Best Running Gear Roundup: 10 Kits, Fuels and Accessories Worth a Look

Introduction

This month’s roundup leans heavily on heat, long runs and the small logistics that make both easier. There are two storage-first shorts from FlipBelt, a throwback gel, a flavour upgrade for a very popular drink mix, a minimal race vest, a lightweight summer short, a strong electrolyte, a new running cap brand, a premium trail pack, and one very practical car accessory that sweaty runners have needed for years.

FlipBelt High-Storage Shorts

FlipBelt built its reputation on one of the first genuinely high-storage running belts, and the brand has since expanded into shorts with that same storage philosophy built into the waistband. Two pairs have been in testing: the Air Running Shorts and the Trail Compression Shorts. Both carry a lot of gear, including a soft flask, gels, a phone and other essentials, without bouncing around, and both offer a good fit and a decent range of designs.

The Air use a classic shorts design with a more traditional free fit. The Trail Compression Shorts are half tights, which suit long distances and fast running particularly well, and they add trail-focused extras such as rear slots for poles and race number attachments. It is worth noting that both are currently only available in the US through FlipBelt and Amazon, though they seem likely to reach the UK in time. They are fairly expensive at full price, but Amazon discounting events tend to bring the cost down noticeably.

FlipBelt Air Running Shorts

The Air are the pick if you want a classic short silhouette with the signature high-capacity waistband. A good all-rounder for road runners who like carrying everything on the body.

FlipBelt Trail Compression Shorts

The Trail Compression Shorts suit runners who prefer compression over longer distances and want pole storage and number attachments for trail races. The half-tight cut makes them a strong option for big mountain days.

GU Gels

GU gels are a genuine classic at this point, and they are still delivering. They come in very small, lightweight pouches, which is their biggest strength: they fit into almost any pocket on a running short, or even an arm sleeve. The flavour range is enormous, spanning everything from standard fruit options to more unusual choices like birthday cake.

The classic GU texture is thick and stodgy, and the brand has something of a reputation for causing stomach trouble if you pack too many in without water. Taken with a sip of water, though, a single gel in the middle of a Sunday long run is a compact, easy way to get a shot of carbs without carrying anything bulky. They are not the first choice for a full race day or very long sustained use, but for occasional top-ups they work well and remain among the most pocketable gels available.

Maurten Additions Range

Maurten’s Drink Mix 320 is a staple for hard workouts and race day, and its flavour has always been fairly neutral and unsweetened. The new Additions range addresses exactly that: small sachets of powder you add to a 500ml drink mix to bring real flavour to it. They cost £2.50 for six pouches in the UK or $3.50 for six in the US, and a box is currently included free when ordering Maurten drink mixes.

Even from a small sachet the flavour comes through strongly. Cola is the standout, with apple and orange also genuinely nice. The menthol option is more unusual, though not unpleasant. For anyone who regularly uses Maurten drink mixes and finds the neutral taste a bit of a chore, especially when drinking large volumes during a race, these are an easy and worthwhile upgrade.

Kiprun Race 900 3L Race Vest

For a hot, well-supported ultra where you still want your own fuel and a few essentials, a minimal vest makes a lot of sense. The Kiprun Race 900 is about as minimal as run packs come, yet squeezes in four pockets, including slots for two 250ml front soft bottles.

Instead of a large back compartment, it uses a perforated mesh harness that keeps things light and cool, which proved valuable in 26°C heat. There is a zippered front pocket large enough for an iPhone 15 Pro Max, drop-in front pockets for gels, and a small rear stash pouch for a jacket or waterproof. The close-fitting cut gives a hugging, bounce-free fit that works just as well on longer training runs. At a penny shy of £50, it is keenly priced for what it offers.

On 7-in Performance Shorts

The On 7-in Performance Shorts are a reminder that not every good short needs built-in storage. They suit runners who want a bit of extra coverage in warm weather while staying light and airy. The four-way stretch fabric is flexible, loose, highly perforated and very breathable, which has been welcome during recent European heat.

The free-flowing cut and thin, silky-edged fabric make for excellent all-round comfort, and built-in briefs are included. The simple styling is understated enough to pass as casual wear outside of runs. Storage is limited to a small rear zip pocket, though the shorts also work nicely as a light outer layer over a storage half tight. They sit on the premium side of the price spectrum, but the crossover quality adds value, and a 5-in version exists for those who want less length.

Pure Sport Ultra Electrolytes

Pure Sport’s Ultra Electrolytes in orange and lemonade citrus flavour are zero-sugar electrolyte stick packs, a format that makes dosing up on longer, hot runs genuinely convenient. Each stick pack delivers around 1,000mg of sodium, along with potassium, magnesium and calcium.

The flavour is the highlight here. The zingy citrus edge avoids the twin traps of tasting artificial or overpowering, making these among the more palatable electrolytes around, to the point where sipping one post-run is not a chore. A solid choice for hot ultras and long build-up runs alike.

Grasmere Spring Verdant Running Cap

Grasmere is a new company with, for now, just one product: a running cap with an understated, subtle design called the Spring Verdant. Seasonal designs are planned throughout the year, and the initial artwork is worth a look if you prefer quiet colours over loud neon.

In use over a couple of hot weeks, including a half marathon in warm, sunny conditions, it kept sweat from dripping into the eyes and stayed nicely breathable. For heavy sweaters and anyone who relies on a cap in summer, it does the core job very well while looking genuinely good.

Soar Trail Race Pack

The Soar Trail Race Pack is expensive, but it earns its price through sheer lightness. You barely notice you are wearing it, and it sits comfortably against the skin even in a 35°C heatwave.

Storage is sensible rather than excessive: an open rear pocket for spare clothing, an internal zip pocket large enough for a large phone, cards and keys, and smaller pockets for gels. Two curved Hydrapak-designed soft flasks are included, and they sit securely in their pockets. Front hooks hold the structure tight against the body, so the pack stays stable over a base layer even on hot mornings. For runners wanting a genuinely lightweight trail vest, this is a very strong option.

Sprint Car Towel Seat Cover

The Sprint car towel seat cover might be the most quietly useful pick here. It is a large microfiber towel with a hook cloth at the top, designed to hang over a car seat and drape down to cover it completely. The idea is simple: drive somewhere for a run or race, come back sweaty or soaked, hook it over the seat, and protect the upholstery.

Because it is microfiber, it does not fully soak through with sweat and moisture; it protects the seat instead. It lives in the car permanently, which solves the very common problem of forgetting to bring a towel or change of clothes. The designs are attractive too. If you regularly drive to runs or races, this is an easy recommendation.

Buying Advice

If your focus is storage, start with the FlipBelt shorts and pick based on fit preference: classic short or compression half tight. For race-day fuelling, GU gels suit occasional pocketable top-ups, while Maurten Additions are the easy flavour fix if you already use Drink Mix 320. On the hydration side, the Kiprun Race 900 is the value pick for minimal vest needs, while the Soar Trail Race Pack is the premium option for runners who prioritise near-invisible weight. Round out hot-weather running with the On shorts, Pure Sport electrolytes and the Grasmere cap, and if you drive to your runs, the Sprint seat cover is a small purchase that pays for itself in peace of mind.

Conclusion

This month’s picks share a theme: small, considered solutions to real problems runners face, from carrying fuel to surviving heat to protecting the car seat on the way home. Match the product to the specific problem you have and most of these will earn their place in the kit drawer.