running gear

A sports bra will help to protect the twins. :bigsmile: Synthetic socks are also a must to prevent blisters.

I do like the technical clothing because it makes me more comfortable. It wicks sweat from your skin to the outside of your garment, rather than absorbing it, keeping you cooler in warm weather and warmer in cold weather and also reducing chafing. The seams are also placed strategically and flat to reduce chafing.

Cotton, on the other hand, absorbs several times its own weight in sweat and becomes monstrously uncomfortabel and chafing.

Do you NEED technical gear? No. Will you be more comfortable with it? Yes.

*note: when laundering these pieces, do not use fabric softener! Fabric softener plugs up the pores of the garment and makes them unable to wick sweat.

In my opinion the specializeed running gear is worth its weight in gold. The comfort it provides when dressing for the various types of running conditions is amazing. Especially cold/wet conditions.

I agree completely with Atlantique. In addition to shoes, socks and bras are important. I got sports bras at M&S and am stil happy with them. There's nothing wring with wearing a cotton or cotton-mix vest if you're comfortable in it -- I always was, but know that if I were to be in a place where temperature could plummet below freezing at the drop of a hat (I live in Alaska now, so that's a real concern, but it would also be if you were, say, trail running in the Scottish Highlands), I shouldn't get sweaty in cotton as it soaks up the moisture. In England? Go with whatever's convenient and cheap. Similarly for tights / underwear.

I bought a lot of my kit really cheap at Sports Direkt. Worked great, still does.

From moving to the US, it seems to me that the insistence on very specialised technical gear for even beginning slow amateurs comes in part by so much stuff being just more available (for reasonable prices) in the US than in the UK. Even out here in my backwater I'm constantly surprised at the abundance of consumer good -- and I lived in London before! So yeah, in the US I've become a bit more of a latex warrior, as the stuff is there and costs me less than cheap basics at M&S cost me in the UK. Which I can't even *get* here!

sweat wicking properties.

Never heard of 'wicking' before (

Besides my compression running pants, that I wouldn't run in anything else - I love my Injinji Socks they are compression socks and have individual toes, my feet feel so much better at then end of the long runs.

I've had a hard time finding shirts that don't chaffe under my arms, just when I think I find one, I have trouble with them. I've never ran in a running skirt but know some people really like them.

I'd say it depends on your running routine. I've done as much as six miles six days a week with nothing but cheap sneakers and cotton tees and shorts. Maybe when you're more competitive or do a lot more volume.

The short answer: Yes

Longer Answer: No matter what your level, you can benefit from technical running gear in several ways. For me, personally, the number one reason for getting technical running gear is FLATLOCK SEAMING. Flatlock seaming on running tights is most important for the inner thigh seams - If you're like me, and have things that rub together, this is a god send. On shirts, flatlock seaming in the underarms and on sideseams means no chafing in your pits or the sensitive skin of your arms.

There are lots of other benefits as well. Many of the technical fabrics container properties that fight bacteria, meaning less stink. They also wick moisture which helps in both cold and warm weather. Some clothes have reflective materials woven in. The list goes on and on...you can get as fancy or as un-fancy as you want, but I do think that there are numerous advantages worth the money in technical running gear.

The right socks made all the difference with moisture-induced blisters that I used to get on long distance runs.

When I first started running, I felt ultra jiggly on my bum and belly - snug but thick and structured wicking tights and tanks not only drew away the moisture to prevent chafing and overheating, making me much more comfortable and cool - but it held all the extra padding in place.

It also helps with smell. Which sounds icky, but like, after a long run you aren't exactly fresh as tulips if you're sweating from head to toe. You don't lather your body in antiperspirant.

Another advantage of runner-specific athletic clothing is the conveniently placed pockets that non-running gear leaves off. Like a pocket on the back for your Gu, a chest or arm pocket for the key to your house, a butt pocket to keep your ID or ipod tucked away in. I find the pockets are vital for an outdoor run.

I'm in the UK and wear a lot of Adidas running gear as it is reasonably priced and does the job. Decathalon is good, and keep an eye on places like Aldi and Lidl as they sometimes do technical clothes for really good prices. M&S does a range too.

Erika