We are all accustomed to the fact that sneakers, shorts, and a tank top are the basis of summer running equipment. But accessories are a very important part of a comfortable workout. The topic of running accessories is very broad, because every year more and more items appear, without which, as it seems, running, if not impossible, is no longer so comfortable.
Here we have compiled a conditional top 5 running accessories that will definitely be useful for most runners.
1 - Wrist flask, running belt or running backpack
To run comfortably, you need to drink. Whether to drink water or a sports drink, you decide for yourself. The main thing is that there is where to pour it, and then it is convenient to drink from there on the go. There are several ways, and they are all good in their own way.
Wrist flask
Soft 500 ml flask, threaded into a fabric case with a cuff that fits around the wrist. It looks like the height of minimalism, but usually, the case also has a pocket for the phone and keys. These flasks are attached to the wrist of any size, and their volume is quite enough for short runs in the heat. It is not necessary to squeeze the bottle in the palm of your hand and strain the brush - it will not go anywhere. Simple, convenient, reliable.
Running belts and hipbags
Want to keep your hands free but have quick access to a flask of water? This means that you need a laconic belt bag with a "quiver" or a pocket for one flask. You carry the same volume of water but in a plastic bottle. All of these bags also have a zip pocket, just slightly larger than the cuffs with a flask. You can put your phone, keys or a snack in it. The belt of most models is soft and comfortable. Does not press, does not cut, easily adjustable. The bottle is easy to take out and easy to return on the run.
Not enough volume? Do you want to take more water, food, and belongings? No problem!
A convenient and practical device is the starter belt. It looks like just a piece of elastic fabric, but in reality, it is not simple at all! In it, you can already place a couple of soft flasks with water, put additional equipment there, if necessary, fix compact running poles or a windbreaker. And even for the start number, there is a special fastener. Phone and keys - of course. There is enough room in the wide belt for several phones.
And if during a run you need a place for a removed windbreaker and a changeable T-shirt, then take a voluminous belt bag with "cup holders" for flasks.
Running Backpack
But here you are going for a long workout, on a multi-kilometer trail, or just going for a run after work, and you need to somehow carry your everyday clothes. A wrist flask, a starter belt, or a laconic running bag are clearly indispensable. So, let's take a running backpack. Which one to choose depends on the nature of the distance, your equipment, and your personal preference.
Some models come with a hydrator, to which you can add a couple more soft flasks. And there's room for all your belongings too - even in a slim and minimalistic running vest. Plus, if the volume isn't enough, you can always take a larger running backpack. Among them, there are those with whom the tourists-walkers manage to go on a week-long hike.
2 - Headdress
During summer jogging, be sure to cover your head from the sun. For this, there are caps, jogging visors, bandanas. In case of rain, they will also add comfort: when the face is covered from drops with a visor, the rain is less of a problem.
There are a lot of caps in the assortment of stores, but running in the heat, is more convenient for those that easily let moisture through. Then you can pour water on your head without removing the cap, and it will not roll, but easily penetrate inside, cooling the scalp.
Bedouin caps with sewn-in cloth shawls cover the ears and neck from the active sun. A buff can be used as a sun bandana or sweat strip. It will cover both ears and neck. You can combine a bandana with a visor. There are just as many options as your imagination suffices. Also, do not forget about running headlamps if you are going on an evening or a night run.
3 - Running Sunglasses
The fact that the eyes require protection does not require proof. Moreover, the glasses protect both from ultraviolet radiation and mechanical damage. And it's not just about branches and gravel flying out from under the wheels of cars. There are also such unpleasant things as strong wind and inquisitive insects, which strive to fly where we would not really like.
There are a lot of sunglasses on the market. Glasses differ in shape, price, and quality. The higher the price, the better the lenses. They less or do not distort the reality around you, which allows you to wear glasses for an infinitely long time without eye fatigue. Plus, high-quality lenses are characterized by impact resistance and 100% filtration of UV rays.
You can buy glasses with lenses of a certain color, or you can also buy photochromic glasses, which can change their dimming depending on the brightness of the light around. The latter is more expensive than usual, but if you run all year round in the daytime and in the dark, then they are, of course, very comfortable. If you use glasses only in the summer and only during the daytime, then glasses with lenses of the color that you like will be enough.
4 - Running watch
However, the definition of "clock" is no longer enough to describe this complex device, which contains such functionality, which even 15 years ago could not even be dreamed of. The topic of their choice is so complex and extensive that here we will only go over the very tops of it.
Fortunately, we already have a detailed article on their choice. When choosing a watch for running, you must clearly understand which metrics you need and which you may not need at all. The functional wealth of the device and, accordingly, its cost depends on this.
Almost all watches of leading brands, even the simplest and fairly budgetary ones, have rich functionality today. They also have a wrist-based heart rate monitor and various options to track your activity. And they work in GPS mode for quite a long time. More sophisticated devices suggest various settings for training plans, loading routes, tracking barometric pressure, measuring current altitude, significantly longer operating time on a single charge, immunity to temperatures, and other adverse environmental conditions.