What I love about running is that it doesn’t take a lot of time (long live lunch runs!), I can do it almost anywhere and any time of day, and maybe most importantly, it doesn’t require a whole lot of gear. And when it comes to that small amount of gear, here are a few of my favorites that have played a critical role in enjoying my running experiences this year.
Altra Timp 3
Barefoot crazies aside, you gotta have a pair of shoes. And the Timp 3 might just be the most comfortable running shoes I’ve ever worn. A friend has been recommending Altra shoes to me for years, and I finally made the switch this year, with the Timp 3. The Timp 3 is Altra’s most cushioned trail runners. They feature a zero drop ride, and that roomy forefoot feel that draws so many runners to Altra’s shoes. What I love most about these shoes is their versatility. While many other trail running shoes feel stiff and clunky on pavement, the Timp 3s do not. They provide a soft, comfortable ride on pavement and mixed terrain. I’ve frequently turned to them for pavement-only, and pavement-to-trail runs, and really enjoy running in them on all surfaces.
$140 | Buy at altrarunning.com
Swiftwick Flite XT Five
I can’t say enough good things about Swiftwick socks. As arguably the first or second most critical piece of gear that can make or break a running experience, I don’t mess around when it comes to socks. Swiftwick makes the best socks you’ll ever wear, and they guarantee it. Their socks really are the most comfortable I’ve ever owned, and I rarely use any other socks for running or cycling. The Flite XT Five has a 5” cuff that offers a snug, compression-like feel around the ankles, and these socks never slide around on my feet.
$23.99 | Buy at swiftwick.com
Nathan Zipster
I always carry my phone, and not much else, when I’m running. It’s the little things that can make a difference, and this simple, zipped running belt is one of those things. It’s adjustable, doesn’t bounce around, and I don’t have to think about it while I’m running.
$30 | Buy at nathansports.com
Biolite Headlamp 200
Being a soccer dad sometimes means squeezing in a workout during practice time. Luckily for me, my daughter’s practice is close to home, and in a park with a 200-stair incline and connecting trails. And during the fall season, that means running the stairs and trails in the dark. Biolite’s lightweight, compact 200 is my go-to for running (and dog walks!) in the dark. With an infinitely adjustable 200 lumens, it’s plenty bright for running, and it doesn’t bounce around at all. If you run at the fringes of daylight, this is the headlamp for you. Up to 40 hours of runtime on low, White + Dim , Red + Dim, White Strobe, Red Strobe modes, 50 grams.
$44.95 | Buy at bioliteenergy.com
Tailwind Endurance Fuel & Recovery Mix
Technically, two spots, but I use them together so often that I’m giving Tailwind the combo on this list. I started using Tailwind’s Recovery mix late last summer (with their delicious limited edition salted caramel flavor), while still in the grips of unrelenting late summer heat along the Colorado Front Range. As I enter my 50s, recovery is a critical aspect of staying fit, and the Tailwind Recovery Mix has become a vital piece in my recovery routine. Tasty, and chuggable, I drink a shaker bottle of Recovery Mix after almost every run, especially when the temperature is above 80 degrees. I added Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel to my routine this year. While it’s not specifically for shorter workouts, I primarily use it (half the recommended serving of their caffeinated Matcha flavor, 20-30 minutes before I run works well for me) as a way to add some zip to the last couple miles of my runs, which are almost always under an hour. I also drink a serving of Endurance Fuel before big, backcountry mountain bike rides, and haul a bottle of it for a mid-ride refuel. Great products from the smart folks at Tailwind!
Endurance Fuel | $2.50-35.99 | Buy at tailwindnutrition.com
Recovery Mix | $3-38 | Buy at tailwindnutrition.com
Lead photo by Mitch Kline. Beach running at Lake McConaughy, near Ogallala, Nebraska, summer 2021.
Product photos courtesy of brands featured.