Gear Guide – 2024

Shoes

Peregrine 13
£78

I have a few shoes in rotation and I’ve been testing different models to see what other brands offer. The Peregrine series have been a favourite of mine since they were the first serious pair I bought. I found the latest model on sale and picked them up for a bargain £78.

I’ve done 65 miles in the Peregrine 13s and I love them. It’s hard to recommend shoes because so much depends on your personal foot shape and preferred cushioning level but these get a thumbs up from me.

Shorts

Under Armor “Qualifier 2-in-1”
£25

I made the mistake a few years ago of running in short shorts and suffered from the dreaded chaffing! I’ve been wearing shorts with a built in compression layer for years and swear by them.

Socks

Danish Endurance “Graduated Compression Socks”
£17

I started off buying some compression sleeves, which you wear in addition to regular socks. They’re designed to apply pressure which maintains blood flow and reduces discomfort.

I didn’t really feel any difference but I like having my legs protected from brambles and other sharp foliage.

I picked up some Danish Endurance compression socks and they’re great. I wear them for most runs in the winter and longer ones over the summer.

Flask

Salomon Soft Flask 500ml
£18

I bought this to make sure it fit in my vest but cheaper options are available. The newer Salomon flasks have 42mm wide necks to make it easier to fill and use with electrolyte tablets. I use it with a longer straw to make it easier to drink from.

The bottle shrinks as you drink so the remaining water doesn’t slosh around. They don’t last forever, my original one eventually developed a leak but it was at least 6 or 7 years old.

Hat

VÅGA “Club Cap”
£30

You’ve probably seen these everywhere and wondered what the big deal is. I succumbed to the hype and bought one to see for myself.

It’s a great hat. It’s light and comfortable. I was worried the peak might be too short to protect my eyes from the sun but I wore it last summer and it was fine.

Watch

Garmin Forerunner 245
£250

This is another major purchase that a lot of runners use. Some people don’t want all the stats and fancy features of running watches but if you do this is a great model. (It’s been replaced with the newer 255.)

I’ve worn this everyday for nearly 5 years. It has basic smartphone notifications and some simple controls. I upgraded from a more basic version to have more data available during a run.

This is a low to mid-range watch. You can spend up to £1,000 for more advanced models and even more for luxury versions!

Head torch

Fenix HL32R-T
£80

This is my most recent purchase. I’ve joined some local groups for evening trail runs and a good head torch is essential.

This is another example of choosing equipment suitable for my needs. There are more expensive models if you’re running overnight during ultra marathons and need a bigger battery capacity.

I’ve used this a few times now and it’s perfect. The light is powerful and it’s comfy to wear. The band is also highly reflective. It’s got a rechargeable and replaceable battery, which was an important requirement.

The headband is wide and uses a “BOA” adjustable fitting system. This means you can tighten it easily to reduce bounce.

First Aid Kit

Lifesystems “Nano”
£15

If you enter a trail race, a first aid kit will normally be essential equipment so it’s good to have one. I keep mine in my vest at all times.

Emergency Sleeping Bag

Shayson
£8

This is another piece of essential equipment. It’s something you hope you’ll never need but you’ll be glad you have if something goes wrong. I used to carry a space blanket but I read that a sleeping bag is far better.