The Running Accessories I Reach For Every Week
Small things that make a big difference.
When people think about running gear, they usually focus on the big things — shoes, jackets, leggings.
But the longer I’ve been training (and the wetter and colder this British winter has been), the more I’ve realised it’s often the little accessories that make the biggest difference.
The things that keep you warm, comfortable, organised, and occasionally just make you smile mid-run.
Here are the running accessories I keep reaching for every single week.
Headbands & Hats – Sweaty Betty, Lululemon, Lunabands & Runr
Cold weather running means one thing: protect the ears at all costs.
My go-to headbands are from Lunabands, they do so many different designs and they’ve been absolute lifesavers during these cold, grey winter runs. I like to wear them when it windy so my ears are nice an warm. When it is super cold I swap to my running bobble hat from Runr. When the weather is nicer and I want to protect my head from the sun I swap to my running cap either from Sweaty Betty or Lululemon both excellent choices, super light with little holes at the top to let your heat escape. Big win !
They:
Keep my ears warm
Stay in place
Stop the icy wind from ruining the first 5km of a run
Keep you cool
Simple, effective, and importantly comfortable.
Sunglasses – SunGod “Sunrise”
When the weather finally behaves itself (occasionally), I reach for my SunGod Sunrise sunglasses.
I rotate between a green pair and a pink pair, depending on my mood.
What I love about them:
They don’t bounce or slide when running
They’re incredibly lightweight
They actually stay comfortable on longer runs
There is nothing more irritating than sunglasses slowly slipping down your nose while you’re trying to focus on your pace — thankfully these don’t do that.
Running Belt – FlipBelt
This is a recent addition to my running kit, and I’m now wondering why I didn’t buy one sooner.
For ages I carried my phone in the side pocket of my leggings, which works brilliantly for shorter runs. But on longer runs it can start to feel a bit heavy.
The FlipBelt has been a game changer.
Phone sits comfortably at the back
Space for gels
No bouncing
No constant adjusting
I bought a blue one to match my leggings (because obviously), and I can already see a few more colours making their way into my running drawer as we move into summer.
Socks – SPORKS
I firmly believe running socks should be a little bit fun.
My favourites come from SPORKS, a Spanish brand with loads of bright colours and bold designs.
Two current favourites in my rotation:
They’re comfortable, supportive, and add a bit of personality to winter runs — which can sometimes feel a little monochrome.
Apple Watch Ultra
Finally, the piece of kit that tracks it all: my Apple Watch Ultra.
It’s a brilliant all-round smartwatch but also fantastic for running.
It tracks:
Distance
Pace
Heart rate
Workouts
And everything automatically syncs to Strava, which keeps my training nicely organised.
My one gripe? It still doesn’t offer turn-by-turn navigation like Garmin. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Apple adds this in a future update.
But overall, it’s been a fantastic training companion.
Headphones – Apple AirPods
And finally, the true GOAT of running accessories — my AirPods.
Whether it’s podcasts, music, or an audiobook that distracts me from the final kilometres of a long run, these come with me on almost every run.
What I love about them:
They’re lightweight
They stay put while running
The sound quality is excellent
Seamless connection with my Apple Watch
Most of my miles are powered by a mix of podcasts, audiobooks and the occasional motivational playlist, and the AirPods make it effortless.
When the weather is miserable, having something interesting to listen to can genuinely make the difference between a run that feels like a slog and one that flies by.
Honestly, I rarely head out the door without them.
Accessories might seem like small things, but when you’re running week after week, they quickly become essentials.
Warm ears.
A phone that doesn’t bounce.
Sunglasses that stay put.
And headphones that turn a rainy run into podcast time.
It’s these little details that make showing up just that bit easier.
Let me know what your favs are?
Sylv x
