Unless you’ve been training for a marathon or are truly dedicated to clocking your miles, then chances are you haven’t been running outside for a minute. Well, athletes, we’re happy to report that spring is in full swing, and your stride’s ready to come out of hibernation—that is, if you have the right running gear for spring. Stow away your fleece, your winter tights, and your running gloves, because it’s time to bare arms, legs, and maybe even your torso again to get those outdoor running sessions back in. From your shorts to your tops, here’s the best spring running gear to catch new PR’s and not seasonal allergies.
The Best Spring Running Gear, At a Glance
In This Guide
The Best Running Shorts for Spring
Shorts and running go together like, well, shorts and running. Even if you’ve committed to only wearing shorts during those winter runs, now’s the prime time to let the legs breathe. Look for bottoms that don’t restrict your movements, and decide whether or not you want them to include compression linings. And best of all: Look for something with pockets, especially if you have a bunch of things—phone, earbuds, keys—you want to bring with you.
Ten Thousand
Interval Short
Thanks to the un-bunchable, pinch-free waistband and extremely flexible shell, these shorts mold to your body but also shift easily with your movement. These do-it-all shorts can work for all types of workouts, and they’ll be right by your side (or on your bottoms) while you’re hitting those PR’s.
Bandit
Vento
Bandit’s Vento shorts make an exceptional running buddy, decked out in more pockets than we’re used to seeing in a pair of jogging bottoms. Two compression pockets (big enough to fit “the big” iPhone), two side slant pockets, and a zippered pocket ensure you have everything on your long-distance runs, while the overall look ensures that passersby know you take your running ‘fits seriously.
The Best Running Shirts for Spring
Tank? Long-sleeve? Topless? Listen, you’re going to be working up a sweat no matter what, so the best thing you can do is to find a shirt that’ll keep that sweat from interfering with your workout. Bonus points for the shirts that don’t stink after an especially long and sweaty run.
Tracksmith
Van Cortlandt Tee
Tracksmith has carved out its own niche in the running community for its preppy New England athletic apparel—think Prefontaine-era silhouettes with a dash of retro Ivy League style. Its Van Cortlandt tee is one of the brand’s most popular styles because of its iconic sash motif, but it’s also just a great top for working out in. It feels good on the skin, even during long-distance runs, and it’ll keep you cool while helping to quickly wick away your sweat.
Bandit
Micromesh Longe-Sleeve Shirt
Bandit’s Micromesh performance tee is best for people like me—because of its construction, it won’t cling to your sticky skin, while the anti-odor properties won’t have your gym bros keeping their distance from you when you’re in need of a spotter. Its hole-y construction makes it super breathable, though we don’t recommend wearing this if it’s windy out, because you will get chilly.
The Best Running Sunglasses for Spring
In the winter, you had to worry about packing your headlight and hi-vis running gear. Now, in the summer, it’s all about making sure the sun doesn’t blind you. Our favorite running sunglasses keep the sun’s rays from blinding you while looking cool—despite all the sweat dripping from your pores.
Article One
x Mission Workshop Sunglasses
Beloved by Ryan Gosling and the winner of our Best Sports Sunglasses of the Year, the Article One x Mission Workshop Sunglasses also receive our top billing here. The aviator-like shades are stylish enough to give you movie-star wattage but also sporty enough to keep you in the pocket of a run. Plus, they’re super durable thanks to the Hexetate construction, which helps them stay resistant to heavy wear and tear.
Cubitts
x Soar Running Cirrus Sunglasses
Soar Running’s one of the cooler running brands these days, and it recently collaborated with the spectacle pros at Cubitts on the Cirrus sunnies. They’re crazy lightweight, clocking in at 10 grams thanks to the titanium frame that manages to be flexible yet durable. Plus, that RiPel Zeiss shield lens protects from wind and dirt while offering the utmost clarity.
The Best Running Hats for Spring
It’s time to ditch the beanies. The best warm-weather running hats keep your head from overheating, letting sweat evaporate quickly and also keeping hair from tickling your forehead or getting into your eyes.
Ciele Athletics
GOCap
Ciele’s GoCap is the gold standard in the industry. The brand uses a combination of highly technical fabrics and materials to make its hats well-suited to any activity, chiefly among them their COOLmatic mesh technology that regulates body temperature no matter how brutally hot out it is. Engineered for all seasons, the recycled polyester fabric throughout the body of the cap is a material called “Repreve,” which is a ripstop-like fabric that is super durable and flexible, which makes the GoCap easy to pack and even easier to wear.
Bandit
OG Mesh Run Hat
Bandit Running’s OG Mesh Run Hat is basically like driving down the 405 with the roof off, but for running. The brand recently revamped the cap with better fabric and a little bit more oompf to the brim, so it’ll keep its shape while maintaining what works: that sweet, sweet breathability.
The Best Running Jackets for Spring
OK, OK, we know it’s spring, but Mother Nature likes to throw a curveball every now and then, so if your run’s going to be on the cooler side one day, make sure you’re properly layering with an excellent running jacket. Plus, you can always shed layers as you start to warm up.
District Vision
Recycled Half Zip Shell
We’re big fans of District Vision here at GQ, and this pullover half zip is the perfect exemplification of why. The highly water-resistant shell is made from a lightweight 155 gsm shell fabric and also features reflective detailing in the piping across the arms, chest, and sternum piping. The hardest thing to convey about this jacket, though, is how great it feels to wear it; it’s so comfortable and, for most runners, will hit all the boxes of what they’re looking for in a shell layer.
Satisfy Running
Pertex 3L Rain Fly Jacket
Satisfy makes some of the coolest and most tech-forward running gear around, as displayed by this Pertex rain jacket. Clad in a handful of excellent colors, including a neon green that I tested for this piece, the Fly Rain Jacket is every kind of “-proof:” windproof, waterproof, and windproof—none of the elements are slowing you down. But it’s also highly breathable, super light (it’s the lightest shell in this roundup), and super packable.
