These 7 Pieces of Training Gear Can Help You Rock Your Half Marathon

half marathon training gear
The Best Half Marathon Training Gear


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Setting a half marathon as your next goal is a big deal. Whether you just got the idea, or you’ve let it percolate for months before finally giving yourself the green light, things are about to start moving quickly—especially you. And if this is your first time training for a race, figuring out what you need to get started can feel nearly as daunting as the end goal. After all, your half marathon training gear is what will carry you through your weeks of base building and interval workouts.

A solid pair of running shoes is always a good place to start. But as your runs progress from minutes to hours, you may encounter hurdles like dehydration, foul weather, and running in the dark, all of which will require more consideration and the right equipment. Having the right gear isn’t about looking like a runner—you already are one, after all—rather about keeping you comfortable, motivated, and safe as you push your body through weeks of effort and growth.

To save you from swimming through the boundless sea of gadgets seasoned runners use, we’ve put together a list of editor-approved essentials that, regardless of the time of year, can keep you prepared and help you dial in what works for you (and what doesn’t) as race day nears. This isn’t exhaustive, though—there are other essentials like shoes, shorts, and tops that fit various runners and seasons differently. We don’t include those items here because we encourage you to try a few different kinds as you decide what you need. This is a more general compilation of accessories that could benefit you in the lead up to your half, whatever your apparel preferences, body type, and running style.

Looking for more information about how to keep your half marathon training running smoothly? Check out our brand-new video series, How to Master the Half Marathon, for twelve in-depth videos covering everything from training plans to nutrition to race-day strategy. It features experts ranging from coaches to dietitians to our own staff, and it can help you ensure that all your bases are covered as you transition into training mode.

TrailMix Plus 3.0 Hydration Belt

Our team’s favorite hydration belt isn’t just built to hold water—though it does so pretty well with two included insulated bottles. The TrailMix has a roomy zippered pocket between the bottles, which will keep your pockets free of bulky items like your phone, your nutrition, or a packable jacket. The belt itself is also highly adjustable, allowing it to fit any waist from 26 to 47 inches around.

If you want even more storage capacity, you can also check out hydration vests and packs, which envelop your torso in a light, breathable array of pockets and bladders so you can haul everything you want without feeling suffocated.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLTTDGP1?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C2142.g.46274661%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>TrailMix Plus 3.0 Hydration Belt</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$53.91</p>

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TrailMix Plus 3.0 Hydration Belt

amazon.com

$53.91

Enduro Arch Support Performance Running Socks

When you’re putting your body through the rigors of weekly mileage increases, a comfortable pair of running socks is just as important as a pair of shoes. The ankle-length cut of this pair from Balega is one of our picks for the best socks available, and for good reason: It’s durable, it provides extra arch support, and it has cushion in only the most important areas of the sole to keep your shoes from fitting too tight.

This crew-length version of the Enduro does all this as well, but the extra coverage will help you get some use out of these socks in the colder months—many runners start the new year with a training plan, after all.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HKF2KKR?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C2142.g.46274661%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Enduro Arch Support Performance Running Socks</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$17.00</p>

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Enduro Arch Support Performance Running Socks

amazon.com

$17.00

Forerunner 55 Running Watch

Most training plans spell out how long each of your runs needs to be, as well as how intense. And unless you have a list of routes and landmarks memorized, you’ll need a way to measure your efforts so you’re not missing your target distance or effort level.

You don’t have to spend a thousand bucks on an advanced running tracker—simple models like the Forerunner 55 keep your spending modest while still measuring your heart rate, distance, pace, and route. This one additionally pairs with your phone to connect with your favorite tracking apps and handle notifications.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092RCLKHN?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C2142.g.46274661%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Forerunner 55 Running Watch</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$199.00</p>

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Forerunner 55 Running Watch

amazon.com

$199.00

Houdini Air Jacket

Getting caught in the rain or the cold is no fun, but neither is wearing a bulky jacket every time the sky looks dubious. The solution: Get yourself a windbreaker that can easily pack down to fit in a pack or pocket.

This jacket from Patagonia collapses into its chest pocket and weighs only a quarter of a pound. And it’s water-resistant with a hood, too. Will it get you out of every environmental predicament? Not easily. But for those days when a spare layer could help more than hurt, you’re hard pressed to find a more practical option.

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Sport Electrolyte Tablets

Long training runs can last hours, but water bottles sometimes can’t hold enough without a refill. To keep your electrolytes in check when you’re on a trek (pardon the rhyme), you can supplement your fresh water with these pocket-able Nuun tablets. They fizz up and dissolve the moment you drop them in your bottle, and each tube contains 12 servings while taking up virtually no space among your cargo.

You’ll need to balance them by eating your preferred running food if you’re short on calories, but you’ll stay hydrated.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019GU4ILQ?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C2142.g.46274661%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Sport Electrolyte Tablets</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$24.91</p>

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Sport Electrolyte Tablets

amazon.com

$24.91

Sprint 225 Headlamp

Depending on the time of year or your daily schedule, you may have to run in the dark at some point or another. A quality running light will keep the ground in front of you illuminated so you don’t trip. And, if you’re using the road, it can catch motorists’ attention if you otherwise wouldn’t stand out in the dark.

You can wear lights from head to toe to see and be seen, but if you can only get one, you’ll get the most bang for your buck out of a bright headlamp like this BD model. It’s teeny tiny, so you can pack it away when you don’t need it. And you can also adjust the beam’s brightness with the touch of a button, which is easy to press with hands bare or gloved.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081B8CXH6?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C2142.g.46274661%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Sprint 225 Headlamp</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$49.95</p>

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Sprint 225 Headlamp

amazon.com

$49.95

Revive Recovery Shoe

Dialing in your recovery is just as important as optimizing your training. And unlike lower-impact sports like cycling or swimming, the constant thumping your body endures as you repeatedly strike the ground warrants treating your body to a greater degree of comfort. Nowhere is this truer than in your feet, the points of contact between you and the ground.

Wearing cushioned recovery shoes when you’re not running gives your joints a moment to breathe between workouts, which is especially critical if you’re increasing your mileage and putting more strain on them.

These Crocs-like shoes from Kane sport a pillowy midsole while also providing subtle midfoot support and room for your feet to splay out. Plus, for immediate post-workout wears, the upper holes help your feet get fresh air, which feels far more comfortable if you’ve worked up a sweat.

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkanefootwear.com%2Fproducts%2Frevive-charcoal-black-speckle&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.runnersworld.com%2Fgear%2Fg46274661%2Fhalf-marathon-training-gear%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Revive Recovery Shoe</p><p>kanefootwear.com</p><p>$80.00</p>

Liner Glove

“I’m almost always going to have a light pair of gloves on,” says Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate in his primer on choosing gear for a half marathon. “When your hands get cold, that’s the first thing that makes me miserable, and then it just changes my experience all the way up and down the line.”

He recommends these Smartwool liners in our roundup of the best running gloves for how well the merino wool they’re made of regulates temperature. Plus, the material naturally fights funk, so you can wear them for many runs without having to wash them.

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backcountry.com%2Fsmartwool-liner-glove&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.runnersworld.com%2Fgear%2Fg46274661%2Fhalf-marathon-training-gear%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Liner Glove</p><p>backcountry.com</p><p>$16.80</p>

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