Tech Reviews & Gadgets

Running Gear Guide: Everything You Need for the New Year

Happy New Year! If you’re determined to become a better runner in 2025, now is the time to take action.

But it may not be easy. With the weather being very cold in many parts of the country, it’s tempting to curl up with some hot cocoa and watch Netflix. However, the spring split is coming.

Whether you’re trying to run your first 5K or win another of the Abbott World’s major marathon stars, training can’t stop because of the cold and snow. Getting through the next few months will require dedication, discipline and the right equipment.

I speak from experience. I trained for the Boston Marathon last winter. Now, as I prepare to run the TCS London Marathon on April 27th, I’m digging into my favorite thermals.

Winter running gear can sometimes be pricey, but skimping on key layers could leave you cold and miserable. The key is to find the deals and get the most for your money.

Here are some of my favorite winter gear and other top running gear.

Feetles socks images.

It’s a fact: runners love socks.

Features

Runners love socks

From talking refrigerators to iPhones, our experts are here to help the world become less complex.

When I was a kid I used to groan when I would find socks in my Christmas stockings. Now I’m excited.

Runners don’t cut corners when choosing socks. They can decide whether to finish a race happily or arrive at the finish line with a bloody limp.

That’s why more than one pair of feet is always exchanged during my running team’s annual gift exchange. Feetures’ colorful, long-lasting socks sell for about $18 a pair and are my go-to for training and competition. Specifically, “Elite” version The socks are designed to provide targeted compression to help protect and support your feet while running without feeling too heavy.

When the temperatures drop below freezing, I reach for a pair of mine Smartwool cold weather running Crew socks. When it comes to keeping your feet warm and dry without adding a ton of bulk, wool can’t be beat.

At $24, they are worth every penny. Like other Smartwool products I’ve used, they hold up well to multiple washes and don’t shrink as easily as wool socks.

A bunch of photos of running shoes.

Just a few pairs of running shoes I’ve tried lately.

Bree Fowler/CNET

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If you want good shoes, leave it to the professionals

I can tell you what shoes I wore when I ran the TCS New York City Marathon (Saucony Endorphin Pro 4) or what are my favorite everyday training shoes (New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14), but that doesn’t matter.

The truth is, the best shoe for you depends on you, your feet, and your needs. One brand’s size 9 may be completely different from another brand’s size. Shoes that your best friend or even a world-class marathon runner thinks are great may make walking painful for you.

If you’re buying your own, head to your local running store and get some expert advice. Fitting technology used in many stores has come a long way. In 2023, I took a closer look at the system used by Fleet Feet, a national store chain. It uses artificial intelligence to compare 3D scans of your feet to those of millions of other customers, as well as the store’s inventory. Combine this technique with suggestions from store staff, and you’re sure to leave with a pair of shoes you’ll love.

Picture of Kane recovery shoes.

Cairns is fun and comfortable.

Kane

So shoes are a very bad gift, but I have a better idea.

I was happy with my marathon sneakers, but I couldn’t take them off fast enough after crossing the finish line. Once I did that, I put on a pair Kane recovery shoes. Yes, they look a lot like Crocs, and at $80 a pair, they’re much more expensive, but I think they’re worth every penny.

My swollen feet had the space they needed to breathe, and the small nodes of the relatively sturdy footbed massaged them as I walked the eight blocks to the subway. The shoes were easy to slip on and off and thankfully they didn’t leave any rough marks on my feet on the way home.

The shoes are available in a variety of fun colors and patterns, including licensed versions for alumni and fans of more than two dozen colleges and universities. Each pair also comes with a handy carabiner clip that you can use to clip them to the outside of your bag.

bright light

Whether you’re running in the morning or evening, it’s dark outside this time of year. Lights and reflective gear are a must, both to make sure cars see you and to make sure you see all the cracks in the pavement and all the unfortunately placed piles of dog poop.

I have several sets of lights, but my favorite is Tracer2 Luminous Vest From Knox Gear. Its rechargeable LED lights flash in a rainbow of fun colors. They can be seen from a quarter of a mile away and last up to 20 hours on a single charge.

At $51, it’s not cheap and I recommend adding the optional tracer light ($32) clips on the front. It’s very bright and can be aimed downwards to help you spot cracks in the pavement and avoid blinding other runners who may be trying to look directly at you.

This vest has reflective straps that fit me perfectly and didn’t slide around like a cheaper version I had previously used that was made by another company.

My teammates will be upset if I don’t mention it Noxgear’s 39G wearable Bluetooth speaker ($56). It makes a surprising amount of sound for its size. Instead of using headphones or earbuds to block out the sounds of approaching cars or other threats, you can use speakers to listen to music while being aware of what’s going on around you.

Reflective clothing can also help drivers see you. If you’re in the market for a winter running jacket, consider getting one with reflective elements. Feet, mentioned above, also have New reflective socks. They offer the same cushioning and performance as the company’s other models, but are designed to show up in car headlights.

Stylish and practical

I grew up in Michigan, so it takes me a long time to catch a cold. I ran the New York City Marathon wearing my team tank top and a trusty pair of jerseys Flipbelt compression shortseven though it was 38 degrees outside when I started the race. Having said that, I finally pulled out my pair Flipbelt thermal leggings ($65) last week.

Flipbelt is known for making elastic running belts designed to hold everything you need for long runs. I’ve had issues in the past with the belt stretching and falling down mid-race.

Shorts and leggings solve this problem by building the same storage space into a fixed compression bottom. They offer enough storage space to hold your phone, keys, water bottle, and all the fuel and snacks you need to complete a long race.

I found these leggings to be a little difficult to put on, but once you put them on they don’t move and they offer tight-fitting support even when you put stuff in the pockets down. The thermal version keeps me warm without adding too much weight. I’m looking forward to wearing these at my next game.

Whether it’s to keep out the sun or keep my ears warm, I almost always wear a hat when I run. Normally, it’s a baseball cap, but when the temperatures drop, I opt for a puffier option.

Sprints are characterized by quirky designmakes my favorite ultra-lightweight and ultra-comfortable baseball cap. They have some cool new winter options that I’m looking forward to trying.

Meanwhile, one of my favorite hats comes from sea turtle fur. this Merino wool hat ($58) are so lightweight that I can wear them all the time while running and keep my cold-prone ears warm.

When it comes to merino wool, Smartwool knows a few things about winter clothing. It has teamed up with shoe manufacturer Altra to create a range of winter running apparel, complete with a matching pair of smart fleece-lined Altra shoes.

The women’s collection comes in a beautiful eggplant, black and charcoal color combination and includes pieces such as long-sleeve tops, tank tops and half-zip pullovers. It launched as an REI exclusive earlier this year, but now you can find it on Smartwool’s website.

Can’t test this pair, but these kept me warm on a day when temperatures dropped into the 20s. These layers give me the range of motion I need for running without adding too much bulk. I’m sure I’ll be whipping these out a lot this winter.

Pictures of adidas DUNAMIS.

adidas dunemis.

adidas

Shades to suit every budget

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it’s dark outside. Good shades are still a must. Goodr’s line of active sunglasses ($25) remains the best budget option. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays, don’t slide off your nose when you sweat, and come in a variety of fun colors and frames. They won’t last forever, especially if you buy ones with mirrored lenses, which can scratch easily.

I recently tried on a few pairs of Tifosi shoes. At around $35, they’re a little more expensive, but so far they seem to be a little more durable. They’re not heavy but feel solid. My teenage daughter instantly fell in love with a pair of mine sanctuary Models, I haven’t gotten them back yet, but she hasn’t broken them either. i always wear Swank Model.

For those who want to go high-end and look cool, adidas dunemis ($210) features crystal clear, reflective, wrap-around lenses that are feather-light and make you feel like a pro athlete. Note that they are suitable for larger face shapes. If you’re a smaller person like me, you might find them a little big.

Other great gear

Even if it’s cold outside, runners need to stay hydrated, and every runner will be happy to receive a great water bottle.

My favorite right now is Nathan’s ExoShot 2.0 Handheld 14 oz Bottle. This is a soft flask in a cloth bag. There is an adjustable strap that goes around your hand so you don’t have to hold it tightly while running. Very easy to squeeze and drink.

Best of all, it won’t leak and you can throw it in the dishwasher. I would use this bottle more if my daughter didn’t steal it for her runs.

Gels, chews, and other types of running fuel are also worth it. I am a fan of Skratch Labs Energy Chewable Tablets. They taste less like chemicals and more like gummy bears. Some of my favorite products come from UnTapped, a maple syrup company based in — you guessed it — Vermont. it is Add coffee maple syrup sports fuel Give me the zipper I need without the chemicals I can’t pronounce.

When I get my hands on traditional gels, it’s usually Molten. While other brands offer a variety of flavors similar to Baskin-Robbins, Maurten only has one that doesn’t taste like anything, but isn’t super sweet either. This takes some getting used to, but I find it’s easy on the tummy.



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