Best Running Gear For 2019

Let's go back to the iconic scene of Rocky Balboa running through the streets, wearing nothing but flat-shoes and a simple grey jogging suit! Aaahh, the good old days when running was simple...

Now remember what you did before your last run... You were probably scrambling around the house trying to find your GPS watch, your smartphone, your smartphone holder, your headphones... what a mess!

Don't worry, I'm just teasing you! I believe industrial advances have made running a better and more enjoyable sport for thousands of people. Technology has made running a personality trait where you can customise every last detail of your appearance and use products that are adaptable to your own running style. And we all love adding our own personal touch to our running apparel! So, in this article, we'll be going through the products that have stood the test of time, have the best reviews and are generally loved by the running community!

Full disclosure: Many of these suggestions came from the members of the Running and Race Training Facebook group over the last few months. These are real runner with real running experience, so you know the suggestions are legit!

The technological advances have made running a much more pleasurable experience for a lot more people. Until recently, running shoes were somewhat limited. Nowadays we have all types of shoes to match all fashion, comfort and terrain types. Whereas people used to throw on any old t-shirt to go for a run we now have a huge variety of different fabrics and options available - technical running shirts, quick dry shirts, compression shirts and all sorts of different colours as well.

With all this progress, it's hard to keep track of all products, which is why I'm creating this article, to help you find the best product for each category. There's lots of information to cover so let's jump right in.

RUNNING SHOES
Shoes are the most diverse product in the running world. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours! You can choose from minimal shoes, maximal shoes, neutral, pronator and supinator adapted soles, road or trail running shoes, etc... the list goes on and on!  When we're shopping for a shoe we need to look for good cushioning and energy return and maybe also the extras like reflective strips!

There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you decide to buy a running shoe. To help you make an informed choice, I've written an article that goes through all the details of what to look for when buying a running shoe - click here to read it. Here's an important tip, remember to choose a size slightly bigger than your day-to-day shoe because your foot spreads out when you're running!

​These are some of the most popular running shoes for 2019:

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35
The Nike Pegasus 35 seems to take the crown in all shoe reviews - and it's easy to see why. This shoe is comfortable boasts accolades for being comfortable, breathable, flexible and having a great nice fit. Considered the best ‘all-around’ shoe, it has a  10mm heel to toe drop and it's a relatively lightweight shoe (9,3oz). The Pegasus 35 is a versatile shoe but it does take a beating on trail runs.  This shoe is a Nike staple, a long-standing classic. You simply can’t go wrong with this shoe. 

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18
While the Adrenaline GTS has a newer model (the GTS 19), the GTS 18 is still a great shoe for it's value! GTS means ‘go-to-shoe’, and they mean it!  These shoes are better suited for pronators. The GTS 18's weigh in at 9,7oz and the sole has a Progressive Diagonal Rollbar which helps your body maintain alignment. The heel to to drop is significant, sitting at 10,2mm. The materials have good durability and construction material that allows for a comfortable switch between road and trail running.

Hoka Bondi 6
Ok, wait, hear me out first. The look of this shoe puts most people off but there is a reason why the Hoka Bondi's pop up in every top 10 list of top running shoes... they're incredibly comfortable. Considered a maximal shoe, the heavy cushioning is made for runners who train daily and need to soften the impact of running. Featuring phenomenal arch support, good traction and great stability, Hoka's Bondi trademark shoe is great for foot, hip and back pain because the soles provide amazing impact absorption.

GPS WATCH
I don't know about you but I love technology! Running and technology are slowly merging into one wholesome being as GPS watches are getting smarter. We also have many options when it comes to buying a GPS watch. But here's what you should look out for:
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• Buy a device with a HR monitor… it estimates calories burned a lot better!
• Look for big brands! Samsung, Fitbit, apple, Garmin & polar spring to mind.
• Know what you want! Don’t fall in love with all the specs on the devices… if you just want a run tracker, it’s likely you won’t need to spend 300-400$ on a device.

These are the hottest trends when it comes to GPS watches/fitness trackers for 2019:

Fitbit Ionic
The best midrange watch on the market right now. The value is great (considering the features it has). This watch tracks every running stat you could need (except cadence tracking) and also has internal storage for storing music and listening phone-free. Just connect your bluetooth headphones! It boasts a 4 days average battery life, tracks sleep, has a built in HR monitor and can be used as a day-to-day smartwatch as well. Great value for price!

Garmin Fenix 5 Series
This watch is expensive but judging by the reviews, it's definitely worth it. The watch is waterproof (so it's safe for triathlon training too), it has quick antenna connection, built-in HR monitor can track all sports and has up to 7 days battery life! If the price isn't an issue, the 5X Series comes with navigation features so you don't get lost! The watch can receive calls and messages so it is also usable as a day-to-day device as well as a fitness tracker.

Garmin Forerunner 25
The Forerunner 25 is the best budget GPS watch. It doesn't have any of the smart features (only tracks running) that the other, higher priced watches have but it has the essentials any beginner-to-intermediate runner would need. The Forerunner 25 can track your training for 10 hours before needing to recharge,  it tells you your average pace, total distance and allows you to download and analyse all your running logs. As a trade-off for the low price, it doesn't come with a HR monitor. This is the best choice for runners who just want to… run.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

While shoes and watches are definitely the products that runners spend the most money on, there are a few other honourable mentions! From compression socks to recovery tools, here are the products with the best reviews for 2019.

Compressport R2
Compression works. Compression promotes blood flow which is great for training AND recovery - that's the perfect reason to buy a few pairs of compression socks and wear them during AND after running. You can get knee high socks, socks that go up to your ankles or just calf braces! You can't go wrong with compression apparel, and this is one of the most popular pair of compression socks for 2019. 

Shock Absorber Ultimate Sports Bra
When I asked the R&RT group members what running products they loved the most - the Shock Absorber Ultimate sports bra came up multiple times! You know a product is good when real runners give their testimonial! Providing good support in the chest area is essential. Many studies have shown that 32% of women feel pain in their breasts when running!  It's better to be on the safe side. 
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Foam Roller
A staple for any runner! I love sitting down in front of the TV at the end of the day and foam rolling for as long as possible. Foam rolling can be used for recovery (by breaking down scarred muscle tissue and promoting blood flow) and it also promotes flexibility, which is great before a workout.  When buying a foam roller I prefer the hard rolls with spikes and edges to allow for deeper myofascial release.
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CamelBak Hydrobak
I should say this piece of gear saved my life! Running in the sun isn't easy but (at least for me) it's the only time I can do it, and so, being able to carry a large amount of water and keep it at a cool temperature is super convenient. The great thing about this bag is that it has a snug fit so that it won't be bouncing while you're running.. you can even take this bag while trekking through the mountains or riding your bike! It also acts as a handy place to keep keys and I.D. cards, or even your smartphone.

Jabra Elite Active 65T
These wireless headphones are the hottest out there this year, especially for runners. While the battery only lasts for 5 hours, the Jabra Elite Active 65T allows for great sound isolation, it's water (and sweat!) resistant and it has a great feature for runners, the 'hear-through' feature. This setting allows you to listen to what's happening outside and around you. These headphones have a great fit and they also work when making/receiving calls. To finish off, the sound quality is great, according to many hundreds of reviews for this product! Definitely the best headset for active people.

That brings us to the end of the article! With all this gear you will be ready to face the road, train hard and conquer new records! Feel like I missed an essential item? Leave a comment below or join in the discussion in the Running and Race Training Facebook group.

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About the Author

​​Paulo Piedade is a Certified Track & Field Coach, based in Portugal.
Paulo is the advising Running Coach at the Running and Race Training group.
His Runner Profile - runpage.com/profile/paulo.piedade