I Run 40 Miles A Week Around NYC – This Is What Everyone Is Wearing To Workout

Saying that New York City can be loud is putting it politely, so it is no surprise that these open-ear headphones are so popular. Shokz headphones use bone conduction technology that leaves the ear open to listen for bikes and traffic and everything else in your surroundings. This also makes them a great option for community runs when you want to be social and listen to announcements but still bump your tunes.

Personally, I am a fan of the Beats Powerbeats Pro because the part that attaches above the ear makes them feel extra secure, but I have been seeing these smaller ones more and more. Beats are water and sweat resistant and also have great sound quality, and now this design is even more low profile. Regardless of what Beats headphones you settle on, they all have that Apple H1 chip so they pair seamlessly with other Apple devices and Siri.

The flagship ear bud is still the most popular headphone option I see on my runs. AirPods are omnipresent from work to commuting to exercising, and thus a great option for those who only want one pair of headphones for all their needs.

It can be pretty difficult to find a place to run that is not asphalt or concrete in New York City, and after many miles, that can start to take a toll on the body. These Cloudmonsters 2 from On were designed with max cushioning in mind and seem to be quite popular on the West Side Highway in Manhattan.

The Vaporfly comes in colors like “volt” and “laser orange,” so it is difficult to miss someone blasting by you in a pair of these super shoes. They are a favorite amongst those who are road racing due to the bouncy cushion and a carbon fiber plate in the shoe that gives it a propulsive feel. You will probably see half of corral AA wearing these the next time you go to a race.

Across the Internet, the Clifton tops the list of the best all around shoe from Hoka. They come in a bunch of colors and are a light, neutral shoe with a balanced cushion making them a strong choice for a variety of paces and activities. They are a popular option in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

When there are multi-day heat advisories and a fall marathon deadline looming, bringing plenty of water with you is the only way you will be able to survive a long run. This vest allows you to carry a liter of water across various pockets and has bungee cords to adjust sizing to minimize bounce. This was a popular option spotted around the city and one that Reddit also sings high praises for.

I saw a runner wearing this vest and asked him if he liked it. He told me he would recommend it for any medium run where you are outside for over an hour. The bottles are flexible, making them more comfortable to run with, and he liked the fact there is no tank on the back because the sound of water sloshing can become annoying mile after mile. This vest comes in six sizes and two colors as well.

I saw quite a few of these in the hands of runners who flocked to routes close to the water in hopes of it being slightly cooler. Reader, it was not cooler. Personally, I like this bottle because it has enough room for your phone and you can pop it in the dishwasher afterwards in case you fill it with something besides water.

Running shorts could always use more pockets and case in point is how many of these belts can be spotted on runners all around NYC. A belt is great to carry fuel, keys, cards, and even a phone if you don’t want to hold it. If I am running point to point, I am definitely wearing mine. 

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Running sunglasses do not only make you look cool but are important protection from UV rays and the elements. These lightweight ones from Nike have been especially popular on the West Side Highway where there is nearly no shade in the morning and also has the sunset in the evening.

Last year, I was waiting for a race to begin in Central Park on a particularly sunny summer morning, and it felt like I was the only one not wearing these sunglasses. Coming in under $30, I see why everyone was sporting a pair. I still see them everywhere.

This is one of my personal running holy grails. Running with a hat keeps my hair in one place as well as minimizing the amount of sun exposure I am getting on my face. This particular hat is always my recommendation because it is incredibly light and breathable, plus being easy to pack and launder. I just rinse it in the sink whenever I feel like it has seen too much sweat. Ciele makes this hat in so many colors, and I see it everywhere.

For context, Bandit did just open a beautiful new store a stone’s throw from the West Side Highway, so it is not surprising to see these shorts on nearly every millennial running in the area. People rave about the material online and these have three pockets, one of which has a zipper.

Also from the buzzy brand, Bandit, these shorts are packed with six pockets, come in two lengths, and are often sold out online.

While most runners are wearing a shirt from a past race, or no shirt at all, I always notice those who are wearing this Tracksmith tank. The collegiate stripe is iconic and the mesh material is perfectly lightweight for the city’s humidity.

I have had multiple girls ask me about these shorts while we have both been stopped at a light. I tell them they are one of my favorite pairs because the deep split side keeps you cool and unrestricted, while the built-in briefs provide coverage. I am not alone in loving these because they are constantly being restocked online. I have them in “vapor green” but see the black ones every time I go for a run.

There are some great free tracking apps like Strava and Nike Run Club, but for those looking to get more stats out of their workouts and all the moments in between, a watch may be in order. I often see Apple and COROS watches, but Garmin is by far the most popular.

For those looking to dive even deeper into their data, I will see some runners with a watch on one arm and a WHOOP on the other. WHOOP is best known for tracking recovery, cardiovascular strain, and sleep so you know exactly what your body might need after or before a workout.

While heart rate training might seem like something reserved for professional athletes, recreational runners continue to see the benefits of focusing on heart rate instead of pace. As the temperature has been well above eighty degrees since mid-May and people are wearing fewer shirts, I have started to notice more of these heart rate monitor chest straps.

Fuel

This is such a popular form of fuel for long runs that some shorts now even have pockets just for energy gels. There is always a runner tearing one of these open no matter where you go, and I often see their silhouettes in SPIbelts, through the mesh of hydration vests, or peeking out of spandex shorts.

For those who cannot stomach the gel consistency or are just looking for a little variety in their fuel, Honey Stinger’s stoopwafel is a great option. These have definitely seemed to gain in popularity recently, and I always see people buying them while in line at REI.