There’s quite possibly only one thing more daunting than actually embarking on a run—and that is getting ready for said run. From the sheer number of activewear brands to the latest performance sneakers and the variety of moisture-wicking fabrics available, frankly, figuring out what’s right for you can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but at Vogue, we’re not just fashion editors. We all have a range of interests and many of us spend our off-time delving into athletic pursuits. A number of staffers are even avid runners, which is why—ahead of The New York City Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, November 5—we asked them to share their go-to running essentials, be it for months-long race training or a casual early morning jog.
If you’ve ever been curious about what those cloud-like On running sneakers feel like; are looking for a fanny pack to hold your phone and keys, or want to know if the popular Lululemon yoga pants can actually hold up on a run, look no further. These 36 running essentials—all tested and endorsed by Vogue editors—are a great place to start. So get a move on. Literally.
Chloe Malle, editor
I run early in the morning in Central Park, and at 5:45am the park road is packed like a Sunday afternoon. One of my favorite parts of my outing is checking out what other runners are wearing, and I have been amazed to see the shift over the past year to almost every serious runner outfitting themselves in Tracksmith gear. I remember when the small New England prep brand launched almost 10 years ago with its old school Chariots of Fire vibe, and now everyone is wearing it. I’ve been devoted since the beginning and regularly find myself fully outfitted in their clothes with a smattering of Tory Sport for good measure. I’m also consistent about my running shoes—I have been wearing Brooks Ghosts for 20 years and update mine regularly (they say you should get new running shoes every 300 miles). I am committed to Balega cushioned ankle socks and keep my phone, AirPods and ID in my trusty fanny pack.
Talia Abbas, senior shopping editor
My approach to running is to keep it simple; I like my gear to be as pared back as possible. I’ve tried a bunch of quote-unquote sweat-wicking tops and leggings over the years, but every time I get dressed for a run I find myself, without fail reaching, for my Lululemon staples. The Swifty top is a favorite for fall—it’s made partially from recycled materials, holds heat exceptionally well, and doesn’t smell as bad as one would expect. The brand’s Align pants need no introduction. I’m not a pocket evangelist, which is why I love its seamless style the most.
For shoes, an uncomfortable, or worn out pair of sneakers is a hard no for me. I’ve been faithful to a variety of On’s; my current go-to is the Cloudrunner. It’s a solid, neutral road running option with ample support and cushioning, and a rocker that propels you forward. (Even if I want to be slow and lazy, these things won’t let me!) I can’t stress enough how important socks are as well. The ones from Bombas are breathable and have a squishy heel tab to prevent blisters—particularly welcome when I’m breaking in new shoes.
Other than the step counter on my phone, I don’t really pay that much attention to metrics, but I recently got the Apple Watch 8 and have been enjoying tracking my pace and time. Few things mess with my flow quite like flying hair everywhere, so I like to keep everything in a neat ponytail with Slip’s thin scrunchies. They’re made of a soft silk that doesn’t crease or snag when you take them out, and they wash pretty easily, too.
Corey Seymour, senior editor
I pretty much live in On Running’s shoes, whether I’m just hanging out or on an airplane or, especially, when I’m out for a run, and its Cloudmonster shoes are like fluffy clouds for the feet, in the best way possible. For everything else running, though, it’s District Vision, which started out making amazing sunglasses for running, climbing, cycling and other active stuff and has since expanded into super thoughtful and cosmically designed apparel (they also offer audio courses on everything from mindful movement to breath work). And when all the running is over, there is no better feeling on earth than zipping myself into my Normatec compression boots and pressing the on button: The experience itself is utter ecstasy and has my runner friends lining up to try them on—but the recovery boost (due to better circulation and a kind of toxins flush) is magical. Also I know the concept of this is so weird, but the practical effect of having articulated toes in your running socks is a game-changer. Say goodbye to blisters, chafing, and all the rest. And I should have mentioned earlier that if I don’t have music to run to, I’m probably not running, and while which playlist I’m running to is an ever-evolving proposition, my headphones are not: I’m both a music snob and an audio nerd, and Bowers & Wilkins’ Pi7 S2 is simply the greatest thing I’ve heard on a track, light years beyond most of the running-specific headphones out there (they’re also splash-proof and dust-proof, if that’s a concern). Finally, do you really need a 360-degree camera for running? Yes: The ability to record yourself, your partner, friends from your running club—whether you’re looking to analyze your form, document a new PR, or an epic marathon experience—is a revelation, and the Insta360 X3 is the cream of the crop and couldn’t be simpler to use: Just press one button to start recording and press it again to stop—and edit everything on your phone with the touch of a finger whenever you’re done.
Chloe Schama, senior editor
I like to run in all weather, so I need gear that will stand up to the New York winter—that is easy to layer for both the 20-minute, sub-freezing sprints and the longer stretches when you might have more time to warm up. I like these tights from Patagonia (a great company all around), with a form-fitting T-shirt like this one from Athleta so that you’re not carrying around extra bulk. I have literally had the same Arc’teryx fleece since college, but this present-day version is a good representation of my trusty outer layer. I have been a devotee of the Asics Gel Nimbus for more than two decades of running; my many, many pairs have served me well as trends for barefoot running have come and gone. (My knees will thank me for never indulging in that particular fad.) And don’t forget gloves like these e-tip equipped North Face ones; I’ve had to curtail many a run when I’ve gone without.
Sache Taylor, manager, special events
My running schedule is based exclusively on my Set Active SportBody pieces—specifically, what’s clean and when. I like to wear them under an oversized T-shirt (my go-tos these days are a new Boygenius band tee and a very old long-sleeved shirt with “Metuchen Women’s Basketball” printed across the front), with Puma ankle socks and Brooks Glycerin 20s on my feet, always. My route of choice is along the West Side Highway, where I lip-sync (and sometimes actually sing) to whatever is playing on my corded Apple EarPods—much cooler than AirPods, in my opinion—as my keys and credit card clang away in my Nathan Sports waist belt (also found underneath said oversized T-shirt).
Katie Henwood, associate director of audience development
I have always been an avid runner, but this year I took my training up a notch as I prepared to run the New York City Marathon for the first time. My top priority was finding the right shoes and socks to carry me through every mile—after trying several pairs, I chose the On Cloudrunners paired with these not-too-high but not-too-low Under Armour socks. I also realized I needed a running belt that could fit a full-size water bottle and energy bars for the long distance runs (not exactly cute, but functional!), and found this Salomon version to fit everything I need without being too in the way.
My Garmin fitness watch is a key part of my running kit: It’s where I track every activity and analyze my workouts. I am obsessed with checking my pace and distance during my runs, and this Nike pullover has a window in the sleeve to easily check my watch while staying warm. The best leggings I’ve found are these Athleta Salutation Stash Tights—they don’t slip down like so many other pairs, they have pockets on either side, and they feel like butter on my skin. They also pair perfectly with the Athleta Conscious Crop Bra, which is equally soft and a great layering piece year round.