Running is really important to me. I try to get out of the house and hit the road at least three times a week. It's therapy in the form of sweat and chafe, and I keep coming back for more.
Things have changed considerably since I was a skinny boy competing for my school in local cross country events. Back then I bounced around the park in nothing but my school uniform and sneakers. There were no carbon-plated running shoes giving me an extra few seconds per mile. No running watch tracking my pace and heartrate. And definitely no supplements giving me an edge over the competition. Things were probably better back then, but I won't deny that I'm very much into anything that promises to make me just a little bit faster.
And I am fast, OK? I can run a 5K in under 18 minutes, so I feel confident in my ability to recommend the products that will actually make a difference. I'm not just some guy with all the gear and no idea. I have at least some idea of what I'm doing. And just to be very clear, there's nothing humble about that brag. I will race you.
The problem with the best running gear is that it doesn't exactly come cheap. And that's why you should target major shopping events (like Prime Day) to stock up on everything you need to shave some seconds off your PB, speed up your recovery, improve your levels of comfort, and look your best when plodding around town.
As Mashable's Global Shopping Editor, I have spent the last six years investigating what constitutes a genuinely good deal. This year, I have put together this quick list of the best Prime Day deals for runners, based on years of expertise.
Best for workouts: Garmin Running Watch
I avidly follow a few running YouTubers, in an effort to glean some pearls of wisdom that can bring my times down. Something they all seem to agree on at the moment is that Coros running watches are the best in the business. I'm not saying those professional athletes are wrong, but I'm all about Garmin.
And I also firmly believe that if you're just running, you don't need a smartwatch with all the bells and whistles. You need something that focuses on the metrics that matters, like the Garmin Forerunner 55. I've been using this running watch for a couple of years now, and it has never let me down. The GPS is speedy to connect and reliable, the watch face is easy to read (even when your vision is blurred), and you can easily add personalized workouts through the Garmin Connect app.
Best for comfort: Danish Endurance Socks
The best thing I can say about these socks is that you forget all about them, even on those really long runs that seem like a good idea on a Sunday morning. I've always been someone who struggles with blisters and random running-induced foot wounds, but no more!
Danish Endurance socks were introduced to me by a friend who doesn't run, so I guess they are a versatile option as well. I only wear these socks for running, and I can attest to the fact that they are comfortable on long runs, offer effective protection against blisters, and are light enough for those moments when you want to push the pace.
Best for convenience: MVRK Running Pack
Once upon a time, I didn't bring my phone out with me on runs. But that was before I became a big Podcast runner. There's nothing that can take your mind off the mild discomfort of a run like the grizzly descriptions of a murder. And even after I started always listening to something while running, I opted for the armband approach. I was a caveman.
Nowadays I keep my phone, bank card, keys, and maybe a gel in a MVRK Water Resistant Chest Pack. Unlike the armband, this chest pack feels like an extension of my body. And unlike some other running packs I've tried, this model comes with actual zips. I'm fed up with velcro that deteriorates over time. Bring back the humble zip.
Best for indoors: NordicTrack Treadmill
I don't actually own a treadmill, so I can't speak to my experience of using the NordicTrack T Series. What I can say is that I have access to a basement that would be absolutely perfect for a treadmill. At least, that's what I say to myself when I look out the door and it's pouring with rain. And if I do eventually take the plunge and purchase a treadmill, I am likely to go with NordicTrack. I'm not willing to spend thousands on a Peloton, and NordicTrack is a reliable name in fitness tech.
The NordicTrack T Series promises heart-pounding studio workouts and trainer-guided workouts from around the globe, so you can run along the beaches of Hawaii instead of through the mean streets of my home town.
