Womens Running Gear - A Beginners Guide
Running Gear for Women
A quick guide to help women runners get started with all the right kit.
One of the many advantages to running over other forms of exercise is that you can literally walk out your front door and go. There’s no need to join a gym or to work around somebody else’s schedule. If you’ve got the time and the motivation then there’s nothing to stop you; and once you start to feel the many benefits of running, you’re unlikely to want to stop.
If you’re new to running then here’s a quick guide to what you need and where to find it.
Shoes
Running shoe technology has progressed considerably in the last decade and there should be no barrier to finding the right shoe that will make running a pleasure rather than a pain. Thankfully, there are now many experienced retailers who are there to help you find what you need, prices will vary but it's really important you get the shoe that suits your running style. Many shops have in store treadmills or will allow you to try before you buy.
Bras
A good sports bra is as essential as the right shoes. Recent research from Portsmouth University has found that during exercise, women’s breasts move in three directions; forwards and back, side-to-side and in and out. Importantly, the study revealed that during exercise, the breasts bounce more than was previously thought and that size made no difference; whether breasts were an A or an FF cup, the impact was exactly the same and it did not matter if the woman was doing a slow jog or a fast sprint. The study reached the conclusion that the best form of support currently available is an encapsulation bra, which has separate moulded cups which allow each breast to move independently and provide more sideways support. There is now a good selection of sports bras on the web.
Clothing
Of course you can run in cotton t-shirts and shorts but the comfort and performance you’ll get from running-specific clothing is worth the investment. In very basic terms, if you sweat in a cotton t-shirt, the sweat will be absorbed which will make you cold. It is far more comfortable to wear a technical synthetic fabric that is lightweight and will not hold moisture. You will stay dry and be less likely to suffer chaffing. The same can be said for cotton socks that are likely just to set you up for blisters. There are plenty of running specific socks made from fabric that will keep your feet dry.
With winter just around the corner, a common mistake is to wear too much. It’s easy to fall into the trap of getting wrapped up before leaving the house but within 5 minutes of running, you’ll probably be too hot. Putting on layers works well as you can take them off and tie them around your waist. Personally, I find that less layers with a hat works well.
Do evaluate your running wardrobe once a year particularly with regards to your shoes and bra. If they are no longer giving you the support you need, replace them.
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