Best Running Kit We Tested This Month: 7 Picks Worth a Look

Introduction

Every month, a handful of running products earn their place in the rotation but never quite get their own full review. This roundup collects seven of those standouts: two pairs of half tights, a high-carb gel, a special-edition running sock, a bargain pair of storage shorts, a hydration backpack that doubles as a commuter bag, and a premium pair of running sunglasses. Each one earned its spot through weeks of real testing on training runs and at major marathons.

New Balance London Marathon Edition 9-Inch Half Tights

For anyone who loves the comfort, storage, and support of half tights but prefers to layer them under a pair of lightweight shorts, the New Balance London Marathon Edition 9-inch shorts do all three jobs well. Storage starts with two thigh drop-in pockets that can each hold a phone or a stash of gels, plus two smaller rear pockets big enough for a headphones case, keys, or a squashed gel. A zippered rear pocket swallows a larger iPhone and keeps valuables secure.

Comfort is strong thanks to flatlock seams that reduce chafing risk, good coverage and support, and stretch fabric that flexes nicely for mobility. The fabric is fairly thick, which helps durability but can run warm in the hottest conditions, especially with an outer layer on top. Substantial leg cuffs stop the hems riding up without digging in or clamping. For everyday training runs where you carry a few essentials rather than full marathon supplies, these are a really strong option, with a nice London logo on the side as a finishing touch.

True Fuel Energy Gel 40

If you dislike chewing down thicker, gloopier gels, True Fuel’s Energy Gel 40 is worth a look. It has a loose, liquid texture that slips down easily even without water. Each 70g sachet delivers 40g of carbs from a 1:1 glucose to fructose mix, replacing roughly two regular gels, with a handy rip top that opens easily.

Each gel also packs a gram of salt to replenish electrolytes, which tempers the sweetness nicely. The neutral flavour is a genuine advantage on long runs where you need multiple gels and do not want to be overwhelmed by chemically citrus flavours. The main trade-off is bulk: at 70g per gel, they take up a bit more space than standard sachets.

Monkey Socks London Edition

Released around the London Marathon, this special edition from Monkey Socks comes in three colours with a London-focused pattern that reads “run London” and features landmarks including the London Eye and Tower Bridge. The light blue colourway is particularly good.

As a first impression of the brand, they hold up well. The foot is breathable and lightweight apart from padding at the toes and heel, while the leg is cut a little thicker for a comfortable, stay-put fit. They handled several long runs ahead of race day with no complaints, and they would happily work as a race sock too. At £18, they double as a nice memento of the marathon, though anyone not fussed about the race can find equally good patterns elsewhere in the range.

Tracksmith Twilight Half Tights

The standout of the Tracksmith Twilight range, these half tights cost £90 or $90 and justify the price with exceptional comfort. They come with a built-in liner, so there is no need for running underwear underneath, and the material offers a light touch of compression without ever feeling restrictive. They hold position on the leg perfectly, with no riding up.

Storage is thoughtful too: no front pockets, but two stretchy slip-in side pockets each take a large smartphone, and a really large central zipped pocket at the back swallows a whole load of gels or a soft flask for race day or long runs. The materials feel built to last, and the fit is excellent throughout.

Kiprun Run 900 Ultra Shorts

Not every runner wants compression, and Decathlon’s Kiprun Run 900 Ultra shorts (sometimes listed as baggy trail shorts) are the loose alternative done right. At £25, they pack a built-in running belt: a very large central pocket that takes a phone plus a few gels or a big soft flask, a zip pocket behind the main pocket for valuables, two fairly large mesh drop-in side pockets, and a large zip pocket at the back.

There is enough storage here for several soft flasks, which is exactly the kind of load you might carry in a marathon. The lightweight fabric flaps pleasantly and breathes well without any restrictive feeling, and drawstrings tighten the waist so loaded cargo sits close to the body without bouncing, even when packed full. If you cannot find the exact name, searching Decathlon’s site for storage-heavy trail shorts should turn them up.

Stolt Athlete Ultralight 12L Hydration Running Backpack

Stolt has built a strong reputation for running backpacks, and the Athlete Ultralight 12L continues that run. Calling it a hydration pack undersells it: this is a genuinely hard-wearing backpack that fits far more than expected, easily handling a laptop and a load of clothes in testing.

Access is well designed. The roll top uses really hard-wearing Velcro across the top that closes securely before rolling down, with none of the worrying gaps that some roll tops suffer from. Beyond the big main compartment with internal sections, you can also reach the main load through a side panel without reopening the roll. Two soft flask holders on the front hold flasks steady with minimal bounce, and zipped front sections keep credit cards and keys accessible without digging around in the back.

The thick structure protects your kit better than a typical running vest, and the look is smart enough for the office, so it works as a commuter backpack too. It is quite pricey, but the quality shows.

Adidas Dunamis Evo Running Sunglasses

Running sunglasses mostly do the same job, so the details matter, and the Adidas Dunamis Evo gets them right. Vision through the big visor lens is excellent, with a gutter-style coverage at the bottom edge for a little extra protection. More importantly for running, they stay put and do not bounce around.

A interchangeable nose pad spacer lets you tune the fit, and the arms have grippy sections that hold nicely to the head along with small gaps for ventilation. Compared with cheaper running sunglasses, the lens quality is on another level, and the lenses are interchangeable if you want different tints for different conditions. They are a fairly expensive pair of running sunglasses, but probably worth the money if you want something genuinely good for summer.

Buying Advice

If you are choosing between these picks, match them to your running habits. Half tights fans should pick the New Balance edition for everyday training value or the Tracksmith Twilight if comfort and a built-in liner matter most and budget is flexible. Runners who hate compression get everything they need from the cheap and storage-rich Kiprun shorts. Nutrition-wise, the True Fuel gel suits anyone doing long sessions with multiple gels. The Monkey Socks London Edition is a fun memento with solid everyday performance, the Stolt backpack is for those who want one pack for trails and commuting, and the Adidas sunglasses suit runners happy to invest in premium summer eyewear.

Conclusion

This month’s lineup rewards runners who care about the details: pockets in the right places, fabrics that stay comfortable for hours, and equipment that lasts. None of these seven products reinvented their category, but each one does its specific job noticeably better than most of the competition, and that is exactly what makes them worth considering.