Some Cool Material readers might be surprised to learn that when I’m not rounding up the best deals of the week or waxing poetic about the best coffee gear, I run a craft-beer bar and cafe in Durham, North Carolina. My wife and I opened The Daily Beer Bar about two years ago, and it’s been a thrilling adventure full of early mornings, late nights, and a really wonderful community. One of the highlights has been the launch of our Athletic Club, an outlet for friends and regulars to connect and enjoy a brisk run and/or bike ride. Our group of athletes has grown over the past year or so, and now we have a regular crew of at least 15 or 20 runners and 30 or 40 cyclists hanging out at our bar every Wednesday evening.
Of course, I didn’t invent this. The casual-run-club thing is gaining steam across the country. If you’re an active, young-ish, urban-dwelling person and aren’t yet a member of one, you may be missing out—I’d wager that someone you know is going on a weekly run with a dozen or so likeminded folks and then enjoying a couple pints at their local watering hole. For some, this is a way to reconnect with a more athletic self; for others, it’s a social activity that happens to involve breaking a sweat. Either way, it’s an opportunity to get a solid workout in and potentially meet new friends.
If you’re new to the run-club experience, you might have a few questions about etiquette and appropriate attire. Should you go out and purchase the most expensive marathon-running shoes? Should you sprint up ahead of the group to beat your PR? (The answer to both of these hypotheticals is no.) Your humble gear editor/bar owner is here to help. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite items for casual running (along with a few upgrade picks), and I’ll also share a few general tips for making the most of your local run club.
Run Club Advice
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Bring a running buddy
It always helps having a familiar face in a new social circle. So consider bringing a friend. Not only does it give you a conversation partner, you also have someone who can match your pace.
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Go at the pace of the group
No one likes a try-hard. If it’s a casual run club, the pace will likely be pretty moderate. Run with the group leaders but don’t sprint out ahead.
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Carry cash or a card
If your run club is affiliated with a bar or brewery, you’ll want to stick around for a round or two after the run. Make sure to have a way to pay for your drinks. Apple Pay is great, but you can’t open a tab with your phone.
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Have fun
At the end of the day, your run club is a social experience and a good workout. Enjoy yourself and make some new friends!
The Best Gear for Casual Runners
Here are my favorite pieces of gear to wear at run club. These are the best running shoes, shirts, shorts, and accessories for casual running. In general, you’ll want to stick to whatever price range you feel comfortable with and prioritize versatility and longevity if you plan to keep running in a casual environment.
I also asked my wife, who leads our run club with me, to share some of her favorite picks. She usually wears a cotton T-shirt as well as the Nike Universa Biker Shorts, Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 running shoes, and the Bandit Running Gridlock™ Scoop Neck Run Bra.
Here are my picks for the best casual running gear for guys.
Nike Pegasus 41 Premium
If you’re going to invest in anything, get good running shoes. Even for casual runners, a decent pair of sneakers can make all the difference. I’m loving Nike's entry-level road running shoes. The Pegasus 41 offers the perfect balance of comfort and support. The light mesh upper keeps my feet cool and comfortable and the foam midsole literally put a spring in my step. A small detail that I love is the drawstring laces—no more loose laces on my runs. For a slight upgrade on the best road running sneakers, get the On Cloudeclipse. They’re built for longer runs but they offer juicy cushioning with each step.
Buy: $150
Bandit Running Cushion Run Quarter Socks
Bandit Running makes high-performance running gear, so most of their products might be overkill for a casual run club. However, the cushioned running socks are a game-changer. My feet stay cool, protected, and comfortable. No blisters or swamp feet. Honestly, I think good socks are maybe the most underrated piece of gear for any level of exercise.
Buy: $36
Reigning Champ 4-Way Stretch Nylon Training Short 7"
Reigning Champ is quickly becoming one of my favorite everyday brands. These basics—plain T-shirts, crewnecks, and sweatpants—are perfect for lounging around the house. But it’s their performance apparel that really shines. I've been wearing their training shorts on our run clubs for weeks and absolutely love them. No chaffing, plenty of breathability, and zip pockets for my house keys and credit cards. I’ve also tested out Bandit Running’s Vento Shorts on longer runs and they’re perfect if you’re interested in more intense training. But Reigning Champ’s training shorts are my pick for the best running shorts.
Buy: $75
SAXX DropTemp® All Day Cooling
I first discovered SAXX through their unique and extremely comfortable boxer briefs, but I’ve also been very impressed with their performance tees, which I’d argue are the best running shirts. The DropTemp fabric is ridiculously cooling—even on the hottest summer runs I felt cool as a cucumber. For casual run clubs you can definitely wear your favorite cotton tee, but if you don’t want to sit at the bar still covered in sweat, grab this moisture-wicking performance T-shirt.
Buy: $50
Bandit Running Nylon Dad Hat
It’s rare to spot me not wearing a hat, even on a run. So, for me, a running hat is essential. I used to sport a brewery running hat but I lost it so to complete the Bandit Running set I scooped up their nylon running hat. I love the Dad Hat construction and it looks cool enough to wear even when I’m not running.
Buy: $45
Garmin Forerunner 35
By no means is a running watch an essential, especially for a casual run club. But, it can be a fun part of the social experience to have a way to track your runs on apps like Strava. I use an old, pre-owned Garmin Forerunner 35, which is a very solid if not particularly fancy running watch. For a serious upgrade, I'd suggest the Garmin Forerunner 255, which includes a ton of bells and whistles.
Buy: $190
