Whether you are a beginner or an experienced runner, there are many important attributes to consider when choosing what to wear on your run. Some of the factors to bear in mind will also depend on the time of day, time of year and, of course, the weather. You might find yourself investing in a few different types for each situation.
These are some of the things to keep in mind.
Comfort.
This sounds pretty straightforward and obvious, but the best-suited clothes to run in may not be the same kind of comfortable clothing you would wear around the house. For example, cotton clothing is usually simple and soft, but it may cause overheating on hotter days as the material is generally slow-drying and, consequently, traps heat.
You want a material that is well-ventilated and dries quickly, especially when you are running, as you will be more prone to sweating. Of course, you will also want to make sure you can move well in these clothes. Lycra and spandex are two of the top materials used in running wear as they are both comfortable and offer great ventilation.
For the colder days, you might choose leggings for the extra warmth, though still thin enough not to become overheated as your body temperature increases due to the increase in movement. For the warmer days, you might choose shorts instead, which will give you more ventilation and decrease the chances of becoming too hot.
Safety.
While comfort will likely be your first port of call, it is also important to consider how safe the clothing is. Clothing that will fit and allow plenty of breathing room is one aspect; the other is colouring. Brighter colours will not only mean less heat will be absorbed (as opposed to wearing dark colours on hot days), but they will also help with visibility during the day. This will naturally mean that cyclists and drivers will be more likely to see you. On this note, it would be advised to wear something with high visibility during the darker hours, such as a high-visibility vest and/or some kind of accessory that improves your visibility to others.
Running shoes.
Even walking shoes can affect your feet. You wouldn’t run in heels, given how much easier it would be to fall over and hurt yourself. But even with other shoes that seem to be more suited, they need to be able to protect your whole foot and have the right amount of movement and support geared specifically for running.
Underwear
The right kind of socks may be the kind that have extra reinforcement at the heels and toes for that added support. Keeping your feet cool and dry is another important factor when choosing the right socks. As for the undergarments, you would be better off with comfortable, but snug underwear and, for those who wear bras, you will want to make sure you have the right kind of support in a bra/sports bra while, of course, maintaining the right amount of comfort.
The right accessories.
Not all accessories are important, of course, but one of the most important items you should have while running is a water bottle! Keeping hydrated is key, especially when you’re exercising more and losing moisture through sweating. You might use a smartwatch to track steps, time and other manner of things, cardiac armbands to keep track of your heart rate and maybe even earphones to listen to music while you run!
Final thoughts
Honestly, as long as you consider comfort, safety, and you stay hydrated, there are many great ways to run while staying happy and healthy while you do it. A good way to achieve this would be to look at
A-Game Activewear and see what they have to offer.
