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What I Actually Run In

Gear

No sponsorships. No gifted product. Just the shoes, watches, and gear I've used across four half marathons and hundreds of training miles in Eugene, OR. If I recommend it, I've run in it.

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Shoes
Top 3 picks
VAPORFLY
What I Race In
Shoes · Race Day
Nike Vaporfly
Carbon-plated road racer
The shoe I PR'd in. The carbon plate and ZoomX foam make you feel like the road is helping you forward — because it is. Not a daily trainer, not a shoe for casual runs. Save these for race day and your longest tempo sessions. The difference is real and not subtle.
$250 / pair
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GHOST
Daily Trainer
Shoes · Training
Brooks Ghost
Neutral daily trainer
My workhorse shoe. Every easy run, every long slow distance — this is what's on my feet. The DNA LOFT cushioning is forgiving without feeling spongy, and Brooks hasn't screwed up the fit across dozens of iterations. Reliable in a way that matters when you're logging 20+ miles a week.
$150 / pair
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CLIFTON
Also Good
Shoes · Training
Hoka Clifton
Max-cushion daily trainer
If your knees need a break. The Clifton is what I rotate in on weeks with high mileage or when my legs are beat up. The stack height is absurd but the ride is surprisingly smooth — it doesn't feel unstable like other max-cushion shoes. Good option if you're coming back from injury.
$180 / pair
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Watches
Top 3 picks
FORERUNNER
265
What I Wear
Watches · GPS Running
Garmin Forerunner 265
AMOLED GPS running watch
The sweet spot in the Garmin lineup. The AMOLED display is legitimately readable mid-run in direct sunlight — no squinting. Training Readiness and HRV Status have changed how I manage recovery weeks. Battery runs about 13 hours GPS, or over a week standard, which covers any race distance you'll ever run. The 965 is overkill for most people.
$350 / watch
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FORERUNNER
165
Best Budget
Watches · GPS Running
Garmin Forerunner 165
Entry-level AMOLED GPS watch
The best watch under $300 for serious runners. You get the AMOLED screen, solid GPS accuracy, and the core Garmin training metrics. What you give up vs. the 265: shorter battery life, no Training Readiness, no multi-band GPS. For someone running 3–5 days/week and training for a half, this covers everything you actually need.
$250 / watch
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Series
11
If You're iOS
Watches · GPS Running
Apple Watch Series 11
Premium GPS smartwatch
Best Apple Watch for running, but Garmin is still better at running. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want one device for everything — calls, workouts, sleep — the Series 11 does it well. GPS accuracy is excellent. The running metrics lag behind Garmin's depth though, and the training load features aren't as mature. $400 is a lot for a watch Garmin beats on pure run data.
$400 / watch
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Accessories
Top 3 picks
HRM
Worth It
Accessories · Heart Rate
Garmin HRM
Chest strap heart rate monitor
Wrist HR is fine. Chest strap HR is accurate. On easy days the difference barely matters. On threshold runs and races, wrist-based HR lags 10–20 seconds behind what's actually happening. If you're training in zones or racing by HR, a chest strap removes a real variable. The Garmin HRM also tracks running dynamics (cadence, ground contact time, vertical oscillation) that the watch alone can't measure.
$170 / monitor
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FLIP
BELT
Race Day Must
Accessories · Carry
FlipBelt Classic
Tubular waist running belt
Solves the phone problem without any bounce. I've tried armbands, handhelds, and shorts with pockets. The FlipBelt is the only option that genuinely disappears when you're running. Phone, gels, and keys fit without shifting. I race in this every time — the compression fit means absolutely nothing moves regardless of pace.
$39 / belt
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OPENRUN
Non-Negotiable
Accessories · Audio
Shokz OpenRun Headphones
Bone conduction headphones
The only headphones I trust for road running. Bone conduction means you can hear traffic, other runners, and your own breathing while still listening to music or podcasts. The audio quality isn't audiophile-grade but it's good enough. Shokz headphones adds 10-hour battery and meaningfully better bass than the original.
$180 / pair
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Nutrition
Top 3 picks
BETA
FUEL
What I Race On
Nutrition · Race Gels
Science in Sport Beta Fuel
2:1 maltodextrin:fructose gels
The gel that doesn't destroy my stomach. I've bonked on cheaper gels mid-race. The 2:1 ratio in Beta Fuel means you can actually absorb more carbohydrates per hour without GI issues — the research backs this up and my gut confirms it. Take one at mile 5 and mile 9 in a half. Don't wait until you feel like you need it.
$17 / 6-pack
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MAURTEN
GEL 100
Also Strong
Nutrition · Race Gels
Maurten Gel 100
Hydrogel sports nutrition
Elites use these for a reason. The hydrogel technology means these go down smooth and absorb fast — no syrupy hit, no texture, almost no flavor. More expensive than anything else on this list but if you've had stomach issues with other gels, they're worth the trial. Stack these with the Drink Mix 160 if you want to go full Maurten.
$30 / 6-pack
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LIQUID
I.V.
Daily Use
Nutrition · Hydration
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Electrolyte drink mix
The day before and morning of a long run. Not something I use mid-race, but Liquid I.V. is my pre-hydration routine on long run days and after any run over 10 miles. The sodium content is meaningful and it actually tastes good — Lemon Lime is the move. Cheaper per serving than most electrolyte options when you buy the 30-pack.
$20 / 16-pack
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How I pick
gear

I only list gear I've used. Not gear I've read about, not gear that showed up in a PR package. Every item on this page has been on my feet, on my wrist, or in my hand during a real run in Eugene.

Some of these links are affiliate links — That means if you click through and buy, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That's how I keep the tools free and the site ad-free. I'd recommend the same gear either way.