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- Jan 26, 2022
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A lot of running and hiking gear looks useful online, but some items genuinely make a noticeable difference once distances get longer or the weather turns typical British again. A few pieces of equipment that regularly come up in running and walking communities:
Running vests instead of normal backpacks
Lightweight running vests are probably one of the most useful upgrades for longer runs or hikes. Unlike standard backpacks, they stay close to the body and don’t bounce around constantly.
Those soft water bottles many runners use can look gimmicky at first, but they’re practical because they collapse as the water gets used. Less sloshing, less movement, and easier to fit into vest pockets. A lot of people seem to prefer them over hard bottles once distances increase.
Running belts work well for shorter sessions
Not everyone wants a full vest. Slim running belts are useful for:
Packable waterproof jackets are worth having in the UK
Even when the forecast says “dry”, that doesn’t always mean much here.
Thin waterproof jackets that fold into almost nothing are useful for hiking and evening runs without carrying a bulky coat.
Good socks matter more than expected
One of the less exciting purchases, but probably one of the most noticeable during longer walks. Cheap socks can lead to rubbing and blisters surprisingly quickly. Merino hiking socks especially get recommended a lot for colder or wet conditions.
Head torches are underrated outside winter hiking
Not just for mountains. Useful for:
A few lightweight items can make a huge difference:
What equipment ended up being unexpectedly useful for running or hiking? Any specific running vests, belts or small accessories you would recommend?
Running vests instead of normal backpacks
Lightweight running vests are probably one of the most useful upgrades for longer runs or hikes. Unlike standard backpacks, they stay close to the body and don’t bounce around constantly.
- Usually enough space for:
- water
- phone
- keys
- snack or gel
- light waterproof layer
- Especially useful for trail runs or all-day walks where pockets stop being enough.
Those soft water bottles many runners use can look gimmicky at first, but they’re practical because they collapse as the water gets used. Less sloshing, less movement, and easier to fit into vest pockets. A lot of people seem to prefer them over hard bottles once distances increase.
Running belts work well for shorter sessions
Not everyone wants a full vest. Slim running belts are useful for:
- 5K–10K runs
- carrying just a phone and keys
- warmer weather when extra layers aren’t needed
Packable waterproof jackets are worth having in the UK
Even when the forecast says “dry”, that doesn’t always mean much here.
Thin waterproof jackets that fold into almost nothing are useful for hiking and evening runs without carrying a bulky coat.
Good socks matter more than expected
One of the less exciting purchases, but probably one of the most noticeable during longer walks. Cheap socks can lead to rubbing and blisters surprisingly quickly. Merino hiking socks especially get recommended a lot for colder or wet conditions.
Head torches are underrated outside winter hiking
Not just for mountains. Useful for:
- darker park routes
- canal paths
- early morning runs
- countryside walks
- Also helps other people actually see runners approaching.
A few lightweight items can make a huge difference:
- blister plasters
- power bank
- tissues
- small snack
- basic painkillers
- Especially on longer hikes where there’s nowhere nearby to buy anything.
What equipment ended up being unexpectedly useful for running or hiking? Any specific running vests, belts or small accessories you would recommend?
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