'We test running kit for a living – here’s the gear our editors loved in June'
Whether the lighter, brighter mornings give you a surge of motivation, or you prefer to seek refuge in an air-conditioned gym, it's important to have the right running kit on hand in the warmer months. From hydration jackets that will keep your fluids up during the Sunday long run, to breathable, sweat-wicking running vests for evenings on the track, our editors have been busy testing the latest gear to find the products that will make your summer miles more comfortable.
This month, we've been clocking up the miles far and wide; from the mountains of Annecy to the fields of Kenya (not discounting the usual commutes to and from the RW office). Here's all the gear our team rated most.
Kate Carter, acting commissioning editor
Lululemon Hotty Hot 4 inch running shorts
I’ll be honest: I hate the name. That, and the ‘4 inch’ length put me off trying these. It just sounds so short, and while I firmly believe everyone should wear whatever the heck they want, I just can’t get over feeling too old for super-short-shorts. But my beloved years-old pairs of Lululemon Tracker shorts are starting to feel a little like they are nearing retirement (I know how they feel). Bemoaning this but not doing anything about it, my other half actually bought me these as a present - and now I’m tempted to go back and get another pair because they are so comfortable. The wide, soft waistband sits just perfectly, the little zip pocket secures my front door key, and it turns out that they aren’t nearly as short as I feared – actually just a nice, flattering, summer length.
Oura ring
While I like the idea of tracking sleep, I’ve always struggled with anything wearable because I cannot sleep with a watch on – it just feels wrong and I end up whacking myself in the face with it in the middle of the night. The Oura ring is a proper game-changer. You get a kit to help find the exact ring size that fits you, on whatever finger you prefer – and the result is a device I genuinely forget I’m wearing, that requires charging about once every five or six days and yet gives you some high-quality information, including sleep data, HRV and more. It gives you simple, useful insights via the app – for example, for women, it’s almost unnervingly accurate at menstrual cycle predicting (based on body temperature). I wouldn’t be without it now, and I can’t say that for many bits of tech.
Invisibobbles
If you have hair that is long enough to need tying back, then there is nothing better. Doesn’t snag, doesn’t pull at your hair, and stays put even when your hair is borderline long enough to be tied back in the first place. I don’t know how I coped before these existed. I also will never understand people who can run with their long hair loose and flying around in the wind, especially in this sweaty weather. Perhaps they’ve just not discovered Invisibobbles yet?
Ali Ball, ecommerce editor
Nike Pegasus Trail
I was lucky enough to run a marathon around Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya this month (In a word? Epic) and I pretty much nailed my choice of trail running shoes. Knowing the trails around Lewa would be firmly packed (with some rockier terrain to navigate), I went with the Nike Pegasus Trails, known for their strong road-to-trail capabilities. They boast a react foam midsole that feels responsive and smooth, but with the right amount of cushioning to keep my feet feeling light over 26.2 miles. It’s the first marathon I’ve run where I’ve come away with absolutely zero blisters too, which is a strong nod to their comfort and fit. Occasionally, the terrain got a little sandy, but I found their traction held up well, and overall they made powering up some brutal hills that little bit easier.
Montane Gecko VP 5L hydration vest
Despite the fact that there were water stations positioned every 2.5km for the Lewa Marathon, I decided to wear a hydration vest because I knew it was going to be hot. I was between wearing the Gecko VP 5L from Montane or the Race Day Vest from The North Face. In the end, I opted for Montane, the reason being it's got two minimalist chest straps with multiple attachment points, as well as a lower, velcro strap for a body-hugging fit. I found this really reduced bounce when I was running down the steep hills. The biggest appeal was the many pockets (because who doesn't love a pocket?), including two zipped ones on the front. It made it easy for me to stash and reach all my gels and chews for the race, without worrying about them falling out. All in all, I'd say this was the perfect marathon size.
Lululemon Power Stride Socks
Ah, the humble running sock. So often, an overlooked piece of kit, but one I’d argue is just as important as a pair of running shoes if you want to stay blister-free as you clock up those summer miles. I’m a crew-length veteran when it comes to my socks – it's rare you'll see me in anything that skims the ankles. These Lululemon Power Stride socks have held pride of place in my underwear draw this month; they’re supremely comfortable, cushioned in all the right places, and they've got that all-important crew length. Available in a single and three-pack.
Alice Barraclough, acting commissioning editor
Pelotan Sunscreen SPF30 Spray 100ml
With the weather heating up, running in the sunshine means protecting your skin is a non-negotiable. But finding a suncream that doesn’t end up sweating off within the first five minutes can be a challenge – especially if you’re as sweaty as I am. So you can imagine my relief when I found a suncream that’s not greasy, doesn’t mark your kit – and doesn’t immediately drip down your face and into your eyes. I’ve been using Pelotan’s SPF30 suncream over the past two months – I’ve tested it on a fitness retreat in Crete, on a trail running trip to Lake Annecy with temperatures hitting around 25°C, and on an 80k cycle up Box Hill during the June heatwave – and I’m converted.
It’s so easy to apply (you don’t even really need to rub it in), the spray is clear, absorbs into the skin almost immediately, and there’s no greasy, slippery residue. It also smells divine – a coconut holiday smell.
Designed to “improve performance, maximise comfort and allow athletes around the world to avoid costly sunburn”, you’re meant to only apply the spray once a day – which I was obviously a tad sceptical of, especially as the NHS recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours and all skins types are different. But I actually didn’t feel the need to reapply it mid-run or cycle – and, better yet, I didn’t burn once.
North Face Women's Summit Vectiv Sky Trail Running Shoes
If I had to sum up these trail shoes in three words, they would be; technical, lightweight and durable. As part of The North Face’s Vectiv range – trail shoes that include a carbon plate – the Sky shoe is one of the brand's high-performance trail racers, designed specifically with the mountain (and speed) in mind. I tested these shoes on the challenging trails around Lake Annecy – running along the technical cliff forest path, I found these shoes offered plenty of support going both up and down the mountain. They’re a lot firmer and feel closer to the ground than the plush Vectiv Pro – which is roomier and designed as more of a cushioned race-day shoe. The Sky shoes, however, offer a lower-stack alternative – so they’re great on rockier paths. And, thanks to the rocker technology offer a propulsive toe-off.
Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) – Standard Edition | 47 mm
The Garmin epix Pro definitely feels like a step up in comparison to the Venu 2 Plus which normally sits on my wrist. This is a running watch for front-of-the-pack runners – those who prefer more of a rugged build but don’t want to compromise on a super sharp display.
Like my Venu 2 Plus watch, the epix smartwatch also has a crystal-clear AMOLED touchscreen display, but that’s sort of where the point of comparison stops (since the epix offers a whole host of advanced training features on top of Garmin’s usual 24/7 health and wellness monitoring). There’s a built-in LED flashlight for training in the dark, 30 new preloaded sport activities including basketball and horseback riding, and new training features including ‘hill score’ – which measures your capability for running uphill and assesses your progress based on your VO2 Max estimate – and ‘endurance score’, which looks at your ability to sustain prolonged efforts.
There’s no beating around the bush here – this is an expensive watch. But the epix Pro does feature a whole load of impressive features – including an optimised heart rate sensor and new weather map overlays. So if you’re currently thinking about upgrading from an older Forerunner (or, indeed Venu), this really is an excellent smartwatch.
Rick Pearson, senior editor
Adidas Adios 8
The Adidas Adios range has a rich heritage: early iterations of the shoe adorned the feet of Haile Gebrselassie when he was setting marathon world records in the late noughties. But with the dawn of carbon-fibre plates, towering stack heights and £200-plus price tags, the Adios has been somewhat forgotten. So, it’s great to find that the eighth iteration of the shoe is a return to form. It’s both lighter and softer than the Adios 7, looks great and is a good choice for both PB-hunting and quicker training sessions. You don’t get a carbon-fibre plate, but torsion rods in the midsole provide some of the same propulsion – but at half the price.
Lululemon Fast and Free lined shorts 6”
I’ve never run in Lululemon apparel before, judging myself as neither cool nor wealthy enough to really do the brand justice. But I have to admit it: Lulu’s Fast and Free lined shorts are seriously good to run in. The fit is excellent, there’s a useful side pocket for keys and other essentials, and they look stylish enough to wear in non-running scenarios.
Decathlon sunglasses
If, like me, you are reluctant to shell out on a pair of sunnies through fear that you’ll sit on them/lose them/scratch them, then here’s the solution: a great pair of shades for less than £15. It could only come from Kalenji, running’s most reliable creators of quality but wallet-friendly running gear. The Runstyle 2 boasts a bounce-free fit and a 100% UV filter to protect your eyes in bright sunlight. The only running scenarios I’d feel apprehensive about wearing them would be on very technical descents and in low light. For everything else, they’re a joy.
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