The beauty of running is you only need yourself and the open road, no gym membership required. But choosing the right activewear and accessories will help to keep you comfortable, avoid injury and improve your performance. Plus, there's no harm in looking good while you do it.
Whether you run several times a week or you're thinking about trying it for the first time this spring, we've pulled together all of the essentials worth buying. From the best running leggings to running tops and trainers to tech, read on for all of the must-have running gear to shop now.
Best running gear: running tops for women
Athlete seamless gym vest, £40, Sweaty Betty
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From wearing it alone during the summer to layering up in the colder months, this vest from Sweaty Betty is a running staple. It's close-fitting but so comfortable.
Ventscape long sleeve half zip, £118, Lululemon
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Stand out on dark days in this reflective Lululemon top. It's designed specifically for running, features temperature regulation and is cut just above the waist to pair perfectly with high-waisted leggings.
GoodMove funnel neck half zip running top, £25, Marks & Spencer
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This zip-up running top from Marks & Spencer's GoodMove collection feels premium quality with a budget-friendly price tag. It's breathable, moisture-wicking and has reflective trims for improved visibility.
DryMove™ running sports top, £22.99, H&M
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H&M does some of the best activewear on the high street, and this seamless long-sleeve running top has functional fabric to keep you warm and dry.
NB heat grid half zip, £70, New Balance
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This New Balance half-zip top is a must in the colder weather as it features a high neckline, thumb loops and NB HEAT technology to help you warm up while also wicking away any moisture. The pullover has an athletic fit and a reflective trim.
Best running gear: running leggings for women
Zero Gravity high-waisted running leggings, £95, Sweaty Betty
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Sweaty Betty's sports leggings are bestsellers for a reason. The Zero Gravity pair has been designed with running in mind and are so comfortable they feel like a second skin. They include a side pocket for your phone (it doesn't budge, trust me) and a back zip pocket for your cards and keys.
Go Move leggings, £27.50, Marks & Spencer
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M&S sold over 60,000 pairs of these leggings last year. Supportive and sweat-wicking with a pocket and price tag of less than £30, we can see why.
Accelerate tight, £42.50, New Balance
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With their fitted silhouette, fast-drying technology and the perfect amount of stretch, these New Balance leggings are comfortable enough to keep you going through your longest runs. They also feature drop-in waistband pockets and a reflective trim.
Nike Running Fast Dri-FIT cropped leggings, £44.95, ASOS
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These popular Nike leggings are made with Dri-FIT technology to keep you feeling fresh and dry no matter how long or difficult your run. They feature mesh inserts for extra ventilation and a zip back pocket.
Fast & free leggings, £118, Lululemon
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True to their name, these Lululemon leggings give you total freedom to run as fast as possible. They're made with material designed to create a low-friction surface that feels cool to the touch while you work out.
Run visible tights, £80, Brooks
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The reflective detail on these Brooks leggings makes them a great choice for your evening or early morning run. They feature a comfortable four-way stretch fabric and no-bounce pocket.
Best running gear: running trainers for women
Fuelcell SuperComp Elite v3, £220, New Balance
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Made with marathon running in mind, the New Balance Fuelcell SuperComp Elite v3 trainers feature a supportive stretchy synthetic knit upper and a comfortable, springy platform sole. The real game-changer? The Energy Arc technology which is designed to store energy and help you run faster.
adidas Ultraboost 4.0 DNA Shoes, £98, JD Sports
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Super lightweight with a sock-like fit, you'll definitely feel the difference in performance when you run in the adidas Ultraboosts. Like running on a cloud.
Endorphin Speed 3 trainers, £165, Saucony
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Pro-runners love Saucony trainers, and with their cushioned feel that's still breathable and lightweight, the Endorphin Speed 3s are perfect for shorter, faster runs.
APL Techloom Phantom trainers, £135, Net-a-Porter
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Everyone from Kim Kardashian to Jennifer Garner has declared these to be the most comfortable running trainers, ever. They have a minimalist silhouette but maximum stability and promise to be very long-lasting.
Nike Pegasus Trail 4 trainers, £124.95, Nike
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Looking for a pair designed for trail running? Nike's Pegasus Trail 4s have a supportive and springy feel with underfoot traction designed for rocky terrain.
Asics Run Gel-Cumulus 24 trainers, £135, ASOS
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Asics is loved by runners and the Gel-Cumulus 24s are suitable for all levels. Comfortable and responsive, they feature a durable rubber outsole, textured grip tread and reflective details.
Best running gear: running bras and underwear for women
Nike Pro indy sports bra, £39.95, Nike
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Nike is renowned for comfortable and supportive sports bras. With removable padding and adjustable straps, this one can be customised to fit just right.
Run Times bra, £58, Lululemon
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Specifically designed for running, Lululemon's Run Times bra features padded, adjustable straps and a hook-and-eye closure for ultimate comfort and support.
Tracklite sports bra, £54, P.E Nation
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Made for low impact workouts, this P.E Nation sports bra is ideal for longer, slower runs. With its bright colours and mesh overlay, you'll want to wear it alone when summer rolls around.
Women's running briefs, £18, Runderwear
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Choosing underwear which is suitable for running can be tricky. You want something comfortable but not sweat-inducing and ideally without a VPL. Runderwear briefs are stretchy, lightweight and seamless.
Running briefs, £6.49, Decathlon
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These seamless running briefs reduce chafing and follow your movements, staying firmly in place mile after mile.
Best running gear: running accessories for women
Fitbit Charge 4, £79, Argos
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The Fitbit Charge 4 is one of the most popular fitness trackers thanks to its sleek design and multitude of features. It has a built-in GPS with an intensity map, heart rate monitor and sleep tracking. Plus, you can link it to your Spotify and use it to make contactless payments.
NURVV Run, £249.99, SportsShoes
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NURVV measures your running using two smart insoles which have 32 sensors capturing your every move - pretty genius. The device is designed for all levels of fitness and will give you insight into how to improve your speed and reduce your risk of injury.
Lumen device, £349, Lumen
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If you're serious about making progress, Lumen is a portable device which will measure and track your metabolism. It gives you a recommended tailored diet plan to fuel your body correctly and optimise your workout based on the analysis of your breath. All you need to do is blow into the handheld device. So clever.
Jabra Elite Active 75t, from £99.99, Jabra
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Waterproof and sweatproof, the Jabra wireless headphones have been designed for an active lifestyle. They feature HearThrough mode which allows you to adjust ambient sound, and have a secure fit so you can be sure there won't be any movement during your run.
Nike Lean armband, £22.95, Nike
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If you don't have pockets but like to take your smartphone with you when you run, this Nike armband is ideal. It's waterproof and totally secure.
Sistema Renew Wave drinks bottle, £4, John Lewis
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Like to take a water bottle out with you? This one features a hygienic 'Twist ‘n’ Sip' lid for opening and closing the bottle without touching the sipper top. It's also leak-proof and easy to grip.
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