THE JOURNAL

Photograph by Ms Carly Tumen, styling by Ms Heather Malmstrom
The sports gear you need, whether you’re running a marathon or just going out for a jog.
It may be that you’re currently in training for one of the various marathons that are taking place this summer. Kudos to you if so. Please accept our gushing admiration. On the other hand, it may be that you’re simply running for fun this summer or, dare we mention it, completing the home stretch towards what might be referred to as “beach season”. Any which way, it’s going to be useful to have the proper kit, both for your own mental motivation, and to protect your poor, exhausted body. Scroll down for our top picks of the marathon-worthy items currently on MR PORTER.

TAKE THE HEAT
Yes, it was horrible running in the winter, what with the dark mornings and freezing temperatures, but warm weather has its own problems. Avoid the ones to do with sweating (and smelling) with the above T-shirt from outdoor specialist Patagonia – it’s not only rendered in a moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric, but comes with Polygiene® technology to – and this is a direct quote – “keep unpleasant odour under control”. You might also want to try a cap, if you’re going to be out in the sun for a long time. Running might be slimming, but it’s also rather unflattering if you burn your nose to a crisp.
FEEL THE PRESSURE
Compression tights might seem like an unnecessary extra, especially when outdoor conditions are getting more favourable for running. But actually, such items are designed not just to keep you warm but to help your muscles recover after long exertion. This is going to be particularly relevant for you if you’re in the midst of a gruelling training schedule, and planning to run very long distances – in which case we would recommend this pair of tights from 2XU, carefully constructed from two types of Invista® Lycra to help support your legs as you keep them pummelling the ground. If you’re looking for shorts to wear over the top, try these from Salomon – cut from ultra-lightweight shell, they’ll keep you covered without adding too much of a heat factor.
TREAT YOUR FEET
Of course, the most crucial element of any running kit is the shoes, which you should replace after every 300 miles you run. Though some runners prefer a more barefoot feel to their shoes, for extended training we would recommend Newton’s Kismet II sneakers, which, with their heat-welded overlays and extended medial bridge, offer ample support and cushioning that will suit most running styles. Do yourself a favour and get some proper socks to go with them: these from 2XU are not only engineered to provide extra support to the ankle, they come embellished with dry mesh panels which helps to improve ventilation and breathability.
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