Running shoes
Road and trail shoes, usually rotated in pairs rather than worn one at a time
The one purchase no runner gets around. Anyone training seriously tends to keep several pairs going: a soft daily trainer, something lighter for fast work, a lugged shoe for dirt, and for race day a carbon-plated model costing two or three times as much. Brands differ in shape far more than in technology, so fit is personal and trying a few beats copying someone else's pair.
People on record
Sorted by strength of stance
Does it: documented as part of their own routine. Recommends: explicitly advises other people to do it. Discusses: covered it substantively without clear personal adoption; this can include criticism or disagreement.
- Nick BareDoes it
Hybrid athlete · Bare Performance Nutrition founder
Shoes get two chapters in his gear episode: how he picks a pair, then what he actually runs in. Hoka, Saucony and Nike are the brands named for training and for racing. The episode is billed as gear he uses rather than a survey of the market.
Source: The Nick Bare Podcast, episode 078: Must-Have Running Gear - Ray MakerDoes it
Sports tech reviewer · DC Rainmaker
Rotates a Hoka Mach 6 on road and a Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 on trail, and puts his road and trail mileage at roughly even. The Hokas came from one morning at the local running shop, testing a boatload of shoes on a force plate. He took the pair with the best numbers and the best feel. By his own account, he knows nothing about shoes.
Source: dcrainmaker.com: The 2025 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List“As always, I know nothing about shoes. I let smart shoe people tell me what to do.”
dcrainmaker.com: The 2025 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List (opens in a new tab) · 24 Jul 2025 - Rich RollDoes it
Ultra-endurance athlete · The Rich Roll Podcast
Back in 2008 he wrote that Newton running shoes changed how he ran, putting the padding under the forefoot, and that his season had been injury free so far. No sponsorship then, he added, only a hope of getting shoes for Ultraman.
Source: richroll.com blog: I Love My Newtons
Aimed at the same thing
Other entries filed under fitness.
- Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.
Home gym
A private training space at home, from a garage rack to a fully equipped room
On record from 7 of 62 tracked people: 5 do it, 2 recommend it - Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Kettlebell
One implement covering swings, carries and presses in a small space
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 3 do it, 2 recommend it, 1 has discussed it - Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Resistance bands
Loop and tube bands for activation work, mobility drills and travel training
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 4 do it, 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
WHOOP
Screenless wrist strap tracking strain, recovery and sleep
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 4 do it, 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.
Cold plunge tub
Chilled tub that holds cold water ready, instead of hauling bags of ice
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 4 do it - Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Heart rate monitor
Chest strap or watch that logs heart rate and estimates calories burned
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 2 recommend it
Gear entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.