Hi there, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.
You need to think carefully about the type of clothing you wear, before you start running. If you pick something inappropriate, the material could make you uncomfortable, damaging your performance. To help you understand what’s required to best support your running, in this post I’ll be advising on the best material for running clothes.
Remember that when you run, your body generates a lot of heat, so you can get pretty sweaty. If you build up a sweat during a run, it can cause discomfort and even give you rashes, limiting your ability to run regularly in the near future. I’d advise you to look for running clothes in materials that promote breathability, helping regulate your body temperate and preventing sweat from building up.
You may be tempted to buy cotton running clothing, as this material is both comfortable and cost effective. But New Jersey-based fitness store Fleet Feet Mahwah argues that cotton is actually pretty ineffective. This is because cotton holds moisture, so if you sweat while running, your clothes will get and stay wet. Not only can this cause rashes, but it won’t allow your body to regulate your temperature properly, meaning that you’ll overheat during summer and freeze during winter.
Instead, Fleet Feet Mahwah suggests, buy running clothing in technical fabrics. These pieces are typically made with materials like Lycra, polyester and nylon. Technical fabric clothing is highly breathable. It lets a lot of air flow through the material per minute, moving moisture away from your skin while you run, to prevent sweat from building up. Technical fabric pieces are also extremely lightweight, meaning that you don’t have to carry a lot of weight with you while running.
Fleet Feet Mahwah also argues that you should buy running socks in technical fabrics, as opposed to cotton. A cotton sock will retain moisture, which when combined with the heat and friction created by your running shoes, can increase your chances of developing blisters. Again, technical fabric socks will wick away the sweat, allowing you to run comfortably for longer. I should also point out that fungus thrives in dark, moist areas, so cotton running socks can prove really unhealthy for your feet.
To ensure you’re comfortable while running, you should also choose good shoes and jackets. You may want to consult my list of the best running shoes on the market for guidance. You might want to go for something like the Merrell All Out Charge shoes, available from Sports Direct for £50. They’re lightweight and flexible, with exceptional cushioning and support, helping you stay comfortable.
If you’re running in brisk temperatures, you may also want to buy a good running jacket. The Ashmei Nightrunner has been hailed as the best jacket on the market, although it retails at £225. It’s fitted with merino wool, which is effective at regulating your body temperature. For something more affordable, buy the Adidas Supernova Storm Half-Zip. Retailing at roughly £60, it has heat-managing stretch back panels and wind blocking polyester sleeves, while it also has nylon panels on the front.
You should keep in mind that if you wear clothing that makes you uncomfortable when you run, it could dissuade you from running again, not to mention the performance limitations. You should always do a lot of research and try to spend as much as you can afford on high tech fabrics. With good clothing, you’ll soon want to fit running into your schedule more regularly.
Until the next time,
Mohsin Salya