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JOIN NOWWhat to Wear for a Marathon (2026)
Your Complete Race-Day Kit Guide
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. The wrong running kit can turn a well-trained marathon into a miserable experience. Chafing, overheating, blisters, bouncing pockets or soaked clothing become much bigger problems over 26.2 miles.
At Run and Become, we've had 40+ years of serving runners leading up to their big race, so we've put together the questions and concerns our customers often have. If you're able to visit us at our London store, we'd love to give you personalised advice, otherwise we hope this guide will get you race-ready and flying through the finish line with a smile.
The Most Important Marathon Gear Tip
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 gear; especially if this is your first one!
If something has worked in training though, you can be confident it'll also work in the race. Above all, whatever you wear on race day must be something you're comfortable in.
In This Guide
- Marathon gear for different weather conditions
- Best running shoes for a marathon
- Best marathon socks to prevent blisters
- Best shorts for a marathon
- Best tops for a marathon
- Best bras for a marathon
- Best anti-chafe for a marathon
- Best way to carry essentials during a marathon
- Marathon gear: mistakes to avoid
- FAQs
Marathon Gear for Different Weather Conditions
We often get asked what to wear depending on the temperature you're likely to be running in. This partly comes down to personal preference, depending on:
- How much you naturally feel the cold (or struggle in heat)
- How fast you'll be running, and therefore how much extra heat you'll be generating
- How predictable the weather will be on the day. If we're talking UK, then obviously that could be hard to pinpoint!
- Also consider you'll be training earlier in the year than the race itself, so you'll want some flexibility in your wardrobe.
See the Marathon Gear Checklist below for links to product collections
What to wear for a marathon in cold weather |
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| Temperature | Recommended Kit | Wet Weather Option | |
| 0-5°C | Hat & Gloves Leggings Thermal Top Windproof Jacket (optional) |
Waterproof Jacket | |
| 5-10°C | Shorts or Leggings Long-Sleeve Top Windproof Jacket (optional) |
Windproof Jacket or Cap | |
What to wear for a spring or autumn marathon |
|||
| Temperature | Recommended Kit | Wet Weather Option | |
| 10-15°C | Shorts or Leggings T-Shirt or Vest |
Windproof Jacket or Cap | |
| 15-20°C | Shorts T-Shirt or Vest |
Cap | |
What to wear for a marathon in hot weather |
|||
| Temperature | Recommended Kit | Wet Weather Option | |
| 20-25°C | Shorts Lightweight T-Shirt or Vest Cap or Visor |
Cap | |
| 30°C+ | Loose Shorts Lightest T-Shirt or Vest Cap or Visor Hydration Vest (optional) |
Cap | |
Marathon Gear Checklist
Quick links to product collections:
Running Shoes / Running Socks / Running Shorts / Running Leggings / Running Tops / Running Bras / Running Jackets / Caps, Hats & Gloves / Anti‑Chafe / Bags & Belts / Hydration / Energy Gels / GPS Watches
Best Running Shoes for a Marathon
As you'd expect, there's no one 'best' running shoe model for a marathon – the important question is: what's the best one for me? This is by far your most important piece of kit – the average runner will take 46,000 steps in the marathon alone, plus, of course the training!
Weeks and months go fast, so don’t leave it too late. Give yourself enough time to try the shoes and break them in. We recommend at least 4-6 weeks ahead of the race.
There's a lot of information out there, which can be overwhelming. For personal 1-to-1 service, check out our Natural Gait Analysis. 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. Otherwise, we've put together this shoe guide to help narrow down your choice:
Best Marathon Socks to Prevent Blisters
It's well worth investing in technical running socks for your marathon. All of our socks are designed to wick away moisture from the skin, to keep your feet comfy, fresh and chafe-free throughout the race
To further help prevent blistering, some have twin layers, and others have 5 individual toes. We stock a wide range of different levels of cushioning, lengths and, of course, different styles – from funky to functional!
A lot of it is down to personal preference, and the conditions you're likely to be running in. Here are some of our top picks to try out in training and see what works for you:
| Product | Best For | Key Feature |
| Hilly Twin Skin | Overall friction | Two separate layers |
| Injinji Toe Socks | Toe protection | Toe separation |
| Stance Run Light | Durability & secure fit | Reinforced toe & heel |
| Versus Active Crew | Fun designs | Seamless construction |
Best Shorts for a Marathon
When running long distances, consider wearing versatile shorts or leggings with plenty of storage space, to carry your energy chews and gels.
2-in-1 shorts – a lycra bottom layer and a loose top layer – are a great solution to help avoid friction. Despite the two layers they are still very light.
If it's going to be hot, consider the freedom of loose shorts with a back zip pocket for your phone and a gel or two. Or you might prefer just lycra shorts on their own, many of which have drop pockets.
Here's what we recommend this season...
Men's Shorts |
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| Product | Best For | Key Feature | |
| Ronhill Tech Race | Lightweight feel | Gel loops | |
| Ronhill Tech Loose | Moisture-wicking | Inner briefs | |
| Janji AFO Ultra 2-in-1 | Freedom of movement | Quality fabric | |
| Brooks Journey 2-in-1 | Storage | Longer length | |
Women's Shorts |
|||
| Product | Best For | Key Feature | |
| On Performance 2-in-1 | Quality fabrics | Flat waistband | |
| Dash 2-in-1 | Comfort | High-rise waistband | |
| Janji Pace Half Tights | Storage | Light compression | |
| Nike Swift Loose | Freedom of movement | Mega lightweight | |
Best Tops for a Marathon
All of our running tops are moisture-wicking and breathable. Features to look out for when runniing a marathon are taped seams to help prevent friction, and zoned panels for ventilation. Some even have UV protection or odour prevention technologies in the fabrics. Here are our picks for the season:
Men's Tops |
|||
| Product | Best For | Key Feature | |
| Nike Aeroswift Vest | Ventilation | Aeration pattern in fabric | |
| Janji Run All Day Tank | Moisture wicking | UV & odour protection | |
| 2XU Light Speed Tech Tee | Lightweight | Cooling technology | |
| On Performance Tee | Performance | High-tech materials & design | |
Women's Tops |
|||
| Product | Best For | Key Feature | |
| On Performance Tank | Flattering fit | High-tech fabric & design | |
| Ronhill Tech Race Tee | Staying cool & dry | Bonded construction | |
| 2XU Aero Tee | Sun protection | UV 50+ | |
| Janji Gossamer Tee | Hot weather | Ultra-lightweight | |
Best Bras for a Marathon
After your shoes, this is the most important piece of kit for women. A sports bra that fits you properly, supports you well, but without digging in, chafing or restricting your breathing, is a big ask, but it can make a huge difference over 26.2 miles. Maaree are the best brand we've ever found for running. Their amazing Overband® technology sets them apart. Ideally visit our London store for a bra fitting.
| Product | Best For | Key Feature |
| Maaree Solidarity | All-round performance | Maximum support |
| Maaree Empower | Pull-over style | Racer-back |
| Maaree Uplift | Coverage | Can be worn solo |
| Janji Long Bra | Phone pocket | Internal shelf bra, so much less support |
Anti-Chafe for a Marathon
Some runners think that a marathon equals painful chafing and blisters. It's true that even minor rubbing can become painful late in a marathon. But in addition to good socks, 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, under bra straps, and tops of legs 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 known hot-spots in advance). Then Sidas Toe Caps or Wraps are great for preventing toe blisters, and protecting toe-nails or one toe pushing into the next.
Best Way to Carry Essentials in a Marathon
This choice is partly down to personal preference, and partly the kind of set up your race will have. If you're sure you can reliably get everything you need from aid stations, you might not need to carry anything, but for most races you'll want to at least carry your own energy gels or chews. You might even want to carry your own energy drinks ready-mixed, or have space for an extra layer. Your options are:
- Clothing with pockets such as a drop pocket in the lycra liner, or gel loops on the waist
- A waist pack, which will generally hold a phone and a couple of gels
- A hydration vest, to keep drinks handy, as well as plenty of storage
Here are some popular choices:
| Product | Best For | Key Feature |
| Fitletic MiniSport Plus | Lightweight storage | Expandable |
| Flipbelt Zipper | Soft feel | No bounce |
| Salomon Active Skin 4 | Weight (for a vest) | 4L Volume |
| Salomon Adv Skin 5 | Carrying more | 5L Volume |
Marathon Gear: Mistakes to Avoid
- Wearing shoes that are too new
- Wearing shoes that are too old, or have insufficient cushioning
- Wearing shoes that are too small to allow your feet to swell a little
- Wearing shoes with the wrong level of stability for your feet
- Over-dressing or under-dressing
- Wearing cotton socks
- For women: not wearing a good running bra
- Not using anti-chafe where you need it
- Not having enough storage for essentials
- Not testing your nutrition, such as gels, during training
- Not testing your clothing during training
FAQs
Q. What should I wear for a half marathon vs full marathon?
A. The same principles apply for the gear you need for a full or half marathon.
Q. What to wear to the start line before a marathon?
A. It really depends on the race. If it’s a small field you’ll probably be able to give clothing to a friend or even race crew. If it’s a big city marathon, you’ll have to sacrifice your top layers and these often get collected for charity shops. Don’t risk getting cold before you start, grab an old pullover you can stand to say goodbye to.
Q. Should I wear compression gear for a marathon?
A. Compression socks and calf guards are very effective at preventing calf cramp and can help protect against shin splints (assuming your shoes have adequate support) but it’s very important to train in them first and check they work for you.
Q. Should I wear new shoes for a marathon?
A. No, give yourself enough time to try the shoes and break them in, otherwise you risk blisters, plus hot spots underfoot from insoles that haven’t moulded to your feet yet. We recommend at least 3-4 weeks ahead of the race. You don’t want them to be too worn out either though. If you're not sure, bring them to our store, and we can advise you.
Q. Should marathon socks be thick or thin?
A. As long as they’re made of a technical fabric that wicks away moisture and have good amount of elastane, your choice of running socks comes down to personal preference, and the weather conditions you’ll be running in. Most runners like a bit of padding under the heel and forefoot for comfort, but some like a super-lightweight sock, especially in warm temperatures.
Best of luck with your training and preparation! Get loads more free tips from our expert advice team:
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