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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.
Robbe’s Pick #1
Look, I love my Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer for fall, but my new go-to for slightly colder weather is the Artilect Flatiron 185. If you don’t already know, merino wool is magical: it doesn’t stink, meaning you only have to wash it like once a week, if that. It’s super comfortable (not itchy), it regulates body temperature, and it keeps you warm, even when wet.
But here’s the catch– the Brighton base layer is only 52% wool (the rest is synthetic fibers) with a weight of 145GSM, while the Flatiron is 90% Nuyarn 185GSM merino, a superfine Australian wool which is offers superior construction and softness. It’s really the best, and will cover all your cold-weather needs, whether that’s running, skiing, hiking, etc.
Buy The Flatiron 185 (Men) / (Women)
Meaghan’s Pick #1
Nothing says fall like curling up on the couch in a pair of oversized sweatpants while refreshing your Yahoo fantasy football app after a long run. These reverse-weave cotton blended leg huggers are my new favorite Sunday loungewear. They’re like your traditional sweatpants, but more comfortable. And I mean, they’re Tracksmith, so you know they’re good.
Buy The Sweatpants (Women) / (Men)
Thomas’s Pick #1
I’m featuring two products from the same brand. Miler Running is based in NYC and makes all of its products in New York City. Think about that. All the coolest things come from NYC: pizza, bagels, the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, The Ramones, Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee… you get the point. All this to say, Miler Running is obsessed with fabrics and how they perform and feel. Their new collection is a home run. Some runners prefer the half-tight, others like a traditional short. I loved both, from everything for a 1k repeats to a 19-mile long run.
There’s enough pockets for all my gels and my phone. The stretchy, soft material with flat seams made for a comfortable way to carry everything I needed without any bounce. Short shorts make me feel fast. The Italian tech fabric is beyond light feeling. I wouldn’t carry my phone in them, however, the three interior pockets can hold your gels just fine. Both shorts have reflective Miler Running logos on the leg and feel elevated in design and materials. The price is higher, but I would rather have a few quality pieces over a bin of mediocre running gear.
Meaghan Pick #2
Yes, Kodiak is our podcast sponsor for the month, but we’ve had plenty of podcast sponsors that never ended up on this list. However, the whole team has been onto the Peak Oatmeal for our post-run nutrition (it conveniently aligns with our peak marathon training). The oatmeal is specifically designed for athletes and is packed with 20g of protein, 40% less sugar than original Kodiak oatmeal packets, and is made from 100% whole grains. All the flavors taste great (Maple & Brown Sugar, Berries ‘n’ Cream, Banana Nut) and it really fills me up for the entire morning. Also, oatmeal in the fall = perfection.
Thomas’s Pick #2
This product was something I didn’t think I would like at all. All natural and sustainability usually means inferior products (i.e. garbage). So when Human Essentials wanted me to try their deodorant for runners, I thought it would, well… stink. I was wrong: This stuff works.
Of the two sticks I’m trying, the Mountain Pine and Eucalyptus Supernatural has more of the Phish Phan smell: earthy, with a little bit of a Baja jacket at Bonnaroo scent. Robbe asked, “Are you wearing that all-natural deodorant?” To which I panicked and said, “Why? Do I smell?” He said, “No, you just smell like a hippie.”
I like it, and so far, Meg hasn’t avoided me or complained about the scent. Anyhow, Human Essentials won me over despite being made from plants, 100% plastic-free, vegan, paraben-free, aluminum-free, and comes in recyclable paper packaging. It is all a little too kumbaya for me, but the product works.
Robbe’s Pick #2
Truth be told, I’ve had this for like a year and never cracked it open (sorry, Floyd). I’ve had mixed results with CBD creams in the past and never really felt like they did anything. Then again, I never had a 2400mg dose of it, which is at the upper end of the CBD range. Being in the middle of marathon training, I’ve had some sore calves and Achilles, so I figured ‘what the hell,’ may as well give it a shot.
So for a few nights before bed I lathered up the legs with the warming cream and, lo and behold, everything has been feeling much better even as I increase my mileage. I haven’t really done much else outside of that (a bit more foam rolling), so I’m going to attribute the improvement to Floyd’s. One thing’s for sure– I’m using it from here ‘til race day.
Ryan’s Pick #1
I’m the type of runner who feels naked without a cap on, and Ciele’s GoCap Carbon is at the top of my list right now. It’s similar to the standard GoCap, but with carbon-infused fibers woven in. I know what you’re thinking, but they’re actually for odor resistance rather than energy return and race day snap. Also, I love the Run Cross Country design even though my days of racing in spikes are over.
Ryan’s Pick #2
As the de-facto camera guy for the Believe Run Club, I’ve gotten used to running with my trusty Fujifilm in my hand. It’s always strapped on with Peak Design’s handy little cuff, which I much prefer to a neck strap. It keeps my camera close at hand, and connects to Peak’s universal anchors as easy as can be. If it didn’t draw in so much of my sweat, it would be perfect.
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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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