Day 4: To Spend or Not to Spend…

Once most people have convinced themselves that they’re going to start a new exercise routine, the obvious place to start is to purchase the necessary apparel. Gone are the days when exercise meant throwing on the rattiest thing you owned and headed outside for a jog. Nowadays, there is specific apparel for every sport. Is this necessary? And if so, how much money should you be spending?

Let’s consider outdoor running. If you’re running in the summer, the one item I’d recommend spending the most significant amount of money on is your shoes. The quality of your shorts and t-shirt matter much less. You can purchase Athletic Works running shorts for under ten dollars from Walmart, and equally inexpensive tops as well. The best shoes I’ve ever owned are the adi-zero running shoes by Adidas. They are among the lightest running shoes on the market. I found that they feel weight wise as though you’re wearing gauze on your feet, yet equal to the competitors in support. They are definitely worth the $150 price tag. Click to Go Directly to the Product's Website

For winter running, the most important equipment to spend the most money on is moisture-wicking clothing. High-end shoes are less important in some respects, because you will likely be running on a snow-covered service which is less jarring, and you will be forced to wear a heavy sock which will dampen the qualities of your shoe.

Good moisture-wicking clothes do not need to be expensive. Mountain Equipment Co-Op has some fantastic winter running gear at a mid-price range. My favourite is their MEC Merino Lightweight 2 Zip-T. This zip-up is the perfect base-layer. In –30 degree conditions, I can wear this with a thick jacket overtop and never feel chilled or overheated. They have a similar product for the legs. If this price ranger is a little steep for your budget (about $65 dollars each), other stores have less expensive alternatives. Walmart, Zellers, Old Navy etc. all carry their own lines of base-layers for a lesser amount. One word of caution, however, is that good moisture wicking clothes will be vital to your running experience. Talk to the people working at the store you choose and find out what they recommend. Although you may not think that you would perspire in the winter, you will be amazed at how quickly your body will heat up. Wearing improper gear will cause that moisture to be locked in your first layer and eventually you will get chilled. Gear for your head and hands should be made of a breathable material (like fleece) which can be layered with a nylon cover for added warmth.

And finally, don't stress about having all the perfect stuff right away. Go out for a jog with the gear you've got and see if there's anything which sticks out as a deterrent to your running. You'll quickly understand what you need to buy in order to turn your running experiment into a success. Good luck!