The Best Running Accessories, According to Our Use and Experience (2024)

Stay hydrated without being bogged down, thanks to the Nathan ExoShot 2.0, a sleek, collapsible 14-ounce bottle with a hand strap for grip-free running. Its slim pocket provides space for a few chews or gels, and the bite valve makes midrun hydration easy.

Related: The Best Handheld and Standard Water Bottles

If you’re looking for a no-frills GPS watch that will display your pace and distance, and not die mid-workout, our test editors love the Amazfit Bip S. It boasts a 40-day battery life before requiring a 2.5-hour full charge. Not only does it accurately track your distance, this GPS watch syncs with your phone to alert you of calls, texts, and e-mails.

The downside, our editors found, was that the sleep and heart rate tracking had some inaccuracies. But for a budget-friendly GPS watch, the Bip S, which has multi-sport activity tracking, provides the best bang for your buck at less than $60.

There are surprisingly not many run-specific waterproof gloves or mittens on the market; we’ve been known to wear ski gloves to brave the harsh, wet elements. But for a more streamlined fit, the Seirus Soundtouch Xtreme All Weather Glove is made with waterproof fabric and reinforced seems to keep your hands warm and dry.

Our testing team loves the brand’s Infinium All Weather gloves, but because of their breathability, they’re not waterproof. They recommend this Xtreme All Weather glove for the harshest conditions.

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For runners who want all the GPS watch frills, the Garmin Forerunner 955 takes the cake. It’s been updated from the previous version—the Forerunner 945—to now receive two signals from a satellite so it’s more accurate than ever.

The color maps help you navigate new running routes and the watch face features a built-in solar panel adding an extra seven hours of run time.

Sweaty Bands and runners who need to keep hair out of their faces go way back—like way, way back. A staple at race expos across the country, the OG velvet-lined band really does not slip. The toughest decision you'll have when it comes to Sweaty Bands headbands is choosing the design. (Why not stock up on many?)

Related: Running Headbands That Never Slip Off

We saw Ciele first on cyclists, but now the GoCap is making its way onto the heads of runners across the globe. The signature-style design is fun, but it’s also lightweight with quick-drying fabric for those days you’re sweating or getting rained on—or both.

Related: The Best Running Hats

Sure, there are loads of apps out there to help you log your miles and training, but there’s something to be said about actually writing it all down. (Just ask Molly Huddle.) We love the Compete Training Journal from former pro runners Lauren Fleshman and Róisín McGettigan-Dumas.

You’ll record your workouts, yes, but the pages will also help you set and assess goals, learn from professionals, and, perhaps most important, reflect.

Our resident ultrarunner and tester of all things trail running, Pat Heine, loves the Black Diamond Sprinter 500 for his headlamp. At 500 lumens, it’s likely more than you’ll need on a typical run, but it’s lightweight, and Heine can pack it in most of his shorts and packs.

It runs on a rechargeable battery pack or three AAA batteries, and in order to save battery life, you can dial back the light intensity. One of the best perks, according to our testers, is the lamp’s memory feature—the beam stays on the same brightness setting every time you turn it on until you change it.

Foam rolling: a necessary evil for runners everywhere. The Rollga roller was designed by a marathoner who foam rolls. Taggart Downare, who suffered from shin splints, wanted to create a roller that was effective and more comfortable. Downare’s prototypes included Wiffle balls, super balls, socks, and rubber casings before ultimately landing on this lightweight, bulbous design.

The roller’s grooves allow for you to apply pressure where you want it (muscles and connective tissue) and skip over areas not meant for rolling (hips, shins, spine). Downare’s reasoning for this design was simple: If it’s more comfortable, you’re more likely to make the recovery activity a habit.

Related: The Best Foam Rollers

If you run, you probably familiar with Body Glide. It’s been the gold standard for chafing protection for years. The deodorant-type stick makes it easy to apply, and the balm stands up against sweat.

Forgot to apply your Body Glide? Treat chafing with Desitin Diaper Rash Cream. Yes, diaper rash cream. If you think about it, diaper rashes are a form of skin irritation, just like chafing.

Related: How to Prevent and Treat Chafing

When you don’t need to carry water while on the move but still need to store your essentials, this Amphipod belt goes the distance. It’s lightweight but stretches four times its size to fit your smartphone, credit cards, keys, and fuel.

For minimal interference and comfort, wear the pouch on your lower back. It might bounce a bit at first, especially if it’s holding heavier items, but it’ll settle in for a barely there feel. This model also allows you to clip a race bib to the belt.

When spring is trying to eke its way out of winter’s grasp or for crisp fall mornings, this New Balance glove offers warmth without added bulk. The glove has 240 grams per meter of fleece—a good, mid-weight option—and a touchscreen feature.

Silicone grippers on the palm provide traction for when you need to grip your phone, but we wouldn’t call them the selling point. Additionally, the small New Balance logo is reflective.

Related: The Best Running Gloves

Although earbuds dominate the on-the-go music scene, they’re not one-size-fits-all, and many runners prefer a different option with fewer fit issues. Shokz, formerly Aftershokz, is known for its bone-conduction headphones, which sit above the ear so you can hear ambient noise, including car traffic, a bicycle bell, or a yell.

RW Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate hails an older model that he’s worn for thousands of miles. The current model withstands rain and sweat and provides eight hours of battery life, whether you listen to music, podcasts, or work calls while on the run.

Tested: What It’s Like to Run with Shokz OpenRun Pro

Sorry-not-sorry if you’ve heard us rave about Goodr before. There is no shortage of running sunglasses, but the $25, lightweight, no-bounce model continues to impress. Our biggest complaint is the narrow fit, so for bigger heads, go for the BFG styles for $10 more.

On top of providing UV protection and keeping away sweat, Goodr sunglasses come in a wide array of fun colorways like a yellow frame with blue lens called Swedish Meatball Hangover, or the one shown here, with pink frames and teal lenses, called Flamingos on a Booze Cruise.

For a more luxurious, lightweight everyday set of shades, we’re loving the Koo Cosmo, with Zeiss polarized lenses.

Darn Tough is a fan favorite around the Runner’s World office. RW Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate has been running in the now discontinued Press Crew for five years, while I reach for the Run Quarter Ultra-Lightweight sock.

It’s breathable with a little bit of cushion underfoot, something I love in a running sock but not a shoe. The quarter height makes for a comfortable ride without slippage.

And Darn Tough is, well, darn tough. The company backs all its socks with a lifetime warranty, and that’s saying something considering runners wear their socks hard.

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RW test editor Amanda Furrer calls these the best in-ear headphones. They provide a snug fit with high-quality sound, thanks to their noise cancellation and adjustable ambient sound capabilities.

Our testing team says these rival Apple’s AirPods Pro. The Jabra earbuds have what’s called “ShakeGrip,” a sticky silicone that keeps the earbuds snugly in place, regardless of sweat or rain. And the battery life? Eight hours while you’re on the move.