gotten compliments from random strangers. For real though, the leather waterproof upper and eco-friendly features make this a boot that both looks good in a classic way and does good in a modern way.
It’s comfortable, keeps the feet warm, and will probably be my go-to boot for the foreseeable future. Just make sure you go a half to whole size down (I went down a half size and it’s still a bit too big).
Ryan’s Pick #1
Let’s face it — the days aren’t as long as they were just a few weeks ago. It’s getting tougher and tougher to run in the dark, at least without tripping over roots and uneven sidewalks. That’s why I picked up Black Diamond’s Storm 500-R — it’s light, it’s bright (500 lumens), and it’s rechargeable, meaning that I don’t have to spend tons of money on small batteries. Oh, and it’s waterproof. Want something a bit cheaper? Snag the Sprint 225 for $35, one of the best budget running headlamps out there.
Ryan’s Pick #2
I tried not to buy into the hype of Bandit Running’s socks, but here we are. Robbe gave me a pair of his — don’t worry, they were fresh — now I’m a believer. The Run Lite OG is the perfect mix of length and comfort, protecting my heels from any rubbing in brand-new shoes, and the neon green logos (not pictured) are actually pretty subtle rather than in your face. Grab the Asics version at the NYC Marathon Expo this weekend.
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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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