Your Running Era Starts Here: The Shoes and Gear Worth Investing In

A running habit is built on a handful of good decisions, a shoe you trust, layers that match the weather and a few things to change into when you finish. This edit pulls from Net-A-Porter, Mytheresa and SSENSE to cover all of it, with performance labels and the designer pieces that sit comfortably beside them.

 

Begin with the shoe. On's Cloudmonster 3 made with FKA twigs, the waterproof Cloudvista 3 and the Cloudnova 2 are the cushioned everyday options, New Balance's ABZORB1890 and Salomon's X-T6 bring a trail edge and Nike's Zoom Streak 3 is the quick one. Loewe's two Cloudtilt designs with On are the designer pair that actually runs.

 

If winter is your starting line, read The Winter Wellness Edit for more cold-weather ideas.

The first mile in October is cold and the last one is warm, so the layer closest to your skin does most of the work. Choose thin merino or technical jersey and add a shell for wind.

 

Falke's stretch wool-blend base layer, Bogner's Medita zip-up and Moncler Grenoble's colour-block base layer sit closest to the skin. Varley's Mumford fleece half-zip, We Norwegians' merino half-zip, Almada's Dana half-zip and the Polo Ralph Lauren cable-knit half-zip are the warm middle layers, and Lululemon's two-toned shell jacket keeps the wind out.

Good running bottoms stay put, do not chafe and still look right when you stop for a coffee. Compression leggings are the base of the wardrobe, with a short and a looser track pant for the days that call for them.

 

On's Performance Training leggings and Volt shorts are the technical pieces, Lululemon's Fast and Free leggings are the long-run standard and Eres' Bille leggings are the polished version. Moncler Grenoble's stretch-knit leggings, Sporty & Rich's embroidered leggings, Almada's Millie leggings and Varley's Slim Cuff track pants round out the rotation.

The details that make a dark morning run bearable are small ones, a hat that covers your ears, gloves you can still use your phone in and a scarf for the walk back.

 

Johnstons of Elgin's Delwar trapper hat, Lisa Yang's brushed cashmere beanie, Calle del Mar's marled cashmere beanie and Max Mara's teddy headband all keep the heat in. Agnelle's Athos gloves and Gucci's GG Canvas gloves handle the cold hands, Toteme's leather scarf finishes the walk home and Saint Laurent's Mask sunglasses cut the low winter sun.

The best part of a long run is the soft thing you put on afterwards. A cashmere sweater, a loose fleece or a wide trouser feels like a reward, and a bag big enough to carry everything makes the whole routine easier.

 

Lisa Yang's Marguerite sweater, The Row's Torin cashmere sweater and Acne Studios' fleece sweatshirt are the soft layers, with The Row's Lowe pants below them. Toteme's Small Mercer tote, Gucci's Essence denim tote and Lemaire's Fortune Croissant carry the kit, and Khaite's Clive suede boots are the easy shoe for the walk to dinner.

Begin with the shoe and a base layer you actually like wearing, then build from there. A good pair of leggings and a warm hat will carry you through the first month.

 

For more shoes you will want to keep wearing off the road, read The Sneakers Worth Making Room For and The Pilates-to-Coffee Uniform.