What is your favorite and least favorite running gear brand?

[Duanerice]

I'm cheap so you won't see me buying top brands all the time. The exception is shoes. One caveat, when I race, I use the gear from my tri club. Not real expensive but it works. I think it is all made in China actually. I have a running singlet, biking shirt and tri top.

Shoes- Asics
Shirts- Almost anything, usually from prior races. Can't remember the last time I bought a running shirt. I can't see paying $40 - $50 for a shirt.
Shorts - Usually Addias - especially when they are 2 4 1. I cut out the liner so I don't need to pay for the good shorts.
Underware - I use UA or Target C-9. I like UA but at $20 a pop they are overpriced.
Socks - Usually Addias especially when they are buy 1 get 1 50% off. But, I can wear pretty much anything.
Bike shorts - I use the brand that they carry in Sports Authority (when on sale) .
Belt - I have both a Fuel Belt and Amphipod although I don't wear either very much anymore.
Watch - Garmin 301 and cheap Ironman for swimming.
Fuel - Gatorade, Jelly Belly's, GU and my favorite when biking, Uncrustables. For recovery - fat free chocolate milk.

As you can tell, other than shoes, I don't buy into all the name brands. I am sure there is a difference in quality but I don't need it. It's funny though, when I first started running I needed name brand The longer I have been running the less I need name brand. Go figure.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[paxsarah]

I am a cheapskate, so I don't have a lot of name brand stuff.
-For clothing, I have found good success with the BCG (house brand) at Academy sporting goods. To be sure, about 90% of their stuff I consider to be for decorative purposes only, but I've been fine using their shorts, tops, and knee tights. I've also gotten good deals at Sierra Trading Post on name-brand items, but selection can be spotty.
- Sports bra - I have found just one model by C9 at Target that works really well for me (it is adjustable and non-stretchy), and one other C9 model that is acceptable for shorter runs.
- Shoes - Karhu since I started running again last year. In my previous running life, I also wore Brooks but that was the better part of a decade ago. Back then, I was also fitted into some Asics that never did it for me.
- GPS - love my Garmin 305, though it is ugly. I upload to Runningahead.com as my main running log, and dailymile for the social aspect.
- Entertainment - iPod shuffle holds podcasts and my running playlist. I do recommend not getting the model I have (I think it's a generation ago, now) that looks like a stick of gum with no controls on it - I have no idea why they thought that was a good idea. Otherwise, it's great.
- Socks - I have some Gold Toe socks that DH got me for Christmas that are my best socks so far - all of my other socks develop holes at the big toe, sometimes as early as my very first run in them. I have toenails of steel, apparently.
- Belts/hydration - I'm not in love with either of the belts I have - I have a Nathan hydration belt with 2 bottles and a pouch - it's pretty good, but the pouch could have a little more give/hold a little more. I also have a SPIbelt which I like, but I think the double-pocket model would really satisfy me so I could have my phone in one and chews/etc. in the other. I do really like my Nathan handheld water bottle.
- Fuel - I like Sharkies for mid-run fueling on long runs.
- RoadID - enough said.

 

[tmbacon]

Shoes: Asics
Clothes: Target brand C9 is actually my favorite! I've tried the expensive stuff too, but keep coming back to Target.

 

[BACON]

I'll jump on this.

Shoes - I've only run in Mizuno's and went with the local running stores' recommendation after they analyzed my stride.

Apparel: I buy a lot of running tops from salvation army and I often get lucky enough to find brand name performance wear. That's when I get giddy for buying broken-in gear for cheap.

Nike - It's hit and miss for me. I like their drifit line because it's performance and wicking abilities, but their other lines such as Livestrong are too bulky for my liking. I do enjoy the nike+ GPS tracking system. They do make excellent running compression socks.

Other socks - asics kayak(?) model is really thick and great for outdoor winter runs.

Shorts - I had an awesome run in a pair of lululemon lined shorts. I feel the same way after doing an initial run in a pair of saucony's. Also - the louder the shorts, the better.

Boxers - If I don't have lined pants, I wear CK sporty underwear. They're comfortable, I guess. I'm sure it wicks.

Hats - I have a big head and Nike's running hats have enough depth in them to cover it. Not so much with adidas hats.

The clothing at the Running Room chain in Canada is very boxy, and the small is more like a medium/large. I rarely purchase any of their clothes. Wal-mart has surprisingly decent shirts but you have to put a lot of detergent in the wash to make sure the smell gets out.

Belts - I only tried an ifitness belt and it suits my current needs. It hold my phone, keys, headphones, and gel packs. Not bad for $22.

Music - iPhone 4 with JVC ear-clip headphones. I used to wear earbuds but I found them uncomfortable. The clip gets in the way when I wear my eyeglasses.

Nutrition - Clif shots and blocs taste delicious and agree with my stomach. I intentionally trained with these for the WDW half knowing they would supply them on course. I also like the taste of Jelly Belly Sport beans. I found Gu gels and Chomps taste odd. Drinks - I prefer Powerade over Gatorade during a run and chocolate soy milk for a post-exercise drink.

Book - Born to Run by Christopher McDougall is a fun read and I highly recommend it.

Things I want to try and I'll get around to eventually: calf sleeves, cwx tights, Under Armour products, headphones that aren't earbuds.

 

[RunRookie]

I haven't been running long enough to have an opinion but I did want to share that today when I went to Target, they were selling Champion C9 Tech Shirts on sale for $7.68!

So I figured I would pick up a couple for my training runs at the very least. I do not know if this is just at this particular Target where I live (at the West Dundee Target across from the SpringHill Mall, Mike), but if it is nationwide I figured I would share the news.

 

[lil mermaid]

For shoes I have had the best luck with the good old Nike Pegasus. I have a wide foot, and the choices are limited. I have tried several more expensive shoes, but keep coming back to Pegasus!

Socks - I like the super thin socks from Asics and feetures.

For clothing - LULULEMON! The stuff is expensive, but every single thing I have purchased there has been great. No chafing, comfort, and style all in one. My current faves are the take flight bike short (did seven miles in the Houston heat last weekend, and totally forgot I had them on..they were so comfortable and wonderfully sweat wicking) and the run skirt with the pleats in the back.

I also really like Underarmour tanks and tops.

 

[tmbacon]

For clothing - LULULEMON! The stuff is expensive, but every single thing I have purchased there has been great. No chafing, comfort, and style all in one. My current faves are the take flight bike short (did seven miles in the Houston heat last weekend, and totally forgot I had them on..they were so comfortable and wonderfully sweat wicking) and the run skirt with the pleats in the back.

They recently opened a Lulemon store here in Charlotte and I'm dying to get over there. Although I'm afraid my bank account will hemorrhage once I walk in the door!!

 

[miralys]

For shoes it's either Nike Pegasus or Vibrams (depending on what I want to accomplish that day).

Clothing: I love UA, but it's so expensive! I usually go with the C9 line at Target.

 

[Bookwood]

I love my Brooks shoes! Been wearing the same style since my second pair (my first pair was Nikes fit at a different running store and tore the heck out of my toe nails on the second 2 toes on each foot, and the run was only 7 miles long).

I wear Under Armour shirts and tights almost exclusively (except if I need a long sleeve shirt I'll wear an old race shirt from WDW) I've found the other "name brands" don't make their clothing to fit my Pooh size frame in a way I'm comfortable with. I do wear mens basketball shorts (or a running skirt) over the tights but have never found a skirt I love with enough pocket room so mostly stick with the bbshorts.

Socks at Belenga(sp) love these- I used to wear Dicks brand but they stopped making them (or carring them)

I have a fuel belt (that l also like- and have replaced the bottles on once now.

I also have several bondi bands I wear to keep the sweat from by eyes as much as possible and absolutely love them.

 

[cryssi]

Shoes - asics gel nimbus
Clothes - Nike and c9. Some UA. Runninskirts.com skirts, bras, and tanks. Sparkleskirts.com sparkletech skirt. I've recently discovered lululemon...please hide my wallet!
Socks - balega hidden dry and c9 tech socks
Belt - Nathan speed 2! I prefer the belts that Velcro.
Headsweats hat or visor
Garmin 205

Dislike...not much. I used to be a Nike and name brand snob, but I've found that the less expensive stuff works just fine for me, hence the large amounts of c9 stuff. Lol.

 

[jennypenny]

Asics arch support sneakers are the only ones I can wear. (and I still add arch supports--you could drive a truck under the arch in my feet)

I've been very cheap for everything else--own all of the Target clothes mentioned. Since I've completed the half a couple of times and I'm now training for a full, I treated myself to UA socks and 2 UA running shirts. I like the UA better because they run longer and I'm tall.

I'm starting to like running commando better--does anyone do that? I wear tights and the undies seem redundant.

Ladies, what bra do you like? I haven't found any that work great, so I wear two at a time in different styles to try and control everywhere and eliminate rubbing.

 

[halvnorsk]

I'm starting to like running commando better--does anyone do that? I wear tights and the undies seem redundant.

Ladies, what bra do you like? I haven't found any that work great, so I wear two at a time in different styles to try and control everywhere and eliminate rubbing.

Ha, ha! Yes, no undies with tights and I prefer shorts with built in underwear - fewer seams, less chafing and better wicking.

I've got a CW-X bra and a Shock Absorber bra I like pretty well (the cw-x has a slight edge). They're both sized by band and cup. I won't even try any that are just sized small, med, and large.