The Gear You Need to Run a Half Marathon

Gear
A group of people wearing running clothes and gear run a race together

Many half marathon training plans take 12 weeks. You also have to dial in your nutrition and optimize your recovery.

Put simply: Training for a half marathon takes time and effort. Don’t let it all go to waste by wearing socks that give you a blister in mile three.

Here’s some of our favorite half marathon gear to keep you comfortable from the start line until the finish.

Half Marathon Gear Checklist

An assortment of running clothes for a half marathon

The Tops

One of the worst things you can do on race day is try something new. Breakfast, energy gels, clothes—don’t do it.

The other worst thing you can do is wear cotton.

Cotton soaks up sweat and dries slowly, leaving you wet and chafing. Instead of throwing on any old tee in your drawer, reach for something like the men’s On Comfort-T or the women’s ASICS Dorai Short Sleeve. The shirts are made from technical fibers that wick sweat and dry quickly, so you stay comfortable.

A solid sports bra is also an essential piece of gear for women. Enter the Brooks Fastforward Crossback sports bra. With an adjustable back closure and straps, the Fastforward marries a customizable fit with top-notch comfort so you feel supported from mile one to mile 13.

The Bottoms

Like a good technical T-shirt, a pair of shorts or tights designed specifically for running will give you one less thing to think about during your race.

The men’s ASICS Fietro 5” Short are lightweight and breezy running shorts tailored to let you move. The five-inch inseam doesn’t get in the way of your stride, and the loose cut keeps you cool.

The women’s ASICS Fietro Tight gives you ankle-length coverage but doesn’t restrict your movement. Sewn from a soft and stretchy fabric, the Fietro Tight feels just as good during your race as it does at the brewery after.

An assortment of running clothes and gear for a half marathon

The Socks

Running socks are important. Socks are the only barrier between your skin and your shoes. Wearing the wrong pair can give you a blister that will ruin your race.

So don’t skimp on the socks.

The CEP Compression Sock 3.0 are made from high-performance TWD Smart Dry yarn that’s soft against your skin and draws sweat away, so your feet stay dry. Plus, precise compression helps increase blood flow to keep you feeling fresh for all 13.1 miles.

The Accessories

The length of a half marathon means you might need to bring along some extra calories and water to make it through. The easiest way to tote your nutrition is to carry it in running a pack or water bottle designed for runners.

The Nathan Hipster is a low-profile running belt that gives you enough space to stash most phones, car keys, credit cards and gels. It’s made from soft, stretchy fabric so it stays put while you run.

If you need water, the Amphipod Hydraform Lite Ultra will keep your thirst quenched. A snug hand strap makes the bottler easy to hold and a pocket holds few essentials.


By Evan Matsumoto. Evan played many sports growing up but didn’t go pro in any of them. Now, he’s the digital copywriter for fleetfeet.com and editor for the Fleet Feet blog where he writes about different foam densities and engineered mesh uppers.

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