The Strategist (not by design, just by coincidence) happens to be full of runners. And this has seeped into our coverage. Seven of us have done half-marathons, four have run marathons, three of us ran in college, and collectively, we’ve run more than 5,000 miles in the last year. We’ve put in hours of our own testing and interviewed personal trainers and fitness coaches to find the very best foam rollers and electrolyte powders and sports bras. We talked to runners to find out what the best gifts for runners are. We’ve spoken to professional and passionate amateur runners about their favorite gear and written about our own favorite running sling pack and headlamp beanie. We’ve also talked to famous people, like Ben Gibbard and Geoff McFetridge, about the shoes and GPS watches they rely on for long runs on trails.
So for this week, we hit the ground running (literally), testing everything from running shorts to running shoes for beginners, interviewing experts, and tapping into our runners on staff to give every kind of runner all the intel they might need. So whether you’re a daily runner, a racing enthusiast, or simply running curious, check back here daily as we’ll be adding stories about all sorts of running essentials, from socks that support your arches to hydration packs that you can sip from on the go. Welcome to Running Week at the Strategist.
After the best track-and-field season of junior writer Brenley Goertzen’s college running career, she developed plantar fasciitis and had to take five months off. She saw several foot specialists and tried dozens of treatments and gadgets, but the biggest key to her recovery was SuperFeet’s All-Purpose Support insoles. “I started with a few hours of wear every couple of days, and gradually worked my way up to all-day wear,” she says, and eventually she was able to run normally again. Read her full review here.
A running watch is “like a mini-coach for your wrist,” says writer Jeremy Rellosa. “It can provide important metrics, not only during my run but immediately after my sessions too.” And he can use that data to chart his progress over time. However, there’s a huge number of watches to choose from, from simple ones that stick to the most basic metrics to multisport watches that track dozens of activities. To help you find the best for your needs, Rellosa put five to the test and consulted experts on their favorites. Find all his recommendations here.
Writer Arielle Avila consistently suffered from shin splints as a new runner, and the pain often interrupted her running schedule. So last fall, when she started training for her first half-marathon, she added Bombas’ compression socks to her recovery regimen to see if they helped keep the pain at bay. They quickly became a must-have in her recovery routine. Read her full review of the socks here.
Over the past year, newsletter editor and avid runner Ashley Wolfgang has developed an obsession with wearing head-to-toe matching running outfits — hat, shoes, jacket, and sometimes even water bottle included. She breaks down some of her favorite monochrome ensembles — and where to get all the pieces — here.
The best running shoe for beginners is the shoe that’s most comfortable, says Rellosa, who has been running for 15 years. So beginners should start their shoe search by trying on several pairs and seeing what feels best. But in general, a neutral running shoe with ample cushioning is a good beginner shoe, as it will provide a “balanced experience for runners and can help them figure out whether they want different features in the next pair they get,” Rellosa says. Based on his own experience and recommendations from running experts, Rellosa rounded up the best pairs of running shoes for beginners here.
Unless you’re running an organized race, you probably don’t have anyone handing you water on your runs. Luckily, there are a lot of products to help you carry hydration on the go, from handheld water bottles to waist packs with built-in bottle holders to wearable hydration vests. Find our picks for the best of every kind here.
“When you go out for a run, you want to feel as unencumbered as possible,” says writer Lauren Ro, who’s been running for 17 years now. But trying to stuff your phone, keys, gels, and other essentials into your pockets can be uncomfortable and, sometimes, impossible — which is where a running belt comes in. Ro talked to runners and coaches to find the seven best belts for races, long road runs, trail runs, and more. Find all her picks here.
Speaking of running belts, the OG FlipBelt (the belt that came most recommended to Ro, above) was Goertzen’s favorite — until she tried the brand’s leggings, which have the FlipBelt built into the waistband. “They’re sleek, lightweight, and comfortable to wear for hours,” Goertzen says, and they’ve eliminated any chance of her forgetting her running belt at home. Read her full review here.
“Running shorts have the power to make a run fantastic or ruin it,” saysRellosa. He tested nearly two dozen pairs — and consulted with running experts on their favorites — to find the nine best ones, whether you prefer brief-lined shorts, boxer-brief-lined shorts, or half-tights. Find all his picks here.
As a former Division I collegiate runner, Goertzen has put tons of running shorts to the test, from loose, airy pairs to skintight compression shorts — and she has plenty of favorites. But every runner has different preferences, so Goertzen talked to running coaches, former college runners, and even a retired professional runner to find the best running shorts for every preference and budget. Find all their picks here.
For much of his running career, Rellosa prided himself on carrying only a set of keys while running. But after suffering terrible headaches and cramping during long runs, he realized he needed more electrolytes, which meant he had to start carrying a water bottle. After asking his running friends about their favorite bottles, he landed on the Ultimate Direction Clutch. “It has a Velcro strap that secures comfortably on the back of my hand (without any chafing, even on my longest runs),” he says, and he’s able to fit his phone, keys, credit card, and running gels in it, “eliminating the dreaded jangling in my shorts.” Read his full review of the bottle here.
The right running socks can make your run a whole lot better — and the wrong ones a whole lot worse. To help you find the most comfortable running socks, Avila asked eight seasoned runners about the pairs they throw on time and again, whether they’re sweat-wicking socks for summer days or wool socks for blustery mornings. Read about all their picks here.
After being sidelined by injury, Wolfgang tried out Normatec 3 Legs compression boots at her physical therapist’s office. “I soon began to look forward to my physical-therapy appointments, craving the tension relief that only these boots seemed to give me,” she says. “But they were far too expensive and far too large for my small Brooklyn apartment.” Then she found the Normatec Go, a portable version of the boots. They provide the same relief as the Normatec 3 Legs, she says, and “because they are compact, they are also great for travel. I’ve taken them on road trips to Georgia, New Hampshire, Nantucket, and New Jersey, and I brought them on the plane to California.” Read Ashley’s full review here.
As we said above, there’s an unusually large subset of Strategist staffers who are really into running. To get a sense of how serious we are about the sport and the collective experience we bring to the subject, we’d like to introduce you to the runners on staff. Meet the team — and take a look at a few of our personal favorite running items.
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