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April showers bring…May showers. And allergies, sweat (lots of sweat), and racing. At least that’s the case for our running editors spread out from Colorado to California. Here’s the running gear we’ve been using (and loving) as we clock the miles through puddles, past fields of wildflowers, and over race courses.
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail III All-Weather Firm Ground
A decade ago I wore minimalist shoes for about half my miles to keep my feet strong and my stride tall and quick—and because I loved the feel of being in touch with the earth beneath my feet. I’ve drifted away from that mostly because I’m always testing new models and today’s shoes are almost universally tall and massively cushioned. This spring, however, I’ve been testing minimalist shoes for an Outside round-up. These Vivobarefoots are some of the most minimal, with just 5.5 mm between my foot and the ground (2.5 mm of that is the Y-shaped lugs), unencumbered flexibility, and a wide forefoot that doesn’t interfere with splay, even wearing CorrectToes.
Pulling them on and snugging the fit with the simple and effective pull-cord lace, it feels like I’ve gained a protective sole and lost none of my ability to engage with the ground. I sprint down a dirt road with more spring in my step than I’ve felt in years, until I start to tire, then I’ll walk until I’m ready to do another 200 to 300 meters with quick, light strides, repeating until I’ve gone 1.5 to 2 miles. My foot and lower leg muscles are inevitably sore the next day, but I can already feel a renewed bounciness to my stride in any shoe. –Jonathan Beverly, senior running editor, gear
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
Even after racing for over a decade, I still get nervous come race day. Waking up early, eating my banana, laying out my race day fit, all of it is tinged with anxious energy. But when I lace up these supershoes, I find a much-needed burst of confidence. Weighing in at just 7 ounces and with a big stack of bouncy IncrediRUN foam (39.5 mm in the heel, 31.5 mm in the toe, plus a carbon plate) underfoot, the Endorphin Elite 2 is a godsend when I’m looking for some race day speed.
Running a handful of workouts and races in these, it feels like I’m on another planet with less gravity. Each stride is seamless and powerful, and in contrast with the stiff, unforgiving uppers I’ve experienced in other supershoes, the mesh upper stretches with my foot to create a comfortable, secure fit. The Endorphin Elite 2 has helped me to new half marathon and 10K PRs, easily securing its spot among my race day essentials. –David Gleisner, social media strategist
Goldwin Pertex Shield Air Jacket
This understated, paper-thin, and durable jacket straddles that liminal space between windbreaker and raincoat. That’s because the permeable yet water-wicking Pertex fabric is both soft and breathable and rainproof enough for an unseasonably rainy spring in Boulder. And the understated silhouette, from the 75-year-old Japanese athletic apparel company Goldwin, also exudes athletic luxury thanks to details like a whisper-thin waterproof tipper, bonded seams, and dainty elasticized cuffs, hems, and hood. Plus it weighs less than my iPhone 16 Pro, so stashing it in my running vest is a no-brainer.
It’s the one running jacket I’ve brought on trips this spring—it can do it all. I can’t find the exact version of my jacket online, but this Goldwin Pertex Equilibrium Wind Jacket is pretty darn close. –Abby Levene, senior editor
Hyperlyte H1 High-Carb Drink Mix
High-carb drink mixes are all the rage right now, and for good reason. As runners push the limit of carbs per hour, easily-digestible liquid calories are a logical solution. I’ve tried pretty much every high-carb drink mix on the market, and I keep finding myself turning to Hyperlyte. The mild, neutral flavor is easy to get down even during long, hard efforts. And I’ve had no issues ingesting the hefty 100 grams of carbs per serving (after working up to that dose, as advised by the company). While Hyperlite is positioning itself in the trail and ultrarunning space, I happily enjoyed it during the USA Track and Field 25K road champs earlier this month. –AL
Generic Rite-Aid Loratadine (Claritin)
I know it’s not as cool as a wind jacket from Japan or nutritionally cutting-edge high-carb drink mix, but you know what? When you’re on the other side of 40, sometimes just getting out the door is the performance edge you need.
As someone who grew up in the yellow-coated springtime of the east coast, I had thought my allergy days were through when I finally went west, but unfortunately the sniffles and sneezing have finally caught up with me. This May has been a…challenge. Fortunately this ultra-cheap Claritin knockoff has been an instant cure that has kept me on the dusty, particulate-clouded trails. That said, if I forget to take these tiny little pills, my face goes faucet in less than an hour. –Chris Foster, editorial director, endurance
Vuori AllTheForm Support Tank
There’s just something about a tank with a built-in bra. It’s so easy, especially as it gets warmer outside, to throw on this little cami and run. It doesn’t get soggy with sweat like some of my other sports bras, and it looks good. Now, I am not endorsing this for my bigger-chested friends—you’ll have to judge if this will work for you or not. But if you, like me, are lacking in that department, this tank is supportive and comfortable. I’m a big fan of Vuori’s super soft fabrics, and everything I’ve got from the brand has seen about 1,000 laundry cycles and still looks brand new. That justifies the price tag, IMHO. –Ali Nolan, editor
SunGod Forty2 Sunglasses
“Too sporty for me,” was my immediate reaction when I saw these sunnies. I’m so glad I got over myself. Turns out, that sporty design isn’t just fashion. I’ve been running on the roads, trails, and have raced twice in the SunGod Forty2 in all types of weather, including fairly extreme wind, and when SunGod says they do not bounce they really, truly do not bounce. At all.
They also stay perfectly perched on my nose, no shoving them back up on my face required. Throw in 100 percent UV protection, screwless hinges, and a featherlight profile (they’re just 28 grams, which is less than an ounce) and the decision to wear these for harder running efforts when I have no extra capacity to fiddle with things on my face is a no-brainer. Oh, and turns out I actually like the sporty look. –AL