Ideas for every style of runner

THE BEGINNER

1. Skechers GOrun 2 Supreme

$110

These super plush and flexible trainers are perfect for a newbie or seasoned pro. The GOrun 2 Supreme has a soft and supportive midsole that promotes mid- to forefoot striking. They are also light and responsive enough for your first race.

2. Nike Dri-FIT Knit Short Sleeve

$75

Nike’s new knit short sleeve is highly breathable, yet soft on the skin. The slim cut hangs nicely on the body while running, and the breathable knit chest area stays nice and dry, wicking away sweat even under a jacket.

3. New Balance Hi-Vis Beacon Jacket

$175

This loud and stylish jacket is perfect for running at night. The copious reflective and glow-in-the-dark accents will ensure that you are seen on the road. The Hi-Vis Beacon also has two full-sized front pockets, making it the perfect jacket for longer runs.

4. Nike 7″ Laser Short

$32

The mid-length Laser is the ideal introductory running short. They’re not too short for the novice runner, but are aggressively cut as to avoid chafing over the course of a hard workout or longer effort.

5. Bolle Tempest Polarized Sunglasses

$160

Many runners overlook the value in having a good pair of sunglasses. Considering the amount of time you spend outdoors in the sun, a rugged and stylish pair are worth the investment. Bolle are a trusted sports sunglasses brand and the polar- ized Tempest lens will cut glare and improve visibility.

6. Nike Fuelband SE

$150

The Fuelband SE is a neat product and a great fit for a new runner. It wears like a very light watch, counting steps, calories and time spent on your feet. The Fuel Band links with Nike+ software, allowing you to create fitness goals and share them with your friends.

7. Nike Dri-FIT Running Socks

$12

The plush feel of the Dri-FIT sock will have you convinced that they are a made of a natural fabric. They wick moisture from the foot, and are carefully constructed to hug the arch without irritating it. Our testers have reported that these socks also last a long time.

 THE DISTANCE QUEEN

1. Adidas Stella McCartney Hooded Long Sleeve

$120

This fashionable half-zip hoodie is the perfect This cute and classic short sports winter mid-layer, but looks too good to be hidden. retro white piping with modern

2. New Balance Tempo Short

$35

The sleeves are made from a subtle mesh-like technical fabric that allows for breathability while looking good. The hood is molded so it won’t bob around when worn up, with a zip that nicely contours the neckline. Everything about this hoodie whispers class.
Lightning Dry fabric to keep you comfortable. The mid-length cut is suitable for longer runs or the big race.

3. Yurbuds Inspire for Women

$30

Yurbuds have established themselves as one of the premier sports head- phones makers. They recognized that most women’s ears require a smaller bud for a comfortable and secure in-ear fit. These headphones were designed specifically for women. The sound quality is great and our testers love how they lock in place and don’t budge for an entire long run.

4. Compressport Full Leg Sleeves

$130

Training for the marathon is all about being able to recover from big mileage. Many marathoners swear by their compression socks to get them through the season healthy. Compressport’s Full Leg sleeves leave nothing to chance, providing coverage all the way up to the top of the thigh. They are comfortable enough to wear under pants after a hard run.

5. Saucony ViZi Glo Ride 6

$155

The Ride is a go-to shoe for distance runners. It’s traditional, yet very light- weight and responsive. Saucony’s plush midsole is protected by a durable rubber outsole that our testers say has worn well while logging lots of kilometres. The bright colours and glow-in-the-dark accents are great for safety and give this shoe some attitude.

6. New Balance Comfy Conformer Bra

$59

New Balance’s line of running bras are designed to perform and not let you down. The Comfy Comformer is soft and, as the name suggests, comfort- able, but it locks everything in place during the run. Our testers said that they were quite impressed by how much support was provided for such a comfortable bra.

 THE TRAIL KING

1. Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2

$299

This fully featured GPS watch has a good sized screen but isn’t oversized on the wrist. It’s also paired with a heart rate monitor, which comes in handy when you’re doing a workout on the trails. Our testers had no prob- lems linking up to satellites quickly and liked the familiarity and simplicity of the Ironman’s button layout.

2. Brooks NightLife Hat

$35

Covered in 3M Scotchlite and outfitted with a light LED light, the NightLife hat makes you highly visible. It has a comfortable built-in headband to wick sweat, and is made of wind and water resistant breathable fabric. The LED light can also be removed and used as a small flashlight, which could be a lifesaver on the trail.

3. Asics Gel Fuji Sensor 2

$189

The strong suit of this waterproof shoe is its versa- tility. It can handle the gnarliest backcountry run, but can be confidently used to power through a big pool of winter city sludge. The tread is highly grippy, but our testers said that it felt fast, even on asphalt. The Fuji Sensor 2 is also quite light for a tough shoe, making it a winner on the trail race circuit.

4. The North Face Windstopper Isotherm Jacket

$190

This slim cut jacket is slick enough to wear around town, but it’s designed by The North Face, meaning it was built to handle some serious trail abuse. The waterproof yet breathable soft shell is protected with Windstopper material, meaning that even the roughest of conditions won’t affect you on your run. The Isotherm jacket has all sorts of nice little touches, including thumb holes at the end of the sleeves and a generous lower back pocket for long hauls.

5. CEP Short Socks

$25
CEP is a known and trusted compression brand. Many runners overlook the importance of having durable, performative socks. Trail runners know that a rugged yet delicate layer between the shoe and the foot is essential for a successful outing. CEP’s short sock is comfortable but provides compression around the foot all the way up to the Achilles tendon, which our testers noted and appreciated.

6. Merrell Trimaran Half Zip Top

$70

Merrell makes tough, long-lasting products. The Trimaran half-zip can function as a warm mid-layer or on its own during warmer winter days. Our testers trusted the solid stitching and noted that it was highly breathable. Its low profile design will work well with pretty much any clothing combo, which is always a plus.

7. The North Face Isotherm WS Pant

$160

We couldn’t resist pairing the Isotherm WS pant with its sibling jacket. These pants laugh in the face of the elements. Like the jacket, they are protected
by Windstopper fabric, and have a thick weightiness to the touch, but don’t feel bulky while running. Again, The North Face have thought of all the little details, including a small back pocket for keys or a gel, and slightly molded knees to encourage a fluid running stride.

 THE RACER

1. Brooks LSD Lite Jacket III

$85

This jacket will do the trick as a warm-up companion before a race, as well as an everyday cool weather training shell. The well thought out details, such as the adjustable hood and waist, and cinched midsection make the LSD Lite III the perfect fit for every runner. It also packs into its own pocket.

2. Adidas Adizero Adios

$145

The Adios is one of the greatest light- weight racing flats we’ve ever tested. It’s also a very versatile shoe. It’s light and fast enough for a blazing 5k, but has enough structure and cushioning for the marathon. Our more competi- tive testers even said that it’s become a regular part of their training arsenal for tempo and speed sessions.

3. Brooks Infinti Short II

$44

This subtle split short comes in exciting colour schemes. Its good looks are matched by its racing func- tionality. There are two Velcro pockets for gels, which will come in handy for longer distance races. Our testers also said that they liked the feel of the technical fabric, even after it became weighed down by sweat or rain.

4. New Balance Airy Racer

$45

The Airy Racer provides a snug fit for slight runners. Our testers liked how it looked and said that it performed well on race day. It easily works on its own during hot weather races and workouts, and comfortably breathes under multiple layers, making it a sound part of your race outfit, regard- less of the season.

5. Nike Dri-FIT Knit Tank Top

$65

Our testers were huge fans of this knit tank. It is slim cut along the sides, hugging comfortably to the body during a tempo or interval run. The selection of elegant colours also made this a popular item to wear casually.

6. Compressport Pro Race Socks

$20

Compresport has made a sock that grabs onto the foot in all the right places during a run. The sock is covered in compression nodules that gently target pressure points, increasing blood flow in the foot. The sock wore very comfortably, espe- cially around the ankle.

7. Eassun Record Sunglasses

$90

The Spanish eyewear company makes sporty yet chic sunglasses for runners. The Record are made with a sturdy and clear polycarbonate. At just 18 g, these shades feel light on the face, but stay firmly in place. The ventila- tion holes along the arms are welcome in summer.