Smoke the competition.
Salomon Sonic RA Shoes ($130)
Salomon’s new road shoe is light enough to give you a bump in speed and durable enough to withstand miles of pavement pounding. The breathable mesh upper fits snug around the forefoot to mitigate blisters and dead toenails.
Nuun Electrolytes Tablets ($7)
Nuun’s tabs contain important minerals like potassium, magnesium, and sodium, and all 13 flavors are formulated with just a hint of natural sugar, so you don’t get that syrupy aftertaste of many sports drinks. Drop one into your water bottle to help prevent dehydration.
Skratch Labs Chocolate Sport Recovery Mix ($33)
Recovery starts the moment you cross the finish line. But after a race, who can bear the thought of stomaching anything solid? Enter this mix, a near perfect concoction of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and salt, minus the GI distress.
Brooks Hideout Jacket ($150)
We wouldn’t wish bad weather on anyone’s race, but it happens. And when the storm clouds roll in, you want this jacket. The Hideout is both wind- and water-resistant, without the clingy, suffocating feel of other running shells. And it easily slides over a long-sleeve layer.
Chaco Zong X EcoTread Sandals ($85)
Keep these in your bag to put on as soon as your race is run. The cushy rubber bottom feels like a pillow under-foot, and the double strap in front provides extra stability to make that post-race shuffle a little less painful.
Tracksmith Club Duffel ($128)
A durable leather and canvas exterior makes this the classiest race bag you’ll find at gear check. It’s perfectly sized to fit your shoes and a few other key items, and includes a zip pocket for small essentials.
CEP Dynamic+ Short Compression Socks ($23)
CEP’s socks mete out adequate compression while giving your feet room to breathe. The Dynamic+ provides plenty of ankle coverage, shrugging off debris. After a dozen runs, we suffered nary a hot spot, blister, or hole.