Running, at its core, is a relatively low-gear sport, but people love to bemoan that it’s increasingly expensive. I agree—paying $120 for a long-sleeve T-shirt or shelling out hundreds for compression boots seems bonkers to me. I’ve been running for 12 years now, and for most of that time, I’ve been a broke student or frugal post-grad.
I enjoy the competitive element of running, so I typically invest only in pieces that affect my performance. While shopping, I commonly ask myself: Will this make me a better runner, or would it just be nice to have? Here’s my hard-earned wisdom—from head to toe—about where to splurge and where to save a few bucks.
And if I do, I buy them for cheap. Caps are a utility to me, and as long as they keep my face shaded and head ventilated, I don’t care too much about appearances. Plus, I sweat regardless, so the fancy ones that claim to be extra breathable seem pointless to me.
Each time I go to a major marathon for work, I feel like I come home with at least one new cap. They’re a common freebie at brand events and expo booths. This is another place where I save dough.
I don’t obsess over fancy features like UV protection or worry if the material is ultra-breathable. I just wear sunscreen and go shirtless on a hot day. I still have tech tees that my mom bought me in high school at the outlet mall, and some of my favorite tops have been clearance-rack finds at Marshalls.
And you know those “free” shirts you get for signing up for a race? Finally, I’m not afraid to wear cotton—it gets a bad rap, but there’s something poetic about sweat stains proving that you put in some effort. For split shorts, I buy them cheap.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
