With fall upon us, the Marathon Handbook team have sat down and hand-picked our selection of high-performing running essentials, everything from shoes and socks to GPS watches and hydration vests.
Each product featured has been personally selected and recommended by one of our dedicated runners based on performance, comfort, and real-world use.
No hype, no fluff—just our favorite stuff on the market right now.
Here’s Our Top Picks For The Best Running Gear:
- Best sunglasses for serious road warriors: SunGod FORTY2s
↓ jump to review - Best heart rate monitor for women: Garmin HRM-Fit
↓ jump to review - Best safety gear for night owl runners: Noxgear Tracer 2
↓ jump to review - Best product for salty sweaters: 226ERS Salt Capsules
↓ jump to review - Best sunscreen to prevent dodgy tanlines: Pelotan
↓ jump to review - Our favorite protein: Momentous Grass-Fed Whey Protein
↓ jump to review - Our favorite creatine: Momentous Creatine Monohydrate
↓ jump to review - Best sunglasses for stylish runners: Goodr Running Sunglasses
↓ jump to review - Best overall trainer: Brooks Glycerin 22
↓ jump to review - Best lightweight ride with max cushioning: On Cloudmonster Hyper
↓ jump to review - Best responsive race day shoe: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
↓ jump to review - Best bang-for-your-buck supershoe: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
↓ jump to review - Best running socks: Courier Socks
↓ jump to review - Best cushioned reliable trainer: Nike Vomero 18
↓ jump to review - Best workout shoe: Nike Vaporfly 4
↓ jump to review - Best overall race day shoe: Nike Alphafly 3
↓ jump to review - Best trail running shoe: Norda 001
↓ jump to review - Best running watch that’s not just a running watch: Apple Watch Ultra 2
↓ jump to review - Best earbuds for runners: AirPods Pro 2
↓ jump to review - Best shorts for runners who aren’t into split shorts: Lululemon Fast and Free Half Tight 8″
↓ jump to review - Best jacket for tough weather: GOREWEAR Concurve GORE-TEX Jacket
↓ jump to review - Best running vest for all distances: Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set
↓ jump to review - Best poles for runners hitting challenging terrain: Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite
↓ jump to review
Best sunglasses for serious road warriors: SunGod FORTY2s
Why We Love Themn
These are the sunglasses you forget you’re even wearing until you stop running. We love them because they just disappear on your face—lightweight, secure, no bounce. They’ve been through long summer marathons, rainy trail runs, and international travel without fail. The lenses are razor-sharp, and we appreciate the sustainability angle. They’re not just for show; they perform and they last.
Best Heart Rate Monitor For Women: Garmin HRM-Fit
Why We Love It
Finally, a heart rate monitor that doesn’t make you feel like you’re wearing medieval armor. If you’ve ever fought with a chest strap under your sports bra, you know the struggle. The HRM-Fit clips right onto your bra band and stays out of the way, even on sweaty summer tempo days. It’s just as accurate as the best Garmin sensors, but way more comfortable for women. A quiet but meaningful upgrade.
Shop On AmazonBest Safety gear for night owl runners: Noxgear Tracer 2
Why We Love It
Wearing this makes you feel like a human glow stick, in the best way. For those early morning or late night miles, this vest has become a must-have. It’s not heavy, it doesn’t trap heat, and it has actually stopped cars in their tracks. We love how long the battery lasts and how easy it is to throw on over any layer. It’s not just a safety accessory; it’s part of the kit now.
Shop On AmazonBest for salty sweaters: 226ERS Salt Capsules
Why We Love It
The only electrolytes we’ve tried that don’t wreck our stomachs mid-run. If you sweat a lot or tend to cramp in the heat, these are a low-fuss solution. Easy to carry, easy to dose, and the ginger helps more than you’d think. These have gotten us through steamy long runs and ultramarathon training with zero GI issues. Plus, no sugar, which we appreciate on big fueling days.
Best Sunscreen for Preventing Dodgy Tanlines: Pelotan
Why We Love It
If there’s one group that can one-up runners when it comes to dodgy tanlines, it’s cyclists. Long, sweaty hours in the saddle under the sun can leave them looking a little stripey – so when I learned that Pelotan is the go-to sunscreen for a bunch of top European cyclists, I knew I had to try it. They’ve got a spray and roll-on which are engineered for athletes, meaning it doesn’t block your pores and prevent you sweating so your body can continue to thermoregulate normally in the heat. And it offers 8hrs of SPF30 protection. Do yourself a favor this summer and slap on some of this stuff.
Protein Powder You Can Trust: Momentous Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Why We Love It
Recovery you can actually digest. We like this one because it’s clean, third-party tested, and doesn’t come with the weird chalky aftertaste that plagues so many protein powders. It plays nicely with smoothies and coffee, and the added enzymes really do make it easier on the stomach. For athletes who care about what they’re putting in post-run, this one ticks every box.
Shop On AmazonBest third-party tested creatine: Momentous Creatine Monohydrate
Why We Love It
Strength support without the bloat or the guesswork. We’ve been adding this into our training cycles for months now, and it’s helped with gym sessions, recovery, and even overall energy levels. It mixes clean, doesn’t taste like anything, and is made from Creapure—the gold standard. It’s the kind of supplement you don’t think about daily, but you notice when you stop.
Shop On AmazonBest sunglasses for stylish runners: Goodr Running Sunglasses
Why We Love Them
Fun, functional, and under-the-radar brilliant. These are the shades we toss in every bag and keep in the car—because they’re light, they work, and they don’t cost a fortune. They stay in place, block the sun, and actually look good. For everyday miles or races when you want to add a bit of personality to your kit, Goodr delivers.
Shop On AmazonBest overall trainer: Brooks Glycerin 22
Why We Love Them
A daily trainer that brings plush comfort without deadening your stride. We put this shoe on for long miles, easy days, and even post-race recovery jogs. It handles all of it.
The cushion is soft but doesn’t feel sluggish, and the upper is breathable without sacrificing hold. If we had to pick one shoe for a marathon build, this would be it.
Shop On AmazonBest lightweight ride with max cushioning: On Cloudmonster Hyper
Why We Love Them
Max cushion without the marshmallow sink. On finally nailed it with a shoe that feels luxurious underfoot and still gives you enough bounce to keep things peppy. The ride is surprisingly smooth for how built-up it looks, and the upper lockdown is dialed. We like it best for long runs where you want your legs to feel fresh on the other side.
Shop On Running WarehouseBest responsive race day shoe: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
Why We Love Them
An aggressive, spring-loaded racer that doesn’t punish your legs. This shoe has earned a place in our rotation thanks to its responsive foam and carbon setup that actually feels intuitive. It fits snug, grips well, and doesn’t get sloppy even late in a marathon. We’ve hit PRs in these, and more importantly, recovered well enough to train again soon after.
Shop On Running WarehouseBest bang-for-your-buck supershoe: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
Why We Love Them
Race-day performance that won’t wipe out your wallet. You get bounce, you get carbon, and you get a dialed-in upper for less than the competition. We’ve been impressed with how well this shoe holds up over time and how it performs across different race distances. For those new to supershoes or working within a budget, this is a killer starting point.
Shop On AmazonBest running socks: Courier Socks
Why We Love Them
Your feet will feel the love on race day wearing these. These aren’t your average socks. We’ve tested them on trails, roads, and track workouts, and they always deliver comfort, support, and breathability. The anatomical fit and targeted cushioning really do reduce friction and fatigue. A small upgrade that makes a surprisingly big difference.
Shop On Running SupplyBest reliable trainer: Nike Vomero 18
Why We Love Them
“The goldilocks of neutral cushioned trainers; best shoe I’ve run in in years” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
The rare neutral trainer that checks every box. It’s soft, supportive, and built to last. Our team keeps reaching for this shoe because it just feels right—whether you’re going long, easy, or somewhere in between. It’s the kind of shoe that fades into the background and lets you focus on the run.
Shop On AmazonBest workout shoe: Nike Vaporfly 4
Why We Love Them
“If you can afford it, this is the best shorter-distance racer or fast workout shoe available right now.” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
When you want to go fast and feel fast, this is the shoe. The lightest Vaporfly yet, and you can tell. For intervals, 5Ks, and tune-up races, this shoe gives just enough cushion to protect your legs without muting that snappy ride. If you’re a fan of fast feeling underfoot, you’ll love this update.
Shop On AmazonBest overall race day shoe: Nike Alphafly 3
Why We Love Them
“Apparently, I’m a Nike guy this season? The Alphafly 3 remains the fastest shoe in the world, and it’s relatively easy to obtain. It’s light enough, super powerful, and feels special on race day.” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
Still the benchmark for marathon speed. Say what you want about the price or the look, but the performance is undeniable. It’s cushy without being mushy, the carbon plate makes every stride pop, and the new version is more stable than ever. This is the one we save for race day.
Shop On AmazonBest trail running shoe: Norda 001
Why We Love Them
“A tough, versatile trail shoe that is just toothy enough to grind sloppy spring conditions, yet shockingly light and fleet underfoot for magic carpet moments of open double track.” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
Trail toughness meets luxury ride. You don’t expect a Dyneema upper and Vibram outsole to feel this smooth, but the 001 pulls it off. It’s fast on hardpack, steady in the mud, and the kind of shoe you want to keep on when the run ends. Built for the long haul in every way.
Shop On Running WarehouseBest running watch that’s not just a running watch: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Why We Love It
“Apple’s best ever watch, and really the first true smart watch to legitimately compete with a fully featured running-specific watch for hardcore use. I’ve used this watch in everything from track workouts, major marathons, to all-day ultra adventures.” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
The smartwatch that finally earned a spot on real runners’ wrists. This isn’t a toy. It tracks everything, pairs with sensors, and survives the elements. From tempo workouts to ultras, it’s been a reliable training partner—and the best part is, you don’t need to take it off after the run. It does it all, and then some.
Shop On AmazonBest earbuds for runners: AirPods Pro 2
Why We Love Them
“These are tough, stupidly simple to pair and use (if you’re in the Apple ecosystem) and produce excellent sound. The transparency mode is a great safety feature for runners, so you don’t get lost in the music and then run over by a car.” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
The best mix of sound, comfort, and road awareness. We love these for their seamless pairing, great sound, and transparency mode that keeps us aware of our surroundings. For everyday runs, they strike the perfect balance between immersive and safe. You barely notice them—until you forget them.
Shop On AmazonBest shorts for runners who aren’t into split shorts: Lululemon Fast and Free Half Tight 8″
Why We Love It
“Luxurious fabric, lots of pockets for longer efforts, handles sweat like a champ.” – Michae, Editor-in-Chief
Split-short freedom with half-tight storage. The fit is dialed, the fabric breathes, and the pockets actually hold things without bounce. We love these for long efforts when you need gels, keys, phone—you name it. Bonus points for not riding up or feeling restrictive.
Best jacket for tough weather: GOREWEAR Concurve GORE-TEX Jacket
Why We Love It
“I run in all kinds of crazy weather, and this jacket is the current GOAT shell when it gets crappy outside. It’s magically light for a high-performance Gore-Tex membrane layer, and it has pockets, which is a must for me.” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
The one jacket you’ll never regret packing. It’s light, it moves with you, and it actually keeps you dry. When the forecast looks grim but the training plan says go, this is the outer layer we trust. High-performance weather protection that doesn’t scream “technical gear.”
Shop On AmazonBest running vest for all distances: Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set
Why We Love It
“Two front soft flasks and ample stow room at 12 L make for a great all-rounder. For full days of self-supported fun, shove in a bladder and clip on the poles. Lots of little front pockets for gels and snacks, too. Zero chafing issues reported, and I’ve run 18 hours straight with it on my back at a time.” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
A running vest that never gets in your way. We’ve worn this on everything from long training runs to self-supported trail marathons. It carries what you need without bouncing, chafing, or overheating. Thoughtfully designed, easy to adjust, and built for serious days outside.
Shop On AmazonBest poles for runners hitting challenging terrain: Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite
Why We Love Them
“I use a pair of carbon telescopic poles I have for backcountry skiing, but Leki also makes running-specific poles that are both foldable and a little leaner for trail-specific efforts. Good enough for Courtney Dewaulter, good enough for me!” – Michael, Editor-in-Chief
The poles that make you feel like a mountain goat. Featherlight, durable, and quick to deploy, these are the poles we trust when the terrain gets spicy. They’re not cheap, but they are absolutely reliable. If you’re racing or training on steep stuff, these are worth every gram.
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