Running gear review - YouLookFab Forum

For those of you who are interested, I've put most of the running gear I recently purchased through their paces (ha! pun actually not intended) and here's what I've discovered:

Proper running gear is da bomb. Full Stop.

None of this was inexpensive, and I hesitated at first, but it was SO worth it. Here's what I picked up.

From Lucy
Long run shorts. I sized up and bought a medium and I should have gone with the small instead, but even a bit loose these still stayed put. These ticked all my boxes: comfortable, with a wide waist band that doesn't squeeze my tummy (which is hard for me to find) and a zippered pocket in the back waistband big enough to hold my phone which tracks my run (time, distance, pace, etc.) and also plays music.
http://www.lucy.com/Endurance-.....RW_Bottoms

Pack and dash tank. Today was my first run this year in 85 degree weather and this tank was amazing at keeping me relatively cool. I sized up so it wouldn't cling around my tummy. There are few pockets in the back that could probably be used for something light like running gels.
http://www.lucy.com/Pack-and-D.....SEA%20GLAS

Short sleeve top. Again, it's amazing what the proper material can do for regulating temperature. Has a shirred bottom, so it's relatively flattering for those of us who don't have a flat tummy. http://www.lucy.com/Get-Fit-Sh.....361_color=

From Lululemon:

Groovy Run Short: these shorts rock. Again, ticked all my boxes: wide waistband, zippered pocket, they stay put and don't ride up. The link takes you to the bright green - I was boring and bought black, though will have more fun with my next pair! http://shop.lululemon.com/prod.....038;skuId=

Hope this helps for anyone who might be considering new gear! I'll budget for proper gear in the future and never go back to ill-fitting, inexpensive, non-technical gear again. Everything I hated to put on no longer deserves a place in my workout capsule and has been purged. Yay!

12 years ago

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Awesome! How does the s/s top look with a sports bra? Funny the model doesn't have one showing, as if it could be omitted.

Colorful makes you faster. My workout gear is shockingly old. Now that the gym in our town is closed (we are hoping someone will buy it and reopen), I've been slacking. Not really, but not cardio either.

Where are you getting your sports bras?

Adelfa

Love this post, even though I don't run. Think I need any of this on the elliptical?

Beth Ann

Thanks, Christy! So very helpful!

harmonica

Great - thanks, Christy! Very helpful and inspirational

Raisin

Great reviews! I agree, good workout gear is worth every penny!

Gabrielle

Active Member

Very useful post. Thank you so much for taking the time. My athletic capsule is old and dearly in need or replacement. I will seriously consider your recommendations.

Mona

Christy, I took up running last fall and have been slowly building my capsule. Most of my stuff comes form Costco, though. I think they have good quality sutff at very reasonable price points. I even got my sports bras from there and am very happy with the quality. I agree that running gear deserves as much attention as other clothes.

rute

I agree! Nothing like proper gear! I now need something to put my cell phone and keys!

http://store.apple.com/us/prod.....4?fnode=4a

christy

Rambling Ann: the short sleeve top looks fine with a sports bra. I wear a racer back sports bra so you do see the straps, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest because I don't care about sports bras showing. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with my sports bras - I have 3 from Athleta. One I've had for at least a year and it's now soft but still supportive. The other two are new and and still a bit stiff. The one I wore yesterday left me with a chafed spot on my chest that hurts terribly. I'll use Body Glide now that I know that it rubs there and my hope is that the material will soften over time. But I definitely want to replace it. Athleta does have an amazing return policy and I could return that one even though I've worn it. I'm considering it.

Adelfa: Absolutely!!!

Mona: I saw your comment on my other thread and did check out Costco when I was there last weekend and you're right! They did have some good stuff. The kicker for me on the sports bottoms was having the zippered pocket in the back and a close, tight fit for the longer running shorts and capris. I've bought their Champion sports bras in the past and they are great for yoga or spin class, but I finally admitted that I need a lot more support they can offer, so that's when I started buying from Athleta (with mixed results, obviously).

Rute: I have an armband like that and that's why the zippered waistband pocket was so important to me! I don't mind the armband, but I prefer not to have to wear it. The zippered pocket is big enough for my iPhone - haven't tried to fit any keys in there along with my phone though.

Suz

Thanks for this great review, Christy! I am in the market for new gear, so this is really helpful!

Janet

I agree! All of my most-used running and yoga gear is from Lucy or Lulu. Really convenient because there is one of each close to me, and they are literally across the street from one another (Anthro and Target in the same shopping center, can you tell it's a dangerous place? I swear all of it is holding up incredibly well. My absolute favorite Lulu jacket is going on seven years old and still looks new.

For holding phone, key, gels, etc. I like my Spibelt. I don't care for armbands.

For sports bras I like Nordstrom or Title9. Also Lulu's Ta Ta Tamer although it's a bit squeezy on me because their cup sizes don't go up to DDD/E.

sarah

Thanks, Christie! I think it's time to replace my old t-shirts...although today I ran in my lycra tights. In June. Unbelievable.

*high five* Janet on the spibelt. I love mine. I use it for biking, too.

Makrame

That's some great-looking gear! I am always searching for running shorts with pockets so your review is very helpful. The only shorts that I have found so far that have good pockets are Brooks Epiphany 2-in-1 shorts (they are not form-fitting, more of a loose running shorts type). I find it amazing that most running shorts don't have pockets - when it is hot, I often don't feel like putting anything extra on so I don't particularly like belts.

DonnaF

I walk, so on the bottom I wear hiking cargo pants from REI since they have many pockets and they can be zipped down to shorts if it gets really hot. I've learned the hard way (twice!) that keys saw through mesh lined pockets and cause huge holes. Duh! I use my keys to saw through the tape on all those UPS packages from Nordstrom and Zappos.

I found the best price on my Moving Comfort *Fiona* sports bras at holabirdsports.com which has a store in Maryland. I need a 32DD so no cool colors.

I like Thorlo's thickly padded running socks, so I have found the best deals also at holabirdsports.com but I had to order quite a bit to get free S/H, but I think I ordered them with shoes.

Makrame, thanks for mentioning the Brooks shorts. I could use another pair of running shorts (cellulite be damned but it's just too warm here to run in tights in the summer) so I checked them out online. A long inseam, pocket, and undershort? Gotta try 'em!

Oh, for socks? For a while I just wore whatever cheap athletic socks I found at TJMaxx, but my running coach recommended Balega socks and I've never looked back. Cushiony and they wear forever.

Megan

You could try a SPI belt for your cell phone and keys

columbine(erin)

Thanks for this thread, I need to check some of these things out. I'm tired of running in long pants. Btw, I like smart wool socks for running, never get blisters when I wear those.

nancylee

Thanks so much for this review, Christy. It's so hard to find good-fitting running shorts/gear IMO.

I'm definitely going to check out Lululemon groovy run shorts!

Thanks everyone for chiming in about the gear you love too! So helpful - especially about the socks, because that's something I didn't cover.

I've heard great things about the Moving Comfort bras - I might have to give one of those a shot. Just got a Title 9 catalog in the mail, so I might have to check those out also!

Nancylee, so far the Lululemon Groovy Run Shorts has been my favorite purchase - hope they hold up well!

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