Few events bring out as much goodwill and camaraderie in New York City as the annual marathon—though the Knicks’ historic win this summer drew crowds into the streets in comparable numbers. This year, on November 1, an estimated 60,000 runners will flood all five boroughs, while even more spectators will return to the challenging route for what has become an annual block party. If you’ve been out on your morning commute or weekend walks over the past few weeks, you’ve probably spotted these dedicated runners putting in the long miles—knocking out their 15-, 18-, or 20-mile training runs. Vogue’s own Emily Jones and Teen Vogue’s Alyssa Hardy are among them. For us runners at Vogue, finding the right race-day outfit—or even just the perfect everyday gear—can feel overwhelming. Do you prefer sports bras with removable or sewn-in padding? Do you stash your phone and gels in your shorts, or splurge on a belt? Carbon plates or foam? And can you really run in merino wool? Luckily, we’ve had all year—and plenty of unpredictable weather—to figure it out. In honor of the upcoming NYC Marathon, here are the essentials Vogue’s runners can’t live without. Emily Jones: After suffering the consequences of wearing a bad pair of socks during my first marathon (I won’t go into detail, but let’s just say my toenails have never been the same), finding the perfect pair of socks was at the top of my list when I started training for the New York City Marathon. I swear by the Feetures max cushion crew sock! I still haven’t fully mastered keeping my hair in check during long runs, but SNTE Styling Cream has been my saving grace on humid summer nights and in pouring rain (never forget the nor’easter). I’m all for the corded-headphones comeback, but they kept getting in my way while running, so I invested in a pair of Shokz headphones and haven’t looked back! They’re great for running in a city as busy as New York (don’t worry, Mom—I can still pay attention to traffic while wearing these), and the battery life is excellent. I swear by everything Lululemon, especially their Fast and Free High-Rise Short. The pockets are amazing for my phone and gels, they don’t ride up or roll down, and they’re just… so comfortable. True Navy is my favorite color, but I want them all! Alyssa Hardy, digital director, Teen Vogue: I like to think of myself as a casual runner. I do it for the vibes, the exercise, and the whole getting outside every once in a while thing. But this year, I was given the opportunity to run the New York City Marathon, and I couldn’t pass it up. In less than two months, I’ve had to go from about five comfortable miles to somehow crossing that 26.2-mile finish line, and what’s getting me through the painful buildup is, of course, the gear. For training, I’ve been living in a full ON kit in black: shorts (always with multiple pockets for my phone, keys, and headphones) and the tank bra, which is super lightweight and has a zipper. I’m a morning runner, so I’ll also throw on the occasional cropped hoodie that almost always ends up around my waist by the end of the run. I’ve also found that I don’t need to sacrifice my love of lip gloss as long as it’s ultra-moisturizing. I slip a Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil in Rose Bud into my back pocket—it lasts a while, and when I’m done with the run I can put it on and feel like a person again. Talia Abbas, shoppingFall in New York is by far my favorite time of year for running. There’s nothing I love more than heading out in shorts and a long-sleeve top, when the air is chilly but not bitingly cold. Bandit and Literary Sport are behind my current essentials; those, combined with a pair of Adidas trainers and my District Vision sunglasses, and I’m in my happy place.

Literary Sport Fanny cardigan $355

Bandit CoolGrid shorts $98

District Vision Takeyoshi sunglasses $295

Arc’teryx Beta SL jacket $500

Adidas Adizero EVO SL shoes $150

Bombas UltraLite sport socks $20

Alexandra Hildreth, fashion news writer

While I’ve tried new things on race day—no gels, new gels, electrolytes, and even bought a whole new outfit the day before—my day-to-day running uniform is pretty steady. Despite constantly insisting that I’m a casual runner, I get up at 5:45 to run most weekdays, so things need to be as simple as possible in the mornings.

My workout wardrobe mainly consists of a week’s worth of Lululemon Shake It Out shorts—though the way gym laundry piles up, you can never have enough—my On Speed Belt, and my go-to sneakers, the Asics Novablast 6. I find the belt, which fits my phone, keys, AirPods case, and, for one race, a portable phone charger, sits perfectly across the waistband of the shorts for a comfortable, hands-free run. Tops I tend to rotate in and out, whether it’s just a Lululemon sports bra, an On crop top, or an old T-shirt for a groggy West Side Highway jog.

When it comes to long runs, which I’ve blissfully escaped while not training for anything, I tend to rely on Gu Liquid Running Gels in Lemonade, but the real runner’s trick is scarfing a handful of Trader Joe’s Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers.

Literary Sport Joy T-shirt $275

Lululemon Shake It Out shorts $68

On Core crop top $55

Asics Novablast 6 platinum sneakers $170

Trader Joe’s Super Sour Scandinavian candies $12 $9 (25% off)

On Speed Belt $40

Kylee McGuigan, associate production manager

I ran three half marathons in an 18-month period from 2024 to 2025, and have set a goal to run a marathon before I turn 30 (so, next year!), so I’ve done my fair share of researching all the best running gear. Lululemon is my go-to for clothing—I found myself reaching for their Swiftly long-sleeve top and high-rise pocket leggings each time I had a long run (in colder weather, of course). While the pockets on the leggings helped hold my phone and apartment keys, I needed another storage option to keep sunglasses, my AirPods case, and some electrolyte packets close by. Luckily, the SPI belt was the perfect accessory to keep the smaller things safe.

And, speaking of electrolytes, the LMNT electrolyte mixes truly revived me when I pushed myself harder on my runs. Water alone just wasn’t enough for me sometimes!

SPIbelt running belt $30

Lululemon Swiftly Tech shirt $78

Lululemon Fast and Free tights $128

LMNT electrolytes drink mix $45

Aemilia Madden, contributor

I spent most of summer training in blazing heat, but I’m finally enjoying the cool fall days—my favorite running weather! It’s my first marathon, and as I’ve been training, I’ve started to figure out what feels good. A day of 18 or 20 miles and hours of running means you don’t want shorts that ride up or fuel that bothers your stomach. Now, I feel like I’ve got things nailed down for the big day—at least, I hope!

Salomon Gravel Skin 4 vest $110Oakley Flak 2.0 sunglasses $214 OAKLEY Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Satisfy AuraLite T-shirt $190 SATISFY Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Janji pace shorts $78 JANJI Save to wishlist Save to wishlist The Feed Skratch Labs sport mix $10 THE FEED Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Nike Zoom Fly 6 sneakers $180 NIKE

Frequently Asked Questions
Heres a set of FAQs about the running essentials Vogue editors swear by from shoes to leggings

1 What running essentials do Vogue editors actually recommend
Their musthaves are comfortable running shoes supportive leggings a good sports bra moisturewicking tops and small extras like socks and a lightweight jacket

2 Do I really need special running shoes or can I run in any sneakers
You need proper running shoes Regular sneakers dont offer the cushioning or support running demands which can lead to pain and injury

3 How often should I replace my running shoes
Roughly every 300500 miles or every 612 months if you run regularly Wornout soles and flattening cushioning are signs its time for a new pair

4 What should I look for when buying running shoes
Focus on fit cushioning and support Get fitted at a running store if you can and choose shoes based on your running style and foot shape rather than looks alone

5 Are expensive running shoes worth it
Not always Price doesnt guarantee a better fit A midrange shoe that fits your foot well beats a pricey one that doesnt

6 What makes good running leggings
Look for moisturewicking fabric a snug but not tight fit a wide waistband that stays put and pockets if you like carrying your phone or keys

7 Are leggings better than shorts for running
It depends on preference and weather Leggings offer coverage and support and work well in cooler weather shorts are cooler for hot runs

8 Do I need a special sports bra for running
Yes Running causes a lot of movement so a highsupport sports bra made for highimpact activity is worth investing in

9 What fabrics should I avoid when running
Avoid cotton It holds sweat and stays wet which can cause chafing and leave you cold Choose moisturewicking synthetics or merino wool

10 What are the most common running problems beginners face
Blisters chafing shin splints and sore feet Most come from illfitting shoes cotton clothing or ramping up mileage too fast

11 How do I prevent chafing while running
Wear moisturewicking seam