This is a great question. When you run, you want to be comfortable. You’ll be battling fatigue, focusing on your performance, and many more. The last thing you want is to keep adjusting your clothes or be uncomfortable.

Your running clothes should be chosen carefully depending on your running style and your own preferences. One type is not better than the other. It all boils down to you.

Choosing your Running Clothes

That being said, running clothes are made up of different items. Choose each one carefully to get the right comfort and performance for your run.

Running Socks

The first thing runners invest in is a good pair of shoes. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, choosing a good pair of shoes is very important for comfort, performance, and even avoid injuries.

What a lot of runners forget is to invest in is a good pair of socks to come along with their new shoes. This is just as important as your shoes.

The best running socks would help keep your feet warm, especially in cold conditions. They can also keep them dry and more importantly, help prevent painful blisters that can completely ruin your run.

Some quick tips:

• Avoid socks with toe seams since that can cause blisters
• Choose socks designed specifically to reduce friction
• Get socks featuring extra padding around the heel and the ball of the foot for added comfort

Running Shorts or Compression Leggings?

One of the biggest debates today among runners: should you wear shorts or leggings?

A good pair of nylon shorts has been tried and tested. It provides comfort, it is breathable, and they are light and soft. The airflow can help avoid rubbing and sore spots. And they feel freer.

However, more and more runners are preferring a pair of compression leggings or even Lycra over the years. These are similar running clothes used by sprinters. They can help with overall performance. Comfort is there as well since the compression helps with the blood flow. It also reduces swelling due to the applied pressure.

So which one is better? The answer is, totally up to you. Both have good upsides. If you are able to, it might be worth it to get a good pair of nylon shorts and a pair of compression leggings and find out which you prefer.

Running Top

When it comes to your shirt, the very first thing to keep in mind is to avoid cotton. This fabric will absorb your sweat and keep it. Over time, it will get heavier and even cause you to get cold which is never good while running.

Nylon is still the most popular fabric when it comes to running clothes. It is breathable, it is sweat-wicking and very comfortable to use. This is a particular favorite for long distance running clothes.

The emerging polypropylene shirts and vests are great for runners too, whether you are running a marathon or simply taking your morning jog. This is a lightweight fabric and can wick sweat away even if it’s already wet!

Then there’s polyester, which is a plastic-based fabric that makes it durable and lightweight.

Running Jackets

For those who run during the cold and even rainy weather, a good jacket is a must-have for their running clothes. Waterproofing and breathability are the most important aspects when it comes to a jacket. Ideally, you’d want your jacket to be light as possible as well since you don’t want a lot of extra weight when you run.

What to Look for in Running Clothes

While the fabric is the most important thing to look for on what clothes to wear for running, there are other features to consider as well.

Reflective Surface

A lot of running time can take place when the sun is down, either early in the morning or at night. In this case, you would want to consider your running clothes to have good, reflective surfaces. This allows you to be seen by drivers when you cross the road, by cyclists who are on the same path, and by other runners as well.

Simply put, by being visible, you can reduce the risk of accidents. Neon green is the best bet for this.

Weather Protection

Aside from the rain and cold, there are running clothes that were specifically designed to protect you against the harmful effects of the sun. More often than not, you’d be running out in the open when the sun is glaring. Applying sunscreen is good, but having clothes that provide additional protection is even better.

Pockets

Unless you’re running on a treadmill or on a track, you most likely would be running out in a park or even around the neighborhood. In this case, you will carry at least a few small items such as:

• Your keys
• Phone
• Credit cards/money
• Energy bars
• And more

With that, you would want to consider running clothes with pockets to accommodate these. It’s best to get those with pockets that feature zippers so they don’t fall out as you run.

At the end of the day, you want comfort and practicality for your running clothes. And that comes with your preferences. Don’t be afraid to try different things and find the perfect clothes that fit your running.