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Runners World Gear Awards 2024.

Affordable running gear: Men’s kit that will keep you going for miles

Whether you're running your first mile, or your first marathon, men's running kit can be expensive. We've taken a look at some affordable alternatives.
By Runner's World
Running, Wall, Shadow, Standing, Recreation, Jogging, Pedestrian, Photography, Exercise, Street,
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Running, Wall, Shadow, Standing, Recreation, Jogging, Pedestrian, Photography, Exercise, Street,
If you’ve ever scrolled through our gear pages, or bought a copy of the magazine, you’ll know that good gear doesn’t come cheap. Yet are there some things you can save on? We put it to the test and found these technical pieces of kit, that won’t break the bank.
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Clothing, Dress, Sleeveless shirt, Outerwear, Sportswear, Denim, Neck, T-shirt, Vest, Sleeve,

Best winter running gear, sportshoes.com

New Look Active Run Shorts, £9.99.

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Clothing, T-shirt, Military camouflage, Sleeve, Camouflage, Pattern, Uniform, Top, Active shirt, Design,

Health & Injuries, asos.com

The polyester and elastane mixture of this T-shirt means it’s breathable, it also moves well, so won’t constrict you on the run.

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Clothing, Tights, Black, Leggings, Trousers, Leg, Waist, Sportswear, yoga pant, Fashion accessory,

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below, adidas.co.uk

Featuring Climacool technology, anti-odour fabric and a compression fit, these tights are built to keep you moving freely as you run.

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Green, Sock, Product, Footwear, Fashion accessory, Shoe,

Salomon Agile 5 Short, £21, inov-8.com

Outstanding value: these socks will easily take the worst you can throw at them in terrain, mileage and smelly feet – and they feel great on, too.

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Clothing, Active shorts, Sportswear, Black, Shorts, rugby short, board short, Trunks, Bermuda shorts, Pocket,

On Cloudrunner 2: Mild stability for daily miles, asos.com

These won’t last forever but they’ll be good for a year. They feature a soft inner lining, an interior key pocket and two side pockets. Generous cut.

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T-shirt, Clothing, Jersey, Sportswear, Sleeve, Yellow, Active shirt, Product, Top, Bicycle jersey,

Crivit Mens Sports Top, £3.99, canterbury.com

The rugby specialists now do general training kit and it’s decent. This one has an anti-odour weave, and raglan sleeves and a wider neck for freedom of movement if you’re on the larger side.

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Bag, Backpack, Product, Blue, Luggage and bags, Electric blue, Cobalt blue, Font, Hand luggage, Baggage,

New Look Active Run Shorts, £9.99, runnersneed.com

A great choice if you’re commuting to work – it will hold all your clothes for the day and will stay put thanks to sturdy chest and waist straps. 

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Clothing, T-shirt, Sleeve, Black, Active shirt, Top, Neck, Outerwear, Jersey, Blouse,

GapFit Breathe Crewneck T-Shirt, £19.95, gap.co.uk 

As the name suggests, a highly breathable T-shirt that’s perfect for those who prefer a generous cut. The weave has a four-way stretch, to increase comfort. 

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Clothing, Outerwear, Jacket, Sleeve, Collar, Blazer, Top, Zipper,

Kalenji Run Rain Men’s Running Jacket, £24.99, decathlon.com 

Quite a boxy cut but it’s highly water-resistant, reflective and high-vis, and has two large zip pockets. Job done.

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Clothing, Active shorts, Sportswear, rugby short, Black, Shorts, Trunks, board short, Swim brief,

Dhb Men’s 3” Run Shorts, £17.99, wiggle.co.uk

Not only are these very, er, short, but they also have a huge split up the side, so if freedom of movement is top of your list, these are the ones for you.

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Cobalt blue, Clothing, Jacket, Outerwear, Blue, Sleeve, Electric blue, Sportswear, Windbreaker, Polar fleece,

Ronhill Everyday Vest, £17.99, sportsdirect.com 

This won’t win any awards for style but it’ll keep you and your valuables protected from the weather on the run and after the run.

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Sock, Blue, Footwear, Product, Shoe, Electric blue, Fashion accessory, Leg, Foot, Wool,

Dhb Mens 3 Run Shorts, £17.99, sportsdirect.com 

Antimicrobial, padded heel and toe sections, anatomically shaped, breathable and fast-wicking – not qualities you expect to find in socks at this price, but they’re all here.

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T-shirt, Clothing, Black, Active shirt, Sportswear, White, Sleeve, Green, Jersey, Top,

Crivit Men’s Sports Top, £3.99, lidl.co.uk

Reflective details for enhanced visibility, soft, breathable and under a fiver – you can’t go wrong.

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Backpack, Bag, Product, Luggage and bags, Grey, Backpacking, Baggage, Hand luggage, Magenta, Laptop bag,

Kalenji Run Rain Mens Running Jacket, £24.99, amazon.co.uk 

Outstanding value for money: this ergonomically designed, weather-resistant pack stays put on the run and has padded back and straps for comfort.

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Clothing, Textile, White, Style, Pocket, Active shorts, Waist, Fashion, Black, Grey,

Salomon Agile 5” Short, £21, salomon.com 

These’ll be a friend for many a season – they’re tough but soft, agile but rip-resistant, well ventilated and they quickly wick away sweat.

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Clothing, Tights, Blue, Sportswear, Leggings, Electric blue, Active pants, Trousers, Waist, Leg,

Best trail running shoes for 2024, sportsdirect.com 

Highly technical tights featuring ventilation panels, zipped ankles, high-vis sections, gusseted crotch and more. Incredible value for money.

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T-shirt, Clothing, Green, Active shirt, Sleeve, Sportswear, Jersey, Top,

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3: Tried and tested, alpkit.com 

Lightweight, breathable, sweat-wicking and, most importantly, it contains Polygiene, a market-leading bacteria-blasting anti-odour treatment.

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Clothing, Sleeve, Black, Long-sleeved t-shirt, Outerwear, Collar, Grey, T-shirt, Neck, Jacket,

Rohill Commuter 15L Backpack, £32.99, marksandspencer.com

A handy layer made from wicking-material to keep you cool. With reflective trims and a handy zip pocket, it’s warm and affordable.

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