Best Summer Running Gear: Editor's Picks
Photo by Marques Jackson Photography.
By Marnie Kunz
If you’re looking for the best summer running gear, check out our Editor’s Picks. These are all items we’ve tried and tested and love. Summer running is a thrilling, sweaty, and sometimes, very hot time. But with our top picks for the best summer running gear, you can stay cool and make the most of your summertime runs.
Best Summer Running Gear to Stay Cool
As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases made from book links in this post. This is at no extra cost to you and helps keep our blog running. See our Disclosure for more details.
Here are our top picks for safe summer running and workouts:
Hydration
Summer running is the most challenging time to stay hydrated, yet the most important. With high heat and humidity, staying hydrated is a necessity. Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink Tablets are our favorite way to stay hydrated on those long runs and humid summer days. You can pick your favorite flavors, and the Nuun tablets are easy to add to a water bottle for on-the-go hydration.
Hydration is important for every workout but especially for long runs and intense speed workouts. Carry a hydration pack with you for electrolyte water on the go. My favorite is CamelBak HydroBak Hydration Pack.
Running Hat
A hat offers refuge from the hot summer sun and also protects your face during summer rain storms. TrailHeads running hats have lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric with reflective accents for visibility. These lightweight running hats come in different color options and are perfect for hitting the summer streets or trails.
Running Sunglasses
A good pair of running sunglasses will shield your eyes from the sun’s rays and stay comfortable even when you get sweaty. Make sure your sunglasses have UV protection and fit snugly enough that they don’t bounce or slip when you run. Goodr OG Sunglasses have UV protection, are fitted, and budget-friendly.
Sunscreen
Summer running invariably brings lots of sun, so wearing UV protection is a must. And even on cloudy days the sun’s harmful rays can come through so lather up every run with some sunscreen 15 minutes before you head out the door. It’s hard to find a sweat-proof sunscreen that’s also not streaky or runny. After trying several varieties, we found Banana Boat Ultra Sport UVA/UVB sunscreen works great and is easy to find online and in drug stores. Make sure you get an SPF of at least 30 for full sun protection. The sunscreen spray makes it easier to apply in difficult-to-reach areas and gives you full coverage.
Pro Tip: Put your sunscreen on 15 minutes before your run so it has time to dry before you start sweating. Reapply every hour or as directed on the label. You can put a small travel-sized sunscreen in your CamelBak Pack for long runs that last more than an hour.
Summer Running Clothing
When you choose your summer running clothes, opt for lightweight, moisture-wicking materials in light colors to reflect the sun. Loose-fitting tank tops and shirts will help you stay cool during summer runs. For bottoms, go for moisture-wicking running shorts or tights with plenty of ventilation and lightweight material.
Home Gym Equipment
If you’re setting up your home gym, these are some versatile pieces of equipment that will help you get in great strength training workouts without taking up a lot of space. Here are our top picks for home gym equipment:
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are my favorite strength training tool for runners I train. They are easy to store, as they take up barely any space. They allow you to do many different exercises for strength training your major muscle groups, from your glutes to your triceps. I’ve used these Fit Simplify Resistance Bands for years and find them so useful and affordable. The pack includes 5 bands so you can choose the resistance level you want, from the less resistant green band up to the highest resistance black band. The different band levels allow you to progress in your training and increase your intensity gradually. You can customize your strength training and build up to the higher level, more challenging resistance bands.
ProSourceFit Puzzle Mats
I stumbled onto ProSourceFit Puzzle mats when I was setting up my home gym and have found them to be excellent. They are very customizable, as you can choose the thickness, color, and size to suit your needs. I love the gray mats and the 1” thick ones are especially great for lots of cushion during your home workouts. I also like how you can arrange the pieces how you want, making a square, rectangle, etc, to suit your space and exercise needs.
Pro Tip: Measure your space before ordering as you may need more mats than you think. I ended up placing two orders after my first order didn’t cover all the space I wanted. ProSourceFit has been quick with shipping, which is great if you are excited to get started with your home gym right away.
Best Running App
Our favorite running tracking app for safety is the Strava app. With Strava, you can choose who or if anyone else sees your workouts, and you can block out a radius around your home. Using Strava Beacon, you can send a text with live tracker to a family member or partner when you go on your runs. So if an emergency happens, your partner will be able to quickly locate you on a map in real-time.
Check out our article on the best free fitness apps to track your runs for more app options.
Audio
Running is a great time to tune into your favorite music, book, or podcast playing. Here are our top pics for your running entertainment:
Audible
Audiobooks are a great way to get in your reading and learn while you run. Audible allows you to listen to thousands of books - from bestsellers to your favorite fiction writers. Audible also has shows available to listen to on your run. If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend these running books for an extra dose of inspiration.
MUSIC
There’s nothing like a good summer playlist to get you pumped for summer runs. Make your own summer running playlist and enjoy some fun summer miles. If podcasts are more your speed, there are many running podcasts as well as general entertainment, business, news, and more podcasts to listen to on the run. Our top pick for running podcast is Nobody Asked Us with Des Linden and Kara Goucher.
What’s on your list of the best summer running gear? Comment below and follow and tag @Runstreet Instagram to share your workouts and get cheered on. Happy running to you!😊
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, a dog lover and Akita mom, and the founder of Runstreet.
Related Posts: Skincare Tips for Runners, 20 Tips for Running in Heat and Humidity
