Running Gear Monthly Picks: 13 Pieces Worth a Look

Introduction

Every month there is a handful of running products that quietly earn their place in the rotation, and this month’s selection covers a lot of ground: affordable winter tights, a do-it-all commuter pack, race-ready shorts, cold-weather layers, reflective outerwear, gloves built for brutal days, and even a book that might change how you shop for gear. Here is what stood out and who each pick suits.

Mountain Warehouse Men’s Running Leggings

Nothing flashy here, just a very simple pair of running leggings that keep you warm on the coldest days. They cost £29.99 in the UK and $24.99 in the US, and they have been heavily discounted on the Mountain Warehouse website, sometimes to around half price. They are comfortable on long runs and do the basic job well.

The trade-offs are honest ones for the price: they run a bit bulkier than premium leggings and there is no pocket, which is annoying if you carry keys or gels. But for occasional use on genuinely cold days, they are an easy recommendation as a low-cost backup pair.

Salomon Running Commuter Backpack

This is a genuinely good rucksack, in the Saschafras Woodlands colorway here, and while it looks big, it is light enough to use for runs as well as commuting. The 12-litre main compartment takes a laptop, and there are external stretchy pockets for bottles plus a small valuables pocket.

It has some limits as a full commuter bag: a change of clothes fits, but bulkier items like a second pair of shoes and a full office outfit will not. What makes it stand out is the fit. Multiple adjustment points give a secure, no-bounce feel, and it is light enough to wear through a hard interval session. If you want one bag for both running and commuting, this is a smart pick; dedicated trail runners may still prefer something more compact for racing.

Under Armour Fitted Short Strike

Many running shorts now come with built-in base layers and liners, but if you prefer to bring your own, these are a great option because they skip the liner while nailing everything else. The lightweight fabric wicks well and dries fast, and the balance between fast and functional is nicely judged.

Storage is ample for anything up to half marathon distance: a zipped back pocket takes a phone or up to four or five gels, and there are loose side pockets in a tennis-pocket style. For a marathon you would probably want to add a running belt. The wide, flat waistband is very comfortable, and the shorts are light enough that you barely notice them. Side pockets without zips is the one small gripe.

We Can’t Run Away From This by Damian Hall

Not kit, but arguably the most important pick here. This book is a deep dive into the environmental footprint of running, covering the gear we buy, the races we enter, and everything in between. It is brilliantly well researched and genuinely eye-opening.

More than just a diagnosis, it gives practical tools and ways to reduce your impact, plus a framework for making smarter decisions about the next piece of kit you buy. If you read one thing before your next gear purchase, make it this one.

Tracksmith Inverno Gloves

These are a favourite pair of winter running gloves, and the reason is simple: they never leave your hands feeling sweaty mid-run, which is the cardinal sin of running gloves. They are lightweight but warm, made from a wicking fabric, and the fingertips work with a phone touchscreen.

At £32 they are expensive for gloves, but they last. Washed regularly and worn for years, they hold up extremely well, and the soft fabric works nicely against your nose and skin on cold runs. They come in five colorways and four size options.

Tracksmith NDO Long Sleeve

From the NDO collection, which stands for “No Days Off”, this is an expensive but very smart cold-weather top. The arms and back use a beautiful merino knit while the front carries a wind-blocking fabric, designed for the kind of cold day where the wind is what really makes it miserable.

Worn running into a headwind, it genuinely blocks the chill. The merino regulates temperature so you do not overheat, and the higher neck means you can skip a buff. At £173 it is a serious investment, but it is the kind of quality piece that should last for years. It comes in black or cream.

New Balance Half-Zip Long Sleeve

At £70 this is a much more approachable cold-weather layer, and it impressed after an initially lukewarm first look. The soft inner feels great against the skin, and the half-zip makes it flexible: wear it over a base layer in deep winter, or on its own over a sports bra as things warm up in spring.

There are fold-over mitts built into the sleeves, which are a lifesaver if you forget your gloves or want extra coverage over them on the coldest mornings, plus a small arm pocket for keys. As a warm, versatile winter-to-spring layer, it is very good value.

Lululemon Women’s Run For It All Ear Warmer

For runners who dislike hats, a good ear warmer is the answer, and this one costs just £25. A fleecy layer sits against your skin, and there is a gap at the back for a ponytail if you wear your hair down. A bit of reflective detailing adds a touch of visibility, though not much.

It has survived plenty of washing and wear without complaint, and crucially it does not shift around on the head. Currently available in black, it has been an absolute go-to on cold runs and a very easy recommendation for the price.

Soar Windbreaker Long Sleeve Top

This is the pricey treat of the batch at £170, essentially jacket money for a top. It is aimed at blustery days when you want help battling the elements but not a full jacket, which suits runners who avoid jackets when possible. A brushed interior feels good against bare skin or over a base layer.

A clever elastic drawcord at the back lets you adjust the fit depending on what you wear underneath, and reflective detailing runs around the hem and cuffs with small flecks on the shoulder and back, enough to catch headlights on dark or foggy mornings. A mid-back zip pocket holds small items, and while a phone technically fits, that is not the most comfortable place to carry one. It comes in black or an orangey red, with the brighter colorway the better visibility choice. Well made and a good option if you want to treat yourself.

Brooks Method Short Tights

Despite the name, these are shorts, available in 5-inch and this 8-inch version in several colors. On sale they currently sit at £45 for black, with some colorway options down to £31 and even a limited edition leopard print if you are feeling bold.

They are a solid, dependable pair: a pocket on each thigh carries a phone securely, and a drop-in pocket on the back of the waistband handles gels. They stayed put through a half marathon in November while carrying gels and a phone. The 8-inch length adds inner-thigh protection against chafing, while the 5-inch suits warmer months. The only quibble is the small cut-out detailing on the front, which is a sun-cream nuisance for fair skin. Sizes run from XS to XXL.

On Weather Lumos Jacket

This jacket hits a sweet spot in weight, neither heavy nor flimsy, and it has been ideal for temperatures between roughly 0 and 7 degrees. The headline feature is subtle reflectivity: a dotted pattern that is nearly invisible by day but shows up clearly at night when headlights hit it, unlike the aggressively silvery look of some high-vis jackets.

Breathability comes from a mesh-lined vent panel across the back plus two front vents, so you do not overheat, and it handles wind well and light showers decently, though it is not a dedicated rain shell. A large chest zip pocket holds cards and keys but not a phone, and it doubles as a stow pocket so the whole jacket packs down small. The hood has a front rim that keeps rain off your eyes and a rear toggle to tighten it, and it stays put comfortably. It is a big investment, but as the one jacket that covers winter night safety runs and daytime training alike, it makes a convincing long-term case.

SealSkinz All-Weather Ultra Gloves

Thin race gloves are fine when you are working hard, but on slow, easy runs in freezing coastal wind they simply do not cut it. These SealSkinz gloves solve that. Made from a thick, wetsuit-like material, they keep hands properly warm on the coldest days, sometimes almost too warm once you get going.

They are not bulky, so they roll up small enough to stash in a pocket or belt when you warm up. A grippy palm, touch-sensitive thumb and forefinger tips that handle basic phone controls, and genuinely hard-wearing construction round things out. At £45 they are not cheap, but they are the kind of gloves you buy once for cold days and keep for years.

Alter Ego Running Caps

Alter Ego is a US running brand specializing in caps, and they have been showing up all over social media lately. The pitch is a cap that looks and feels like an everyday cap, with a large mesh panel at the back, plus performance touches like waterproofing, sweat wicking, and sweat stain prevention built in.

There is a hidden inner pocket that fits a key or folded cash, which is a nice bonus for short runs when you do not want to carry anything else. They are not the pick for all-out racing, where you would want something ultra-light, but for easy runs and everyday wear they hit a sweet spot. There are plenty of designs, from subtle to loud, and the brand ships internationally, though most orders originate in the US.

How to Choose Between These Picks

Match the pick to your actual gap in kit. If your winter legs are cold but you rarely wear tights, the Mountain Warehouse leggings are the cheapest way to fill that hole. If you commute by train and run, the Salomon backpack earns its keep twice over. For racing and speedwork, the Under Armour shorts and Brooks short tights cover warm and cool conditions respectively.

On the upper body, think in layers: the Lululemon ear warmer and Tracksmith gloves handle the small extremity problem cheaply, the New Balance half-zip is the value mid-layer, and the Tracksmith NDO, Soar windbreaker, and On Lumos jacket sit at the premium end for runners who spend serious time outside in bad weather. And before buying any of it, the Damian Hall book is a genuinely useful primer on making more sustainable gear decisions.

Conclusion

This month’s list is a reminder that good running kit does not have to mean spending big across the board. A £25 ear warmer, a £70 half-zip, and budget leggings can sit comfortably alongside one or two considered premium pieces like the On Lumos or Tracksmith NDO. Identify the one gap that is actually costing you comfort on runs, pick accordingly, and everything else can wait.