What to Wear for a Marathon or Half Marathon

Expert Advice on Running Clothing,Seasonal Running & Racing: What to Wear,Marathon & Half-Marathon Training Advice
What to Wear for a Marathon or Half Marathon

Putting in all those miles of training is, of course, a big factor in reaching the finish line of a marathon or half-marathon. But it can be just as important to get the right running gear.

Avoid trying new things at the last minute. Ideally, your shoes, clothing and accessories will all have been tested for a period of time, so you don't have any surprises with your marathon or half marathon gear; especially if this is your first marathon! 

If something has worked in training, it will also work in the race. Above all, whatever you wear on race day must be something you're comfortable in. Keep an eye on the weather conditions and make sure you have a couple of options if it’s an unexpectedly hot, cold, windy or rainy day.

So, what are the 10 must-haves for marathon & half-marathon runners? With this simple checklist, we aim to get you race-ready and flying through the finish line with a smile:

MARATHON KIT LIST

  1. Running Shoes
  2. Running Socks
  3. Running Bottoms
  4. Running Tops
  5. Jackets
  6. Compression Gear
  7. GPS Running Watches
  8. Accessories
  9. Nutrition
  10. Anti Chafe and Injury Care
Marathon Runners

1. Running Shoes

In case you've suddenly realised that your current shoes have done way too much mileage than they should have, or they're causing you some problems, check out our Natural Gait Analysis service. We'll make sure your shoes are still the right type for you and won't bring you any surprises on race day. If you can't make it to our London store, we also offer Online Gait Analysis.

Choosing Your Shoes

Running Socks

2. Running Socks

To keep your feet comfy, fresh and blister-free throughout the race, we recommend you invest in a pair of technical running socks. Here are some of our top picks:

All Running Socks

Feetures Elite Light Cushion No Show Socks
Running Socks
£14.50

Injinji Run Lightweight Mini-Crew Toe Socks
Running Toe-Socks
£16.00

Stance Performance Light Crew Socks
Running Socks
£16.99

Stance Performance Light Tab Socks
Running Socks
£12.99

Hilly Supreme Medium Cushioning Anklet Socks
Running Socks
£16.00

Pressio Equilibrium Compression Socks
Compression Running Socks & Calf Guards
£40.00

Running Bottoms

3. Running Bottoms

When running long distances this season, consider wearing versatile shorts or bottoms with plenty of storage space, to carry your energy chews and gels. Along with additional warmth.

All Men's Bottoms / All Women's Bottoms

Men's Brooks Sherpa 5in Shorts
Men's Loose Running Shorts
£50.00

Men's On Lightweight Shorts Lumos
Men's Loose Running Shorts
£90.00

Men's Ronhill Tech Afterhours Tights
Men's Running Leggings & Tights
£65.00

Women's Brooks Spark Half Tights
Women's Lycra Running Shorts
£50.00

Women's Brooks Spark Tights
Women's Running Leggings & Tights
£70.00

Women's Ronhill Tech Afterhours Tights
Women's Running Leggings & Tights
£65.00

4. Running Tops

Discover our technical running tops with excellent breathability and moisture-wicking properties. Some feature taped seams to avoid any extra friction, while others have a fully seamless construction.

All Men's Tops / All Women's Tops

Men's Brooks Luxe Tee
Men's Running T-Shirt
£45.00

Men's Odlo Essential Seamless Tee
Men's Running T-Shirt
£40.00

Men's Brooks Atmosphere Top
Men's Long-Sleeved Running Top
£45.00

Women's On Performance Tee
Women's Running T-Shirt
£70.00

Women's Odlo Seamless Baselayer
Women's Running Base Layer
£50.00

Women's Icebreaker 125 Cool Lite Sphere Baselayer
Women's Running Base Layer
£80.00

5. Jackets

Running jackets are designed for both comfort and performance. We stock jackets that are lightweight with breathable materials, making it perfect for running in all weather conditions.

Shop Men's Jackets

Shop Women's Jackets

Men's Montane Minimus Lite Jacket
Men's Waterproof Running Jacket
£185.00

Men's Ronhill Tech Afterhours Jacket
Men's Windproof Running Jacket
£90.00

Men's OMM Kamleika Jacket
Men's Waterproof Running Jacket
£200.00 £190.00

Women's Montane Minimus Lite Jacket
Women's Waterproof Running Jacket
£185.00

Women's Odlo Zeroweight Insulator Jacket
Women's Windproof Running Jacket
£185.00 £149.00

Women's OMM Kamleika Jacket
Women's Waterproof Running Jacket
£200.00 £149.00

Compression Running Clothing

6. Compression Gear

According to research, compression wear reduces exercise-induced muscle damage, accelerates recovery processes, removes lactic acid faster, increases strength and power, improves endurance, increases muscle oxygenation, and improves body temperature control.

All Compression Running Clothing

Pressio Power Calf Guards
Compression Running Socks & Calf Guards
£40.00

Men's Pressio BIO Run Half Tights
Men's Compression Shorts
£85.00 £65.00

Men's Pressio BIO Run Tights
Men's Compression Tights
£110.00

Compressport Full Socks Run
Running Socks
£35.00

Women's Compressport Trail Compression Shorts
Women's Compression Tights
£95.00 £55.00

Women's Pressio BIO High Rise Tights
Women's Compression Tights
£110.00

Running GPS Watch

7. Running Watches

A GPS running watch is a great companion for runners, and even more so for a race. It can help you during your training to measure your distance, time, speed and heart-rate. It will also track your stats and give you detailed running data. The models featured below tick all the boxes.

Some models will also offer you training plans to follow – they will even create a personal training plan for you based on your individual metrics. The top of the range watches help prevent injury by giving you advice on your recovery or notifying you when it’s time to rest up.

All GPS Running Watches

Garmin Forerunner 265
Running GPS & Heart Rate Monitors
£429.99

Garmin Forerunner 265s
Running GPS & Heart Rate Monitors
£429.99

Garmin Forerunner 955
Running GPS & Heart Rate Monitors
£439.99

Garmin Forerunner 965
Running GPS & Heart Rate Monitors
£599.99

Running Waist Belts

8. Running Accessories

These running accessories won’t make your marathon or half-marathon distance shorter, but they can definitely make it more enjoyable. Running caps and sunglasses will keep you protected from the sun, and race belts come handy for carrying essentials.

All Hats & Gloves / All Headphones / All Running Vests / All Waist Packs & Belts

Ronhill Tribe Beanie
Running Hats
£20.00

Ronhill Afterhours Gloves
Running Gloves
£27.00

Compressport Arm Force Ultralight Sleeve
Running Arm Sleeves
£30.00

Salomon Sense Pro 2 Set
Running Hydration Packs & Race Vests
£130.00

Shokz OpenRun Pro Headphones
Running Headphones
£159.95

U.P. Race Number Magnets
Running Accessories
£12.00

Running Nutrition

9. Running Nutrition

Energy (e.g. Maurten Gel 100, Maurten Drink Mix 320, Lucho Dillitos) and electrolytes (e.g. Precision Hydration tabs, Saltstick Fastchews) are important to take before and during a run. Protein, on the other hand, is crucial after your run to help your muscles with recovery (e.g. SIS Protein Bar). Test your nutrition on your training runs to make sure you get on well with it during a race.

All Energy Drink Powders / All Energy Chews / All Energy Gels

Maurten Drink Mix 320 Sachet
Running Energy & Hydration Drinks
£3.48

Lucho Dillitos Guava Paste
Running Energy & Electrolyte Chews
£1.50

SaltStick Fastchews
Running Energy & Electrolyte Chews
£3.49

Precision Hydration Effervescent Electrolyte Tablets
Running Hydration Drinks
£8.99

SIS Go Gel + Electrolytes
Running Energy Gels
£1.80

Anti-Chafe & Blister Prevention

10. Anti Chafe and Injury Care

Some runners think that a marathon equals painful chafing and blisters. But all that can be avoided thanks to these great little helpers. BodyGlide is an amazing, miraculous, invisible lubricant that glides over your skin and leaves a protective, slick layer, thus cutting down on friction-induced problems. Apply to your feet or underwear area to keep blisters and chafing at bay. Nip Guards are great protection for male runners. And Compeed could save your feet if the worst comes to the worst. Best to put it on your hot spots in advance.

Ideal for prevention of aches and pains, offering you fantastic support if you're suffering from knee pain, ITB, shin splints of plantar fasciitis. The key is gently massage areas that feel sore before or after training. Running frequently myself, I've been loving the new range from Sportlab.

All Anti-Chafe & Injury Care

Sidas Gel Toe Caps
Anti-Chafe & Blister Prevention
£8.50

Compeed Blister Pads Medium
Anti-Chafe & Blister Prevention
£5.49

Men's Nip Guards
Anti-Chafe & Blister Prevention
£16.00

Original Anti-Chafe Balm 22g
Anti-Chafe & Blister Prevention
£11.99

Sportlab Warmup Cream
Muscle Recovery & Strengthening
£15.90

Sorbothane Heel Pads
Running Insoles & Orthotics
£9.00

Oofos OOahh Slide
Unisex Sports Slide
£50.00

Best of luck with your training and preparation! Get loads more free tips from our expert advice team in this Run Better section:

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