The Best Running Accessories, According to Our Use and Experience

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Running shoes are, of course, the first thing you’ll need to log miles. But it’s important to set yourself up for success, whether that’s training for a race or starting a run streak.

How to do it? Can’t hurt to have some cool running accessories that will support your workouts and recovery. Some are crucial, like sports bras and a good-fitting pair of socks, while others are more splurge-worthy, like a GPS watch with all the bells and whistles.

Read on for our favorite running accessories that will help you go farther, get faster, and recover better.

Best Running Accessories

How We Recommend Running Accessories

Although I’m a loyalist to certain pieces of gear, one of the best parts of my job is trying new brands, model updates, and innovative apparel and running accessories. I used this hands- and feet-on experience and shoptalk with fellow runners and RW editors to make these gear recommendations, prioritizing performance, comfort, durability, and price.

Ponytail Hat

Runners who need a place to stash their long hair and stay warm, may we introduce you to the TrailHeads Ponytail hat? Its fleece will keep you warm, and its wide visor will protect your eyes from bright sun, all while giving your pony a place to escape.

ExoShot 2.0

Stay hydrated without being bogged down, thanks to the Nathan ExoShot 2.0, a sleek, collapsible 14-ounce bottle with a hand strap for grip-free running. Its slim pocket provides space for a few chews or gels, and the bite valve makes midrun hydration easy.

Related: The Best Handheld and Standard Water Bottles

Bip S

If you’re looking for a no-frills GPS watch that will display your pace and distance, and not die mid-workout, our test editors love the Amazfit Bip S. It boasts a 40-day battery life before requiring a 2.5-hour full charge. Not only does it accurately track your distance, this GPS watch syncs with your phone to alert you of calls, texts, and e-mails.

The downside, our editors found, was that the sleep and heart rate tracking had some inaccuracies. But for a budget-friendly GPS watch, the Bip S, which has multi-sport activity tracking, provides the best bang for your buck at less than $60.

Soundtouch Xtreme All Weather Glove

There are surprisingly not many run-specific waterproof gloves or mittens on the market; we’ve been known to wear ski gloves to brave the harsh, wet elements. But for a more streamlined fit, the Seirus Soundtouch Xtreme All Weather Glove is made with waterproof fabric and reinforced seems to keep your hands warm and dry.

Our testing team loves the brand’s Infinium All Weather gloves, but because of their breathability, they’re not waterproof. They recommend this Xtreme All Weather glove for the harshest conditions.

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Forerunner 955

For runners who want all the GPS watch frills, the Garmin Forerunner 955 takes the cake. It’s been updated from the previous version—the Forerunner 945—to now receive two signals from a satellite so it’s more accurate than ever.

The color maps help you navigate new running routes and the watch face features a built-in solar panel adding an extra seven hours of run time.

1-Inch Headband

Sweaty Bands and runners who need to keep hair out of their faces go way back—like way, way back. A staple at race expos across the country, the OG velvet-lined band really does not slip. The toughest decision you'll have when it comes to Sweaty Bands headbands is choosing the design. (Why not stock up on many?)

Related: Running Headbands That Never Slip Off

LuxeLift Pullover Bra

It’s hard to choose just one sports bra because a smaller-chested person might be able to get away with a more streamlined bra (no clasps, for example) while a larger-chested person needs ample support and adjustability. In our sports bra testing, the Knix LuxeLift Pull Up bra worked well across cup sizes, from A to G. It has a seamless design and no clasps while still providing ample support.

GOCap Athletics

We saw Ciele first on cyclists, but now the GoCap is making its way onto the heads of runners across the globe. The signature-style design is fun, but it’s also lightweight with quick-drying fabric for those days you’re sweating or getting rained on—or both.

Related: The Best Running Hats

Training Journal

Sure, there are loads of apps out there to help you log your miles and training, but there’s something to be said about actually writing it all down. (Just ask Molly Huddle.) We love the Compete Training Journal from former pro runners Lauren Fleshman and Róisín McGettigan-Dumas.

You’ll record your workouts, yes, but the pages will also help you set and assess goals, learn from professionals, and, perhaps most important, reflect.

Windstopper Beanie

For ponytail-less noggins, the Gore Wear Windstopper Beanie will keep you warm and dry. Gore gear tends to be on the pricier side, but for good reason: It’s high quality that lasts.

Sprinter 500

Our resident ultrarunner and tester of all things trail running, Pat Heine, loves the Black Diamond Sprinter 500 for his headlamp. At 500 lumens, it’s likely more than you’ll need on a typical run, but it’s lightweight, and Heine can pack it in most of his shorts and packs.

It runs on a rechargeable battery pack or three AAA batteries, and in order to save battery life, you can dial back the light intensity. One of the best perks, according to our testers, is the lamp’s memory feature—the beam stays on the same brightness setting every time you turn it on until you change it.

Standard Foam Roller

Foam rolling: a necessary evil for runners everywhere. The Rollga roller was designed by a marathoner who foam rolls. Taggart Downare, who suffered from shin splints, wanted to create a roller that was effective and more comfortable. Downare’s prototypes included Wiffle balls, super balls, socks, and rubber casings before ultimately landing on this lightweight, bulbous design.

The roller’s grooves allow for you to apply pressure where you want it (muscles and connective tissue) and skip over areas not meant for rolling (hips, shins, spine). Downare’s reasoning for this design was simple: If it’s more comfortable, you’re more likely to make the recovery activity a habit.

Related: The Best Foam Rollers

Original Anti-Chafe Balm

If you run, you probably familiar with Body Glide. It’s been the gold standard for chafing protection for years. The deodorant-type stick makes it easy to apply, and the balm stands up against sweat.

Forgot to apply your Body Glide? Treat chafing with Desitin Diaper Rash Cream. Yes, diaper rash cream. If you think about it, diaper rashes are a form of skin irritation, just like chafing.

Related: How to Prevent and Treat Chafing

MicroStretch Quick-Clip Race Plus Belt

When you don’t need to carry water while on the move but still need to store your essentials, this Amphipod belt goes the distance. It’s lightweight but stretches four times its size to fit your smartphone, credit cards, keys, and fuel.

For minimal interference and comfort, wear the pouch on your lower back. It might bounce a bit at first, especially if it’s holding heavier items, but it’ll settle in for a barely there feel. This model also allows you to clip a race bib to the belt.

Lightweight Touchscreen Running Gloves

When spring is trying to eke its way out of winter’s grasp or for crisp fall mornings, this New Balance glove offers warmth without added bulk. The glove has 240 grams per meter of fleece—a good, mid-weight option—and a touchscreen feature.

Silicone grippers on the palm provide traction for when you need to grip your phone, but we wouldn’t call them the selling point. Additionally, the small New Balance logo is reflective.

Related: The Best Running Gloves

Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50

We’ve been loving SuperGoop for years, thanks to its clean feel and moisturizing properties. The reef-friendly brand is versatile—the sweat- and water-resistant Play Everyday sunscreen works well for runs, beach outings, or just hanging in the backyard. Plus, we love it for the whole family, so we don’t need to have a hundred bottles of different brands and SPFs.

OpenRun Headphones

Although earbuds dominate the on-the-go music scene, they’re not one-size-fits-all, and many runners prefer a different option with fewer fit issues. Shokz, formerly Aftershokz, is known for its bone-conduction headphones, which sit above the ear so you can hear ambient noise, including car traffic, a bicycle bell, or a yell.

RW Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate hails an older model that he’s worn for thousands of miles. The current model withstands rain and sweat and provides eight hours of battery life, whether you listen to music, podcasts, or work calls while on the run.

Tested: What It’s Like to Run with Shokz OpenRun Pro

The OG

Sorry-not-sorry if you’ve heard us rave about Goodr before. There is no shortage of running sunglasses, but the $25, lightweight, no-bounce model continues to impress. Our biggest complaint is the narrow fit, so for bigger heads, go for the BFG styles for $10 more.

On top of providing UV protection and keeping away sweat, Goodr sunglasses come in a wide array of fun colorways like a yellow frame with blue lens called Swedish Meatball Hangover, or the one shown here, with pink frames and teal lenses, called Flamingos on a Booze Cruise.

For a more luxurious, lightweight everyday set of shades, we’re loving the Koo Cosmo, with Zeiss polarized lenses.

Run Quarter Ultra-Lightweight Running Sock

Darn Tough is a fan favorite around the Runner’s World office. RW Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate has been running in the now discontinued Press Crew for five years, while I reach for the Run Quarter Ultra-Lightweight sock.

It’s breathable with a little bit of cushion underfoot, something I love in a running sock but not a shoe. The quarter height makes for a comfortable ride without slippage.

And Darn Tough is, well, darn tough. The company backs all its socks with a lifetime warranty, and that’s saying something considering runners wear their socks hard.

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Elite 7 Active in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds

RW test editor Amanda Furrer calls these the best in-ear headphones. They provide a snug fit with high-quality sound, thanks to their noise cancellation and adjustable ambient sound capabilities.

Our testing team says these rival Apple’s AirPods Pro. The Jabra earbuds have what’s called “ShakeGrip,” a sticky silicone that keeps the earbuds snugly in place, regardless of sweat or rain. And the battery life? Eight hours while you’re on the move.

Zephyr Vest

When a handheld water bottle won’t do the trick or when you need ample storage for hours on the trails, a hydration vest or pack will get you through. CamelBak is known for its hydration products, and the Zephyr takes hydrating to the next level.

The lightweight mesh design comes with two of the brand’s QuickStow bottles for easy-access hydration as well as a space for a reservoir (not included). The pack also provides 11 liters of storage for your essentials, a secure phone pocket, trekking pole attachment, and a safety whistle. CamelBak also offers a women’s cut, designed to fit a smaller frame.

Mini Massage Gun

Pricier doesn't always mean better when it comes to massage guns. In fact, you can reap the benefits of regular percussion therapy at just $79 with this extremely quiet mini model. Weighing in at just 1 lb., the RecoverFun Mini Massage Gun comes with a variety of massage heads—ball, fork, bullet, and aluminum—to target your recovery even more (a comparable mini gun from Theragun does not have any additional attachments).

Once you’ve massaged through 5 hours of battery life, you can charge the RecoverFun Mini anywhere, thanks to its USB cable.

Revolution Flex 3.0

Although I’m a Thule running stroller loyalist, this Bob stroller is a close second, and our testing team deems it the best all-around running stroller. I was impressed with its spacious cockpit, despite the frame being more compact than other running strollers. We really like the easily accessible zip pocket that sits on top of the canopy, which is big enough for a phone.

Like other Bob models, the ride was smooth, and there was ample under-carriage storage.

Hupana Tights

I’d just about given up on finding a pair of tights that wouldn’t constantly slip down at the waist, requiring me to stop and readjust. Talk about messing up your flow. And then I tried the Hoka Hupana tights, and just like that, a running wardrobe staple was born.

The lightweight tights—I don’t wear them in temps below freezing—are soft to the touch and allow for plenty of movement across long, slower runs and mile-paced speed work. The internal drawcord makes it easy to adjust the waist band if needed.

The best thing about these tights is the fact that Hoka found a way to make them stay put. I’ve been wearing them for nearly a year and have yet to have an issue.

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Alarm Keychain

We’ll start by saying the onus should never be on targets of attack—primarily women—to have to run with personal safety devices. That said, there are runners who are looking for devices they can carry to help them feel safer.

This alarm keychain has more than 3,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating. It gets high marks for being loud.

The keychain fits easily in a running short pocket or in an enclosed hand for easy access. Plus, the small flashlight is a nice feature to have, in general.

Expert Heather Mayer Irvine on Running Accessories: This or That?

RW: Handheld Water Bottle or a Hydration Vest?

HMI: Handheld running water bottles often come with a strap that lets you hold the bottle without being forced to grip it tightly. They generally aren’t too heavy when full and some models come with a small pocket for personal items like keys, a credit card, and an energy gel.

But if you're going out for hours and won’t be near a water source to refill a water bottle, a hydration vest will supply you with multiple liters of water as well as more storage space for a phone and food, for example.

Hydration vests are popular for trail runners or road runners who know they’ll want more water than a bottle can hold (and who want to avoid holding anything). Attached straws make it easy to sip, although the packs can get heavy and are more expensive.

RW: Mittens or Gloves?

HMI: When the temps dip, I prefer mittens over gloves. I suffer from Raynaud’s disease, which means my circulation is terrible and my fingers start to freeze if they’re not covered once it hits 50 degrees or below. The best way for me to stay warm is to add hand warmers to my mittens (a long discontinued fleece pair from Asics) or wear my fleece-lined sleeping-bag-esque mittens.

Wearing mittens instead of gloves lets the warmth emitted from my hands heat up the inside of the mitten, while gloves silo each finger, which makes it hard to keep warm. This all said, you have more mobility if you’re wearing gloves, and if you don't struggle with circulation problems, you might prefer gloves. There are certainly more running glove options than mittens.

RW: Gel, energy chew, or snack?

HMI: Despite having been the food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World for years, I am not the best at fueling while I’m running. It doesn’t always dawn on me that I should take fuel once I hit higher mileage, like 11 or 12 miles. But I’m working on that. Progress is progress.

I will take energy chews (I like Honey Stinger blocks and chews) for runs about 90 minutes or longer, so 11 miles and up. I’ll try to eat a chew or two every 30 minutes or so to keep my muscle’s glycogen stores from running empty.

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