Chassis Worth Spending on (and When You Can Save)
I’m a full-time Lifehacker marathoner and senior financial columnist. And now I unite my two worlds. Last month I wrote about what investing in the right undercarriage looks like. But while I was looking into how much a running gear might cost, I didn’t delve into how much the gear should cost. What expensive gear is really worth it, even for the average runner?
High quality sneakers
Nothing affects your running experience more than your shoes. Premium models from brands like Brooks , Hoka , Nike and Saucony are more than just marketing hype – they offer technologies that can prevent injury and improve performance by:
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Improved shock absorption systems
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Stability or motion control
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Durability that extends their lifespan (300-500 miles vs. 150-200 miles for budget options).
Proper fitting at a specialist running shoe store is invaluable. Your ideal shoe depends on your gait, foot shape and running goals, so this personalized service is worth the premium you’ll pay over big box stores. Lifehacker’s senior health editor Beth Skwarecki offers a fantastic guide to help you find your perfect match.
If you only spend money on one thing in the running world, it has to be shoes. My favorite couple at the moment? Brooks’ Ghost 16 . It’s a reliable “everyday trainer” that handles fast sprints and slow long runs equally well.
Socks
When it comes to socks, remember quantity as well as quality. Runners require a disgusting amount of underwear.
At the same time, your base level of “quality” running socks should be a little more discriminating compared to your everyday walking socks. If you want features like odor control and humidity management, be my guest, but I didn’t find a huge difference for this higher price. This six pack from Nike for $30 is okay and I wouldn’t spend much more.
If you find a package of mid-priced socks with heel tabs that won’t give you blisters, stick with them and ignore the overhyped running socks you might find at a running store.
High Performance Sports Bras
For women, a quality sports bra isn’t a must-have—it’s a necessity. “When you buy sports brands like Nike and Adidas , look for features like these.
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Advanced support that keeps everything in place
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Moisture-wicking materials prevent chafing.
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Customizable features for personalized support
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Resistant to hundreds of washing cycles.
The difference between a $ 20 sports bra and a $40-$60 sports bra becomes apparent after the third mile of a long run, when low-quality options lead to a degree of discomfort—to put it mildly—that can throw you off your game.
Anti-chafing agents
Cheap versions of anti-chafing sticks can lead to skin irritation, oiliness, or just a waste of time. Luckily, “cheap” in this case means the difference between Vaseline you already have at home and buying a $10 stick.
This Body Glide Anti-Chafing Stick works amazingly well for only $8.99. Just one palm-sized pole would last longer than a full training cycle of long runs.
Basic shorts and shirts.
While technical shirts and shorts can cost you upwards of $50, in my experience they are only marginally better at wicking moisture and providing comfort. Budget options costing around $15-$25 work almost as well for most runners.
Plus, if you get into the world of organized racing , you’ll have hats, shorts, and shirts for the rest of your life.
Fitness trackers and GPS watches
While serious runners benefit from advanced metrics in $300+ GPS watches , casual runners can use free smartphone apps (Strava, MapMyRun, Nike Run Club).
If you ask me, extra features like running power, VO2 max estimation, and recovery tips are rarely worth the cost for recreational runners. While I don’t typically wear a watch when I run, Beth has a great guide to finding a running watch . One budget option she recommends is the no-nonsense Forerunner 55 for $149.99 .
Running bands
Two big names in running belts are the minimalist SPIbelt and the maximalist FlipBelt . The SPIbelt (“small personal item belt”) is ideal for the modest runner who only needs to hold a phone or keys.
While I wouldn’t call myself a maximalist runner (quite the opposite), I prefer FlipBelts for a much simpler reason. Compared to the SPIbelt, my Flip keeps everything in place while running. I stuff energy gels, keys, my phone, and even a few tissues into the FlipBelt, and it all fits snugly to my body while I run—without bouncing up and down as I run.
Compression mechanism
Despite marketing claims, research shows mixed results on whether compression socks, sleeves and tights ($30-$80) improve performance or recovery for most runners. And hey, even if their muscle pain superpowers are exaggerated, they feel comfortable and good in the moment. Save your money if you don’t have much trouble handling them or don’t find them exceptionally convenient.
Designer sunglasses
I don’t wear sunglasses when I run, and from my racing experience, the sunglasses I see are very rare. While eye protection is a priority for some, $200 running sunglasses don’t provide significant benefits over $20-$40 sports glasses from Target or Amazon. Unless you need them for medical reasons, you won’t see me recommend spending money on designer sunglasses.
Technical outerwear
For year-round runners, I recommend one high-quality waterproof/windproof jacket as a worthwhile investment. If you try to survive the cold and rain in a cotton sweatshirt, you will get wet and suffocate pretty quickly.
However, you only need one good item for rain and extreme cold, not a collection. You can combine those budget options you already have instead of spending money on a fancy tech wardrobe.
Food
I’ve previously written about what to eat before and during long runs , which plays a critical role in your recovery. My preference in gels is aptly named “Gu”. A pack of 24 Gu costs me about $38.49. Other runners prefer Gatorade gummies , Snickers bars, or even dates in a Ziploc bag.
Investing in nutrition such as gels, gummies, and electrolyte drinks is most important during long runs (over 10 miles). For shorter distances, cheaper alternatives or DIY options are fine.
Bottom line
The key to making a smart running investment is prioritizing gear that directly impacts injury prevention (shoes, socks, sports bras) and comfort (anti-chafing products). Additionally, ask yourself: “Will this significantly improve my running experience or just my appearance?”
Remember that consistency is always more important than equipment. Inexpensive but regular running will always bring more benefits than periodic runs on expensive equipment. The best investment isn’t always the one that’s worth the most, but the one that gets you out the door every day.