Running Gear Essentials: Eight Picks for Autumn Training

Introduction

Autumn running demands a different kit list: fueling that fits in a pocket, layers that adapt as the temperature drops, and storage that lets you carry what you need without bouncing. This month’s picks cover all of it, from chewable carbohydrates to a windproof jacket that weighs roughly the same as a couple of energy gels.

Fueling Picks

OTE Energy Chews

Each small pack of these OTE chews delivers 23g of carbohydrates, and they come in apple and strawberry flavors that taste palatable rather than clawing and artificial, a trap some run fuels fall into. The real selling point is texture: there is very little chewing required, so a whole pack goes down in under a minute even while running slowly.

The packs are genuinely compact and pocket or belt friendly, which makes them easy to carry alongside gels and drinks for variety in your fueling mix. Yes, ordinary jelly sweets are cheaper, but these are a solid option if you want something purpose-made that does not fight you on the run.

For runners who prefer chewable fuel over gels, these are easy to recommend as part of a varied fueling strategy.

Pure Sport Ultra Electrolyte Sachets

These powder sachets dissolve in water to replenish sodium, the electrolyte you sweat out the most during hot or long runs. They also include potassium, magnesium, and calcium, giving a slightly broader electrolyte range than most tabs, with 100mg of sodium per serving, a touch above the average electrolyte tab.

The flavor range is more interesting than most, and the watermelon salt flavor is genuinely pleasant before and after long runs. Because they arrive pre-powdered, they dissolve easily and can even be carried on the run to fill a bottle mid-race. Expect to pay £33 for 30 sachets, with savings available through a subscription. There are cheaper alternatives, but these work well and taste good.

Hydration

Kiprun 3L Hydration Race Vest

This unisex 3-litre race vest is about as minimal as packs come, making it a great value option for long Sunday runs, marathon training, or race day when you want to be more self-sufficient. Despite the stripped-back weight, it still squeezes in four pockets, two soft front bottle holders, a built-in whistle, and unfussy adjustable front straps to lock in the fit.

The main back compartment is gone, replaced by a perforated mesh harness that keeps everything light and cool at pace. That does limit rear storage to a mesh jacket stash, so it is best for distances up to the marathon rather than ultras with obligatory kit. Note that it runs small; go one size up if you like a roomier fit. For under £50, it is a sound value hydration vest.

If you want water and essentials on runs up to marathon distance without spending much, this is an easy pick.

Winter Running Hoodies

The North Face Sunriser Hoodie

This is a genuinely technical hooded running top with a sweat-wicking finish designed to be anti-odor and sun protective. On the run it feels very lightweight and dries quickly when you sweat, so it avoids the clamminess some warm tops suffer from in cold weather.

The thumb loops are a welcome touch, and the hood fits nicely without feeling too tight, letting you adapt as you warm up rather than having to shed a jacket. It is currently cheaper than the RRP on the website, which makes it an even easier recommendation for cold-weather runners who like long sleeves with a hood.

Path Pyrenees T19 Hoodie

Where the Sunriser is a performance hoodie, the Path Pyrenees T19 feels like a very comfortable soft top. The fit is looser and more lifestyle-oriented, so it works worn to the shops as well as on easy, lighter runs, and it is quite warm for colder days.

It does not wick sweat away as effectively as a performance hoodie, so save it for easier efforts rather than hard sessions. If you want winter running kit that doubles as a nice everyday hoodie, this is well worth a look.

Path Mure Cap 2.0

This cap from Path, an American brand that makes a lot of running kit, fits really nicely and looks more like a normal cap than a dedicated running cap. That styling means you can wear it well beyond your runs, which is a small but real advantage.

The fabric has the same smooth, comfortable feel that makes Path’s apparel easy to live with. For anyone building out a winter running wardrobe, it is a quietly useful addition.

Featherlight Wind Protection

Montane Featherlite Nano Windproof Jacket

At around 52g, this windproof jacket is almost unnoticeable on the body, yet it offers a surprisingly good level of protection against wind with just a t-shirt underneath. It is windproof only, not waterproof, but that is exactly the point: it keeps you comfortable in blustery conditions without the heat buildup of a chunky shell.

The standout feature is packability. The jacket rolls into a tiny pocket at the back of the collar, small enough to stuff into a running belt or a shorts pocket, or to wear loosely and pull on when the wind picks up, as it often does on exposed hilltops. It is not too expensive for such a high-performance piece, and it is ideal for anyone who hates carrying or tying a jacket around their waist mid-run.

For changeable autumn and winter conditions, this is one of the most practical layers you can carry.

Storage on the Run

FlipBelt Compression Shorts

These half tights carry an incredible amount of kit: two side thigh pockets that take a phone, multiple mesh pockets around the waistband of varying sizes including a zipped one, and two larger pockets that easily swallow a 250ml soft flask. The fit is comfortable with no bounce even when loaded up for long runs.

FlipBelt built its name on running belts and has expanded into shorts because many runners now prefer an all-in-one storage solution. At £52 or $58, they sit in a sensible middle ground between very cheap options and expensive trail shorts, and the color range includes an attractive sea green. The pocket layout favors small and zipped pockets over big open ones, so check that your loadout fits the format.

If you carry gels, soft flasks, or your own drinks on long runs, these are definitely worth considering.

Buying Advice

Match each pick to a real need. If your fueling mix lacks variety, the OTE chews are a low-effort chewable option; if you sweat heavily on hot or long runs, the Pure Sport sachets offer a broader electrolyte profile with above-average sodium. For hydration, the Kiprun vest covers everything up to marathon distance at a value price, but size up.

In cold weather, choose between the technical, fast-drying North Face Sunriser and the lifestyle-friendly Path hoodie depending on whether you wear your running kit off the run too. The Montane Featherlite Nano is the safest all-rounder for changeable conditions, and the FlipBelt shorts suit anyone who prefers built-in storage over a separate running belt.

Conclusion

Most of this month’s picks share a common theme: removing friction from the run. Easy-to-chew fuel, a vest that disappears on your back, a jacket that packs into its own collar, and shorts that replace a belt all make carrying and layering simpler. Pick the ones that solve your specific annoyances and the rest of the kit list will take care of itself.