2025-04-01-is-running-cheap
Running is such an affordable sport, right?
All you need is a decent pair of shoes, and off you go. Walk out of the door, and start running. Technically you don’t need anything really expensive. It’s not like you ride a bicycle that can cost a lot depending on the options you choose, or if you windsurf like myself, you need a board, and sals, masts, booms, extensions, not to mention harnesses, wetsuits …
And then you realize that you need some sort of a fitness tracker. Whether you get an Apple watch (if you are in the Apple ecosystem) or a Garmin, or other alternative like Suunto and similar, you are looking at a piece of gear that is definitely not cheap. Some also opt for external heart rate monitors that add a bit more to the over all cost. And this is only the technology part.
Remember how i mentioned a decent pair of shoes? Good running shoes are not cheap. And then the question is which running shoes do I need? Every singel manufacturer has various different models from entry level, through everyday trainers, speed shoes, long run shoes, neutral shoes, supportive shoes, shoes for pavement, shoes for cross country running, competition shoes with carbon plates, vinyl plates … Its very easy to lose count of how many types of shoes there are, and at some point you will want to have all of them right?
And we didn’t even touch the clothing. What kind of shirt, what kind of shorts, and lets face it, you need quite a few of those. You will sweat a lot, and you can’t really do the laundry every day so shirts will start to pile up, as will shorts and socks, and if you go to a sporting gods store and take a look at the prices, an average shirt nowdays can set you back over 30 shorts and $15 socks.
is there a way to save on the gear?
Of course there is. First thing to do is to forget about big brands for everything except shoes. Never save on your shoes since so much depends on them. All of your shirts, trunks and socks don’t have to cost more than 20 deal versus one for $25. When it comes to shorts or trunks, i pay a bit more attention at what I get, but I still get them for cheap on Temu or Aliexpress. Only thing I care about is that they have a tight liner that is in my case the only thing that stands between me and chafing which can really ruin my day. I also like to have pockets on my trunks, but that is not a must since I always run with a belt that has a few pockets to store gels and keys and even my phone if I take it with me. Same goes for socks. I run with pretty cheap socks, and they never gave me any issues. They are comfortable, don’t give me blisters, and don’t have any weird seams that will rub against my feet or toes and create issues in the long term.
let’s talk about shoes
Running shoes are a different beast, and I admit, i have quite a few pairs that I alternate between for most runs. One thing I will try to avoid is recommending a specific brand, and if you look at my gear you will see what brands I use, but the only reason I went with those brands is that I tried them on and they were comfortable for me. Each and every one of us has different feet. Some like have huge wide feet (US 14 2E) and some will have short and narrow feet, and there is everything in between and beyond. Different shoe manufacturers use different molds, and shoes that are super comfortable for me can be absolutely horrible for someone else. Same goes in the opposite direction. A lot of people swear by Adidas, Nike, Asics and other brands, and I still haven’t found a single shoe from those three manufacturers that will fit me and be comfortable.
My main criteria is that the first time I put the shoe on, it should feel like i’m not wearing a shoe. There should be no pressure at any point, i need to have enough room to move my toes inside the shoe, and walking and running with them should feel easy and natural. As to what kind of shoes should you choose, it’s best to consult an expert. There are quite a few running stores around where the staff is genuinely helpful and knowledgeable, and is not only looking to sell as many shoes as possible. They will gladly help you pick the right shoe, and even do gait analisys on a treadmill to see whether you need neutral or supportive shoes. Just remember to always get them one size larger than usual, and make sure they feel super comfortable. You don’t really want to end up with black toenails that fall off or other kinds of foot injuries caused by ill fitting shoes.
other gear, belts, packs, etc …
I like to take as little with me as possible when i go out running. My watch is e-sim capable, and i generally leave my phone at home, and go out running only with my watch, headphones, and in case of long runs (longer than 7km) i will take a little flask of water, and perhaps a gel or two (for very long runs). I always take a belt with me that has a few strategically placed pockets, it’s very light, and it got it for next to nothing from Temu. I also have a very light hiking pack with pockets in the front, and a decently sized compartment in the back. if I go for very long runs or hikes I will take that pack with a 2L water bladder, and a few gels. For short runs i might take the pack with a 500ml flask and a few gels.
in conclusion
It’s very easy to get lost with all the gear that is offered, especially since everyone and their grandma wants to sell us something (i’m talking about those social media influencers we all watch from time ot time). And that’s fine. Everyone wants to earn a buck or two, and as long as we don’t throw away the critical thinking part, running doesn’t have to be a very expensive sport. Yes. you should invest in a good pair of shoes (or two) but the rest doesn’t have to be from big expensive brands. Even when it comes to technology, in most a cases a simple fitness band that is under $80 can do the job of tracking your runs. Same goes with all the apparel. And when it comes to shoes, two pairs can be more than enough for most runners. Just make sure to track their mileage, and replace them after 600-700 kilometers, or when you feel that they are not cushioning properly anymore.