Best Marathon Running Gear, Tested by Editors and Runners

Pros

• Extremely lightweight
• Super responsive
• Great design

Real runners know that you never have just one pair of running shoes in the closet. Finding a couple pairs that can distribute the workload can really help preserve both your race day shoes and your feet. When it comes to training shoes, you don’t need as much cushion and support as you might require for the actual 26.2 miles. The Brooks Hyperion 2s make for the perfect training companions.

First reaction to pulling them out of the box was a good one. These shoes look awesome, and in the hand you can really feel how lightweight they are. I actually like how the Brooks logo and name lays on the sides. I am also a big fan of open mesh uppers on shoes, since my feet are usually the first thing to get hot on a run, and I run warm. On the road, I could feel the breeze coming through the materials, which was a constant comfort.

The performance updates since previous editions are great, with a trimmed back outsole and grippy bottom. The DNA Flash EVA midsole is just the right amount of support, while allowing you to still feel the pavement. This is the kind of shoe that excels as a daily trainer, as well as a long-distance running option. They hold up great in that 5K and 10K range, but you probably will want to upgrade to more cushion (like our pick below) when going the full event distance.

Read More: Best Brooks Running Shoes, Tested by Us

The Adizero Adios Pro 4 is the upcoming addition to the Adidas marathon racing line. Our fitness editor Brett Williams was able to use these highly anticipated shoes ahead of their release, this year at the 50th Berlin marathon. “I was a bit disappointed at first, as the shoes didn’t have the bounciness I look for in racing shoes,” he says. “But then I wore them for a race and I got it, these shoes are made to go fast. I found myself feeling stronger as the race went on. The traction was surprisingly good. The Pro 4 is surprisingly stable for a high stack shoe.”

For these reasons, the Pro 4s will make a great race day option. Sadly, these Pro 4s don’t come out until January, but if you’re eager to get your running shoes now, the previous model is a great pick as well. I’ve used the Pro 3s quite a few times, finding them great at preserving my energy and almost as propulsive as this next edition promises to be. I am also a fan of the extra cushioning that these shoes have at the forefoot, something repeated in the 4s.

Over the years I’ve found Pros to be a little lacking when it comes to durability, likely a result of the special design features that these shoes boast. The Pros perform best when used exactly as we have them categorized, as a special pair that you put on during your biggest runs—that’s what race day shoes should be.

The right running shorts can be a game changer when preparing to go longer distances in preparation for a marathon. Sure, you might have been able to do a couple miles in your regular training shorts, but once you cross that 5K range the resistance really starts to become a factor. It should come as no surprise that you don’t want an overly long inseam, especially nothing past the knees. Personally I go for the 5-inch inseam, which provides coverage, feels light on the body, and shows off a little thigh. Because why hit leg day and do marathons if you’re not going to reap the visual rewards?

No matter the temperature, whether it’s blistering hot or absolutely freezing where you live, proper and constant hydration is critical. While you might get more biological clues to take a sip of water in the summer, it’s important to track how much water you are taking in, especially when wearing moisture-wicking materials that might make you feel like you haven’t sweat as much as you actually have. Not everyone carries a hydration vest on marathon day, as many will rely on the water stations along the route for their needs.

I like to have a vest for training, as there are no hydration stations just hanging around in my neighborhood, and the last thing I want to do is sabotage my runs by not getting enough water. I also have never liked holding my water bottle, strap or not, as I know it messes with my form. I’ve opted to wear a hydration vest on event runs when I don’t want to worry about the stations not being frequent enough. I like this option from Arc’teryx as it’s lightweight, fits snug against the chest, and adjusts to the rest of the body easily. I liked that it comes with two 500mL flasks, so that you don’t have to find a water bottle that fits with your new vest.

Pros

• Open ear design allows for awareness
• 12 hours of battery life
• Comfortable wear

Sure, I’ll rawdog an occasional long-distance run, listening only to the sounds of my town, my footfalls, or having conversations with a running partner. But the majority of the time, 99 percent of it, I am listening to my marathon motivation playlist on Spotify. On this playlist I’ll have tunes that match my goal running pace, and keep the vibes high no matter what state of mind I’m in. There’s been more than one occasion where music has helped me push through moments where I felt like quitting.

I’ve been using Shokz Openruns for a while at this point, and the Pros are the latest update to the brand’s most popular model. I’m not the only one on our staff who stands by them either. For those unfamiliar, these workout headphones use bone conduction through your jaw and cheeks to transmit sound into your ear canal, rather than plugging up your ears with buds. This allows you to still hear street noise and people around you, giving you more total awareness while on your runs. For anyone who has run a lot, you know that a big part of safety is being able to notice your surroundings like cars, bikes, and pedestrians.

Getting a solid pair of running sunglasses that fit your face snugly and don’t slip is a great addition to your running gear. Anyone who thinks you don’t need a reliable pair for your runs apparently never has had to squint into the sun or gotten a piece of pollen or debris in your eye mid-run. There is something powerful in putting on a great pair as well, and mine make me feel Schwarzenegger in the Terminator.

Pros

• Come precut pieces
• Gives support to strained areas
• Easy application

It should come at no surprise that your body takes a beating while training for and during a marathon. Shin splints, plantar fasciitis, hamstring strains, and IT band syndrome are just a few of the injuries that can occur. I mean there’s even an ailment called runner’s knee. Taking care of your body before and after running is huge at preventing these things, but it’s also a good idea to do whatever you can to protect it on the road as well. Kinesiology tape, or KT tape, is a great way to do this.

I am a huge fan of this product by SpiderTech, as it makes applying KT tape such a breeze. In most cases, you have to make your own cuts and personally prepare your tape for each area you want to apply it to. But this box comes with pre-cut pieces that only require you to remove the adhesive blocker and slap it on. I am a believer that you are better off acting early than late, so whenever I feel a little discomfort or strain, I use KT tape to add a little bit of support to potential problem areas.

Do you need a running belt for your next marathon? No. Should you have one? Yes. 26.2 miles takes a lot of energy to complete and a huge part of doing it in a reasonable time is getting proper nutrition. Wearing a running belt during your marathon is a great way to guarantee that you have enough fuel to make it the distance. Race day has a way to throwing new challenges at you, and not being able to respond to them because you’re running on empty is a terrible feeling.

For the amount of weight and space a running belt takes up on your body, it’s a great add to your gear. I like this one from Lululemon because it’s competitively priced and not too bulky, resting comfortably on my waist. It’s also made with sweat-wicking and quick-drying fabric that will help keep your lower back, where the pouch sits, cool. I can also squeeze my phone in there, keeping it out of my hands and allowing me to capture the occasional snapshot on the course.