Our Tuesdays on the Run topic this week is Oldies but Goodies: Running Gear you’d buy all over again.
Did someone say running gear? As runners, we love our gear, am I right? Whoever said running was an inexpensive sport needs to think again because there are plenty of opportunities to get carried away.
Because I’ve been doing this running thing for awhile now, I’ve seen some trends come and go. Remember when pretty much all running shoes were white?
White running shoes for days.
All you could hope for was maybe an accent stripe. Now it seems like its all color all the time. Not too long ago minimalist shoes were all the rage. I may still have a pair of Vibram 5-fingers shoes in my closet. But before I knew it, the tides turned and super-padded shoes are in.
What running gear am I still using from many moons ago?
Under Armour Cold Gear. I got my first set of tights and mock turtle back when I started training outside over the winter, which waaaaas……I’m guessing 2005ish. That would put them at 11 years old and counting. Under Armour was a brand popular with the NFL back then and there was a choice of black, navy….and did I say black? I got the black and you know what? They’re still going strong. Still in the rotation vs relegated to a basement closet where old running clothes that I can’t part with, yet never wear, go. They look and perform like new. No loss of elasticity, fading or perma-stink. The only thing I notice is that they have a higher rise than more recent styles and the drawstring inside the waist is fairly primitive. But high-rise is back. Just ask Athleta.
Nike Dri-Fit. My first 10k was a lakefront affair put on by Fleet Feet in the middle of summer back in 2004. I felt super accomplished after finishing that race and I loved that the race shirt was a Nike Dri-Fit tank. I went on to run that race at least a few more times until it morphed into the Chicago Women’s Half Marathon and 5k. To this day, I’ll still pull out those tanks to run in. When I ran my first marathon in 2007 and the weather reports indicated extreme heat would make the race it’s own special kind of hell, I made an 11th hour gear change and opted for my trusty Dri-Fit race tank. I wanted to wear white to reflect the heat and after thinking about it, maybe this tank was somewhat of a security blanket too. Very tried and true.
Those are my oldie-but-goodie running gear picks! What are yours?
Don’t forget! This Friday and the last Friday of every month is Runfession Friday! Share your run-, gym-, swim-, heck any confessions are fair game and join us!
Until I found the Happy Girl skirts, I didn’t have any items that I reached for over and over again. Now more than 90% of the time you’ll find me in Altra shoes, pro compression socks, a Happy Girl and the Tek Gear brand of bras from Kohl’s that I have in about 15 colors. My tops vary a lot as but everything else is pretty much a uniform now LOL.
I had purchased a pair of those vibram five finger shoes yrs ago. Because like you said that was the hype. I never liked running in them! You can never go wrong w anything under armor. I just purchased two tanks at an outlet for the price of one. What a deal!
Great gear! I had to laugh about the white shoes. I was a hold out— why all these bright colors? Why can’t I just find white? Ha ha ha!
Brand loyalty? I kind of float around, and if I find something that I like, I’ll use it repeatedly. I’m not really into “brand names” per se, but there are many pieces of gear that are staples….compression sleeves (for arms and legs), head bands, visors. I have kind of morphed away from running skirts, and prefer shorts most of the time (but I do have a favorite hot pink skirt that gets in the rotation from time to time). Oh, and my trusty Ipod Shuffle…it’s been around for several years, but it’s ever-so-close to biting the dust…
I love my injinji socks but haven’t purchased the Vibrams…yet. Waiting for those to come back around, I guess!
I still have a lot of Nike Dri Fit gear… and it has always held up well. LOVE the photo with the white sneakers. I had forgotten about that, but So True ! LOVe Underarmor…. its one of my oldies too.
I still <3 my UA gear, too! I've lost about 20 pounds since purchasing or receiving the stuff, but I don't mind.:P
I miss umbros, even though they were technically running gear (soccer). I feel like there will always be a space in my heart for my Nike Tempo shorts. They may be biggish, but they be so comfy!
I hate to admit, but your image “got” me for a second. Doh!
As for favorite gear, I have an unseemly love affair with my Nathan water belt. I would marry it if I weren’t already committed to el husbando. I am currently looking to replace it, but only because I need to get one that holds more bottles!
I think my oldest piece of running gear is only from like 2011 or so. Anything earlier I got rid of because it just wasn’t functional!
I had those UA shirts too! Living not far from Baltimore when they came out (where UA is based), they were everywhere! And I remember all the white shoes too!! Oh, the memories! This was a fun topic!
Every hobby I start my husband thinks well, that won’t be so bad; how expensive can it be?
Yeah, right. You’d think he’d learn after 30 years . . .
My underarmour turtleneck isn’t quite as old as yours, but I am guessing it’s about 7 yrs old?? I have a feeling I will get several more years out of it. Also, my Reebok thick tights are and item I have had for just as long. Some weeks I wear them 3 days in a row. They are awesome and warm.
I love my Under Armour, and I’ve had the cold gear for 13 years. They’ve been worth every penny, especially since I use them other than running as well. My friends and I go to hockey games in the winter, and I put a layer on under everything I’m wearing. It gets cold in the hockey arenas.
I literally think I have enough running gear! Of course until the next cool thing comes out!
Hands down my oldie but a goodie is The Stick! I bought back in 2006 when I trained for my first marathon and I still use it!! Best recovery item ever!!!!!
When I saw this blog title I immediately thought of my UA ColdGear! I was just telling someone how I’ve had that same mock tee since late 2007 and the only bad thing is that it smells! Still works so well!
I still have my Nike dry fit tanks from 2007, hehehe!! Nike shorts too…and they still fit, LOL!
I did miss your giveaway, but I fixed the problem. I wasn’t’ running then, but I do remember all white shoes and maybe just maybe a stripe or three with a color!
I used to love my ColdGear until I found Mizuno Breath Thermo. Now I’m a believer and will never wear anything else!
I like Under Armour mocks as well! Unfortunately, my first Nike Dri-Fit shirt did not stand the test of time…it was white.
I really don’t have a lot of old stuff in my wardrobe. I think it’s because I tend to sweat so much and my clothes get that lovely built-in odour. Plus I have a low boredom threshold and get sick of the old stuff. Just as well I have access to as many pairs of tights as I want to make myself.
I wore white running shoes for this year’s Chicago Marathon! What’s old is new, right?
I have the same mock turtleneck UA top in pale pink, circa 2008! I think it was the first color they came out with. I do still use it but only in frigid conditions. It looks so odd to see all white running shoes. But, I’m willing to be they will make a comeback. We’ll get tired of our neon colors eventually. Or someone will tell us we are tired of them through very clever marketing.
I have some capri tights that I had for years and when they finally got a hole in the crotch I almost cried I was so attached.
I love the UnderArmour cold gear as well. I bought a few turtlenecks ages ago and they are still my favorite for layering!! So warm, too!
I don’t have any cold weather gear, but sounds like UA is the way to go if it’s lasted that long!! My feetures socks are the things that I would buy over and over again!
I had the same Nike Dri-Fit shirt until I was cleaning out my closet and got rid of it. Those races were fun!
it is really interesting to see how quickly things go in and out of running “style”!! I still have my first lululemon tanks i purchased 6 or 7 years ago and they still look like new!