Maybe it happens to you too – it happens to me a lot – that they tell you about some product that you hadn’t thought about and then, when you use it, you wonder, “but how did I do without it?” And with some frequency, you don’t have to search the most expensive part of the catalogs you have to, instead, have the right idea.
So here I am with this post, just to give you the “right” idea or maybe recommend the most suitable product because-just as frequently-it happens to have the right idea but get the “wrong” thing that then ends up forever, sad and disconsolate, inside a drawer forever.
In fact, all I have done here is to select and group some of the products that I recommend most frequently, those that I have also chosen for myself and have been comfortable with. This is why you won’t find “just any” headlamp but a Petzl or Bose Headphones instead of just a few euro bluetooth headphones.
But let’s get right to it and see the accessories that I think you should consider buying. All in strict order of price.
1. Hydration solutions
Drinking is important, we know this and have talked about it many times before. So let’s start right here: what to use for drinking in competition and training.
Salomon Soft Cup ($6.99)
Let’s start with the reusable cup to take with us to the race. It is a horrible thing to see all those disposable cups that are, at best, made of paper or, in all other cases, are made of plastic. For a very small expense, we can have this glass that folds into itself and is a small but active action in respecting the environment.
Salomon Soft Flask ($15.08)
Salomon’s soft water bottle is convenient for drinking in any condition and, once emptied, rolls into itself taking up very little space. You can find it in three different capacities: 150, 250 and 500 cl; it is among the most used by trail runners and a choice you can sleep on between two pillows.
2. The fanny pack for carrying everything
Befekt Gears Sports Pouch ($8.59)
As much as the fanny pack is a “sadly” unfashionable accessory, unfortunately we have all struggled with the limited pocket capacity of running shorts. If you have to carry your smartphone, house keys, two paper towels and a few euros (the bare essentials, in short), it can really be a logistical problem. In this case the fanny pack is the solution.
And, in comfort, it is worth all the eight euros (and change) it costs.
3. The foam roller
FFEXS Foam Roller ($9.99)
It is a very useful tool because it promotes myofascial release with real benefit-when used correctly-both in terms of recovery and performance. We will talk more about it soon, and without a doubt, it is an accessory that should not be missing from every amateur sportsman’s kit.
4. The proprioceptive tablet
66FIT – proprioception board ($23.03)
Exactly as with stretching, proprioception is also an uncommon type of work in runners. Instead, improving proprioceptors, in addition to bringing about a reduction in injuries and an improvement in support, makes our running more efficient and, therefore, faster in relation to effort.
5. The yoga mat (also useful for core stability)
Padded and Non-Slip Yoga Mat ($27.99)
I’ve seen people use anything they can to stretch or core stability, from a towel lying on the floor to an antique oriental rug made of Berber wool. Just about everything. While the simplest solution is to buy a very simple yoga mat that is sufficiently padded and well adhered to the floor. This way, in addition to being more comfortable during our stretching exercises, we can also do core stability work safely.
6. The “frontal”
Petzl Actik ($38.80)
Many people think it is only a solution for trail runners who venture into the woods in the middle of the night, but instead the headlamp is also very useful for runners who run in the dark, in low-light conditions. And not only to see where we put our feet but also to make us much more visible to cars.
Petzl is one of the leading brands in the production of these accessories, and the Actik is one of the most affordable and useful products: it is super convenient, has three increasing light outputs, and uses three simple AAA batteries (also rechargeable).
7. The heart rate monitor
There are so many, I know. They are not always liked or thought to be comfortable, but in this case, we are talking about accessories that can also work “on their own,” perhaps connected to a smartphone, gym equipment, or in conjunction with a cardio-GPS watch. Therefore, I chose these two products that use both data transmission protocols: ANT+ and Bluetooth.
The only major difference is that the Polar H10 model, with a 15% higher cost, has its own internal memory and thus can also be used in water (or other training contexts) and then download the heart rate at the end of the training session.
– Garmin HRM-Dual ($57.68)
– Polar H10 ($64.05)
8. Headphones
Bose SoundSport ($119.99)
We have tried many headphones, but in the end, this product is still the reference. Both for convenience and-most importantly-for audio quality. If you ask me what headphones to buy, the answer is just this!
Despite a high price range but worth the small investment, also because of their durability: I have been using them intensively for more than 3 years and they have shown no signs of failing.
(Main image credits: VitalikRadko on DepositPhotos.com)