How to Save on Running Gear, According to Reddit

Posted on by

Running can be a paradoxically expensive hobby. In theory, all you need is a pair of shoes and a clear path. In fact, there are all kinds of expensive running products (sweat-wicking shirts, Bodyglide, running socks) that are actually better than running in those sweatpants you found in the back of your closet. So how can you dress up like a runner without breaking the bank? This Reddit thread reveals some of its deepest secrets.

Alternatives to bodyglide

Bodyglide is a great product: it comes in a stick form, like a deodorant, and can be used on any skin that is prone to irritation. This can include your inner thighs if they chafe when you wear short shorts, your waistband if it chafes there, and even your feet to prevent blisters.

But it’s quite expensive ($11 for 1.5 ounces), so one wise Redditor reminds us that Gold Bond makes an anti-friction stick for a fraction of the price; it currently costs $4.39 for 1.75 ounces.

If you want an even simpler result, use something runners have been using long before Bodyglide came into the world: Vaseline or Aquaphor . (By the way, if you’re ever running a marathon and a volunteer offers you a Popsicle stick with a ball of goo on the end, that’s emergency Vaseline. Don’t confuse it with the gels you’re meant to eat.)

Buy cheap running clothes from stores that are not open.

Running clothes do the job quite well. They typically fit snugly to the body (to avoid chafing or flopping) and are often made from a technical material that wicks sweat away. Sometimes they have additional features, such as thumb loops on long sleeves or extra pockets on shorts.

But a lot of non-running clothing also fits this description. Reddit users suggest looking for hiking gear (try stores like REI) or looking for gear designed for other sports, like soccer. After all, football players have to run a lot!

This has sparked a lively debate between people who love their football and hiking clothes and people who find them inappropriate for running. And here you will have to make your own decision: what features of running clothing are undeniable for you? If you can find just what you need at a running store (let’s say you have a favorite style of shorts), then buy them. But for any clothes you’re not picky about, go for the cheaper version.

Some ideas on where to shop:

  • Sporting goods stores like Dick’s carry a variety of sports equipment designed for a variety of sports or just general workouts.

  • Brick and mortar clothing stores like Target and Kohl’s also sell workout gear, often including inexpensive brands. I’ve run hundreds of miles in simple leggings and sports bras from Target.

  • Discount stores such as TJ Maxx often carry name-brand running and sports gear. One Redditor vouches, “TJ Maxx in the spring is a goldmine when it’s dry.” (Dri-Fit is a brand of sweat-wicking athletic fabric.)

  • Thrift stores such as Goodwill and Plato’s Closet may also carry sports equipment; One Redditor says she sometimes finds sports bras with tags on them.

  • And, of course, there are outlets and periodic sales of famous brands. If you have a favorite brand, keep an eye on their offerings.

Cold weather gear doesn’t have to be mission specific.

On cold days like the ones many of us are experiencing right now, cold weather clothing such as gloves, hats and jackets are essential. But do you need to buy them from a live store? Probably no.

Many Reddit users (and me!) use cheap knit gloves instead of dedicated running gloves. I’ll buy a few pairs at the supermarket or wherever I see them, or you can order six pairs from Amazon for $6.87 .

The same goes for hats: in my opinion, any old hat will do just as well as any old baseball cap will protect your eyes from the sun on sunny days. Work-oriented versions are probably nice to have, but I never felt like my non-work versions were missing anything.

When it comes to layering, some Reddit runners (plus me, FYI) prefer to use a close-fitting technical fabric “base layer” that can be purchased specifically for running, with some old item on top of it. this.

The layer in contact with the skin is most important for wicking away sweat and preventing chafing; the remaining layers can be whatever you want. So find a base layer that works for you (whether it’s an inexpensive long underwear top or you treat yourself to Smartwool ), and then throw on a flannel or hoodie.

More…

0
Fitness

Leave a Reply