Picking the best Garmin watch isn’t easy. The main reason: Garmin itself. The company has many watches in its range and while that means there will almost certainly be one that matches your preferences, it can be hard to find that watch without spending ages researching the differences between the devices.

You can, however, leave all that to me because I’ve tested pretty much every Garmin device that’s been released in the last five years and know the range like the back of my hand. Or wrist, in this case.

Garmin is renowned for making some of the best sports watches and running watches. Whatever your favorite form of exercise, the company has a device for you. I’ve picked out the best Garmin watch for a range of sports, along with my top overall pick that offers the best balance of value and features.

The quick list

Here’s a run-through of the top Garmin watches available in the most important categories. Click on any watch here to jump to its entry in the main list below.

How I Test Garmin Watches

Best overall

The Forerunner 265 is a multisport watch with an AMOLED screen that offers useful training analysis, including Garmin’s readiness rating, on top of accurate sports tracking and smart features. It’s a great all-rounder that will suit you whatever your preferred sport is, and it’s a good smartwatch and general fitness tracker, too.

The price is still high, but the Forerunner 265 is considerably cheaper than top watches like the Forerunner 965 and Fenix/Epix ranges, which offer maps, longer battery life and more durable designs as an incentive to upgrade. If you aren’t fussed about the AMOLED display of Garmin’s training readiness feature, then the Forerunner 255 is a good, cheaper alternative to the Forerunner 265. Explore the differences between the two with my Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Garmin Forerunner 255 comparison.

Read more in my Garmin Forerunner 265 review

Best for running

The Forerunner 165 Music is the brand’s entry-level AMOLED watch and a great option for runners. It provides accurate GPS tracking (though it’s a shame it doesn’t have dual-band GPS as with more expensive Garmin watches), structured workouts and training plans you can follow on the watch, plus music storage and breadcrumb navigation.

If you find the Forerunner 255 in a deal for around the same price as the Forerunner 165 then that would be a strong alternative for those who don’t need or want an AMOLED screen, since the 255 has more insightful training analysis and dual-band GPS tracking. I’ve gone into more detail on the differences between the two in this Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Garmin Forerunner 165 article.

If you’re just starting out with running the cheaper Forerunner 55 is another good option that does the basics well.

Read more in my Garmin Forerunner 165 review

Best for cycling

Assuming you can find it in a sale (usually easy as it’s an older watch), the Forerunner 255 is the best-value Garmin watch, and could be the pick in a number of categories in this round-up. I’ve singled it out for cyclists as a more affordable option that has key features like power sensor support and a multisport mode, which you don’t get on cheaper Forerunners and Garmin smartwatches.

If you want an AMOLED display and training readiness the Forerunner 265 is a possible upgrade, or you could go up to the Forerunner 955 or 965 to get maps as well. You could also save by getting an entry-level watch like the Forerunner 55 and splash out on a Garmin bike computer instead, which is easier to view during rides.

Read more in my Garmin Forerunner 255 review

Best for triathlon

Another old-but-excellent watch, the Forerunner 955 packs in the same excellent multisport features as the newer Forerunner 965 (minus the AMOLED display), and Fenix/Epix ranges, into a lightweight plastic design with an LCD display. It’s a better pick than the Forerunner 255 and 265 for triathletes tackling longer events in particular, since the extra battery life you get from the Forerunner 955 will be handy in an Ironman, for example. It supports all the sensors you need and will automatically transition between sports during multisport events.

The Forerunner 965 does all of the above and has a bright AMOLED display and a titanium bezel, to increase its durability a little, and of course triathletes are well served by the excellent Fenix 7 and Epix ranges, which have more durable designs than the 955 and come in a range of sizes. If you’re sticking to shorter races and don’t need maps, then the Forerunner 255 and 265 watches are also excellent for triathletes. See how the Forerunner 955 stacks up in my comparison of it alongside the Forerunner 255.

Read more in my Garmin Forerunner 955 review

Best for swimming

Most of the watches in Garmin’s range offer a lot to swimmers and if you also do other kinds of activity I’d suggest opting for a more rounded watch, such as the Forerunner 255 or 265, which match the swimming features of the Garmin Swim 2. However, if you just swim the Swim 2 is a cheaper alternative that has all the features you need to track pool and open-water workouts.

It’s a lightweight watch and records swimming-focused metrics, including distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type and Swolf. You can set up and follow swimming workouts on the watch and use it to measure your critical swim speed, which is an indication of your aerobic swimming threshold.

Read more in my Garmin Swim 2 review

Best smartwatch

The Vivoactive line is one of two dedicated smartwatch lines within Garmin’s range, along with the Venu line, but the same smart features are found across a wide array of Garmin devices. These include music storage, NFC payments, notifications and access to the Connect IQ apps store (which is limited compared with the Apple or Google app offerings).

You get all of this on the Vivoactive 5 at a lower price than other smart Garmins, aside from the cheaper Venu Sq watches, which are not as attractive and enjoyable to use in my experience. If you upgrade to the Venu 3 you get a mic and speaker, which is a handy feature in a smartwatch, and you do get better sports tracking and training analysis from the likes of the Forerunner 265, which also has the same smart features as the Vivoactive 5.

Read more in my Garmin Vivoactive 5 review

Best for hiking

Hikers heading on adventures in the great outdoors will benefit from the long battery life of Garmin’s Fenix and Enduro watches, which also have maps to help you navigate. The Fenix 7X Solar has solar panels around the outside of the face to extend the battery life more in sunny conditions, and I’ve picked it out over the smaller Fenix 7S and 7X because it has a built-in flashlight, a handy extra for those who camp in particular.

The newer Fenix 7 Pro range all have built-in flashlights but you pay more for a watch that otherwise isn’t an upgrade on the Fenix 7 range. The Enduro 2 has a flashlight and the longest battery life, but is expensive. A cheaper option for hiking than the Fenix 7X is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, which doesn’t have maps, but does have a rugged design, breadcrumb navigation and long battery life. My head-to-head comparison pits the Fenix 7 against the Enduro 2.

Read more in my Garmin Fenix 7X Solar review

I run almost every day and, for the most part, I don’t mind doing so through the winter. Layering up with one of the best running jackets usually keeps me warm and dry enough to enjoy my run, but if there’s one part of me I find very hard to protect, it’s my hands.

I’ve been testing the best running gloves for several years but even so I struggle to make it through winter without getting chilblains or very dry hands from running in the cold weather, and I have had runs marred by freezing hands when I didn’t wear warm enough gloves.

As a result, I often look for thicker gloves that are typically aimed at cyclists or hikers rather than runners, and choose waterproof or at least water-repellent gloves for extra protection. Sealskinz has a wide range of excellent gloves for sports and general use, and there are options for runners to suit all weathers.

I’ve been testing five different pairs of Sealskinz gloves on the run this winter, ranging from lightweight gloves to fully waterproof mitts. Here’s what I made of them.

The Best Sealskinz Gloves For Running

For each of the five sets of gloves I tested, I’ll recommend the best use for them, and highlight any areas where they didn’t work for me. I used each set of gloves for several runs in varied conditions and temperatures. The coldest temperature I ran in was around -3°C/27°F.

This is the lightest set of gloves I tested and the only pair that aren’t fully waterproof. The Acle gloves are still water-repellent though, and my hands stayed dry on a short run in light rain wearing them. They were not quite warm enough for long runs in the cold—my fourth and pinkie fingers went numb while using the gloves—and I would definitely use a thicker set as soon as the temperatures neared freezing.

However, there are advantages to the thinner design, with the main one being dexterity. I was able to use my phone while wearing the Acle gloves pretty easily while running, and the silicone pattern on the palm helps to keep a firm grip of your phone. They are also machine washable and comfortably soft, which isn’t always the case with thicker waterproof gloves.

I’ve had the Gissing gloves for a couple of years and they are a great option for winter running thanks to their fairly lightweight but waterproof design. They are warmer than the Acle gloves without being too hot, and still allow for some dexterity, though using a phone for anything beyond a couple of taps is tricky.

There are a couple of downsides, though. I found they were a bit too breathable for really cold days. I still get cold hands wearing these on the run, and certainly do when cycling. They are also quite tight and hard to get on and off, which is a bit annoying, and they are more expensive than some thicker gloves in SealSkinz’s range.

For those who like a knitted glove but don’t want to give up on waterproofing, there are the Anmer gloves. They’re warm and cozy thanks to the soft, knitted design, but still kept any rain I encountered at bay. The outer knit does absorb more water than a non-knitted glove though, which means the Anmer gloves need more time to dry after a wet run.

I didn’t love the fit of the Anmer gloves though. The fingers were too short for me, which created “webbing” between my fingers from the palm section on the glove. This reduced my dexterity, and even though they have touch panels it wasn’t easy to use a phone with them on. They were also not warm enough for really cold days during my testing, partly because the knit would absorb some cold rain and hold on to it.

Although they are designed as cycling gloves, these were my favorite gloves for running of all those I tested. The Bodham gloves are quite thick and fully waterproof, with a cozy inner liner. They kept my hands warm enough throughout my testing, and while it’s not easy to use a phone with them, they do have touch panels.

There’s a nice suede section on the thumb for wiping your nose too, which is more comfortable than doing it on the stiff fabric used on other parts of the glove. Even with the Velcro fastening to open up the gloves, they’re not the easiest to get on and off, but the extra thickness you get here makes the Bodham gloves a better pick than the Gissing for those with really cold hands.

The nuclear option for freezing days, the Swaffham waterproof mittens will keep your hands warm and dry on runs in wintry weather, although they can get too hot and sweaty if you take them out on milder days. I really appreciated the extra warmth on a long run in freezing conditions in the Pentland Hills in Scotland, and also when doing runs with a running stroller, when my hands are fixed in an exposed position throughout the run.

The Swaffham gloves are expensive and will be too warm for many runners, but if you need the highest level of protection from the cold they are worth it—and they also double up as great winter gloves for general use because they are so warm.

You don’t need to buy a lot of gear to start running, but one of the purchases it’s worth making is a pair of the best beginner running shoes. Running in the right shoes will make you feel a lot more comfortable, and should set you on the path to enjoying the sport in the long term.

While every runner differs in the types of shoe they like, I’ve tested hundreds and, for me, the best running shoes for beginners are generally cushioned shoes that prioritize comfort and protection—so you can get used to the activity without putting too much impact through the body. 

Versatility and value are important. You want a long-lasting running shoe that feels good for the different types of runs you might be doing when following a running training plan, especially if you’ve started running with marathon training because you got a spot in an event.

How I Test Running Shoes

The Quick List

Before diving into more detail on the best options available, here’s a top-line overview of the beginner running shoes I recommend. Click on any shoe to jump to it in the full list for more details.

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Best Beginner Running Shoes 2026

Best overall

The Nike Pegasus 40 is a well-balanced running shoe. It’s comfortable but fairly light and can be used for faster runs as well as easy ones. It’s durable and looks good, so you can wear it outside your training. It’s also a long-running and popular shoe, so it’s often found in sales, especially if you look at the previous version. The Pegasus 39 is just as good as or maybe even a little better than the Pegasus 40, in my opinion.

If you’re a heavier runner, or one just looking for the maximum amount of cushioning you can get, there are better options on this list. If you’re unsure of your preferences and want a reliable shoe that’s likely to please, the Pegasus 40 is a safe bet.

Read more in my Nike Pegasus 40 review

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Best value

The Velocity Nitro 3 is an outstanding all-rounder running shoe that offers a good balance of comfort and versatility to new runners. It’s great value at its list price, and a regular in sales. However, for those seeking even better value, you can opt for the Velocity Nitro 2 if you find the older shoe in a sale because it’s similar to the newer shoe.

A standout feature on the Velocity Nitro 3, and most Puma shoes, is the Pumagrip outsole rubber, which grips brilliantly on wet paved surfaces and also light trails, something I appreciate because I run outside during the soggy British winter (and spring, summer and autumn).

Read more in my Puma Velocity Nitro 3 review

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Best for marathon training

If you’ve taken up running with a view to tackling a marathon, then you’re going to need a great running shoe to carry you through the months of training and the event itself. The Glycerin 21 is perfect for the job because it excels over long distances thanks to the nitrogen-infused midsole foam it uses, which retains bounce and comfort no matter how far you’re running.

It’s a well-cushioned shoe that provides good protection for the legs, but the Glycerin 21 is also fairly light for a cushioned shoe, and versatile too. If you’re using a marathon training plan with different types of run on it—like intervals or hill reps, as well as easy and long runs—the Glycerin 21 will work well for them all.

Read more in my Brooks Glycerin 21 review

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Best stability shoe

If you’ve undertaken gait analysis and been told you should get a stability shoe, the first thing to know is you’re not obliged to do this. In general, the advice we’ve always had from physios is to opt for a running shoe that feels good regardless of stability. But if you want a stable shoe to start running in, the Asics Gel-Kayano 30 is an excellent option.

This is mainly thanks to the high stack of soft cushioning in the midsole, which makes the Gel-Kayano 30 so comfortable. The shoe has a wide base and sidewalls of foam that your foot sits in, so it’s still stable despite being such a tall shoe. The rocker design means the ride is smooth. Even if you haven’t been told you need a stability shoe, the Gel-Kayano 30 is a great, protective option for new runners. It is expensive, though, and if the price is too high, the Puma ForeverRun Nitro is a good stability option for beginners that comes in cheaper.

Read more in my Asics Gel-Kayano 30 review

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Most versatile

The Saucony Triumph line has long been a great option for new runners—it was the shoe I used when getting into the sport—and the Triumph 21 would have been the perfect pick here if not for Saucony updating its Ride shoe to be similar to the Triumph 21, but cheaper.

The key similarity is the midsole, which is made from Saucony’s PWRRUN+ foam. This is soft without being too squishy, so it’s comfortable but doesn’t make the Ride 17 unstable. It also has a little bounce, so the Ride 17 can be used for a variety of training and races when you’re first starting out, as opposed to just being a comfort-focused shoe.

Read more in my Saucony Ride 17 review

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Best for heavier runners

Heavier runners will often put more impact through their running shoe, and indeed their body, so it’s worth having extra cushioning in your shoe to protect from that impact as you get into running. The Ghost Max is a more cushioned version of Brooks’s popular Ghost 15 shoe, which is also a great beginner option. I prefer the Max to the Ghost 15 because of that extra cushioning but also the rocker design of the shoe, which creates a smooth ride that also helps to reduce the impact of running, while increasing the Ghost Max’s versatility.

Read more in my Brooks Ghost Max review

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Once you’ve decided which running shoes to buy, the next step is to choose a running training plan. This free couch to 5K plan is a great place to start.

There are three areas in which the best workout headphones need to excel: fit, sound quality and battery life. For me, fit is the most important because continually adjusting a loose bud is irritating at the best of times, but especially hard to do when holding dumbbells.

My dislike of a loose fit means that all the top gym buds below are reliably secure on this front, no matter how intense your workout is. Once you can be sure the buds stay firmly in place, then other factors like great sound quality and battery life come into play, along with useful extras like passive and active noise cancellation. You can also rest assured that all the below are water-resistant enough to stand up to sweaty sessions, and many offer waterproofing beyond that standard.

How I Test Workout Headphones

I am primarily a runner and try all the headphones I review with several runs, but I also use them for a variety of gym workouts, including strength sessions, cardio machines and yoga.

The Best Workout Headphones

There are better headphones than the Elite 4 Active on this list—including Jabra’s Elite 8 Active buds—but the balance of price and features you get from the Elite 4 is outstanding. They offer all the features of more expensive buds, and while their sound and ANC isn’t as good as on other models, they’re solid on these fronts and work well as cross-over lifestyle/sports headphones.

The headphones are contenders for the best-value sports headphones, if the fit works for you—they have no wings or ear hooks, though I found they stayed in place securely during a variety of indoor and outdoor workouts. The Jabra Elite 4 Active are also often in sales, and can be found for less than $100/£100.

The battery life is impressive, at seven hours on the buds, with another 21 in the case. You can adjust the EQ in the partner app, and because they don’t have wings or a hook they’re comfortable to wear for long stretches when not exercising.

Find out what else earns this pair a place on our best workout headphones list in my Jabra Elite 4 Active review

These get the fundamentals right, with a 15-hour battery life (plus another 55 hours in the case), an ear hook for a secure fit and solid sound quality. And you get all that for $99/£99.99 at most—the buds are almost always reduced in my experience. 

The extra features are hit and miss: I found the active noise cancellation (ANC) blocked a disappointingly small amount of sound, but the adjustable Be Aware mode is excellent, letting just enough ambient noise in so you can hear what’s going on around you without ruining your music. The poor ANC is a minor quibble given the other positives you’re getting from these headphones, most notably that excellent battery life.

Read more about my experience with the best value workout headphones in my JLab Epic Air Sport ANC review

The 1MORE Fit SE Open Earbuds S30 offer a cheaper open option than the Cleer Arc II and most bone conduction buds, and are excellent value given that they sound pretty good, fit securely and last 10 hours on a charge. They’re not as comfortable as some open buds with a hook, and the sound doesn’t match the Cleer Arc II buds, but the S30 headphones are less than half the price of top-open options and easily outperform their price.

I’ve used the S30 headphones for runs, strength workouts and a yoga session and they stayed in place reliably. The only fit complaint I had was that the hook dug into the back of my ear after an hour or two of use. That does lessen their appeal for general use alongside workouts, but for those seeking extra awareness during training they are a great value pick.

Read more in my 1MORE Fit SE Open Earbuds S30 Review

This is a silly price for headphones as good as the JLab Go Air Pop, which offer similar features to headphones that cost five times as much. The sound quality is solid, the battery life excellent and I found the fit good too, though the lack of wings or an ear hook may mean they’re not the best pick for those who regularly engage in energetic HIIT workouts with lots of jumping. If that’s you, I’d recommend checking out the JLab Go Air Sport, which are a little more expensive but have an ear hook design for a more secure fit.

One feature I particularly like about the Go Air Pop and other JLab headphones is that the charging cable is built into the case so you don’t lose it. Unless you lose the case, of course, but then you have bigger problems since you can’t charge the buds at all without the case.

Find out more about these best budget workout headphones in my JLab Go Air Pop review

The Elite 8 Active are at the top of Jabra’s range of sports headphones and, given that, you’ll perhaps wonder why I’ve picked the Elite 4 Active ahead of them for best overall buds. That’s down to the balance of value and features on the Elite 4 Active—because the Elite 8 Active are an upgrade in pretty much every way. I rate them better than anything else you can get at their price, including the Beats Fit Pro.

The Elite 8 Active look similar to the Elite 4 Active but they have a ShakeGrip coating that improves the fit and offer Dolby Spatial Audio along with improved ANC. The battery life is also better, especially if you turn the ANC off, in which case you can get up to 14 hours from the earbuds, which is fantastic.

Read more in our Jabra Elite 8 Active review

The QC Earbuds II are Bose’s top-of-the-range in-ear lifestyle headphones, offering best-in-class ANC and terrific sound quality as you’d expect, and the stability bands the buds come with offer a secure enough fit for sports use as well. The headphones come with bands and tips in three sizes, and you can buy a set of XS and XL tips/bands from Bose if your ear holes don’t match that size range. I found that picking up the XL bands was worth doing for sports use, just for the extra security of fit they create.

As a result the QC Earbuds II are fantastic headphones for both general life and the gym. The fit is comfortable for many hours of use even when using the large stability band for extra security during workouts. The headphones also have an awareness mode and last six hours on a charge even with the ANC enabled.

Before you spend that kind of money, we’re sure you’ll want to know more, so read my in-depth Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review

Sennheiser’s sportiest truly wireless buds offer the fantastic sound quality you expect from the brand. The Focus EQ mode offers clear and natural sound, and the Aware mode powers up the bass.

Unlike Sennheiser’s other truly wireless headphones, the Sport True Wireless have wings to create a secure fit for exercise. I found that these compensated for the chunky size of the buds, though they’re not the most comfortable to wear for long periods. The battery life is up there with the best at nine hours, with another 18 in the case. 

There are no ANC or awareness modes with the headphones, however, and while Sennheiser includes two kinds of ear tips—one to block more external noise and one that lets in more external sounds—I found that swapping between them didn’t make much difference.

Read more about these great-sounding workout headphones in my Sennheiser Sport True Wireless review

The Tribit Flybuds 3 are another top option for bargain-hunters, and they have a more secure fit than the JLab Go Air Pop because they come with wings in three sizes. The sound quality matches that of headphones that cost twice as much, and Tribit continues to improve the buds, which now have more battery life and a better waterproof rating than when I tested them. The battery life in particular is excellent, with eight hours on the buds and another 142 in the case.

Read more about these bargain workout headphones in my Tribit Flybuds 3 review

The Powerbeats Pro are elder statesmen of the wireless headphone world, having come out in 2019, but they still more than hold their own and I prefer them to the newer Beats Fit Pro. These offer ANC and have a smaller in-ear design that uses a wing to keep the buds in place during workouts, but I found this wing uncomfortable and the fit of the Powerbeats Pro is more reliable in the gym thanks to its earhook.

Their battery life is impressive too—the buds last for nine hours before they need to go back in their case for a recharge. The ear hook design means there’s no chance of the bud being dislodged during workouts, whether you’re running, doing burpees or head-banging to your gym playlist. The sound quality also impresses and while the RRP seems eye-wateringly high, the Powerbeats Pro are almost always available at a big discount, and I often notice they are reduced substantially during sales periods like Black Friday.

Discover how outrageously quick they are to charge in my Beats Powerbeat Pro review

If you prefer to use over-ear headphones in the gym, the Beats Studio Pro have a comfortable and secure fit that keeps them in place for a variety of workouts, including weights sessions, core workouts and treadmill runs. They can get a bit hot, and I wouldn’t do my sweatiest workouts in them because the headphones don’t have an IP rating to indicate their water resistance, but for lower-intensity sessions they work well. 

While they are expensive and not as practical for workouts as the best in-ear buds on this list, the Studio Pro headphones deliver better sound and ANC in particular than in-ear buds. They also last a long time on a charge and you can get four hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging, which is handy if you find they’re out of juice just before a workout or a long trip.

The knitted ear cushions and inner headband on these headphones are removable and washable, so you can wear them in the gym confident that you’ll be able to clean the sweat off afterwards. I found that the tight fit of the headset can become slightly uncomfortable if worn for long stretches at your desk, but it’s ideal to keep the RPT-01 cans in place during a workout. The 40 hours of battery and excellent sound you get as a result of the bigger on-ear design is a major positive compared with in-ear options. That said, while they’ll stay put for strength training, you may well find in-ear buds are more secure for plyometric exercises and treadmill workouts. 

The AirPods Pro 2 sound fantastic and offer exceptional active noise cancellation given how small they are. The battery life has been improved over the original AirPods Pro too: The buds last six hours on a charge even when using ANC, and you can now change the volume by swiping on the stem of the headphones.

I sometimes find the fit of the in-ear buds too loose during workouts, but if you don’t experience this problem then the AirPods Pro 2 are simply top-notch all-round headphones you can also use in the gym. They don’t come cheap, however, and there is better value out there, especially in Jabra’s range of in-ear buds.

Read more in my Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the most comfortable and best-sounding open headphones, with an innovative design where the buds clip onto the side of your ear, which also means they’re easier to wear alongside glasses because they don’t hook over the top of your ear. 

I found that they were comfortable to wear for several hours at a time, and stayed in place during a variety of workouts, including strength sessions and a lot of running. They’re not fully waterproof but their IPX4 rating is enough to see off sweat and rain without any durability fears.

Where they stand out from other open buds, however, is their sound quality. The speaker that hooks inside your ear without blocking it delivers crisp and powerful sound, with more impressive bass than I’ve come across with other open buds. They’re expensive, but if you’re all in on awareness with your workout headphones, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the best you can get.

Read more in my Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review

Once known as AfterShokz, Shokz is the dominant force in the bone conduction headphones market, and the OpenRun are the best buds in its range. They’re cheaper than the OpenRun Pro, have a higher waterproof rating, and sound very similar. These headphones have a lightweight open design that allows you to remain aware of your surroundings while still enjoying your audio, which is delivered via your cheekbones.

The sound quality you get from this process is not as good as with in-ear buds, but I found it’s still enjoyable to listen to music and audiobooks and on the sound front the OpenRun are better than cheaper sets of bone conduction buds. The battery life is good at eight hours, and you get 90 minutes of playback from a 10-minute charge.

The OpenRun headphones come in two sizes, and the Mini version has a 0.83in (21mm) shorter band. This means it sticks out less from the back of your head, which is handy when doing exercises where you lie with your head on the floor or a bench. I prefer the snug fit of the Mini in general, and they are identical to the standard OpenRun headphones for features and battery life.

Find out why I think this cheaper pair are better workout headphones than the OpenRun Pro in my Shokz OpenRun review

These bone conduction MP3 headphones don’t have Bluetooth, but they do have 4GB of storage for your music and podcasts, and they’re IP68-rated, meaning they are waterproof enough to withstand two hours of submersion in water up to two meters deep. The bone conduction technology also works wonders in the pool thanks to the special swim EQ setting which is required to reduce the bass because of how well sound travels under the surface. It takes a moment or two to get the headphones positioned with goggles and a swimming cap, but once they’re in place, there are no better buds for swimmers looking to reduce the monotony of logging laps in the pool.

Find out more about our experience with these headphones in the pool in my Shokz OpenSwim review

Workout Headphones Buyer’s Guide

Key features to look out for in workout headphones.

Style

In-ear headphones are the most popular workout buds, with a range of options available to suit all budgets. Open headphones that don’t block the ear canal are becoming more popular, since they allow you to stay aware of your surroundings while listening to your audio. Bone conduction headphones are a popular kind of open bud, while another type is headphones that have a speaker near your ear canal but don’t block it. If you’re sticking to fairly slow-moving workouts, on-ear buds can be a good option too, though they tend to get unpleasantly sweaty or fall off if you’re doing anything too vigorous.

Fit

The number one thing to look for is a secure fit because it doesn’t matter how good the buds are if they fall out of your ears when you get sweaty or start jumping around in workouts. Some headphones use wing-tips or a hook to make them more secure; the downside being this can make them uncomfortable. Others rely on the in-ear tip and a lightweight design, although I’ve found this rarely works for me. I usually need a hook or a wing-tip with my workout headphones to stay in place.

Sound quality

You definitely want workout buds to sound good to help motivate you through your training. In-ear or even on-ear buds usually sound the best compared to open and bone conduction headphones. For the most part, the more you pay the better the sound you get. However, the days of cheap headphones sounding dreadful are over. You can get buds that are enjoyable to listen to for less than $100/£100.

Most headphones now have a partner app that allows you to customize the EQ settings on the buds, which is useful in getting the precise soundscape you want.

Battery life

Even the smallest in-ear buds should last at least five hours on a charge, but some will go for more than 10 hours. The bigger the buds, the better the battery life, usually, and most truly wireless headphones of all types come with a case that doubles as a charger. This means you can go weeks without needing to plug anything in to charge.

Water resistance

The most water-resistant headphones will have an IPX7 or IPX8 rating, which means they’re waterproof. However, you don’t need such a high rating for workout buds. In my testing, I’ve found that any buds with a rating of IPX4 or higher are untroubled by sweat and rain during workouts over long-term use. I’ve tested buds with a rating of IPX2 as well, which have been fine in limited testing, although I’d recommend looking for a minimum of IPX4 with workout headphones.

Of course, that’s for general use, not swimming. If you’re looking for swimming headphones then IPX8 as a minimum is wise, and note that Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater so you’ll need headphones with MP3 storage or a wired connection to a waterproof music player.

Active noise cancellation (ANC)

It’s not essential for workouts, but ANC is a useful extra that can help you focus by filtering out (annoying) gym music, and also makes the headphones more useful outside of training, especially when traveling. ANC is available on headphones at most price points, but as with sound quality the more you pay the better the performance. The best buds for ANC I’ve tested, so far, have been the Bose QC Earbuds II and Apple AirPods Pro 2, which cost more than $200/£200.

Awareness

Awareness comes in two forms. Either buds have an awareness/transparency mode that uses mics to filter in external sounds alongside audio—this is common on in-ear buds—or they’re designed to not block your ear canal, so you can hear the surroundings. This is especially useful for outdoor workouts, but it’s often handy to hear what’s going on around you in the gym too.

Controls

It’s useful to be able to control playback, raise and lower the volume and answer/end calls without getting your phone out during workouts, and most headphones offer a version of this. Buttons are usually more reliable to use with sweaty fingers, in my experience, but touch-panel controls are now more common. These can be fiddly and annoying to use, or well designed, and so it can be a lottery as to which is the case—even expensive headphones can mess this up. I dive into how easy to use the controls are on headphones in my reviews but, in terms of what to look for, it’s handy to be able to customize the controls in a partner app.

On’s range of running shoes is smaller than that of many rival brands. However, it can be confusing to pick between them, which is because nearly every one of its shoes has the word “cloud” in its name (and On only started numbering the different generations of the shoes this year).

In case you are confused, there is an On running shoe to suit just about every purpose, and 2023 has featured the launch of some excellent On shoes. Among them is the Cloudboom Echo 3 carbon plate running shoe and the Cloudsurfer daily trainer, which is one of the best running shoes. Below, you’ll find the top options available if you’re looking to add an On shoe to your running-shoe rotation.

How I Test On Running Shoes

I run around 50-70 miles a week and aim to log at least 30 miles in a shoe before I review it for Coach. I test shoes with runs suited to their purpose, so I’ve competed in races wearing the Cloudboom Echo 3 and completed easy runs in the Cloudmonster, for example. I have tested most of the road running shoes in On’s range.

Best On Running Shoes

The Cloudsurfer is a major departure from On’s standard approach to cushioned shoes, offering a much softer ride with a smooth transition from heel to toe thanks to the CloudTec Phase midsole design. This still has On’s signature pods in it, but the holes are smaller and shaped to collapse into each other, like dominos, to create the smooth ride.

I loved using the Cloudsurfer for easy and steady daily training runs, and it’s a light shoe too, so you can pick up the pace in it even though it doesn’t have the Speedboard that’s in the midsole of most On shoes. The Cloudsurfer may not be as durable as the Cloudmonster because of its softer foam and minimal outsole, and it also squeaks at times, but it has the most enjoyable ride of any On shoe.

Read more in my On Cloudsurfer review

The Cloudmonster is not as soft and squishy as most cushioned shoes, or even the Cloudsurfer, but it’s comfortable and protects the legs well over long runs. The Speedboard in the midsole and the rocker design help you to tick over at easy paces, while making the Cloudmonster versatile for a cushioned shoe—even if it’s not well suited to all-out speedwork.

This isn’t designed to be a stability shoe, yet I found the Cloudmonster to be naturally stable. It’s a good-looking shoe for wearing outside your runs as well, which is a benefit of most On shoes. I prefer the feel of the Cloudsurfer for most runs, but if you like a firmer midsole then the Cloudmonster is the better pick of the pair, and is particularly good for easy long runs.

Read more in my On Cloudmonster review

Until 2023 On didn’t have a carbon racing shoe fit to rival the best on the market. Previous versions of the Cloudboom were firm and lacked the propulsive benefits of shoes like the Nike Vaporfly. Fortunately, On came up trumps with the third generation of the shoe, which now has a Pebax foam midsole and a higher stack, along with a pronounced rocker and a full-length carbon plate.

The Cloudboom Echo 3 is undeniably fast and offers comfort for long road races while being lightweight and nippy enough for 5Ks too. The main cons are its high price and lack of durability—the outsole rubber on the heel of the shoe is flaking off my Echo 3 after around 50 miles, a problem that seems common with the shoe.

Read more in my On Cloudboom Echo 3 review

The Cloudeclipse takes features from both the Cloudsurfer and Cloudmonster and then ramps up the stack height to create an excellent max-cushioned shoe. It has the Speedboard and firmer feel of the Cloudmonster, but the rocker of the Cloudsurfer, plus that higher stack, which means it’s comfortable and also versatile enough to use for a variety of daily training.

It’s more expensive than the Cloudsurfer and Cloudmonster, but if you’re marathon training in particular I’ve found the Cloudeclipse to be the best of the trio. Its firmer feel makes it better for long training runs than the Cloudsurfer in my opinion and it protects the legs well in high mileage weeks, and it also has a better outsole than On’s other cushioned shoes, which should make it more durable.

Read more in my On Cloudeclipse review

The Cloudvista is built to handle both road and light trail-running, with an outsole that has shallow, flat lugs that won’t grip well in deep mud but are comfortable and provide traction on dry, hard trails. I found it a comfortable shoe that’s great for cruising through easy runs where you want to take in a couple of parks or other trails, along with long sections on the road. Once again, it’s a bit of a looker, though it probably won’t stay that way long if you’re using it off-road regularly.

Polar makes some of the best sports watches, with a range of devices to suit many budgets and users. Whether you want a stylish fitness tracker to record workouts and activity or a multisport watch to track outdoor adventures, Polar has a watch for you.

In recent years, Garmin has had the edge over Polar in producing better sports watches across the price range, while Coros is also worth exploring for cheaper devices. However, there’s no doubt Polar still makes great watches and you can often scoop them up for a good price in sales.

How I Test Polar Watches

I wear each Polar watch I review for Coach for several weeks and use it to track all my everyday activity, workouts and sleep. For sports watches, I check the GPS and heart rate accuracy during runs and cycles in particular. I’ve tested most of Polar’s current line-up, along with older watches going back to the Polar M430, which I loved. I’ve tested a wide range of sports watches from other brands like Garmin, Suunto and Coros.

The quick list

There are full reviews of all the watches below. However, this section is a one-stop shop for those who need a headline recommendation.

The Best Polar Watches 2026

Best Value

The Pacer Pro undercuts the price of the top-end Vantage V2 and Grit X Pro watches while offering all the key sports tracking features, as well as breadcrumb navigation. The Pacer Pro is a less attractive watch than the Vantage V2 and Grit X Pro, which use more metal in their designs, though it’s slimmer and lighter.

There is also the Polar Pacer to consider if you’re hunting for a watch based on value, since it is cheaper than the Pacer Pro. The latter includes useful extras like navigation, a barometric altimeter and running power measurements, so for my money, the Pacer Pro is the better-value option.

Read more in my Polar Pacer Pro review

Best Fitness Tracker

The Polar Ignite 3 is a gorgeous watch that does a great job of tracking your sleep and everyday activity, even if its sports tracking proved inaccurate during testing. The AMOLED touchscreen is colorful and while it hits the battery life quite hard—I had to charge the watch every day or two when the screen was set to always-on—it’s by far the best display within Polar’s range.

Although the Ignite 3 offers multi-band GPS tracking and has all of Polar’s usual sports modes, if you are looking for a running or triathlon watch it falls short of the standards set by the Pacer Pro, Vantage and Grit watches. The Ignite 3 works best as a general fitness tracker that can record workouts. There’s also a titanium version that looks even more stylish and is more rugged thanks to the titanium bezel, but it costs a bit more.

Read more in my Polar Ignite 3 review

Best Sports Watch

The Polar Vantage V3 is a notable upgrade on the Vantage V2 and Grit X Pro with regards to features and design. The lightweight aluminum watch has a bright AMOLED display that reduces battery life, yet makes it far more enjoyable to use the watch day in, day out. It also has multi-band GPS and, unlike on the Ignite 3, I found this to be accurate with the Vantage V3 and an improvement on Polar’s other watches.

Polar has added color maps to the V3, which make it easier to follow routes on the watch. These new features add to the already-impressive sports tracking and training analysis you get on all Polar watches. The Vantage V3 is one of the best sports watches available from any brand, though the Garmin Forerunner 965 retains the edge as an AMOLED sports watch.

Read more in my Polar Vantage V3 review

Best Adventure Watch

The Polar Grit X Pro has the same features as the Vantage V2, but in a more rugged, outdoorsy design. It has a sapphire glass display, and the Titan version of the watch has a titanium bezel. The chunky look and feel of the watch will appeal more to those spending hours in the great outdoors for their activities, while the sleeker, lighter Vantage V2 will appeal more to those chasing fast times in runs and triathlons.

Read more in my Polar Grit X Pro review

Best Budget Watch

The Unite is a basic fitness tracker that has a couple of Polar’s best features: detailed sleep tracking, and training suggestions each day based on how well recovered you are. However, it doesn’t have GPS, so it’s more for those who train indoors. Its battery life is also short at just four days, which will come down if you track a couple of workouts in that time. 

If you’re looking for a good budget Polar watch for running and cycling then the Polar Pacer is a better option. But if you just want a cheap watch that will track everyday activity and gym workouts, the Unite will do the job.

Read more in my Polar Unite review

Asics is among the biggest running brands in the world and makes some of the best running shoes on the market. Its huge range of shoes can be confusing at first glance, but within the line-up there are options to suit every kind of runner, whether you’re looking for a reliable cushioned shoe for daily training or one of the best carbon plate running shoes for racing.

How I Tested These Shoes

I’m a keen runner who logs around 50-70 miles (80-110km) a week in training, usually in the build-up to a marathon—I have a PR of 2hr 28min. I have been testing Asics shoes, along with every other major brand, for many years and have tried most of the top road running models in its current range. My favorite at the moment is the Asics Superblast, which is one of the most versatile shoes you can find.

The Best Asics Running Shoes

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 is the top-of-the-line neutral cushioned shoe in the Asics range, offering new runners a high amount of comfort and protection during their fledgling efforts. It provides a smooth ride with a rocker helping to move you through your footstrike, and it’s great for cruising along at a relaxed pace, even if it’s not the best for doing speedwork. It’s expensive, so I’d advise that if you find the previous model, the Gel-Nimbus 25, in a deal then grab that instead, as I found the updates to the Gel-Nimbus 26 were minimal.

Read more in my Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 review

The Superblast is the best daily trainer in Asics’s range, but most people aren’t going to spend $200 on a daily trainer, and the Novablast 4 is also an excellent shoe—and much cheaper. The latest version of the Novablast is my favorite yet, with a smoother and more resilient ride than the Novablast 3, so while it’s heavier and less bouncy than its predecessor, I found it a more versatile shoe that feels better at faster paces.

I enjoyed the Novablast 4 most for long runs, either done entirely at an easy pace or when picking up the pace throughout to finish strong. Given the high stack of cushioning it feels surprisingly light on the foot, and Asics has also improved the outsole grip on the latest version of the shoe compared with the Novablast 3, which is helpful for running in wet conditions.

Read more in my Asics Novablast 4 review

The Superblast blew me away during my testing, with its towering stack of bouncy FF Turbo foam delivering a fun and versatile ride. I’ve used the Superblast for every kind of run from short recovery plods and easy long runs to tempo sessions and track reps, and it always comes up trumps. The high stack and lack of ground feel that comes with it take some getting used to, and the high price may be off-putting, but if you want a shoe for everything (including races, though it’s not as fast as a carbon plate running shoe), then the Superblast is Asics’ top option.

Read more in my Asics Superblast review

The Metaspeed Sky Paris is one of the best carbon plate running shoes from any brand. I currently have it top of my list overall thanks to the lightweight design, which still features a high stack of bouncy foam and a full-length carbon plate. It’s a brilliant racing shoe for any distance, with the lightness and aggressive feel you want for 5K and 10K events coupled with the springy cushioning you need for marathons. Asics also has the Metaspeed Edge Paris super-shoe in its line-up, which is similar to the Metaspeed Sky Paris but has tweaks that make it better suited for high-cadence runners, such as a longer forefoot rocker and a more scooped plate.

Read more in my Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris review

The Asics Gel-Kayano 30 is the stability counterpart to the Gel-Nimbus 25, with a similarly high stack of soft FF Blast+ foam in the midsole to create a comfortable, smooth ride. The Kayano 30 adds several elements to make it more supportive than the Nimbus 25, such as sidewalls of foam, a wider base and a soft, springy section of foam on the medial side to bounce your foot back into a neutral position during runs.

It’s a stability shoe that works for anyone and I enjoyed using it for long runs even as a neutral runner. It’s fairly heavy and not the best for faster runs, but for cruising through easy daily training and long runs, the Kayano 30 is a great option. It’s certainly one of the most comfortable stability shoes on the market.

Read more in my Asics Gel-Kayano 30 review

The Magic Speed 3 is billed as the fast training partner shoe to the Metaspeed racers, but also works as a cheaper racing option thanks to the speedy ride its carbon plate provides. It’s not as bouncy as the Metaspeed shoes because the FF Blast+ foam in the Magic Speed 3’s midsole isn’t as springy as the FF Turbo in the Sky+ and Edge+, although the Magic Speed 3 is more durable and much cheaper. It’s perfect for hammering out tough training runs and allows you to save your expensive super-shoe for race day.

Read more in my Asics Magic Speed 3 review

Although they’re far from the cheapest running leggings on the market, Lululemon can be found on the legs and in the laundry baskets of runners and gym-goers everywhere, and for good reason. The Canadian brand began in 1998, mainly creating buttery-soft yoga apparel, but since then the brand has branched out into just about every sport imaginable. There’s a pair of Lululemon leggings for everyone, and most of the styles come in a number of different leg lengths and sizes to suit a wide variety of body shapes. 

Lululemon leggings come in US sizing, so if you’re elsewhere in the world, you’ll need to convert your size using the brand’s handy sizing tool. All the legging styles come in sizes US 0-20. As well as offering a variety of leg lengths, most Lululemon stores offer free hemming, so if you do find your new leggings are a little long you can get them taken up rather than doing the awkward ankle fold. 

But which Lululemon leggings are best for runners? And which should you avoid? To find out, I put every style of Lululemon leggings to the test over a number of different workouts. I looked at the fabric and feel, how effectively they dealt with sweat, and how comfortable they were on the move. I also looked for little extras like whether there were any pockets for a phone or keys, a drawcord to hold the waistband in place, and reflective details to keep me safe when running in the dark. Read on to find my top pick for runners.

To compare these with our favorites from other brands, check out the best Sweaty Betty leggings for running here, as well as our round-up of the best running leggings for women. 

The Best Lululemon Leggings Of 2023

For each of the Lululemon leggings on test, I’ll run through the features and what type of active pursuits each pair is best suited for, and how they performed for me. I’m a US 4 (UK 8) and am 5ft 2in (157cm) tall. I tested all the styles in a Lululemon size 4.

If you’re looking for the softest pair of leggings on the planet, I’ve found them. It doesn’t get more comfortable than the Lululemon Align leggings, made from the brand’s Nulu fabric, which is designed to be soft against the skin. The leggings are super high-waisted—the waist sat above my bellybutton and gently hugged everything in during workouts. There’s also a hidden pocket in the waistband that’s big enough for a set of keys or a credit card. There isn’t a drawcord, but I never had an issue with the leggings slipping or bunching, even in downward dog. 

The leggings come in three leg lengths: 25in, 28in, and 31in. They are designed to sit above the ankle bone. Lululemon also makes cropped versions of the leggings if you prefer a capri-style, a version with drop-in pockets on each leg big enough for your phone, and a ribbed version. They come in just about every color and pattern imaginable, so you’ll surely find something to suit you. 

The downside with these leggings is that they’re not suitable for high-impact sports like running or HIIT workouts. While they were extremely comfortable for yoga and reformer Pilates sessions, when I ran in them I found they didn’t wick sweat away quickly enough, leaving me feeling a little soggy and with visible sweat patches (I was testing a pair in the True Navy colorway). 

It’s also worth noting that the super-soft fabric bobbled a bit, especially if it came into contact with Velcro or snagged on a rough surface like a picnic bench. This could just be bad luck, but Lululemon recommends that you wash Nulu fabric products inside out, and with softer fabrics to avoid abrasive fabrics like denim, or zippers in the washing machine. It wouldn’t be enough to put me off buying them, and I removed the bobbles easily enough with my de-bobbler, but it’s worth noting. 

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a pair of leggings for yoga, Pilates, walking the dog or wearing for brunch, you can’t go wrong with the Lululemon Align leggings. They’re some of the most comfortable leggings I’ve ever worn—but they’re not for running in. 

The Wunder Train leggings are designed for high-impact training and are made from Lululemon’s Everlux fabric which is breathable, sweat-wicking and fast-drying. It’s still soft against the skin and feels cool to the touch, but not as soft as the Nulu fabric of the Align leggings. The Wunder Train leggings have a drawcord waistband that allows you to pull the leggings tight against your stomach as you squat, lunge and lift. The waistband sits high on the body—above my bellybutton—for a flattering, supportive fit. 

These have a small, drop-in pocket on the waistband for your keys and credit card. The leggings come in a number of different colors and patterns. They also come in three lengths—25in, 28in and 31in—to suit women of all heights. 

I sweat-tested these in a number of different classes and with a couple of runs on the treadmill. I found them extremely comfortable and appreciated the option to pull the waist tight, especially for running. The leggings stayed put, and I didn’t have to keep slowing to yank them up as I did with the past version of these, the Wunder Unders (now discontinued). 

The downside is, while these leggings are super sweat-wicking, I did get sweat patches on them, especially in the maroon color I tested. I don’t mind what I look like in the gym, but if you’re self-conscious, you might want to opt for a darker colorway. 

Bottom line: These do the job when it comes to running on the treadmill or keeping you comfy in a HIIT class, but you’ll probably want some more pockets when running outside. 

The Fast and Free leggings are designed for running and have all the little extras to make a runner’s life easier. There are drop-in pockets on both legs, big enough for a smartphone, running gels and running gloves in the winter and three drop-in pockets on the waistband for smaller essentials. The leggings are made from the brand’s Nulux fabric, which is extremely lightweight and sweat-wicking and, unlike other expensive leggings on the market, you don’t need to worry about these going see-through when you wear them in the gym. 

The Fast and Free leggings have been redesigned in the past year to remove the seams on the inner thighs for a more comfortable and chafe-free fit. They’ve also got the same high drawcord waistband we’ve come to expect from Lululemon—the top of the waist sat above my bellybutton, and I found the fit flattering. They come in a wide range of colors and patterns, in three leg lengths—23in, 25in, and 28in. There’s also a thicker, fleece version for winter running and a 19in cropped capri version for the summer. 

I found these extremely comfortable on the run, even on hotter days when I’d usually opt for shorts. Their almost weightless nature meant they felt unrestrictive, and I loved the generous number of pockets, which allowed me to leave my running belt at home. There are reflective details on the back of the leggings to allow drivers to spot you in low light, and the lack of seams meant I never experienced any uncomfortable chafing, even on long runs. 

The downside of these leggings is that the thin material doesn’t feel as compressive or supportive as older versions of the Fast and Frees, or leggings like the Wunder Train. They are definitely lightweight leggings, so if you like a more supportive fit or prefer thicker leggings in colder months, these might not be for you. 

Bottom line: A super-lightweight, comfortable pair of leggings with an abundance of pockets to suit every runner. 

If you’re the type of runner who prefers thicker, compressive leggings to hold everything in when you’re on the move, the Swift Speed leggings are for you. They’re made from Lululemon’s Luxtreme fabric, which is still extremely sweat-wicking, stretchy and compressive, but feels a lot thicker than the Nulux fabric used in the Fast and Free and Base Pace leggings. 

The Swift Speed leggings have drop-in pockets on the leg, big enough for your smartphone and gels, as well as a zipped pocket on the waistband for your keys. They have a drawcord waistband that won’t come unraveled in the washing machine, and reflective details along the bottom of the leg to help you stay seen when running in low light. They come in 21in, 23in, 25in and 28in leg lengths, and in a wide range of colors and patterns. 

I found these extremely supportive for running. The thicker fabric was a lot more compressive than the Fast and Free or Base Pace leggings, and with the wider waistband, I felt like everything was tucked in and supported on the move. The leggings stayed put, and I didn’t need to pull them up or tighten the waistband during my run. I also liked how flattering these felt, although I’d probably opt for a more relaxed fit if I were looking for leggings that were comfortable enough to sit around in for hours after my run. 

Like other leggings on this list, because of the thicker material you might experience some sweat patches with lighter colors, so if you’re self-conscious about this, opt for a darker shade. 

Bottom line: If you prefer thicker leggings with a more compressive fit that will hold everything in as you pick up the pace, these are the running leggings for you. 

The Base Pace leggings have a very similar feel and fit to the Fast and Free leggings, but there are a few key design tweaks that account for them being $40/£30 cheaper. Firstly, there are no drop-in leg pockets here, although there is a pocket on the waistband that is large enough for most smartphones. The leggings are made from the same Nulux material as the Fast and Free leggings and there are also no inner-leg inseams for a chafe-free fit. 

Like the Fast and Free leggings, these are seriously lightweight and sweat-wicking. Despite my overwhelming preference for drop-in leg pockets when it comes to running leggings, I found I didn’t miss them when wearing the Base Pace, and that it was actually more comfortable having my phone in the small of my back rather than against one leg as I moved. It was ever so slightly more difficult to get my phone out mid-run, but I found the lack of bulging leg pockets made the leggings more flattering. 

The Base Pace leggings come in four leg lengths—23in, 25in, 28in and 31in—and there’s also a shorts version for the summer months. The leggings come in a huge range of colors. They have a high waistband, which has a continuous drawcord that will stay safely in place in the washing machine. 

Again, the downside with these leggings is that the thinner Nulux fabric won’t be for everyone. If you’re looking for a thick, compressive pair of leggings, you might want to pick the Swift Speed leggings over these. 

Bottom line: If you’re not bothered about having leg pockets, save your money and buy these over the Fast and Free, as they are pretty much identical. 

Which Lululemon Leggings Are Best For Running?

Lululemon makes some excellent running leggings, and the best pair for you will depend on your personal preferences. First you’ll need to consider how important it is to have leg pockets for your phone, and second think about how you prefer your leggings to feel when you’re running. If a thicker, compressive fit is important, opt for the Swift Speed. If you prefer a lightweight running legging you can wear in all seasons, pick the Fast and Free or the Base Pace. 

Having tested all of Lululemon’s leggings, my top pick for running is the Fast and Free leggings. While I found the Base Pace leggings look more flattering, I like the option of having the leg pockets for all my essentials when marathon training, and I love the lightweight, cool feel of the Nulux fabric against my skin. I found I reached for these leggings for trips to the gym, for the morning dog walk, or when jumping on the Peloton Bike. If I’m spending over $100/£100 on a pair of leggings, I want to be able to wear them for more than just running, and that’s definitely the case with these. 

Most of us give a lot of thought to our choice of running tops, leggings or shorts. And we all know that wearing a supportive running bra is of paramount importance. But often when it comes to our undies—panties, knickers, whatever you want to call them—we just head out in whatever we happened to put on that morning. And that’s not always for the best.

If you’ve ever experienced chafing or riding up, then you’ll agree that running underwear demands some thought too. Cotton might be an ideal material for everyday use. But technical underwear is designed to be stretchy, breathable and fast-drying so it’s considerably more comfortable when running. What’s more, sports underwear comes in a variety of styles such as thongs, briefs and boyshorts, so you’re bound to find a pair that works for you.

Some shorts come with built-in underwear, but these don’t always offer the best fit. If you’re wearing skin-tight leggings you may want squat-proof undies that don’t give you a visible panty line (VPL). There are also plenty of options for keeping active on your period, so no need to worry about leaks thanks to period underwear designed for intense activity. Here’s my pick of the best women’s running underwear, available to buy now.

How I Test Running Underwear

All the options listed here have been tested during a run at least two or three times, worn under leggings or shorts, for runs ranging from 5K to marathons.

The Best Running Underwear For Women

These are some of my all-time favorite running undies, because they don’t dig in, chafe or ride up. The super-stretchy briefs have laser-cut edges meaning there’s no VPL and no discomfort. The nylon-elastane blend dries quickly and is soft and comfy on the skin. Some might prefer a little more cheek coverage at the back, but if you prefer less, they’re also available in a thong style.

They’re so comfy I instantly forget I’m wearing them, whatever distance I’m running. I find them the perfect underwear to wear beneath leggings, with no VPL and no tight waistband to dig in. They also work well under shorts in hot weather because they keep you cool, since there’s less fabric than higher waisted or shorts-style options. These are very similar to the Intimissimi Microfibre Panties, with a slightly lower-cut leg and a seam at the back rather than at the sides, and they offer better value.

Worn and loved by thousands of runners, these technical briefs from active underwear specialist Runderwear are made from a recycled polyamide and elastane blend, which is soft against the skin, super-stretchy, quick-drying and highly breathable. I find the high waistband a little too powerful for my liking, but it does feel very secure. The elasticated edges do give a VPL under leggings, and I find they’re not as comfy as laser-cut or bonded seams, but these briefs work well under breezy shorts in summer. Runderwear also makes these in a hipster cut, a thong and a boyshort style, so there’s plenty of styles to choose from.

These are my race day undies of choice—I’ve been using them for years and I know they won’t let me down when it matters. Laser-cut edges mean there’s no elastic to dig in along the seams (and no VPL), while the nylon-elastane blend is lightweight, dries quickly and has plenty of stretch to keep them in place, without the need for a tight waistband. They are almost seamless, with bonded hems at the outer hip. They stay in place perfectly for me and I’ve never experienced any chafing in them. 

Sizing is limited to S-XL, but they do come in a range of skin tone shades as well as black and white. Because they are so invisible, I also find them useful under a slinky dress. They also come in a high-waisted thong version, and in a Brazilian cut (in the US only).

Much like the brand’s running briefs for women, these boyshorts from Runderwear are soft, stretchy, breathable and moisture-wicking, and they feel super-soft against the skin. What’s more, the boyshort style comes with a 2.5in inseam and a smooth, seamless construction, which is comfortable over any distance. 

The waistband is high and wide, with a fairly powerful hold, and the leg openings have a comfy elasticated strip that keeps them in place reasonably well, although I found the legs did ride up a little when worn under a loose pair of running shorts. These shorts worked well for me under leggings, where the legs didn’t ride up at all. Because there’s more coverage, boyshorts tend to run a little warmer than briefs, and these are no exception. My only real issue is that I find the waistband a little tight for comfort, especially if worn with leggings or shorts that also have a compressive waistband.

These period briefs have bonded seams rather than elastic edges, making them more comfortable and VPL-free. Made from recycled nylon, the lightweight fabric is silky-smooth and comfortable against the skin, and they don’t feel bulky. The mid- to high-rise waist has a little extra hold but is not too python-like. In fact, these period briefs are so comfy I totally forgot I was wearing them while running. Because the fabric is so silky, I found that if I wore loose shorts over them, the shorts had a slight tendency to slip down unless they could be secured a little more tightly than usual.

Bamboo fabric is soft on the skin and has temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking properties, all of which make it ideal for running underwear. It’s also naturally anti-bacterial, so it’s odor-resistant too. These briefs are soft and stretchy, with gentle elastic around the waist and leg openings. They kept me comfortable while running, although they don’t dry as quickly as nylon- or polyamide-based underwear, and the edges weren’t quite as comfy as laser-cut hems.

Made with organic bamboo viscose, Step One’s bikini briefs are breathable and silky soft against the skin. The elastic around the leg opening is comfortable and stretchy, and the wide waistband has a firm enough hold to prevent any slippage. Bamboo doesn’t dry as quickly as synthetic fabrics like polyamide and elastane, so you can end up feeling a little damp. On the other hand, bamboo is naturally antibacterial so stays smell-free. I found them comfy to run in although the legs were quite high cut for my liking. Step One also does a lower cut full brief and a seam-free brief, as well as the body short, which is a high-waisted long boyshort style with Ultraglyde panels to prevent thigh chafing.

Sizing is inclusive, ranging from 2XS to 5XL. Step One’s women’s underwear isn’t currently available in the US, just in the UK and Australia. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on your first pair if you don’t get on with them for whatever reason.

Modibodi has been making waves with its planet-friendly leak-proof underwear and, in collaboration with Puma, its period-proof activewear. I tested these boyshorts and the PUMA x Modibodi Active Briefs, which also come in a high-leg style.

The absorbent gusset uses Merino wool, which is naturally odor-resistant, a notable bonus for period underwear. Both styles use a mix of recycled polyester and recycled nylon in the form of silky-smooth, stretchy and breathable mesh panels. The briefs had a wider, tighter waistband, and elastic edges that gave a VPL. I found the Active Long Boyshort more comfortable, with a more forgiving waistband and comfortable VPL-free leg openings that didn’t ride up under my leggings. I did feel slightly self-conscious about the very loud branding on the high waistband that was visible over the top of my leggings.

These period panties aren’t the cheapest, but the company does support environmental and social issues such as tackling period poverty. And if you switch to using these instead of pads or tampons, you’ll be reducing landfill waste and saving money too.

Hoka was founded in 2009, when it was known as Hoka One One, so it’s hardly a new face on the running shoe scene. But it’s a brand that’s known for bringing innovative approaches to the market.

It was Hoka that pioneered the maximalist running shoe movement, with huge stacks of lightweight foam on rockered shoes like the Bondi and Clifton. Pretty much all brands have now jumped on this bandwagon and released highly cushioned shoes, and in truth Hoka fell behind on some fronts for road running, particularly carbon plate racing shoes. But 2023 has been a strong year that has seen the brand catch up in most areas, and road runners can choose from a variety of great Hoka shoes to suit their needs.

Off-road, Hoka makes some of the best trail-running shoes on the market, and has long been popular with ultramarathon runners owing to the comfort of its cushioned designs. Even if you have no intention of hitting ultra-distances in your runs, Hoka’s trail range has you covered.

How I Tested These Shoes

I am a keen runner with a marathon PR of 2hr 28min and usually run around 50-70 miles a week on a mix of road and trails, during which time I test all kinds of running gear. I’ve tested and reviewed a variety of Hoka running shoes including most of its current range of road and trail shoes. I’ve picked the outstanding Hoka shoes for a variety of uses below. My personal favorite is the Hoka Mach 6 for its versatility.

The Best Hoka Running Shoes

The Clifton 9 showcases all the best qualities of Hoka shoes. It’s comfortable and well cushioned without being too heavy. The smooth, rockered ride works well for a variety of daily training runs, from easy plods to tempo sessions. It’s also stable for a neutral shoe, and grips well in wet and dry conditions on the road.

While I prefer the lighter Mach 5 for the same kind of runs, the Clifton is a more protective and beginner-friendly option, and it’s also more durable as it has a rubber outsole. If you’d prefer an even more cushioned option for your start in the sport, the Bondi 8 is a good option.

Read more in our Hoka Clifton 9 review

The Hoka Mach 6 is one of the most versatile shoes without a plate available from any brand, with a lightweight but cushioned design that makes it enjoyable to use for everything from slow long runs to fast intervals. The midsole foam is stable and bouncy, if not as springy as some materials on the market. The shoe ticks over nicely whether you’re plodding or sprinting.

A lot of the above is also true of the Hoka Mach 5, which I also found an excellent shoe, but there are upgrades on the Mach 6. One is that it has a rubber outsole as opposed to the rubberized foam on the Mach 5, which should make the newer shoe more durable. The Mach 6 also has a midsole made from Supercritical EVA foam, whereas the Mach 5 had a dual-density midsole with only a top layer of Supercritical foam, which is bouncier and lighter than the standard EVA used for the bottom layer.

Read more in our Hoka Mach 6 review

The Hoka Cielo X1 is one of the top marathon racing options available from any brand, with its rockered, propulsive ride helping you to lock in and hold race pace over long distances. It’s great fun to run in and despite being heavier than the Rocket X 2 it doesn’t feel bulky on the run, even when pushing to fast paces.

The extra cushioning on the shoe, along with the rocker, means it protects the legs over the long haul too—so you feel a bit fresher at the end of long hard runs and can finish strong. I also found this benefit extended to bouncing back quickly after long training runs, and felt great the day after a 24-mile marathon training run in the Cielo X1.

Read more in our Hoka Cielo X1 review

Hoka was one of the first brands to respond to the Nike Vaporfly by launching its own carbon shoe, but the Carbon X didn’t come close to delivering the bouncy, propulsive feel of the best super-shoes. It took a while for a proper rival to the best on the market to arrive from Hoka, but now there are two: the Rocket X 2 and the Cielo X1. Of the two, the Rocket X 2 is the lighter and more agile shoe, and is the better pick for short-distance events. It’s more stable than the Cielo X1 for rounding corners at high speeds and while it’s not as propulsive and bouncy as the Cielo X1, I appreciated the lighter design of the Rocket X 2 during short-distance races.

Read more in our Hoka Rocket X 2 review

The Skyward X is not a traditional cushioned shoe, with a huge stack of springy foam and a carbon plate in its midsole, but it’s brilliant fun for cruising around in at an easy pace. It’s a fairly versatile shoe for daily training, even if I’d rather be in a lighter and smaller shoe for speedwork. It excels over long distance and during high-mileage weeks, protecting the legs and helping you to bounce along.

Despite its size, the ride is smooth thanks to the rocker. I consistently found that I was running at a faster pace on easy runs than I expected given the low effort. I also had no stability problems when running in the Skyward X, despite the high stack height, with the sidewalls of foam and substantial heel counter helping to make it a stable shoe.

It is expensive, and the Bondi and Clifton are better-value cushioned options in Hoka’s range. The Bondi and Clifton are also lower and have more “normal” rides, making them better suited to newer runners who want a cushioned shoe to start out with.

Read more in our Hoka Skyward X review

The Mach X looks like a supercharged Mach 5 on paper, with a PEBAX plate in the midsole adding extra pop, and a much higher midsole stack that contains a PEBA-based foam for its top layer. It also has a rocker to create a smooth ride, and some rubber on the outsole to make it more durable than the Mach 5, though I didn’t find the Mach X had better grip.

All that extra tech comes at a higher price, and I didn’t notice enough of a boost in performance from the Mach X to necessarily make it worth the extra outlay over the Mach 5 for daily training. The Mach X is a bit more comfortable over long distances, and the plate does add some pop at speed, but the Mach 5 is a lot lighter and still performs well for longer and speedier runs. The Mach X is a good option for people who want a plated shoe but have found others too squishy and wobbly, because it is stable despite its high stack.

Read more in our Hoka Mach X review

Even though Hoka established itself on the market because of cushioned shoes like the Bondi, I’d say it’s actually now one of the weakest areas of its range, because the Bondi 8 falls well short of the best cushioned shoes from other brands. A shoe like the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25, for example, is softer, smoother and lighter, despite having a much higher stack height than the Bondi 8.

If you’re sticking with Hoka, however, the Bondi 8 is still a solid shoe for cruising around in. It feels a bit blocky on the foot and doesn’t work well for anything beyond easy pace, but it will protect the legs well and durability is certainly not a concern.

Read more in our Hoka Bondi 8 review

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is built for ultramarathons, but even if you have no plans to log mighty distances in it, it’s still worth considering as one of the best all-round trail shoes available from any brand. It’s comfortable, I’ve found it grips well on any terrain bar very thick mud, and it’s light enough to pick up the pace in when required.

Unless you want a light and nimble racing shoe for the trails, or prefer more ground feel that you get from the relatively high-stack Speedgoat, it’s the best trail pick in Hoka’s range for pretty much any runner.

Read more in our Hoka Speedgoat 5 review

The twin carbon plates that run the length of the Tecton X2’s midsole add extra propulsion to its ride, making it one of the most accomplished trail-racers available on a range of terrains, though it does come unstuck in deep mud. 

With a firmer and lower midsole than the Rocket X2 road racer, the Tecton X2 doesn’t have quite the same wow factor, but it is much more stable and flexible, which is important when heading off-road. It’s expensive, and there is a case for bagging the older Tecton X in a sale if you can since the shoes have the same midsole design, but if you’re on the hunt for a top-tier trail racer, the Tecton X2 matches anything on the market.

Read more in our Hoka Tecton X2 review

The Speedgoat 5 is pretty comfortable on the road as well as the trail, but if your mix of running skews more towards the asphalt with a sprinkling of trails, then the Challenger 7 might be the better pick from Hoka’s range.

It’s comfortable both in terms of cushioning and grip while on the road and light trails, and is the perfect option for those who run on canal towpaths or light park trails when possible during otherwise mostly road-based runs. I’ve also found the Challenger 7 pretty good at gripping in the snow, and it’s quite a light shoe that can handle a range of speeds well, although it’s not the most nimble on uneven ground.

Read more in our Hoka Challenger 7 review

Sweaty Betty leggings are wildly popular with runners, gym-goers and yogis alike, and for good reason. They’re built to last and most styles come in a range of fun prints and seasonal patterns, allowing you to wave goodbye to boring black gym leggings. What’s more, the brand caters to a wide range of shapes and sizes: Most of its leggings come in two different leg lengths, and all in sizes XXS to XXL (that’s US 2-14/16 or UK 6-18/20).

But which Sweaty Betty leggings should you jump on the next time there’s a sale? To find out, I put every style of Sweaty Betty leggings to the test over a number of different types of workouts. I analyzed the fabric and feel, how comfortable they were on the move, how much they moved or dug in, and the little extras like somewhere to stash my phone at parkrun or my locker key in the gym. Read on to find my top pick. 

To compare these with our favorites from other brands, head over to the best running leggings for women, or if you’re searching for something for yoga, read our round up of the best yoga leggings.

The Best Sweaty Betty Leggings Of 2023

For each of the Sweaty Betty leggings style on test, I’ll run through the features and what type of active pursuits each pair is best suited for, and detail how they performed for me. I’m a US 4 (UK 8) and am 5ft 2in (157cm) tall. I tested all the pairs below in a Sweaty Betty size XS or S, depending on the fit. 

The Power leggings are Sweaty Betty’s most popular leggings—according to the brand, a pair sells every 60 seconds. Sweaty Betty says its Power leggings are “multisport gym leggings designed for every workout” and it’s not wrong: I found these leggings hugely versatile. During testing, I wore them for running, strength training, hikes and cycling workouts, and they coped with everything I threw at them. The continuous drawcord waistband sits just above the bellybutton and keeps the leggings in place on the move, and it doesn’t come unraveled in the washing machine. 

Sweaty Betty says these leggings are 80-90% squat-proof (how see-through they are when stretched in downward dog or when performing a squat) depending on the color or pattern. I tested these in the Lightning Blue colourway, and didn’t have issues with the leggings being see-through. The Power leggings have a zipped pocket on the back for your keys and essentials, and a drop-in pocket on the leg that fits my iPhone 14 with a case. 

These leggings are soft against the skin, and have the right amount of compression. I was able to wear these for runs, at the gym and for a coffee afterward. As a fitness journalist, I live in running kit, and these leggings are comfortable enough for day-to-day wear. 

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a pair of leggings you can wear both in the gym and on the run, these are a great pick. They’re comfortable, they stay put and they’re a great all-rounder. 

The Zero Gravity Running leggings are Sweaty Betty’s running-specific leggings, with the brand’s “bum-sculpting” technology for a flattering fit. Compared with the Power leggings, the Zero Gravity leggings are more compressive, for a zero-distraction fit on the run. The fabric feels lighter weight than that used in the Power leggings, and Sweaty Betty says it offers a UV protection of 40+. 

These leggings do a good job of staying put when you’re running. They’re unrestrictive, sweat-wicking and fast-drying—you might finish your run with sweat patches, but they’ll dry quickly. They’re soft, lightweight and comfortable, and there’s a zipped pocket on the back big enough for a gel or two and your keys, and a drop-in pocket on the leg that fits my iPhone 14 with a case. The leggings have a drawcord waistband that sits above the bellybutton, and they come in a ⅞ leg length (which was full length on me) and a full length for taller runners.

The downside with these leggings is that while the compressive fit is excellent for running, it does mean the leggings lack versatility for other workouts. These were a little too tight to wear to a Pilates or yoga class, and they aren’t squat-proof enough in some colors to wear in the gym. That said, as running leggings, they’re great. 

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of leggings to get you around your next race, these tick all the right boxes. However, you might think twice about wearing them in the gym. 

Think of these leggings as the pair you’d wear to a Pilates or yoga class, then all day at your desk. They are super-comfortable, made from a soft, lightweight fabric that does a good job of wicking sweat and drying quickly. They come in two different leg lengths, ⅞ and full length, and two different waistband styles, a standard drawcord waistband and a wrap waistband. I found the wrap waistband much more comfortable, because the drawcord waistband dug in slightly when sat down. 

While they’re soft and comfortable, I wouldn’t say these are as comfy to sit around in as the Lululemon Align leggings, which are a similar price. My feeling is that Sweaty Betty could solve this problem by removing the drawcord, not least because you probably wouldn’t wear these for high-impact activities like running. They don’t have any pockets aside from a small drop-in one on the waistband, big enough for a key. 

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of leggings you can wear all day, these are a good pick from Sweaty Betty, but they aren’t as comfy as competitors’ offerings. 

Sweaty Betty says its Super Soft leggings are multi-use leggings, best suited to yoga, Pilates and barre. I’d tend to agree with this assessment—despite being breathable and 90% squat-proof, the softer fabric does tend to show sweat stains, so I wouldn’t recommend these for running or a spin class. The fabric is thick and soft against the skin, with a decent amount of compression to leave you feeling supported in a downward dog. The waistband is high and stays put, and there’s a drawcord to allow you to pull the leggings tight against your tummy. 

The leggings come in two different leg lengths—⅞, which sat on my ankle, and full length for taller yogis. They come in a wide variety of patterns and colors. There’s a drop-in pocket on the leg big enough for my iPhone 14. Sweaty Betty says the seams are positioned in such a way as to elongate the legs and sculpt the bum. 

As mentioned above, in super-sweaty workouts, these felt a little thick, and not as sweat-wicking as other leggings on this list, although I’d argue they’re not designed for running. For Vinyasa yoga classes and reformer Pilates sessions, they came into their own, and I’d pick these over the All Day leggings for the soft yet supportive fit. The leg pocket is also handy on walks or hikes, and while I can’t say they made my legs look any longer, I liked the fit and feel of these. 

Bottom line: These are soft, comfortable, supportive leggings that fit like the Power Leggings, but are made from a much softer fabric. 

The UltraSculpt High-Waisted Leggings are Sweaty Betty’s Power leggings, but with a much higher waistband—this sat about a centimeter above my bellybutton. I loved the fit of these, and found them super-comfy. There’s no drawcord in the waistband, but the Power fabric hugs your stomach for a comfortable, flattering fit. There’s a drop-in pocket on both legs big enough for an iPhone 14, and the leggings come in ⅞ and full length. 

The downside of these leggings from a running perspective is that the lack of drawcord waist does mean they tend to slip, more so than the Power Leggings mentioned above. I found I was constantly pulling the waistband back up when pausing on my run commute. In a Pilates or barre class, however, they are great. The leggings are 80-90% squat-proof, so you could definitely wear them for a strength training session in the gym as well. 

Bottom line: If you love a high waistband and you’re not a runner, these are a good choice. They have the same support as the Power Leggings, with a super-comfortable, super-high waistband. 

Which Sweaty Betty Leggings Should You Buy For Running?

After testing all the Sweaty Betty leggings on the market, I’d say for runners, it’s a choice between the Power leggings and the Zero Gravity leggings. Both are sweat-wicking and comfortable, with drop-in pockets on the leg big enough for a phone or gels, and a zipped pocket on the waistband for your keys. Both also come in two different leg lengths, and a wide variety of prints and colorways to suit every style. 

Personally, I’d choose the Power leggings thanks to their extra versatility. The Zero Gravity aren’t as squat-proof, which would put me off wearing them to a HIIT class or strength session, and they also have a slightly more compressive fit, which means they’re not quite as comfortable to wear when you’re sitting around with friends after your run. In the Power leggings, you’re getting a comfortable pair of leggings you can wear both for running and for other activities, making them the best for most runners in my eyes. 

By the time you hit the run leg of a triathlon, you’ve already put your body through a lot, especially if it’s a half Ironman or Ironman. At this point you want a shoe that’s built for running fast so you can hammer your way home, but it also needs to be cushioned and comfortable to help your jelly legs recover as you kick on.

Fortunately, those properties are not hard to find with racers these days, because the best carbon plate running shoes almost all fit the bill. The best triathlon shoes are very similar to the best running shoes for racing, which is why all the pro triathletes are using them at any distance.

There is one caveat to this, which is that triathlon shoes need to be easy to pull on in a hurry during transition. Some super-shoes are better than others for this, though you can swap the laces for pull toggles to make any shoe a little easier to slip on. 

Another thing to consider is that slower runners might want a softer and more stable shoe for the final leg of longer triathlons like Ironman events, when a stiff carbon plate shoe might prove uncomfortable.

How I Tested These Shoes

I am not a triathlete, but I am a very keen runner with a 2hr 28min marathon PB to my name, and I’ve been able to test almost all the best carbon plate running shoes on the market. I’ve picked out the fastest options below for racing at any distance, plus a couple of more supportive and comfortable options.

The Nike Vaporfly remains the easy pick for runners looking to race over any distance. It’s lighter than most carbon shoes while still being comfortable enough for the marathon distance, and the ZoomX foam in the midsole is very springy, especially in combination with the carbon plate.

Unlike the Alphafly 2, the Vaporfly is pretty easy to pull on in a hurry, though the Asics and Hoka shoes below are faster options on that front. The main downside to the Vaporfly 3 is that the outsole is not very durable at the back, so it’s one to keep for race day.

Read more in our Nike Vaporfly 3 review

Another light and speedy carbon option, the Metaspeed Sky+ is specifically designed by Asics for runners with bounding strides, but I’ve found it a great racer even as someone who has a shuffling gait and I think any runner will enjoy the bouncy ride of the shoe. 

The Metaspeed Sky+ is a little more stable than the Vaporfly and easier to put on quickly, but suffers from the same problem in having an outsole design that shows wear quickly. On performance alone it’s a great pick for triathlons of any distance, since it’s light enough for short sprint events and cushioned enough for marathons.

Read more in our Asics Metaspeed Sky+ review

Hoka has been a major player in the long-distance triathlon scene for years, but until the launch of the Rocket X2 in 2023 it did not have a carbon super-shoe that could rival the best on the market. The Rocket X2 is light, bouncy and propulsive, and also a little more stable than most super-shoes which helps with cornering at speed on tired legs.

The very soft heel design on the upper also makes it easier to pull the Rocket X2 on quickly, but the downside is that design did lead to me getting heel rub on longer runs with the Rocket X2. Heel-locking the shoe reduces the risk of this and I’ve had no problems in shorter races with the shoe, but it’s something to consider if you’re lining up an Ironman event.

Read more in our Hoka Rocket X2 review

The Endorphin Speed 3 is a plated training shoe, but the plate in its midsole is made out of TPU plastic rather than carbon, which means it’s more flexible and comfortable than a full carbon shoe. You lose a little of the pop of a carbon shoe, but it’s still very fast and kinder on the legs. It’s also a more stable shoe than most carbon options, with a wider base and wings on the plate to help keep your foot centered. 

I have loved the Endorphin Speed line since the original and it’s a shoe you can use for pretty much any kind of run, from long easy plods to all-out 5Ks, so it will serve you well no matter what state you’re in during the running leg of your triathlon. The PWRRUN PB midsole is bouncy without being squishy, and Saucony’s Speedroll rocker helps keep you rolling even as your legs begin to tire.

Read more in our Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 review

If you’re just looking to complete your event and want a running shoe that’s comfortable for the final leg of your triathlon, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 should be on your list. The high stack of comfortable FF Blast+ foam protects the legs without feeling too hefty, and the shoe has a smooth ride that will help you tick off the miles to the finish line.

It’s not a fast shoe compared with the plated options above, but if you do have a finishing kick in you the Gel-Nimbus 25 won’t feel completely leaden either. It is worth noting that because the shoe’s stack height is 41.5mm at the heel it technically breaches the 40mm limit for competition, but that’s a rule aimed at elites who might want to use super-shoes like the Adidas Prime X, which has a 49.5mm stack and multiple plates in its midsole. No-one is going to disqualify an amateur for pulling on a comfy cushioned shoe like the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25.

Read more in our Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 review

Thigh chafing is something most people will experience in summer, especially those who take part in intense activities such as running or cycling. 

Chafing occurs when repetitive motion and friction between the skin and clothing or other surfaces lead to irritation and inflammation, and boy does it hurt. Enter anti-chafe cream, a skin-saving product that helps by adding a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, reducing the amount of friction you feel.

Over the years I have tested out many chafe creams. Some have become faithful companions while others remain ignored at the back of a cupboard. And I want my fellow runners to avoid the torture of chafing too, so I’ve given my recommendations of the best chafe creams and one to avoid. While you’re here, why not check out our guide to taking care of your skin in the gym?

The Best Anti-Chafing Creams

While definitely on the pricier side, this chafe cream will see you through many a long run or hot day. I have used it many times and found that it lasts all day without needing to be topped up. It is both sweat- and water-resistant, so it’s able to withstand your most intense workouts. It is dispensed in a stick, similar to a roll-on deodorant.

This chafe cream is affordable and effective. It has a creamy texture and you rub it in like a moisturizer. I have used this on many long runs and hot days and have found it does not need to be topped up nor do you need to apply significant amounts to feel the benefit. It also contains moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil to help nourish your skin.

Another affordable option, the Lanacane gel comes in an ointment tube. When applied to the skin it feels similar to petroleum jelly and adds a thick layer of protection. Despite its texture, the gel does not leave any marks or stains on clothing and rubs into the skin nicely. Lanacane works perfectly for short to medium length activities, although for longer periods we’d recommend bringing it with you so you can top up. Thankfully, it’s pocket-sized so it’s easy to take along with you. 

You can’t go wrong with an old faithful like Vaseline. Both affordable and easy to find, this thick jelly adds a layer of protection to your skin to stop friction. While in my experience it’s not as good as some dedicated chafe creams for longer activities, it certainly does the job for shorter runs and comfort on hot days.

Anti-Chafing Creams To Avoid

Axletic Anti Chafing Cream

I really wanted to love this chafing cream. The price and quantity make it a pretty great product if you’re on a budget. However, that’s where the positives end for me. I tried this cream on both long runs and shorter treadmill runs and sadly with each I was left with chafed skin. During particularly sweaty sessions, the cream appeared to evaporate and what little effect there was disappeared completely. 

Once you start running regularly, it’s worth spending some time researching and trying running shoes to find the best ones for you.

What makes for the perfect pair depends on your aims, speed, running style and even fashion sensibilities. Don’t disregard the last factor—you want to feel good in these shoes if you’re going to be covering hundreds of miles in them, and a pair of running shoes from a reputable brand will last you around 400 to 500 miles.

Below you’ll find my recommendation for six different categories—best value, best for beginners, best for racing, best daily trainer, best cushioned shoe and best stability shoe—plus a variety of other options to consider in that category. Everything is based on my experience of running at least 50km in each pair, and I’ve tried such a wide range of shoes that I know when a shoe has something special in comparison with the others available. Those are the shoes with an Editor’s Choice badge. 

All the same, different runners will get different things from different shoes, so make sure to factor in your own experience when picking your new kicks. But hopefully somewhere on the list is a pair that’s set to carry you through hundreds of happy miles of running, and maybe a PR or two if you have racing in mind.

Everything below is built for the road, so if you’re planning to do most of your running off-road, we have lots more recommendations for different kinds of terrain in my round-up of the best trail-running shoes.

How I Test Running Shoes

I write almost all the running shoe reviews on the site (with a few exceptions, such as the women’s Adidas UltraBoost 22). I’m a committed runner with PRs of 15min 30sec for 5K and 2hr 28min for the marathon, and I log around 70-110km of running each week for my training. 

That training allows me to test many, many running shoes extensively, and I’ve run in and reviewed hundreds of them. That breadth of experience allows for a uniquely well-informed opinion on whether a new release really is the best option available.

The downside of this approach is that we don’t have a range of runners sharing their opinions on shoes. It’s inevitable that people will have different opinions on a shoe, but I tailor the testing I do for each shoe to its stated purpose, so I can give my take on whether it lives up to its billing and is worth the price.

I cover around 50km-70km in each shoe to see if its performance changes after a bedding-in period, and do a range of runs in each shoe to see how it handles fast, slow, short and long runs. 

The Quick List

Here you’ll find my picks in the most popular running shoe categories, and you can click on any shoe to jump to my full review for more information. 

Best Value Running Shoes

I’ve tested hundreds of pairs of running shoes since first trying the original Puma Velocity Nitro, and almost all of those shoes have been more expensive than the Puma, but the Velocity is the one that I end up using as part of my own running shoe rotation. It doesn’t just undercut most other shoes on price, it also outperforms them on the run.

The Velocity Nitro 3 has a well-balanced ride that’s comfortable for easy plods and long runs, but has enough bounce and a fast transition for speed sessions, so it can be used as an all-rounder. It also has an excellent outsole that grips brilliantly on wet pavements, making it a top pick for winter training. It has something to offer runners of all levels, whether you need a workhorse for easy stuff or one shoe to do it all.

There’s not a lot in it between the Velocity Nitro 2 and 3, with the newer shoe having a little more foam underfoot, so if you see the Velocity Nitro 2 in a deal then that could be even better value.

Read more in my Puma Velocity Nitro 3 review

Also consider: Another good-value pick is the Kiprun KS900 Light from Decathlon, which has a soft EVA midsole and is a comfortable option for easy runs, though the ride is less lively than the Puma’s. The Nike Pegasus is another shoe to consider, particularly because you can often get a deal on older versions of the shoe, and the Pegasus 39 is just as good as the Pegasus 40. The Reebok Floatride Energy 5 is also excellent value as a daily trainer that costs even less than the Velocity Nitro 3, though it has a firmer ride and might not feel cushioned enough for all runners.

Best Beginner Running Shoes

The Nike Pegasus 40 is a reliable shoe that’s perfect for new runners who aren’t exactly sure what they’re looking for yet. It’s cushioned and comfortable without having an especially high stack, and the midsole foam is naturally quite stable as well as being highly durable. The outsole is also durable and grips well, and the ride is versatile enough that the Pegasus will handle any kind of run you do as a newer runner.

Another plus point for the Pegasus is that it’s not too expensive, and if you can find the older Pegasus 39 in sales I’d grab that instead for an even better price. It also looks pretty good for a running shoe, so if you end up deciding the sport isn’t for you it will still work as a casual shoe.

Read more in my Nike Pegasus 40 review

Also consider: The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 is another great beginner option, with a livelier ride and lower price than the Pegasus. If you want a more stable option then the Puma ForeverRun Nitro is a versatile shoe for beginners that’s more stable than the Velocity.

If you’d like more cushioning, the top picks in the cushioned shoe section below will all work for beginners too. The stand-outs are the Brooks Glycerin 20 and if you’re happy to spend big and want as much cushioning as possible underfoot, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25.

Best Racing Shoes

The Nike Alphafly 3 is the best carbon plate running shoe going, which makes it the best racer you can get, with the updates made to the third version of the shoe making it lighter, smoother and faster than ever before. The combination of the bouncy PEBA-based ZoomX midsole foam and the Air Zoom pods in the forefoot of the shoe create an incredibly propulsive ride that helps you power through your races and chase down PBs.

I’ve tested almost all of the carbon racers from the major brands and the Alphafly 3 really does stand out from the pack, which isn’t easy given the quality and variety of racing shoes you can get these days. The Nike Vaporfly 3 is its strongest competitor, with its lightweight design meaning some runners might well prefer it for short races in particular.

Read more in my Nike Alphafly 3 review

Also consider: Pretty much every brand now has a terrific carbon plate running shoe in its line-up, and the competition with the Alphafly is fierce from within and without. As mentioned above, the Nike Vaporfly 3 is a strong alternative for racing at any distance, as is the Hoka Rocket X2, while the Adidas Adios Pro 3 is another very strong marathon racing shoe to consider. 

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 delivers a high level of performance while feeling more natural than the Alphafly 3, so it might work for more runners. If it’s unnatural you’re after, the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro is an exciting shoe aimed at the marathon with a distinctive design that rocks you forward dramatically.

Best Daily Trainer

The Saucony Endorphin Speed has been the best do-it-all daily trainer since the original version launched. Its versatile ride is comfortable for easy plods but snappy and quick enough for speed sessions and even races. There’s a nylon plate in the midsole, which adds some propulsion without being as stiff or harsh as a carbon plate, and the Peba-based PWRRUN PB cushioning has some bounce without being too soft and unstable.

While the foam is good, it is the Speedroll rocker that I’ve also considered key to the Endorphin Speed’s success. It rolls through your footstrike smoothly and makes running at any pace feel a little easier. 

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 doesn’t feature big changes compared with the Speed 3, but I found the new upper a little more comfortable and the fit more secure, and the outsole also has a bit more grip. The midsole also seems to have been tweaked to deliver a slightly quicker ride, and I prefer the Speed 4 all round. That said, the Speed 3 is pretty much as good, so if you see it in sales for a lot less, the older shoe would be better value.

Read more in my Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 review

Also consider: The other outstanding daily trainer that uses super-shoe tech is the Adidas Boston 12, which is also very versatile, though the upper isn’t that comfortable. The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is another “super-trainer” you can use for pretty much everything and it has a fantastic outsole that works on light trails as well as the road.

There are plated shoes that work better for easy runs, like the Hoka Mach X and New Balance SC Trainer v2. These are comfortable and better picks for new runners who want a plated shoe but might find the likes of the Speed 3 a little unstable.

If you prefer a non-plated daily trainer, there’s a whole section below full of good options, with the standouts being the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 and Asics Superblast.

Best Cushioned Shoes

The Brooks Glycerin 21 is a well-balanced cushioned shoe, offering a stable ride that’s a bit firmer than some rivals, but still comfortable for runs of any distance. It’s more versatile than many max-cushioned shoes thanks to the nitrogen-infused midsole, which returns more energy with each stride than soft-and-squishy foams, and will work well as an all-rounder for runners who want a cushioned daily trainer.

I found the Glycerin 21 at its best for long runs and it’s a great marathon-training option as a result. The foam retains its bounce over any distance and the shoe is comfortable and has a bit of pop if you want to up the pace. It’s expensive, so if the price is too high check out our “also consider” section for better-value cushioned shoes.

Read more in my Brooks Glycerin 21 review | More of the best cushioned running shoes

Also consider: If you crave as much soft cushioning as possible then there are less versatile but plusher shoes available, like the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13, Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 and Nike Invincible 3 (or Nike Invincible 2, if you can find it, because I rate that as better than the newest model).

There are some great cheaper cushioned shoes too, with the best being the Puma Magnify Nitro 2, Saucony Ride 17 and Brooks Ghost Max. The Magnify Nitro 2 and Ride 17 are versatile cushioned shoes with a similar feel to the Glycerin 21, while the Ghost Max is a more rockered shoe which some may prefer. 

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 is another highly cushioned option with a rockered ride that’s smooth and protective for easy runs, if less lively and bouncy than other cushioned shoes. If you’re sticking to shorter distances, the On Cloudsurfer is another great cushioned shoe that also looks great for casual use.

Best Stability Shoes

The Tempus is the softest, bounciest and most enjoyable stability shoe I’ve used, and manages to be all those things without sacrificing the support required by runners who overpronate. The midsole uses two foams: the light and springy PEBA-based PWRRUN PB material also used in Saucony’s top racing shoes, and the brand’s firmer PWRRUN foam, which forms a frame around the softer foam to ensure a stable ride.

It’s a great daily trainer that works well for all runners, since it’s relatively light and the stability elements aren’t really noticeable if you’re a neutral runner. The only downside is the high price, and those who don’t need a stability shoe will find better value in neutral daily trainers like the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. That said, if the price doesn’t put you off or you do need the stable design, the Tempus is certainly one to have near the top of your list.

Read more in my Saucony Tempus review | More of the best stability running shoes

Also consider: I can’t claim the same expertise in stability shoes as with other shoes, since I’m a neutral runner, but there are a couple of other great stable options I’ve tested that are more cushioned and geared more towards easy runs than the Tempus.

The first is the Puma ForeverRun Nitro, which has a great outsole and uses a firmer frame of foam around a bouncy core to create a stable and comfortable ride. The other is the Asics Gel-Kayano 30, which provides the best mix of comfort and stability thanks to its high midsole stack, but is suited to faster runs than either the Tempus or ForeverRun Nitro.

Best Daily Trainer Without A Plate

The Rebel v4 is an outstanding daily trainer that’s incredibly light but still feels cushioned and supportive enough for long and easy runs. The latest version of the shoe is a bit more cushioned and wider than the Rebel v3, and is more stable and enjoyable for easier efforts as a result, but the Rebel v4 still feels light and fast when using the shoe for speedwork.

It’s one of the most enjoyable shoes I’ve tested in 2024 so far and while a super-trainer like the Endorphin Speed 3 does have a faster, more propulsive ride, the Rebel v4 is still a highly-accomplished all-rounder and the lower, plate-free design will appeal to many runners who don’t want to use a max-stack, plated shoe for daily training.

Also consider: The Asics Superblast is a lot more expensive than the Rebel v4, but it’s a brilliant all-rounder and the massive stack of bouncy foam it has in its midsole delivers a very enjoyable ride for any kind of run. The Hoka Mach 5 is another great lower-stack option with a rockered ride, and those who like a more comfort-focused daily trainer should check out the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 as a reliable all-rounder. The cushioned shoe section above also contains several solid options for everyday runs.

Running Shoes Buying Advice

We have a dedicated article of expert advice about how to choose running shoes, but here we’ll run through some of the key terms and types of shoes, as well as explaining why some running shoes cost so much.

Understanding what’s on offer will help you find something suitable for the kind of running you intend to do. It can be especially useful for people new to the sport, helping them to avoid more specialist shoes intended for serious runners who use different pairs depending on the type of run they’re doing. 

A running shoe rotation of two or three shoes is obviously a bigger expense up front, but if you’re in it for the long term and have the resources, consider that three pairs of shoes bought all at once will last you the same amount of time as three pairs of shoes bought in sequence (as long as you use them roughly equal amounts). Having dedicated shoes for different parts of a running training plan may also help you perform better in speed sessions and better protect your body through an ever-increasing volume of easy miles. Using different shoes also slightly changes the impact being placed on your body with each run, which—anecdotally at least—can reduce your risk of injury. 

A typical three-shoe rotation would comprise of a well-cushioned option for easy and recovery runs, a speedier training shoe for tempo and interval workouts, and a racing shoe that’s saved for setting personal bests (PBs), since racers are typically less durable than training shoes.

Types Of Running Shoes

Road running shoes vs trail-running shoes The crucial difference here is grip. Take a road shoe on mud, and you will slip and fall. If you are planning on doing a mix of road and trail running, road-to-trail shoes can handle both terrains adeptly.

Stability shoes Most running shops offer free gait analysis that can tell you if you overpronate when running, which means your foot rolls excessively inwards on landing. If so, a shoe with stability elements to counter overpronation can be a worthwhile purchase, essentially to reduce the risk of getting injured. As well as full-stability shoes, you can buy neutral shoes with some extra features to increase stability, like a wider base or a substantial heel counter.

Daily trainers Designed for runners who have only one pair, these try to be both comfortable on easy runs and still light and quick enough for faster running, either during training or when racing.

Cushioned shoes For those who maintain a running shoe rotation, a well-cushioned option is used for easy and recovery runs, while runners focusing on comfort over pace in general might find that a cushioned shoe is all they need, especially when first starting out.

Racing shoes Built for setting PBs, racing shoes focus on being lightweight and speedy ahead of durability, grip and comfort. What kind of shoe you go for can depend on the distance you’re racing—marathoners will need more cushioning than those tackling 5K. Whatever distance you race, one key feature to look for in this category now is a carbon plate, usually paired with a soft and springy midsole foam.

Running Shoe Jargon

Stack height The height of the cushioning of the shoe, usually measured at the heel. This is limited to 40mm in road racing shoes by World Athletics.

Heel-to-toe offset Also known as a shoe’s “drop”, this is the difference in the height of the cushioning at the heel and the toe. High-drop shoes usually have an offset of between 8-11mm, while low-drop shoes are under 4mm and barefoot-style shoes are often zero-drop. There is no “correct” drop, it’s about what works for you, so if you find a shoe you love it might be worth noting the drop as something to look for in the future.

Midsole The middle part of the shoe that falls between its upper and the outsole. The midsole provides the cushioning, with other elements like carbon plates usually packed inside it.

Heel counter A firmer section on the upper that runs around the heel to create more stability. Sometimes it will be a plastic clip, but it can also just be a reinforced part of the upper.

All protein powders will help your body recover after a workout, but most – including the ones featured in our selection of the best protein powders – focus purely on repairing and rebuilding muscle. This means they are high in protein, but often low in pretty much everything else, because the aim is to support muscle growth without adding too many carbs and calories to your overall daily intake.

Sometimes you need those extra carbs and calories, though, and that’s where a recovery protein powder comes in. These are best suited to endurance athletes like runners, cyclists and triathletes who tackle longer training sessions, and to people hitting the gym multiple times each day, because the carbs replenish your energy reserves while the protein aids the rebuilding of your muscles. 

Along with carbs and protein, recovery powders will also often contain electrolytes to replace those lost in sweat in long workouts, as well as a mix of vitamins and minerals designed to support the body’s ability to handle a high training load.

We’re working our way through trying a wide selection of the options to help guide you to the right recovery protein powder for you. Of course, you may be able to get by without a supplement. Try this recovery smoothie recipe from runner Laura Muir or this green recovery smoothie recipe taken from The Runner’s Cookbook by Anita Bean to see you through a marathon training plan or 100-mile cycle training plan. 

The Best Recovery Protein Powders

REGO is the perfect shake to help see you through the toughest training weeks, and we’ve used it regularly during marathon training to bounce back between runs. The powder mixes easily into a shake, which contains 20g of protein and 23g of carbs, and it uses soy protein so it is suitable for vegans. Our main criticism is the unnecessarily small scoop that comes with it, which means you have to dip it three times to make one drink.

SIS also has the more expensive REGO Rapid Recovery+ powder, which contains more carbs and protein in a bigger serving. We’ve also tested that and it’s another great option, though probably overkill compared with the normal REGO powder for most people – as well as being pricier and less widely available.

Along with the 20g of protein and 19.5g of carbs per 50g serving, this has added electrolytes to replace those lost through sweat. The vegan protein is a blend of pea and rice protein, and the sweetener is stevia.

The texture is a little thinner than we’d have liked, but that’s the norm with a recovery drink compared with a traditional protein shake. The mint overpowers the chocolate slightly, but that made the shake surprisingly refreshing after a long run in the sun, and the powder mixes very easily with water.

Veloforte stands out in the world of supplements with its use of all-natural ingredients, producing tasty flavour combinations you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. The two recovery shakes in its recovery line-up are raspberry and acai with ginseng, and banana and cocoa with maca, and both are tasty with a lighter texture than the competition.

The protein per serving is a little lower than you’ll find on most recovery shakes, but 13g is still a good serving, and there’s a solid 39g of carbs to help replenish your stocks after a long workout. The price is high, though there is a subscribe and save option from Veloforte that brings the cost down a little.

OTE’s recovery drink focuses on protein rather than carbs, with 25g of protein in each serving – sourced from whey and casein – compared with just 19g of carbs. The powder doesn’t mix as smoothly as others we’ve tested, though any lumps in the drink were small and didn’t detract from our enjoyment of it.

If you’d prefer a vegan shake OTE also has a soy protein recovery drink that offers the same macronutrients. Both powders come in sachets as well as sacks, and the sachets have a dual-opening system with options for wide and narrow-neck bottles, which helps you avoid spilling powder everywhere.

The large serving size recommended with this vegan powder ensures that you get everything you need to refuel after your toughest and longest workouts, with lots of calories, carbs and protein, plus electrolytes and the added bonus of psyllium husk—a prebiotic chucked into the mix to boost gut health. You can scale down your serving size if your workout doesn’t demand the full 100g, which will obviously help a 1kg sack of powder last longer.

I found that even when using a full 100g serving the powder was easy and quick to mix with water, and while the texture isn’t completely smooth it was fine to glug down after a long run. The protein is sourced from pea, so—like all Rawvelo products—the powder is suitable for vegans. The brand also prides itself on using natural ingredients like cane sugar to deliver the carbs in its products.

There is something immensely satisfying about using battle ropes. It’s not just that they offer an effective way to increase strength and get your heart pumping. There’s an undeniably pleasing aspect to using a heavy rope to achieve this, rather than weights or a machine.

Then there’s the fact that using combat ropes correctly often means sending rhythmic waves down the ropes. Again, pleasing.

Battle rope exercises are great for HIIT workouts in particular, and they’re now a common sight in gyms, CrossFit boxes and anywhere else people exercise. You’ll need a fairly large amount of space if you want to bring the magic of battle ropes home. We’ve picked out some of the best ropes below, but if you’re unsure of what kind of rope is best for you, read on for our battle rope buyer’s guide.

The Best Battle Ropes

If you’re new to battle ropes or just intend to use them sparingly as part of your home workouts, then the Amazon Basics rope offers great value. It comes in a range of lengths and thicknesses (though the different options will come in and out of stock, so they often aren’t all available), and it’s a lot cheaper than most other ropes. It might not be as long-lasting as more expensive ropes if you’re intending to give it a lot of use, but it will serve the needs of most home users well.

While having a cover on your battle rope is far from essential, this rope’s nylon sleeve will make it a little more durable if you’re using it outside on rough surfaces. The rope also comes with a mount and there are three lengths and two thicknesses to pick from.

These hardy ropes are ideal for home HIIT sessions, with a durable design and a comfortable, long handle that makes it easier to maintain your grip when swinging and flinging them around. The rope comes in three lengths and two thicknesses, and has a one-year warranty.

If you’re craving the natural look, this manila hemp rope from Fitness Solutions is our top pick. The range of lengths is incredible, running from 16.5ft up to 100ft, so there’s an option to fit home gyms of all sizes. Just be aware that a natural manila rope will shed fibres during workouts, so only use it outside or somewhere that’s easy to clean up afterwards.

Battle Ropes Buyer’s Guide

While battle ropes are a fairly simple piece of kit, there are still three key decisions to make when buying them. These relate to the length and thickness of the rope, and the material used.

Whatever your preferred sport is, the right watch can enrich the experience. The best sports watches not only track your training in great detail, they also help you analyze it to make sure you are working in an effective manner to get fitter and faster.

I’ve reviewed a wide range of sports watches from Garmin, Polar, Coros, Suunto and Amazfit, along with the best fitness trackers and smartwatches from Fitbit, Apple, Samsung, Huawei and others. Based on that experience I’ve picked out my top sports watches across a number of categories. You’ll also find a buyer’s guide below to help get a better understanding of the core features of a sports watch.

How I Test Sports Watches

Over the past five years I have tested almost all the sports watches launched by Garmin, Coros, Polar and Suunto, as well as every generation of the Apple Watch and many other sporty smartwatches from brands like Samsung, Amazfit and Huawei. I test each watch I review for a minimum of two weeks and try to track a variety of sports in that time, though the bulk of my testing is done while running, since that is my main sport. I focus on GPS and heart rate accuracy, testing the latter against a chest strap, as well as evaluating them for comfort, ease of use, features like training analysis and music storage. 

The Quick List

Here you’ll find the stand-out sports watches in the most popular categories, with a brief explanation of why they’ve been picked. Click on the watches to jump to more information in the buying guide below, where there are also other great options to check out.

The Best Sports Watches

Best Overall

The Forerunner 265 is a multi-sport watch that packs in almost all the best features Garmin offers while being cheaper, smaller and lighter than the likes of the Epix 2 and Fenix 7. It has a bright AMOLED display that doesn’t kill the battery life—during testing it lasted me four or more days with the always-on screen enabled, even when running around 7.5 miles a day—plus multi-band GPS for accurate outdoor tracking. 

It also has Garmin’s training readiness feature, which is a notable omission from the Forerunner 255 and one of the best examples of training analysis from any brand. Readiness gives a color-coded score out of 100 showing how ready to train you are, based on factors like your recent training, stress and sleep.

If you upgrade to one of Garmin’s top watches you get color maps plus longer battery life, and more rugged, metal designs, but for the most part the Forerunner 265 ticks every box you could want in a sports watch. And if you’re not fussed about the AMOLED display or training readiness, then the Forerunner 255 is a cheaper alternative that has every other feature of the 265.

Read more in my Garmin Forerunner 265 review

Best Value

The Coros Pace 3 steals the best value crown from its predecessor, the Coros Pace 2, even though the watch has risen in price a little. For the extra outlay, you get several useful updates, including more accurate multi-band GPS and a new-and-improved heart rate monitor, as well as music storage and a small increase in battery life. It’s a multisport watch that rivals the features and performance of devices that cost hundreds more, and there’s nothing as capable as the Pace 3 at its price.

Some won’t like the all-plastic build of the Pace 3 compared to watches with metal bezels, but it means that the Pace 3 is lightweight and comfortable to wear, and it’s amazing how much Coros has packed into such a small watch. Unless you want some of the top-tier features you get on more expensive watches, like AMOLED screens or maps, the Pace 3 will cover everything you need and more.

Read more in my Coros Pace 3 review

Best Smartwatch

The original Ultra established itself as the best sporty smartwatch available, with upgrades on the standard Apple Watch including a more rugged design, an extra button used to take laps, double the battery life and more accurate multi-band GPS. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is not a huge update, but it does have a brighter screen, a faster processor and the new Double Tap gesture control, which allows you to control some watch features by tapping your index finger and thumb together.

You don’t get the battery life of a sports watch—nor the training analysis and navigation features—but otherwise the Apple Watch Ultra 2 matches up well with the best trackers, while being smarter and more useful to wear outside of workouts. The Apple Watch Series 9 is also a good sports watch, but it lacks some of the Ultra 2’s important sports features.

Read more in my Apple Watch Ultra 2 review

Best For Runners

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is the entry-level AMOLED sports watch in Garmin’s range. It’s mainly targeted at runners as it doesn’t have a multisport mode or support cycling power meters. I found it to be an accurate and impressive running watch. It nails the basics of sports tracking (aside from the poor HR accuracy common across all watches, in my experience) and adds useful features like breadcrumb navigation and music storage—if you opt for the Forerunner 165 Music.

Along with the lack of a multisport mode, the Forerunner 165 also loses a few other features you get on the more expensive Forerunner 265, including dual-band GPS tracking and Garmin’s training readiness score. These are useful, though the Forerunner 165 is a lot cheaper than the 265. I’d say most runners will find the 165 a better-value option.

Read more in my Garmin Forerunner 165 review

Best For Swimmers

The Swim 2 is the top pick in our round-up of the best swimming watches, and offers the most affordable way to get Garmin’s excellent swim tracking. If you are a triathlete or do any other activities alongside swimming, there is more value to be had in buying a more comprehensive multisport watch like the Garmin Forerunner 255 or Coros Pace 3, which also have great swim tracking (the 255 has identical swim tracking), but the Swim 2 is often in sales and is a cheaper dedicated device for swimmers. 

As you would expect, the Swim 2 tracks both pool and open-water swimming, recording a wide array of stats including SWOLF, stroke type and stroke count. You can also set up workouts to follow in the water, and it’s very light and comfortable to wear.  

Read more in our Garmin Swim 2 review

Best For Beginners

The Forerunner 55 is Garmin’s entry-level running watch and it’s a great pick for beginner runners thanks to the suggested workouts and user-friendly training analysis it offers to help you get fitter. Runners of all levels could actually happily use the Forerunner 55 to track all their training, but I did miss some features from more expensive watches, like breadcrumb navigation and more detailed training analysis.

There is no multisport mode on the watch, but it tracks pretty much every popular activity individually aside from open-water swimming. If you are starting out on your sporting journey and have triathlons in mind, the Coros Pace 2 would be a better pick.

Read more in my Garmin Forerunner 55 review

Best No-Expense-Spared Watch

The Garmin Epix Pro range doesn’t offer a huge upgrade on the Garmin Epix 2. The new software features on the Pro watches are coming to the Epix 2 too, and the new hardware features, like an upgraded heart monitor and flashlight, are handy rather than essential. 

However, the Epix Pro’s 51mm model is a big step up because it offers sensational battery life for an AMOLED watch packed with all Garmin’s best features. Even with the screen in always-on mode and tracking outdoor activities almost every day, it lasted me more than 10 days.

If you turn the screen to raise-to-wake outside of your workouts you’ll go weeks without charging. That’s unprecedented for an AMOLED sports watch, and makes opting for the bright screen over the duller transflective display on the Fenix 7 Pro an easier decision.

That said, you pay more for the Epix Pro 51mm watch than the 42mm and 47mm devices, and it’s larger on the wrist too. I swapped in a nylon band to make it feel lighter because the silicone band it comes with makes the Epix Pro pretty hefty. If money truly is no object, opt for the titanium version of the watch to reduce weight.

Read more in my Garmin Epix Pro review

Best For Battery Life

If the idea of going weeks, or even a month, without charging your watch thrills you—and without sacrificing any of the top features available on Garmin sports watches—then the Enduro 2 is for you. With heavy use, running 60 miles (100km) a week, it lasted me 16 days on a charge. When training a little less and using a sleep mode to save battery at night, the Enduro 2 comfortably lasted more than three weeks.

The battery only gets better if you live in a sunny place and take full advantage of the solar panels on the watch. The Enduro 2 will last up to 46 days in watch mode in sunny conditions and offers 150 hours of GPS tracking in the sun. Even if you ramp up the accuracy using multi-band GPS you get up to 81 hours of tracking in the sun. 

It’s a large watch—though it feels reasonably light on the wrist if you use a nylon strap—and costs more than most, even within Garmin’s range of expensive devices, but the Enduro 2’s battery will make it the stand-out pick for those logging a lot of multisport training.

Read more in my Garmin Epix Pro 2 review

More Tried-And-Tested Recommendations

The Forerunner 965 is the best watch in Garmin’s range, providing all the company’s best features, including color maps, in a lightweight design with a bright AMOLED touchscreen. It delivers excellent GPS accuracy and useful training analysis, and the battery life is better than you might expect given the AMOLED display: The 965 lasted me seven days, even with the always-on screen enabled.

Though the design and battery life are better on the 965 than on the 265, the main reason to upgrade is maps and navigation features like ClimbPro, which show all the climbs and descents you have to tackle on your route. If you won’t use those maps much the Forerunner 265 is better value, but if cost is less of an issue then the Forerunner 965 is as good as it gets—unless you need the longer battery life available on Garmins with LCD screens, like the Fenix 7 or Enduro 2.

If you want maps and aren’t bothered by the AMOLED screen, look into the older Forerunner 955, which is regularly in sales for less than the new watch. The 955 has the same great tracking, training analysis and navigation features as the 965, with an LCD screen that’s not as vibrant as AMOLED, though it allows for more battery life.

Read more in my Garmin Forerunner 965 review

The Suunto Race is an excellent sports watch and great value given the features and build quality you get for your money. It has an AMOLED display and a sapphire crystal screen, with a steel bezel on the standard watch and titanium if you spend $549/£479, which is still good value for a titanium sports watch.

You also get color maps, accurate multi-band GPS and impressive battery life for an AMOLED watch—in my test, the Race lasted seven days in always-on mode when used for running almost every day. In my experience the heart rate accuracy is poor, so you’ll want to pair an external sensor with the Race. However, on most fronts it offers a compelling alternative to the Garmin Forerunner 965 and Epix watches at a lower price.

Read more in my Suunto Race review

The Vantage V3 is the best Polar watch to date. There are notable upgrades on previous models, including the AMOLED display, maps and multi-band GPS, which I didn’t find as accurate as the multi-band on Garmin and Suunto watches but which is still impressive. The Vantage V3 has an attractive lightweight design and offers detailed sleep and recovery tracking.

For all its qualities, however, I still think the Garmin Forerunner 965 and Suunto Race are better AMOLED sports watches and they are around the same price, or cheaper, which makes the Vantage V3 hard to recommend outright. If you like Polar’s set-up and training analysis and want a Polar watch, though, it’s undoubtedly the best you can get.

Read more in my Polar Vantage V3 review

The Kiprun GPS 900 shares a lot of characteristics with the excellent Coros Pace 2, which is not surprising when you consider the GPS 900 is built on the platform of the original Coros Apex watch, and uses Coros’s software and app. It’s a full multisport watch with long-lasting battery life, breadcrumb navigation and useful training analysis.

It’s more expensive than the Coros Pace 2 and delivers the same sports tracking experience, but in a more attractive watch thanks to its metal bezel. Some may prefer the lighter, all-plastic Coros Pace 2, but the Kiprun GPS 900 is better suited for wearing outside of your workouts.

Read more in my Decathlon Kiprun GPS 900 review

The Vertical is the best watch that Suunto has made in years, with a number of important upgrades that make it competitive with the best devices from Garmin, Coros and Polar. Star features include the long battery life: The Vertical lasts 60 hours in the most accurate tracking mode that uses multi-band GPS, which I found to be highly accurate. 

There is a solar version of the watch that has an even longer battery life in sunny conditions. Turn the 24/7 heart rate monitoring off and the Vertical can last a year in watch mode.

Suunto’s useful maps feature means you can pick the areas you want to download to the watch. These color maps are bright and easy to see on the watch in all conditions, and great for following routes.

Navigating the Vertical’s user interface is done via a three-button set-up and the touchscreen, and in general it’s more laggy and frustrating than Garmin’s with five buttons. The Vertical still falls short of Garmin’s top watches, especially with regard to smart features like music storage, but it’s an appealing alternative to the Fenix 7 and Enduro 2 watches if you are shopping outside of Garmin’s range.

Read more in my Suunto Vertical review

Sports Watch Buying Advice

All the best sport watches featured above have a few features I consider essential, including built-in GPS for accurate outdoor tracking, an optical heart rate monitor to record your heart rate during activities, and a display that’s easy to read in all conditions. 

Looking beyond these core features, there are many others found on sports watches that can make them stand out from the crowd. Here are the features to look out for.

Battery life: Some sports watches last several weeks on a charge even when tracking activities every day, and some higher-end models from Garmin even have solar panels to extend their life further. At the other end of the scale, sporty smartwatches will tend to last just a day or two.

Bluetooth/ANT+ sensor support: While the best sports watches have lots of sensors on board to track your training, you may want to connect external sensors like footpods, cycling power meters and chest strap heart rate monitors to get the most accurate and useful data. It’s worth checking what type of external sensors are supported on your watch.

Maps and navigation tools: Many sports watches offer breadcrumb navigation to help you find your way along a preset route, but the best high-end watches offer color maps to make exploring new areas easier. 

Multi-band GPS: Also known as dual-band GPS, this mode is more accurate than traditional GPS tracking, especially in tricky conditions such as when under tree cover or between tall buildings. Multi-band GPS is available on many mid-range and high-end sports watches now, but it will use more battery than standard GPS.

Multisport mode: Triathletes and other multisport athletes will need this dedicated sports mode that tracks activities with multiple disciplines including transitions. It’s not always included on cheaper sports watches and smartwatches. It’s also worth looking out for an open-water swimming mode.

Music storage: Very useful for those who want to leave their phone behind. Music storage is an increasingly common feature on sports watches, with many linking to paid-for streaming services so you can download your music to the watch to listen to offline. You will, of course, need a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones to stream the music too. Our selection of the best running headphones has plenty of great options for all budgets. 

Structured workouts: If you like to create your own workouts, or are following a training plan and want to add the workouts to your watch to follow, this feature allows you to program them into the watch either on the device itself or using the partner app, and then follow the steps from your wrist. This is a feature you should now see on even the cheapest sports watches and sporty smartwatches.

Smart features: Beyond music, many sports watches now offer notifications, weather forecasts and NFC payments. Smartwatches go further by having full app stores that can upgrade the sports tracking experience they offer.

Training analysis: Most dedicated sports watches now give you feedback on your training to tell you whether you have the balance between hard and easy workouts right, and some will use stats like heart rate variability to advise on how ready you are to train on a given day. To get the most out of this feature I strongly recommend buying a separate chest strap heart rate monitor, which will give far more accurate readings than an optical monitor on your wrist. Our guide to the best heart rate monitors explains why and has plenty of tried-and-tested products to choose between.

Training plans and suggested workouts: Many sports watches will now suggest workouts for you based on your fitness and recent training load. You can also sync full running training plans for 5K, 10K, half marathon and (sometimes) marathon distances to many watches, then follow the guided workouts from your wrist.  

Best Sports Watches FAQs

Even if you live somewhere that isn’t renowned for its sunny weather, regular runners will know that it’s worth having a top-quality pair of running sunglasses.

The best running sunglasses serve the same basic function as standard sunnies—protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays—but they need to be lightweight, fit securely and have a ventilated design that stops the lenses fogging up when you get sweaty. Those are the basics, but you might also consider getting sunglasses with interchangeable lenses suited to different conditions. And if you normally wear glasses, you may want running sunglasses with an Rx option – prescription sunglasses, in other words.

Running sunglasses can cost a pretty penny, especially the top options from the likes of Oakley, but rest assured there are also great-value options in this round-up of the best running sunglasses available.

How I Test Running Sunglasses

I usually run around 70-110km a week, and while almost all of that running is done in the UK—where the sun is certainly not always shining—it does allow me to test running sunglasses thoroughly over several runs. The key features I look for are a secure and comfortable fit plus UV protection, and I also like to take them on trails to see how they fare in dappled light as well as in full sunshine. 

The Quick List

Here you’ll find my top picks in the most popular categories for running sunglasses. Click on the links to jump to my more detailed review in the main buying guide, where you’ll also find some other great sports sunglasses.

Best Overall

Although Oakley makes many of the best sports sunglasses, including several great options for running, it didn’t actually have running-specific sunnies in its range until 2023 when it launched the Corridor and Actuator sunglasses. The Corridor is the sportier set of the two, with a lightweight design and a large lens that allows for a wide field of vision.

When the Corridor landed I was surprised at how stylish the design is, to the point where I was happy wearing them as casual sunglasses too, though that might depend on how spicy a frame/lens colour combo you opt for. The Prizm lenses are excellent, with each best suited to certain conditions and landscapes—I tested the Prizm Road lens with the Corridor, which helps you spot hazards like cracks and potholes on the road ahead.

Best Prescription Running Sunglasses

As a glasses wearer, the SunGod Classics have become my new go-to option for runs and pretty much any situation where I’m outside in the sun. They have a simple style that works for all occasions, and fit securely enough for long runs, even if they do require a little more adjusting when you’re sweaty than sportier frames (I popped two silicone grippers on the arms of the sunnies to remove this problem).

You can customize the frame and lenses to suit your preferences and likely conditions, with some lenses blocking out more light than others. There are no photochromic lenses available yet, which would make the Classics even more versatile, but the smoke lenses allow enough light through that you can still see where you’re going on the run if it suddenly clouds over.

Best Rimless Sunglasses

I’ve tested, and enjoyed running in, SunGod’s cycling-focused sunglasses before–like the Airas and Vulcans—but the rimless, running-specific design of the Ultras gives a more secure and comfortable fit when pounding paved surfaces, and they’re now the top option in the SunGod range. If you like the style, they are essentially perfect running sunglasses. The fit is excellent, they weigh a mere 26g, and the variety of lenses is impressive, plus you can customize the design of the frame at no extra cost. SunGod offers a lifetime guarantee (this doesn’t cover scratches on the lenses, but that shouldn’t matter because they’re impressively scratch-resistant in my experience), and you can choose a frame made from 100% recycled materials.

Best Value

The Tifosi Swank glasses don’t look like sports sunnies, which is a plus for lots of people, since that means they are great to wear when you’re not running as well. But most importantly they still perform well on the run, with a secure fit and a lightweight frame that grips the skin gently to ensure there’s no slippage.

Tifosi has a big range of sunglass styles and the Swank comes in a variety of frames and lenses. They are great value, though I did find the lenses were more easily scratched or marked than others I’ve tested. But if you treat them kindly and don’t, like me, shove them into running backpack pockets with reckless abandon you’ll probably be OK.

Best lightweight running sunglasses

If you want the lightest set going, my Roka SR-1x weighed just 24g (though they’re listed at 25g), which is even lighter than the rimless SunGod Ultras. Despite the light weight the glasses have a sturdy feel and sit securely on the face throughout runs without bouncing or fogging up. The Geko grip material on the nose pads and arms ensures they stay put even when running downhill on uneven trails, and while tight, the fit was never uncomfortable for me. There are several lenses available for the SR-1x, including a photochromic option that’s handy for runs in changeable conditions or when you’re moving from clear areas to under tree cover.

More Recommendations

First and foremost these are excellent-value sunnies—the cheapest frame/lens combination costs just £40. The frame is very lightweight and it fit me beautifully, staying in place no matter how sweaty I was. They never fogged up on me either, despite a fairly close fit that blocked glare effectively.

There is also a large range of lens options, from the cheapest plain grey pair to the most expensive ultimate Reactolite lenses, which are brilliant for those who like to wear glasses all year round. They are photochromic, so they work in blazing sunshine and heavy clouds, with a yellow tint to brighten up low light conditions and a blue mirror finish to reduce glare. 

I tested them during some changeable spring weather, wearing them in rainy, sunny and cloudy conditions at various times of day, and always had a clear view. The versatile lenses are great for prescription glasses users too, and ND:R offers this with the sports frame as well.

The Oakley Actuators are sunglasses you can use for everything, especially if you opt for a prescription version. The simple frame is stylish enough to wear anywhere, while the nose-pads and rubber sections on the arms mean that they stay in place during sweaty runs. They’re not as light as sportier sunnies but the frame is still comfortable to wear for long periods, and the lenses didn’t fog up during any of my runs.

The Engo 2 sunglasses have a small heads-up display that shows your running stats in the inner corner of your right eye as you run. This display is clear and easy to read on the run without the need to look down at a watch, bringing you ever closer to those all-important stats.

I still question the need for this display, since looking down at a watch isn’t a great hardship, but I did find that I would rely on the display instead of using my watch when wearing the Engo 2 glasses, which are happily much lighter in weight than the previous version. You can also link to a Garmin watch and beam your chosen stats from there to the display.

There are still flaws here, however. The Engo 2 frame doesn’t sit that securely for running—I had to use the included retainer strap that you can attach to the arms and pull tight at the back of your head, which is not a great look. There also isn’t a clear lens, so you can’t really use the glasses on dark days.

Also if you don’t have a compatible watch you have to use the Engo app to track stats to send to the glasses, and limited options are available (for example, lap pace is an important stat to me, and isn’t available). The glasses also don’t show navigation cues from Garmin watches, which I think would be one of the most useful things to have on a heads-up display.

Sunglasses can be expensive, but these are in an entirely different league. That’s because you’re not just getting a pair of sunglasses, you’re also getting a set of headphones. The Bose Frames Tempo glasses have speakers in the sides that direct surprisingly clear and high-quality sound at your ears, while allowing those ears to remain clear so you’re more aware of your surroundings. You can get both a set of the best running headphones and some sunglasses for less than the £240 these cost, but I found that having both in one package was undeniably useful at times.

Read more in our Bose Frames Tempo review

More About Summer Running 

• When it comes to protecting your skin, only the foolish settle for second best. We've got the scoop on the best sun creams and what to look for when buying
• Are your current sunglasses up to the the job? Find out how to protect your eyes from the sun
• Keep your cool in the sun with our pick of the best running caps
• Don’t let the sun scupper your running this summer, here’s how to handle running in a heatwave

One of the great attractions of running has always been that it doesn’t require expensive equipment or a monthly membership. You would be forgiven, however, for calling BS on that statement, because the cost of running shoes has rocketed in the past few years.

If you’re someone who wants the best of everything the minute it comes out, there’s no getting around it—you’ll need to splurge to get the running shoes you want, especially if you’re after a set of the best carbon plate running shoes. Thankfully a good pair will usually last for more than 500 miles and the materials used in some of the top-line shoes offer some impressive benefits.

If you’re on a tight budget, don’t worry—there are several ways to get a great pair of the best running shoes for less. The best strategy is to seek out an older model of a long-running shoe line. Often the differences between the latest release and last season’s model might only be cosmetic but the price will be lower, even outside of major sales events such as Black Friday. I always flag in my running shoe reviews when the differences between generations are minimal and I’ve highlighted a few to keep an eye out for.

Another option is to seek out a budget shoe. This can be something of a crapshoot, but if you stick to the “does it feel right” test when trying it on, you should be able to find one that works for you. I’ve also included my tried-and-tested recommendations for shoes that cost less than three figures.

How I Test Running Shoes

I regularly run 50-70 miles a week following a training plan, usually for a marathon, where my PR is 2hr 28min. This allows for a lot of shoe testing, and I aim to run at least 30 miles in each shoe before writing my review for Coach. I’ve been testing shoes for around eight years and have tried several generations of many popular lines, so can recommend them with confidence.

Best Last-Gen Models To Look For In Running Shoe Sales

In my experience, it’s not uncommon for the latest version of a shoe to represent a slight downgrade. All of which means it’s wise to look for last-gen models in running shoe sales if you’re trying to build a running shoe rotation on a budget, or looking for one shoe to do it all. You’ll usually find older shoes in a sale, especially if you shop during events like Black Friday. The discounts can be considerable.

I’ve reviewed hundreds of pairs of running shoes and several generations of many popular lines like the Nike Pegasus, Brooks Ghost and Hoka Clifton. I’ve picked out what I think are the best last-gen shoes to look for in sales because they’re as good, or better, than the latest version.

The Nike Pegasus 39 was a big update on the Pegasus 38, with a lighter design that made it a more versatile shoe, while still being comfortable and cushioned. Nike made only minor changes to the upper with the Nike Pegasus 40—which is the latest version of the shoe—and actually the Pegasus 39 is lighter than the 40, while having the same feel underfoot. I’d get the older Pegasus in a heartbeat, and it’s often in Nike’s sales.

Read more in my Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review

I’m not a fan of the Brooks Ghost 14 or Ghost 15 because I find them a bit heavy and they lack the bouncy midsole foams in other shoes, however they’re popular shoes and a good option for runners who want a cushioned, stable and durable daily trainer. During testing, I didn’t find anything in the latest version of the Ghost that made me consider it an upgrade on the Ghost 14, so I’d pick up the older shoe in a sale.

Read more in my Brooks Ghost 14 review

This is a case where I actually prefer the older shoe because I found the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 more comfortable than the Gel-Nimbus 26, and this is a max-cushioned shoe that’s all about comfort on easy runs. That’s down to the new outsole on the Gel-Nimbus 26, which is designed to deliver more grip, but made the ride harsher, especially on long runs. I didn’t struggle for grip with the Gel-Nimbus 25, and this is an expensive shoe line so the savings you can make by going for the older shoe are worthwhile. 

Read more in my Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 review

The Saucony Triumph 21 has a new-and-improved upper compared to the Triumph 20, but the upper on the latter suited me fine: you get the same experience underfoot. If there’s any difference in price I’d pick up the older shoe. It's a great cushioned daily trainer that lasts a long time. The Triumph 22 looks to be a major update for the line in 2024, but the Triumph 20 and 21 are similar shoes.

Read more in my Saucony Triumph 20 review

The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 was one of my favorite running shoes because it offered great value as a comfortable, versatile daily trainer with an outstanding outsole. That’s all true of the Puma Velocity Nitro 3, and the new shoe has more cushioning underfoot and a redesigned upper that I prefer, though if you can make a big saving by getting the Nitro 2 I wouldn’t hesitate to get it. It’s a shoe that pops up in sales regularly, so you shouldn’t have to wait long to get it for under $100/£100.

Read more in my Puma Velocity Nitro 2 review

I skipped a generation in my testing of the Takumi Sen, missing out on the 9th edition of the shoe, though it was, by all accounts, similar to the 8. I’ve recently tested the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10, which I loved. It’s a brilliant short-distance racer and a great fast training shoe too, but it’s not a considerable upgrade on the Takumi Sen 8, which I also adored. If you want a fast shoe at a great price, older generations of the Takumi Sen drop to around $100/£100 at reasonably regular intervals, and there’s no need to pay extra for the new shoe, in my opinion.

Read more in my Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 review

The Best Budget Running Shoes

The Floatride Energy line of shoes has been a go-to option for savvy runners in recent years, and the latest generation is a great daily trainer that is cushioned enough for easy runs but has enough speed for your workouts. The Floatride Energy 5 has a tad more cushioning underfoot than the Floatride Energy 4, as well as a new X-shaped torsion plate to add more stability, which is also helped by the firmer feel of Reebok’s midsole foam.

Overall I just prefer the Floatride Energy 4, which might be an even better bargain if you can find a pair, but it’s not readily available. The newer shoe is still an excellent option for runners seeking a versatile shoe at a reasonable price.

Read more in my Reebok Floatride Energy 5 review

A genuine bargain for UK runners who spend a lot of time plowing through the mud on wet trails, the Soil Shaker 2 is always available for a lot less than its RRP, and has deep 8mm lugs for gripping boggy ground. The second version of the Soil Shaker is considerably lighter than the original, a welcome change that I found makes it more enjoyable to use in thick mud when your feet already feel heavy. 

The Kiprun KS900 Light from Decathlon is a cushioned daily trainer that provides a comfortable and stable ride for your easy runs. It’s not the fastest shoe, but is light enough to use for some speedwork, and it is certainly durable: Decathlon suggests it should last for 1,000km (621 miles) of running.

Compared with many cushioned running shoes the KS900 Light is a low-stack option, so some might want more foam underfoot for long runs in particular. While I found the level of cushioning great at the heel of the shoe, I found the forefoot felt a bit firm over long distances.

More About Running Shoes

• Find the best running shoes for you with our recommendations of road running shoes, stability shoes, trail shoes and more
• Wondering how to choose running shoes? This guide covers all the key points to consider when seeking the perfect pair of running shoes
• It’s all about grip and protection out on the trails. Use our recommendations to find the best trail-running shoes for you

Whatever your cup size, it’s important to find a good sports bra that fits and gives you the support you need while running. Not only will it make for more comfortable runs right now, it will also minimize the chances of sagging later on.

When choosing a sports bra for running, there are three main things to consider: It should offer adequate support, it should remain comfortable no matter how far you’ve run, and it should also look good, because sometimes little things like that can make the difference between going out for a run or not.

Different sports bras offer different levels of support. Because running is a high-impact sport, it’s best to opt for a high (or super-high) support level, especially if you have larger breasts. Our interview with a breast health expert about how to choose a well-fitting sports bra explains why it’s so important to have a bra that fits and offers adequate support. No time to head to the shops? A virtual sports bra fitting could be the answer.

Broadly speaking there are two types of sports bras: those that use compression, a tight band which flattens the breasts; and those that use encapsulation, with separate cups for each breast. Compression bras are more commonly found in general sportswear shops and can offer great support and a good fit, especially for women with smaller busts. For larger-breasted runners, compression-style bras tend to give an unflattering “uniboob” and may not offer enough support for running. 

The majority of running bras are pulled on and off over your head (easier said than done after a run when you’re all sweaty). However, some bras offer a hook-and-eye clasp, which makes taking them off easier, while others feature a zip at the front which avoids this problem altogether. A racerback or cross-over straps will help the bra stay in place better than normal shoulder straps. 

Below you’ll find a guide to checking the fit of your running bra and our pick of the best running-specific over-shoulder-boulder-holders out there.

The Quick List

You’ll find full reviews further down the page, but these are my top picks for running bras in different categories—and why I rate them so highly.

How I Test Running Bras

I have been testing and reviewing running bras for Coach since 2019, evaluating their comfort, their support level and how well they survive the washing machine. This guide does include some bras that we have not tested, in the interests of including a wide variety of options for all shapes and sizes. Other Coach writers have also contributed their running bra testing experiences to this round-up.

How To Get The Right Fit

It’s important to get regular bra fittings, because your breasts can change in size and shape over the years. However, if you plan on buying a new sports bra online use this six-point guide from Ana Paula Dudillieu, senior designer at sports bra maker Shock Absorber, to check the fit of a sports bra at home yourself.

1. Make sure your breasts are fully contained within the cups and that there’s no bagginess.
2. Check that the straps are properly adjusted. They should feel secure with no more than 2in (5cm) of give.
3. The chest band should feel firm but comfortable. Your chest expands when exercising so take some deep breaths and see how it feels.
4. If the band lifts rather than sitting flat at the front, it’s an indication that the cup size is too small.
5. If the back of the band rises towards your shoulders, the band may be too large.
6. Do the bounce test: jump up and down and from side to side, checking that you feel comfortable, supported and secure.

The Best Running Bras

Best For Most People

A firm favorite among runners of all shapes and sizes, but particularly with bigger-busted women, this running bra aims to manage the figure-of-eight movement made by our breasts when we run. It has wide non-slip straps, with a soft lining and band to help keep you comfortable as you run. It’s also breathable and quick-drying, ensuring you don’t get overheated. 

The racerback shape with a double back closure system allows you to get in and out relatively easily, while ensuring you feel secure and fully supported. I find it can take a bit of contortion to get the adjustable bit on the straps lying flat but once that’s sorted it’s comfortable, supportive and breathable. Sizing can be a bit odd, so be prepared to try a few sizes before finding the right fit.—Camilla Artault

Best For Smaller Breasts

A bra that feels soft and comfortable, doesn’t restrict your breathing, but keeps the girls supported—Runderwear’s Energize (formerly the Original Bra) is a revelation. This is my top pick for smaller-breasted runners who don’t like bulky, padded bras. It’s unlike any other sports bra, with extremely soft, moisture-wicking and breathable fabric that comes into its own in the summer months. 

Molded cups give shape but have no excess padding, the underband is wide and soft to avoid chafing, and the slim, non-slip adjustable straps are comfy over the shoulders. I find it relatively easy to get on and off thanks to the hook-and-eye closure, and once it’s on, the racerback design means there’s no chance of the straps slipping.—CA

Best For D+ Cup

If you’re shopping for a running bra for bigger boobs, it’s worth noting that encapsulation is best because “it helps limit each breast’s movement individually”, according to Dr Nichola Renwick, a senior research associate at the University of Portsmouth’s Breast Health Research Group. She also recommends bras with padded cups and a higher neckline for larger breasts. “We’ve seen that for about every one centimeter that the neckline is raised, you will get around a 1% reduction in breast bounce.” 

There are so few truly supportive sports bras available in larger sizes that it can be hard to find a comfortable fit, but this one from Runderwear is designed just for those with larger busts. The Power Running Bra (previously called the Easy-On) runs true to standard bra size and is available in an amazing 70 sizes. Soft, moisture-wicking fabrics, wire-free molded cups with a thin layer of built-in padding, padded straps and an encased band all combine to ensure there’s no rubbing or digging in. 

The high neckline encases breasts completely so there’s less bouncing, and the back opens fully and fastens with a double set of hook-and-eye closures to keep the fit secure. This one is not the easiest to get into—you may need to do the clasps up in front of you and swivel the bra around when fastened.

Best For Shape And Support

Gather round ladies, because functional sportswear and good looks have finally collided. If you feel like all sports bras either flatten your boobs or have uncomfortable underwiring, this innovative new bra for bigger busts could be the answer. The PeBe Impact Sports Bra 3.0, designed for D to GG cup sizes, takes sportswear technology up a notch without squishing you into submission, thanks to clever engineering combined with well-placed fabric scaffolding—so you can wave goodbye to the dreaded monoboob.

If you’re used to sport bras that tuck everything in and suppress your greatest assets, feeling like your breasts are being celebrated and out on display does take some getting used to. But it is miraculous how this bra manages to reduce bounce and still keep your chest up and out there, and I am here for it. It is a little hard to get on at first, but once you’ve nailed it, this bra fulfills its promise to minimize bounce without sacrificing your silhouette. Busty runners around the globe are going to love it.—Rhalou Allerhand

Another winner from Shock Absorber, this is a maximum-support bra designed for D-H cups. You won’t be worried about popping out of this bra, with its high-impact support and fuller coverage on the upper chest area. The shaped straps are padded to avoid any discomfort from digging in, and the band around the ribs is wide, soft and breathable, with a padded hook-and-eye fastener at the back.

A new bra from independent sports bra specialist Maaree, the Battle Bra is an underwired bra that uses encapsulation to support and shape your breasts, and uses the overband idea also seen in the brand’s Solidarity bra to keep upward (as well as downward) movement to a minimum. The material used is soft on the skin and offers firm support, and the bra has a bonded, raw-edged look.

While I didn’t get on with this particular bra—I just couldn’t get the right fit and found the underwire uncomfortable—it’s been very popular with bigger-breasted runners in particular, with reviewers saying they’ve finally been able to forget about their boobs while running. You may need to go down a cup size to get the right fit, but the best thing about Maaree’s sports bras is the excellent free online fitting service. Before buying you can book in for a virtual bra fitting with one of Maaree’s experts who will help you find your perfect size.—CA

If you’re a medium to bigger-busted runner who needs support but doesn’t like to feel too restricted by compression wear, this simple bra with non-moulded cups is a great shout. It’s super-easy to slip into with no fiddly extra straps just like an everyday bra, but still has enough structure to see you comfortably through a high-impact run. And if you struggle with strap slippage, a well-placed clip transforms it into a racerback.

The soft seams keep friction at bay, the padded shoulder straps stay put and it fits true to size. And if you’ve ever struggled with underband chafe on your longer runs, fear not—the flat elastic underband sits comfortably and provides anchorage under the bust. I particularly like the way it felt supportive without being suffocating like some high-impact bras. And best of all, the leopard print detailing on the straps adds a splash of fun to an otherwise plain accessory.—RA

Offering excellent support and coverage, this bra is very popular with runners looking for cup size D or larger. Its sculpting effect means it doesn’t compress your boobs into your ribcage. The molded inner cups are underwired, however, so there’s a chance the wire might eventually work its way out, especially if you go against the instructions and machine-wash it. Which you will because, frankly, who has time to hand-wash their sports bra?

If you want shape as well as support, but you don’t get on with underwired bras and don’t like the upholstered feeling of bulky padded bras, this one might work for you. It’s available in a selection of muted colours, with cleverly tailored three-section cups to offer full coverage without extra layers of padding. It’s easy to put on, with clasps at the back like an everyday bra, but the straps stay put thanks to the shaped design.

Best On A Budget

I was pleasantly surprised by this bra from H&M Move. The fabric feels high quality, and the bonded seams and raw-edged design give it a similar feel to high-end bras from top sportswear brands. It has lightly padded cups that are slightly molded, giving just a little more shape than a compression bra and avoiding the uniboob look.

The band is firm and not too stretchy—unlike those on most high-street offerings—I approve. The bra offers an impressive level of support, however the neckline could have been higher for an even more locked-in and supported feel. I found the wide straps comfy and although they looked like they might slip, they didn’t budge during test runs.

My main criticism is that the hard plastic connectors linking the straps to the back of the bra dug into my shoulders slightly, though this might not happen for you—I had the straps on the shortest setting, so the connectors came higher up my shoulders than they might for others. Other than that, it’s a great bra at an affordable price, as long as the fit works for you—no bra sizes here, just standard clothing sizes (XXS-XXL).—CA

Best-Looking Bra

If you want coverage from your sports bra, without those annoying removable cups that get squished into weird shapes in the washing machine, look no further. The Lululemon High Support Energy Bra is one of the best I’ve tried from the Canadian brand. It has built-in foam cups for coverage, a traditional hook-and-eye clasp that makes it easy to get the bra on and off even after a sweaty run, and it comes in a wide variety of cup sizes to suit most runners. 

The bra is beautifully soft against the skin, even in warm weather, and it does a good job of wicking sweat away from the body. The straps are adjustable, allowing you to get a personalized, locked-in fit, and the bra is machine-washable so you can chuck it in with the rest of your sweaty kit. The only downside I found is that the straps can get tangled if you do throw it in the washing machine.—Jane McGuire

Best For Minimal Bounce

What goes up must come down, as they say, so one-woman company Maaree has developed sports bras that combat upward as well as downward breast movement. The addition of an “overband” helps to minimize the dreaded bounce, and the band is adjustable so you can fine-tune the fit. Mesh side panels help to keep you cool, while the extra-wide underband and fastening at the back ensure the band is secure and comfortable. The adjustable straps are wide and comfy, though in order to get the support required for running you’ll need to hook them together in a racerback shape—and this isn’t the easiest maneuver. 

The bra feels fairly rigid because the outsides of the cups have stiffened fabric panels to help the bra hold its structure, which should also delay any loss of shape from repeated visits to the washing machine. If you’re unsure about the fit, you can have a free virtual bra fitting with one of Maaree’s bra fitters over Zoom.—CA

Most Comfortable Running Bras

Swiss sportswear brand On has made its first foray into the sports bra world and among its initial line-up is the high-impact Performance Bra. It’s all minimal, clean lines and high-end technical fabrics with soft, molded cups that provide a comfortable, encased feel and offer support in all directions, helped by the high neckline. The wide elastic straps and extra-wide underband sit comfortably against the skin, and the mesh panel at the back offers excellent ventilation. So far so good. 

However, there’s no fastening to this bra, so you’ve got to squirm your way in as best you can. There’s also no way to adjust the fit: Both the underband and the shoulder straps are one set length, and since the bra comes in basic clothing sizes (XS-XL) the chances of finding a good fit are slim. It didn’t quite fit for me, so the required level of support wasn’t there. But for a select few it might well fit like a second skin.—CA

While it doesn’t matter too much what your sports bra looks like as long as it’s doing a good job, the Sweaty Betty Zero Gravity Running Bra ticks the design boxes for its cool contrasting stitching and wide straps. But this bra has substance as well as style: It’s extremely supportive for running, HIIT and other high-impact sports. During testing, I found it did a good job of wicking sweat away from my skin and drying quickly. 

The fastening is clever, with a traditional hook-and-eye clasp at the underband, and a quick-release top clasp to help you get the bra off when sweaty. The straps are easy to adjust for a close fit, and the bra comes in a huge range of sizes and colors. The only downside is that it doesn’t come cheap so it won’t be accessible to everyone. It’s also worth using Sweaty Betty’s size converter to ensure you’re getting the best fit.—JMG

The Infinity Bra offers high support without resorting to excess padding or an underwire. A hook-and-eye fastening at the back of the band and the sturdy crossed straps keep it firmly in place. Extra support has been injected into the fabric in a figure of eight (or infinity symbol) because that’s the movement pattern made by your breasts as you run and the idea is to counter that movement. My main quibble is that it’s only available in six generic sizes, from XS to XXL, rather than bra sizes.—CA

Adjusting the tightness of a standard bra band behind your back is awkward at best. With a flash of genius, Adidas has redesigned things so you can adjust it at the front on both sides. That doesn’t mean it’s any easier to get on, however, because the bra doesn’t open at the back – you have to wriggle your way in through the cross-over straps. The shoulder straps have four hooks so you can fine-tune the length slightly. Soft, breathable fabric helps keep you cool and comfy. The bra is snug-fitting and supportive without squishing your boobs flat.

This bra does away with uncomfortable hooks and adjustable plastic bits on the straps, so there will be no more struggling with clasps and getting tangled in racerbacks. Its cross-over straps, molded cups and super-soft material work together to produce a “second skin” fit combining compression and encapsulation. However, there’s no adjustability in the straps or chest band, which means either it fits perfectly or it doesn’t. Try one and see: it might be your new fave… or it might not.

This is a high-support bra with a second-skin feel. The molded cups and cross-over straps (which can be worn as straight straps) make the Reebok PureMove+ supremely comfortable and it seems to fit almost all sizes and shapes. Thanks to the back opening and cross-over straps, it’s not the easiest to get into—but once you’re in, it’s extremely supportive and comfortable.

I was a fan of the Juno bra from sports bra specialist Moving Comfort, but that model was discontinued after the company merged with Brooks. This bra is the next best thing—it’s not identical, but it’s close. Rather than Velcro, it has a non-slip ladder-style closure on the front of the straps, making it possible to adjust the fit once it’s on. Shaped cups offer breast separation and support, and the fabric is soft, sweat-wicking and comfortable with an almost seamless design. You may need to size up, though, because this one runs small.

The standout feature of this compression bra is its sturdy, front-adjusting straps. The hook and loop fastening keeps the straps firmly in place, so there’s no chance of them slipping mid-run. The band has no hook and eye closure, so you need to pull the bra on over your head, yet it has a good amount of stretch so this wasn’t a problem for me.

I found the back of the bra with its stretchy mesh racerback and keyhole cut out comfortable and breathable. The front panel provides good coverage with a high neckline, which helps minimize upward (and therefore downward) movement. As with a lot of compression bras, it gave a slight uniboob effect, but the level of support was good.

Sizing is basic—I tried a small and found the fit fairly good. I’d have liked to be able to adjust the band to get an even better fit. The straps sit quite close to the neck, though I found them comfortable enough over several runs of varying distances. I regretted wearing the bra for a strength-training session, because it had a tendency to dig in just in front of the armpit during kettlebell swings.

Although this bra washed perfectly well, given how stretchy the back mesh is, I wonder how long it will last before it loses elasticity.—CA

Best Zip-Front Running Bra

There’s a lot to like about the Alpha Zip-Front bra. It’s easy to get on and off, thanks to the zip front, which can be secured with a hook and eye to make doing it up even easier. The straps can be adjusted from the front—always a win when you don’t have to take the bra off to fine tune the straps. There are four hook-and-eye settings to choose from at the back of the band. The result is that it’s easy to get a great fit and therefore the right level of support. This bra passed the bounce test for me with flying colors, and was comfortable to run in.

The sweat-wicking material is smooth and pleasant against the skin, and while the shaped cups have more padding than I had expected, I didn’t find them bulky or hot. Despite the shaped, padded cups the bra relies on compression to give you the support you need, so it does have a slight tendency towards a uniboob.—CA

If you find back clasps too awkward to reach, this bra from M&S is a great-value front-opening option. The full-coverage cups are not padded, making it more breathable, and the tailored sections create a shaped silhouette. Wide straps and a racerback design ensure it stays put, although the straps are not adjustable, which means it won’t be a great fit for some. It runs small so you may want to consider trying a size or two up.

Best Running Bras For Nursing Mums

Trying to breastfeed while wearing a normal sports bra is almost impossible, but thankfully there are sports bras designed for nursing mums. Active breastfeeding mums also tend to find they need a larger size and more support from their sports bra, which can make it worth investing in a new bit of kit.

It’s a challenge to find a sports bra that fits when you’re pregnant because your body keeps changing shape, so a bra that can also change is a brilliant idea. This nursing bra can be adjusted to fit you throughout pregnancy and into the postnatal phase. It comes with a matching bra extender so it will fit even when your ribcage expands during pregnancy.

I tested it while six months pregnant, using it for running and for sweaty cardio and Pilates sessions while testing the Bump Plan. I found the soft, wide straps comfortable, and liked that they can be worn straight or crossed over. I found this bra supportive enough for running and comfortable to wear all day, with enough padding to cocoon even the most tender breasts. The nursing cups will make life a lot easier when breastfeeding on the go—buggyfit classes here I come.—CA

Nursing bra specialist Natal Active now offers a nursing bra for bigger-busted mums. A bra extender is included so you can get a better fit throughout pregnancy as well as while breastfeeding. The crossover straps and underband are wide and soft, and the higher neckline means more coverage and support. Sizing isn’t standard, so find a tape measure and check the brand’s sizing chart to get the best possible fit.

The moulded cups on this nursing bra include flexible underwire for a high degree of support, making it ideal for running, HIIT or Buggyfit classes. You can unhook either cup with ease and its A-frame design keeps the bra in place while you feed. Wide, padded straps mean nothing digs in, and there are mesh panels to offer some ventilation, while a conversion clip on the straps allows you to wear it either with straight straps or as a racerback.

One for those who don’t get on with underwire or padding, this fuss-free racerback sports bra has a simple, pull-over-the-head design. The drop-down cups are designed for breastfeeding and can be unhooked with one hand, which makes feeding your little one mid-workout a whole lot easier. It comes in sizes S to XXL rather than standard bra sizes.

More Tried-And-Tested Women’s Running Gear

• Browse the best women’s running tops, including short-sleeve T-shirts, race-day vests and looser tanks, as well as long-sleeved tops.
• Go for a run when the weather’s against you in one of these best running jackets for women.
• Make sure the workhorses of your running wardrobe are thoroughbreds with our picks of the best running leggings.
• Whether you prefer form-fitting or loose, you’re sure to find a great pair in our run-down of the best women’s running shorts.

There is no more underrated piece of clothing than socks, especially for runners. While you might spend weeks selecting the best running shoe and agonise for hours over the technical T-shirt you want to wear on race day, the chances are you’ll devote mere seconds to sock selection.

This is a huge mistake – we’d even go as far as saying it’s a travesty. The best socks will not only make blisters less likely and keep your feet dry and cool, but they’ll also make the whole run feel right. Simply pulling on the perfect pair of socks can do away with any motivational misgivings before a run. You’ll be desperate to get out there.

In the past running socks were very plain affairs, especially for men, but brands like Stance have helped to spark a revolution in design that means your socks will often be the most exciting bit of kit you pull on for a run, so make sure you pick a few pairs you’re ready to show off.

Here are the very best running socks to consider.

The Best Running Socks

I’ve been a fully paid-up member of the Stance socks fan club for a few years now—it’s a brand that offers a winning combination of style and substance. The socks have eye-catching designs and use long-lasting technical fabrics across the range, but there are two key features for runners. One is Infiknit, a winning pun that points to the durability of the socks (Stance offers a lifetime guarantee on the products that have it). 

The other is Feel360, a wicking fabric that ensures the socks dry in a flash, even after very sweaty long runs, in my experience. The Stance range contains a variety of great designs and socks of different thicknesses to suit your preferences, but the Run Light Crew socks are a great staple option if you’re not sure where to start.

The Kiprun range from Decathlon contains a variety of good-value socks to suit different tastes, and the Kiprun 900 Mid Thick are my favorite of those I’ve tested. The socks are well padded around the toes and heel, with flat seam finishes helping to ensure that there is no chafing and a midfoot band holding them in position, which also helps reduce the risk of rubbing. They’re not the most exciting-looking socks available and they lose some of their soft feel after a few washes, but they match the performance of socks that cost twice as much.

These 5in crew socks tick all the right boxes. They are made from a lightweight and breathable fabric, with a mesh section on the top of the foot to ensure there’s no overheating, and extra cushioning on the heel and achilles for comfort and to prevent rubbing. The socks come in a range of appealing colors that match up with the rest of Tracksmith’s range, but there are no outlandish designs here for those who like to make a statement with their socks.

CEP’s range of compression socks includes a couple of stand-outs. While the Ultralight sock is well suited to those running in very hot conditions regularly, I prefer the thicker, more supportive feel of The Run socks. They feel comfortable over runs of any length—I’ve used them for a 51km run, as well as shorter, faster runs—and they never feel overbearingly tight or hot. 

The benefits of using compression socks during runs are still debated but while managing an achilles niggle, I have felt more comfortable using long compression socks for harder or longer runs. It’s almost certainly all in my mind, but anything that makes you feel better while running is a good thing.

I’m a fan of bamboo running gear in general—the soft material is eco-friendly, wicks sweat and is naturally odor-resistant—and BAM has a good selection of socks for active use. These Technical Trainer Socks are the best option for runners: They are comfortable and more lightweight than other bamboo options, partly because the fabric is a mix of bamboo viscose and recycled polyamide, and have a mesh panel on the top of the foot for extra breathability. Even when I used these a couple of times in a row, they never got smelly.

I rate Bombas socks among the most comfortable I’ve tested: The thicker material and padded sections make for a pleasingly plush ride, especially in the colder months. Even in hot weather they didn’t overheat my feet, although you may feel a warm glow when wearing them because for every pair bought Bombas donates a pair of socks to a homeless shelter.

Higher State offers terrific value across its range of running gear (you can generally ignore the RRP, because I’ve never seen its gear not reduced on the Sports Shoes site), and that’s certainly the case with these socks. They are comfortable, with plenty of padding in key areas, and thinner sections ensure the material is still fairly breathable, though these do run a little hotter than some others I’ve tested. There’s an extensive range of colors too, and those hunting for socks on a budget could do far worse than filling their sock drawer with the Freedom Running Anklet.

While a few of the socks on this list stand out thanks to their design, none is quite as eye-catching as Proviz’s Classic Airfoot sock, which is all about making you as visible as possible. As you can see, it makes the most of fluorescent yellow or pink fabric, but the silver bits at the top of the sock also reflect light to make you more visible to drivers at night. The socks are also thin and comfortable to wear for long runs, and there is also a shorter version if you don’t want any part of your calves covered.

“Natty” is not a word you hear a lot these days, but it is the right word for these socks, which come in a range of diamond designs. The look is just part of the appeal—the socks are made from a lightweight and comfortable fabric that I found ideal for running on hot days. If you want something warmer, we recommend Soar’s All Weather Sock. It uses a hollow yarn that locks in heat and has a water-repellent treatment that stops water from sinking in on chilly, wet runs.

Sporcks has running, triathlon and cycling socks in its range, and they’re all great for running in my experience, but the Icon range is specifically targeted at runners. The outstanding features of the socks are how light they are and the exceptional breathability of the mesh top of the sock. That makes them a good pick for those with sweaty feet, because the Sporcks socks are well ventilated and dry quickly, so the sweat doesn’t linger in the fabric and eventually cause rubbing. The downside of the thin design of the socks is that I have found they don’t last as long as some thicker options. They’re not flimsy and I still get a lot of use out of any one pair, but others are more durable.

The idea behind SHYU’s range is a simple and smart one. The socks are designed to match the colors of popular running shoes, in particular the best carbon plate running shoes. SHYU moves fast to update its range, getting new designs out to match launches from the likes of Nike and Adidas, so you can line up on race day with socks matching your super-shoes.

I found it more pleasing than I expected to pull on a pair of bright pink and orange socks to match my Nike Vaporfly 3, and SHYU is branching out into socks matching training shoes too, so you can always match. Obviously keeping up with every single shoe out there is impossible, so be prepared for disappointment if you mainly use an older color of a shoe, or one from a smaller brand.

I love an unconditional guarantee, and the good folks at Darn Tough are prepared to back up their brand name with a lifetime warranty on their socks that says you can send them back at any point and get another pair for free. I’ve yet to have any indication that I’d need to use that guarantee for these socks, despite the fact they are made from a lightweight Merino wool that’s thin and breathable. The socks also stay firmly in place during runs, so there’s no bunching or rubbing, and look pretty good too, though the range of designs is smaller and more conservative than with some other brands.

We have a range of great options for those who like to run in compression socks in our round-up of the best compression socks, but the benefits of wearing supportive socks during recovery are more established, and that’s where the CEP Infrared socks shine. The infrared tech in the fabric is designed to reflect heat emitted by your muscles back into your legs to boost recovery. The medium level of compression in the socks allows you to wear them for long stretches in comfort, and I found them comfortable for long flights as well as on the days after long runs.

1000 Mile’s double-layer socks come with a blister-free guarantee, such is the company’s confidence in their preventive properties. The idea is that the inner layer stays with your skin while the outer layer moves with your shoe to prevent any rubbing directly on your skin. It’s worth trying these socks if you do struggle with blisters, since the guarantee means you can return them within 12 months if they wear out or give you blisters within 1,000 miles of use. The Lite Anklet is a breathable, lightweight two-layer sock that’s made with REPREVE recycled materials.

I’ve picked out the Razer as my favorite, but in Rockay’s wide range of socks all runners will find something they like—whether they prefer their socks to be thick or thin, long or short, or even constrictive in the case of the compression socks. Rockay puts an emphasis on sustainability, making all its gear from recycled materials, with the result that the equivalent of 13 plastic bottles are removed from the ocean for each set of socks you purchase. The Razer socks get the nod from me because they offer a little cushioning without making the material too thick, and have an anti-odour coating so you can use them a couple of times before washing.

You wouldn’t want to use these for all your runs, but they’re immensely valuable to have in your kit drawer. The impermeable membrane sandwiched between the inner and outer layer means they are unfailingly waterproof, which saved me from running for at least an hour with freezing cold and sodden feet one winter, when faced with a flooded field early in a point-to-point countryside run. Sealskinz also has a range of  waterproof running socks for warmer weather, which come with a barrier at the top to stop water streaming down your leg and into the sock—a useful addition given that downpours can occur in summer too.

How cushioned do you like your running socks? Are you the type who prefers as much cushioning as possible for easy long runs, but on race day wants to slip on something lighter in the pursuit of marginal gains? If so, I salute your discerning taste and feel obliged to point you in the direction of Feetures’ Elite sock range. This allows you to pick not only the height you like—crew, ankle or no-show—but also the level of cushioning—ultra light, light or max. There’s also a huge range of colors, so you’re sure to find socks to satisfy on that front as well.

When your socks look this good, it makes no sense at all to hide them away by opting for the low or mid versions. The high sock comes up to mid-calf and is made from a quick-drying fabric that lightly compresses the foot during your run. The pattern on the arch of the sock isn’t just for show—it’s designed to hit sensory receptors in the foot to prime them for running. I reckon the key here is not to try to work out what that means, but just to lean in to the idea that your socks are making you more ready to run.

The padding on these socks cushions the foot well, and I found that they didn’t bunch up or move around on the foot, which means they help to reduce the risk of rubbing and blisters. The toe section is linked seamlessly to the rest of the sock so there are no raised parts that could rub, and although the material used is thicker than on many other running socks I’ve tested, it still breathes well and dries quickly.

When you’re feeling down, sometimes all you need to feel better is a big bear hug. So when you put your legs through their paces with a tough run, it makes sense to think a little squeeze might just help them out too. The best compression socks deliver just that.

That’s a none-too-scientific way of looking at it, of course, but there is good evidence that compression can aid recovery after tough physical exploits. The jury is still out on whether compression socks can help improve performance during a run, but enough people are hailing their benefits to assume you might benefit from a placebo effect at least.

You’ll need to get the right fit, though, and some people find this easier to achieve by just going for compression calf guards rather than full sock. You’ll also have to make your peace with the fact everyone will see you in knee-high socks. For keen runners with lower-leg niggles like shin splints and plantar fasciitis, that will be a small price to pay if compression socks seem to help at all.

How I Test Compression Socks

I am a keen runner who usually logs 50-70 miles a week, generally while marathon training. I have used compression socks for many years to aid recovery after hard runs, and will often wear them during runs as well when dealing with niggles, in the hope they might do something to help. 

Here are some of the best calf-compressing socks to consider.

The Best Compression Socks

In the opinion of most of those who slipped on a pair, CEP pretty much nailed it with its first-generation compression sock. But the company wasn’t satisfied, so it refined the formula with the CEP Run Sock 2.0. And then the 3.0. Both of these were also great, but was CEP happy to stop there? No, sir! 

The fourth generation of the sock is even more comfortable, even better at managing moisture and even more effective at keeping your feet warm or cold as the external conditions demand. It’s also treated with silver to reduce smells, which is good news for those who want to wear the socks during and after their run. I’ve logged a lot of miles in the CEP 4.0 socks, including one 51km trail run, and they are comfortable and supportive for any distance.

Two things are true of almost all compression socks. They will provide a tight squeeze and they will be difficult to put on. However, the 2XU Vectr socks go further than most on both fronts. I found them so hard to pull on that it was frustrating, but once you manage it they are comfortable to wear during exercise, and an appealing option for those who want to really feel the compression effect from their socks. The padded heel and forefoot make them more comfortable, while the seamless toe box reduces the risk of blisters in that area.

According to CEP, the infrared tech in these socks is designed to trap the heat emitted by your body and reflect it back into your muscles to improve circulation and boost recovery, adding to the similar benefits that you get from the compression. A medium level of compression makes these socks more comfortable to wear for long stretches, which I have done after several marathons, when I was very glad of the subtle support for my aching calves.

The Vigor compression socks are made from recycled materials and are backed up by guarantees that you won’t get blisters on your first run, and also Rockay’s Rocksolid guarantee, which states you can get a new pair of socks should the Vigor “fail”. It’s a useful guarantee and in my experience the lightweight fabric used on the socks, which does make them breathable and great for hot-weather runs, is more prone to tears than the material on other socks I’ve tested. Even with a couple of minor rips, however, these socks are still performing well for me, and they are a great option that cost less than many alternatives.

There is always value to be found at Decathlon when buying new running gear, and that’s the case with these compression socks, which are cheaper than most you’ll find elsewhere and deliver a tight squeeze. They are a little thicker than other options on this list, and I found they were a bit warm at times, but if you like a high level of compression while running they are certainly a great option at an appealing price.

The Ultralight socks are even more expensive than CEP’s 4.0 socks, but they have become my go-to pair for racing, and I’ve used them for a range of events including a road half marathon and a 50-mile trail ultra. The thin fabric means they are comfortable and breathable while still delivering some supportive compression, and they don’t feel flimsy or prone to tearing like some thin socks. There’s a small but varied range of colors available, and you can also get an ultralight calf sleeve from CEP if you prefer that to a full sock.

• The Best Running Socks
• The Best Sports And Running Underwear For Men
• The Best Running Underwear For Women

However much we like to moan about the weather, the UK is a pretty great place to be a runner. The summers are rarely so hot as to make running a dehydration-risking misery and the winter cold tends to fall into the “lip balm is a good idea” category, rather than “wear gloves or lose a finger”.

That said, the British winter is typically wet, chilly and dark, none of which make it into any runner’s top ten descriptions of their favourite workout. Fortunately, you can combat all three of those conditions easily with the right running gear and a plan for how you approach the conditions. 

We’ve got all the winter running gear you need to consider below, plus our favourites in each category (click through to the main articles for more choice). Then we have seven quick winter running tips from running coach Tom Craggs (runningwithus.com), to help keep you motivated through a winter of running.

Winter Running Gear

Running Shoes

Naturally you need these all year round, but many brands now make versions of their popular shoes with winter-ready features. These include water-resistant or even completely waterproof uppers, reflective sections, no-tie laces and outsoles with more grip. It might seem like a luxury to buy a seasonal running shoe, but if you run several times a week, having warmer, drier feet on all those runs is a worthwhile luxury.

Find more shoe recommendations in our round up of the best running shoes.

The standard Nike Pegasus 39 is a great value all-rounder and the winterised version of the shoe is a brilliant pick for the chiller, wetter months. The Pegasus 39 Shield has a water-repellent, insulated upper that keeps your feet warm and dry, while the Storm-Tread outsole grips well on wet roads. The ride is comfortable and fairly quick, so the Pegasus 39 Shield works well for a range of training runs while protecting your feet from inclement conditions.

Gloves

The requirements are simple here – you want gloves that keep your hands warm but not sweaty. For those who like to fiddle with electronics while they run, track down a pair that allow you to use touchscreen devices. 

You'll find more top picks to choose from in our round up of the best running gloves.

If you run hot then these gloves might be a tad too warm for you to use in anything but sub-zero conditions, but if, like us, you find your extremities get cold even during hard winter runs then the Sealskinz gloves are worth the outlay. They are fully waterproof and very warm, and for the most part they are breathable enough that your paws won’t get sweaty.

Water-Resistant Running Jacket

The first of two jackets that you need in your winter wardrobe. You’ll want a full waterproof for when it’s really bucketing down, but generally it’s more enjoyable to run in a water-resistant top the rest of the time, because waterproof jackets tend to get a little hot and sweaty when there’s no rain.

That means the water-resistant jacket is your go-to for most runs, so you need to really love wearing it. It needs to be breathable, but able to stand up to drizzle and deflect the wind away from your core, and reflective details are useful for runs in the dark.

Our full guide to the best men's running jackets and the best running jackets for women have a wide selection of both water-resistant and waterproof outer layers for your top half.

This packable jacket is perfect for changeable conditions on winter runs. It is resistant to wind and water while being nice and lightweight so it breathes well during runs on milder days. If it’s still too warm, you can take it off, pack it away into its own pocket and then wear it around your waist thanks to the belt strap. It’s the perfect piece of versatile winter kit, even if the name is way too long.

Waterproof Running Jacket

When conditions really get nasty, you need something stronger than a softshell. A fully waterproof running jacket probably won’t be all that breathable, so stick to easy runs while wearing it, but aim to find a lightweight option that won’t make you so sweaty that blocking out the rain becomes self-defeating. Packable jackets that can come along for the ride are a bonus, so you’re prepared if the weather suddenly turns.

Again, you'll find a more extensive selection of the best men's running jackets and the best running jackets for women on those pages.

As far as we can tell, the more you pay for a waterproof jacket, the more breathable it is – and it’s worth paying for breathability in a running jacket, because otherwise you end up so sweaty keeping the rain at bay the whole endeavour becomes largely pointless. The Inov-8 Stormshell has taped seams and will keep the worst weather at bay, but still breathes well so you can use it for hard runs on wet days without worrying about overheating.

Gilet

Unless you live in a place where the temperature stays below zero for several months in the winter, a gilet might be a smarter purchase than a full jacket. Windproof and waterproof gilets keep your core warm and the sleeveless design is less restrictive when you want to run hard.

Read more about the best running gilets and why every runner needs this versatile piece of kit.

This gilet is essentially perfect, with a comfortable, unrestrictive fit and a windproof and waterproof design. For much of the British winter, combining the Soar gilet with a long-sleeved base layer will be all you need to stay warm, and then on the very coldest days it fits well over a jacket and is breathable enough that you won’t get sweaty. 

Base Layer

A cosy base layer is the closest thing to a runner’s heart in the winter – quite literally, if you don’t wear a chest strap. The top should keep you warm and wick away sweat from the skin, so you remain dry and comfortable. The main decision to make is between merino wool and synthetic fabrics. The former is warmer and resists odours better, while the latter wicks away sweat and dries more quickly.

Click through for our full selection of the best men's running base layers and the best women's running tops – including long sleeved tops.

This Merino base layer uses a more open knit on the core where breathability is key when wearing it under other layers, and a tighter knit on the arms to keep them warm during your run. It naturally resists odours so you can use it for a few runs between washes; just make sure to hang it up to dry between uses.

Tights And Leggings

Some runners will shy away from running tights no matter how cold it gets, but they’re missing a trick, because a good pair of leg huggers are just the ticket for staying snug on easy runs and warming up for speedy sessions. As with base layers, you want a sweat-wicking material that dries quickly and it’s always useful if the tights have reflective details for night running.

Read more about the best men's running tights and the best running leggings for women.

These thermal tights are every bit as warm and soft as you’d expect given their high price, and if you’re anything like us you’ll probably want to keep them on for hours after your run. There’s a stretchy pocket in the waistband to carry your essentials, and the supportive fit provides a little compression to keep the blood flowing without being overbearing.

Snood

It’s high time we all embraced perhaps the most unfairly maligned of all athletic accessories, the snood. Use it to keep your neck warm, or bunch it up to use as a headband which protects your ears from the chill. A lightweight, sweat-wicking material is best.

This snug neck warmer is made from bamboo fabric, which is warm and soft and naturally resists sweaty smells so you can wear it for several runs without it stinking up the joint. You can also use it as a headband if you start your run hatless and decide your ears need more protection from the elements than your neck.

Arm Warmers

In the winter you can throw on all the layers you want for easy runs, but for races and fast training sessions you’ll want to find the right balance between staying warm and not adding too much bulk. Arm warmers can help get that balance right. Slip them on alongside a vest for speed workouts when it’s chilly and they’ll provide just enough warmth without restricting your running action. Plus, you get the bonus of feeling like an elite runner when you pull them on, which helps to mentally prepare you for running fast.

A lot of technical details have been crammed into these arm warmers. The key bits are the silicone strips on the hems to hold them in place and the elbow dart that allows the joint to move freely on the run.

Read More 

• Meet The Man Who Runs Marathons In The Snow
• Running Motivation: Five Ways To Stop Winter Killing Your Running Buzz
• Shine Like A Beacon With This Reflective Running Gear
• The Best Running Shoes For The Mud
• The Best Trail Running Shoes For All Types Of Terrain

Winter Running Tips

1. Ring-Fence Your Training Time

The festive period can be incredibly busy and the first thing many people strike off their schedule is exercise. Avoid this pitfall by planning your weekly training to help you stick to it. Given how hectic Christmas can be you’ll probably be glad of the time to yourself anyway.

“Aim to get your sessions in the bank as early in the morning as you can, because life will throw more and more run-busting challenges at you throughout the day,” says Craggs.

2. Change Your Scenery

Running the same bit of Tarmac over and over again is just another reason to skip a run when it’s cold out, so mix it up.

“Change up your usual running routes, get off-road and include some hills to challenge your body differently,” says Craggs. “Your body loves routine and plateaus easily. Shake things up and keep your muscles, and your brain, guessing.”

3. Fuel Your Fitness

It’s expected that people will overindulge during the Christmas period, but it’s also important to get your fill of fruit and veg and not to follow that overindulgence with a fad diet in January that cuts out the food you need to support your running.

“Consistency is the key to running success,” says Craggs. “Now is not the time for a crazy new diet or to start excluding whole food groups. You need to fuel your training with high-quality carbohydrates as well as adequate fats and protein.”

If you do want to make a healthy change to your diet then Craggs’s recommendation is to do some more cooking for yourself.

“Spend some time in the kitchen!” says Craggs. “Even if it’s just two to three times a week to start off with. Cook for yourself and look to vary your meals and include a broad span of fruit and vegetables. Vitamins C, B6, E, D and zinc all contribute to a healthy functioning immune system, which can stave off some of the colds and infections that can really hamper the consistency of your training.”

4. Get Cross

Cross-training should already be part of your training routine and considering you can do it indoors, it’s an even more attractive option in the winter.

“Your heart and lungs don’t know the difference between being on a bike, a cross-trainer, swimming and running,” says Craggs. “Your muscles will thank you if you add variety through cross-training which can match the benefits of additional running with greater strength gains and less impact.”

5. Get Cross (Again)

“The UK has a wonderful tradition of cross-country running and it all kicks off in the autumn,” says Craggs. “It’s great for building strength but it’s also good for just getting out and racing without thinking too much about times and paces. Many of the sport’s best use cross-country races in the autumn and winter to provide the platform for the following year’s PBs on the roads. Give it a try!”

If you need a few pointers, check out our beginner’s guide to cross-country. Your local running club will also have all the info you need on what’s going on in your area.

6. Map Out The Next Year Of Running

Having fixed goals in mind for the future makes it easier to stay motivated in the present, so line up your targets for next year to energise your winter training.

“Sit down over a nice warm drink and reflect upon your year so far,” says Craggs. “Think about what’s gone well and what could be improved. Alongside this, shortlist some races or goals which will get you fired up. Marrying up your goals with where you feel you currently are is the best starting point for a plan.”

7. Kit Yourself Out

“Having the right kit is crucial to motivation when you look out of the window and contemplate that session in the cold,” says Craggs.

“Kit yourself out with layers of sweat-wicking, sport-specific fabric. Look to arm warmers and hats to stay warm without basting yourself like a turkey.”

Running gloves fly under the radar in comparison with other bits of running gear. The best running shoes are more exciting, as are running jackets and other winter running gear. However, neglect to cover your hands and any run in the cold quickly becomes an ordeal rather than a pleasure.

There are just two things the best running gloves need to do: keep your hands warm and not make them sweaty. Everything else—reflective patterns, conductive fingertips—means nothing if they can’t pull this off. But it’s not easy to achieve, because gloves that are lightweight and breathable might not be thick enough at the start of a run, while heavier fabrics can make for unpleasantly clammy palms after 20 minutes. Waterproof gloves are most often best avoided, because it’s almost impossible to find ones that are breathable enough that your hands won’t get as wet from sweat as they would have from the rain.

So I set out with a simple mission to find running gloves that keep your hands warm and dry. Here are those gloves.

How I Test Running Gloves

I run a lot—around 50 to 70 miles a week—and I tend to really feel the cold in my hands. I also suffer from chilblains on my fingers most winters. I am, in short, an ideal person to test running gloves, and I wear each pair I review for a few weeks of chilly running to see how they fare. I’m looking for comfort, warmth, a lack of clamminess, and preferably touch panels on the fingers so I can use my phone at times.

The Quick List

This is a short rundown of my top picks. You’ll find more detailed reviews further down the page—click on the link to jump to the relevant product review. 

The Best Running Gloves

Best Overall

These gloves are our go-to option this winter, offering enough warmth without bulk thanks to the convertible design. In glove mode they are practical – it’s easy to use your phone or handle other items – and you can flip the mitten over for extra warmth when required. We would like the ability to button the mitten in place or tuck it away when not using it, but otherwise these are pretty much perfect. You’re not likely to need anything warmer except for long runs in sub-zero temperatures.

Best Budget Gloves

These soft gloves do a good job of keeping your paws warm, although they absorb water quickly so are best reserved for dry days. The gloves have touchscreen panels on the thumbs and index fingers, as well as reflective details. These gloves are always reduced to under $10/£10 and at that price you can’t really ask for more.

Best Lightweight Gloves

If you just need a little extra warmth on the run and fear sweaty hands as much as cold ones, these lightweight gloves are a strong option. They’re thin enough that your hands won’t overheat even when pushing hard in workouts or races, but do still retain some warmth to take the edge off the cold. The silicone pattern on the palm means you have a more secure grip on your phone, and the fingertips play nice with touchscreens.

Best Waterproof Gloves

I recently tested five pairs of Sealskinz gloves for running, and my favorite pair overall were actually these cycling gloves. Cycling gloves tend to be warmer than running gloves, and even waterproof running gloves can sometimes leave my hands too cold. The Bodham are thicker and cozier than running gloves, but you can still handle objects while wearing them without feeling too clumsy, and they are touchscreen-compatible, though it’s hard to use a phone while wearing them.

Although they’re thick they are breathable, and I’ve worn them on hard runs without my hands getting clammy. I’ve also worn them for two-hour trail runs in freezing and wet conditions and they kept my hands warm and dry. If you want a bit more protection than you get from standard running gloves for cold runs in the rain or snow, then the Bodham gloves will serve you well.

Best For Using Your Phone

Most running gloves are touchscreen-compatible these days, but these gloves make it especially easy to use your phone on the run. The tight fit of the gloves and the Etip panels mean that your touches are precise and your screen registers them reliably, while the silicone pattern on the gloves helps you grip your phone securely.

The gloves are fairly lightweight so they might not be enough to keep your hands warm on very cold days, but on those occasions they are thin enough that you can use them as a liner and slip a warmer mitten on top. 

Best Mitten/Glove Combo

The NDO 2-in-1 mittens will cost you a bit more than other gloves, but you are getting both mittens and gloves for your money and will be well set for pretty much any weather. The soft liner glove works by itself on milder days and has touchscreen-compatible tips, while the windproof and highly water-resistant outer mitten is easy to slip on over the liner when conditions demand it.

There are some neat features too, such as the large reflective sash on the mittens and the hidden magnets that hold them together when not in use. The gloves fit a little big in my experience—especially the liner glove, something which can make it harder to use the touchscreen tips—so sizing down might be the best way to go.

Best Water-repellent Gloves