26 Best Running Gear Picks to Pack for Destination Races, According to Runners

These sweet honey-filled waffles feel indulgent but are packed with the energy you need to fuel prerace. From vanilla to salted caramel, there are six delicious flavors to choose from.

“Some gels just really do a number on my stomach, or the flavors get too overwhelming in those late miles,” Roseann Gallo, a six-time marathoner and USATF and RRCA level 1 certified run coach for New York Road Runners, tells SELF. “Spring Energy uses real food—basmati rice, maple syrup, juice, cinnamon, vanilla, yams, and fruit—and all-natural ingredients to fuel athletes.” Plus, she says, they “honestly taste great.”

I first tried Honey Stinger Energy Gels while volunteering at the 2019 NYC Marathon Mile 12 water and fuel station. After making the mistake of not bringing any snacks for my long shift, I found myself reaching for the brightly colored honey packs and was pleasantly surprised by their sweet and delicious pomegranate flavor. Now I (mostly) use them for long runs and races, and I still can’t get enough of these gels.

Four-time marathoner Andie Orgando discovered her love for Hüma gels while looking up how to make her own gel. They include fruit purée and powdered chia seeds and “taste better than any other gel I’ve had,” she tells SELF. “They’re also super easy to carry in a hydration pack or pocket during a run. I typically bring them on vacation if I’m training or planning on running somewhere hot.” 

“Saltstick Caps are my go-to during races because I’m a salty sweater,” five-time marathoner Jeanine Encizo tells SELF. “Adding the capsules as a part of my race fuel plan helps make sure I’m replenishing the sodium and other electrolytes I’m losing. Without them I tend to feel fatigued so much sooner.”

“I absolutely do not like the manufactured flavors of gels and drink mixes, so I’m thankful that Tailwind makes a ‘naked’ flavor,” says Gallo. “It’s the perfect blend of electrolytes and carbs to help fuel your run. Not having a weird aftertaste in my water is everything.”

“I love Nuun Sport tablets because they’re super easy to travel with,” says Encizo. “I usually pop one in a bottle or glass of water in the days leading up to a marathon race because it helps make sure I’m hydrating properly with electrolytes.” 

Like Dahl, I’m a big fan of handheld running water bottles, and this one—after the recommendation of many fellow marathon trainers—has been the best that I’ve found. It doesn’t leak and isn’t too large for my (very small) hands. 

This was the number one running belt that was recommended to me when I first started running, and I still won’t use anything else. The expandable pouch is big enough to accommodate my iPhone, keys, and all the fuel I need to race. I’m especially a fan of the adjustable belt that doesn’t move around when I run. 

Similar to the Spibelt, this running belt has just enough space to hold all your phone, fuel, and anything else you’ll need during and after your run. 

“Armband phone holders don’t work for my skinny arms, so finding the Koala Clip was a godsend,” says Gallo. “[The Koala Clip] protects the phone from the weather and sweat and allows you to run hands-free! You can clip it to the front or back of your running bra or inside your tights, whatever works for you. It can accommodate credit cards, cash, and small keys as well. It doesn’t shift while running, and the magnetic clip keeps it in place.”

If you’re not a fan of belts wrapping around your waist, a running armband is also a great pick. This armband comes in two different sizes that are easy to adjust and fit to your arm. 

Garmin runners are a team favorite for the North Brooklyn Runners. The Forerunner 245 is slightly more affordable than some of Garmin’s other more advanced models, but it still has enough metrics to accurately track pace and record your route via GPS to show off your race afterward. 

A fitness watch that athletes swear by, the Coros Apex Pro GPS watch packs in a lot of battery life that will last you through even the longest of races (calling all ultramarathoners). It has a durable and easy-to-use touchscreen that makes using it mid-run even easier. 

Encizo specifically likes the Saucony Endorphin Speed because they have “great bounce, are nylon plated, but [are] less expensive than the Pro counterparts.”

Look down at any starting line and you’re bound to see runners sporting the flashy, colorful Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2. The winner of SELF’s 2022 Sneaker Awards for best racing shoe, they’re a fan favorite for a reason: They’re soft, springy, and super lightweight.

“Old Navy Athletic Performance Ankle Socks are my racing choice,” Encizo says. “They’re so comfortable and are cushioned in all the right spots.”

If you want to splurge, the Run Low Cut Socks from CEP are another great option. They offer a little more compression along the arch of the foot and sit a little further up the ankle to prevent any blisters or rubbing from the back of your shoes.

Dahl swears by bringing her Normatec Go portable compression boots when traveling for races. Although she once brought the full-size boots for her and her husband, the Gos are much more travel-friendly. I can personally vouch for this and have brought mine on shorter trips so I can always recover on the go.

Other seasoned destination racers swear by bringing a portable foam roller with them. Papageorge specifically recommends purchasing a handheld roller like a TigerTail, which perfectly fits inside any suitcase. 

I bring these recovery balls with me everywhere. They are compact enough to fit in even the smallest of carry-on bags and are great for releasing muscle tension that can arise from any type of travel. The lightweight balls come in three different sizes, each perfect for targeting muscles in your shoulders, feet, and everything in between. (Trust me, there is no better feeling than rolling your feet on one of these after a race.)

There’s nothing like soaking in a warm Epsom salt bath after pounding pavement during a road race. It’s my preferred form of recovery, and I always try to hunt down Epsom salts at my local drug store or bring a travel-friendly pack with me in my suitcase. 

A SELF favorite, the Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm is the secret to preventing painful chafing from sweaty long runs. Best of all, it comes in a small portable stick that’s great for sticking in your carry-on.

Supergoop’s Play lotion is another SELF favorite. I personally love that it’s meant for both your face and body, making it a multipurpose tool so you have one less thing to pack. I won’t be caught on any run without protecting my skin with this sun lotion: Its light formula quickly soaks into your skin and never runs into your eyes when you sweat. 

These affordable sunglasses were made for being active. Their nonslip coating helps them stay on your face even in the hottest temps.

One year, while gathered around trying to stay warm before the New York City Marathon, one of my fellow running club members handed me her HotHands disposable hand warmers as she left to depart for her wave. I thought it was genius, and it instantly helped warm me up. Papageorge also swears by them and brings them on every race that she travels to.