Running 101: Essential Gear for Running in the Rain

By Janelle @ Run With No Regrets | running tips

Apr 19

Are you new to running but worried about comfortably running in the rain?

It’s time for a new topic in my Running 101 monthly series.  I’ve previously shared the following Running 101 posts:

This month, let’s talk about what type of gear you should wear when you’re out running in the rain!  The April showers haven’t hit too hard yet where I live, but no matter how hard you try, you can’t avoid the rain – and you shouldn’t!

I’m linking up with Susie, Debbie, Lora, and Rachel for the Running Coaches Corner and Annmarie, Nicole, and Jen for Wild Workout Wednesday!  I’m also joining Ilka and Angela for the Fitness and Food linkup and Rachel and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday 5 2.0!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links.

Check out my gear recommendations for running in the rain! #runchat Click To Tweet

If you're a newer runner and you've never run in the rain, here's your list of essential gear you need to still have a great run! Check out more running tips at runwithnoregrets.com!

Being Prepared for Running in the Rain

If you run outdoors – and you should – running in the rain just goes with the territory.  It’s not a matter of if, but when you’ll end up running in the rain, so it’s best to be prepared with the right gear!

This weekend I’ll be running the George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Miler in Alexandria, Virginia.  Wouldn’t you know that the forecast is predicting rain all day for the race?  Just my luck!

So this month’s Running 101 topic is right on time.  Check out some tips on my gear recommendations for successfully running in the rain!  I hope you find this guide helpful!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links.

Figure Out Your Headgear

Choose wisely for a rainy run!

Do wear hats?  Buffs?  Headbands?  What are you comfortable wearing on your head when it’s raining?  I’m not really a hat person at all, but I wore a visor during last year’s drenching at the Broad Street Run.  It definitely helped with keeping my face dry.

If you’re looking for a hat to wear during the rain, it’s important to wear material that’s moisture-wicking and lightweight.  You don’t want to have a heavy, soggy hat on your head!  Here are some brands worth checking out:

Find the Right Jacket

This jacket is my BFF

I have to be honest – I have a very inexpensive Reebok jacket that I wear all the time in the winter or during a rainy run.  I’m not sure if it’s the best option, but it’s worked really well for me as it’s lightweight and comfortable to wear on the run.

You may also like:  How to Quickly Recover From a Race

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to stay warm and dry during the rain.  Here are a few more affordable rain jackets for runners that look great:

Keep Your Headphones in Place

As I shared in my post of surprises from running a race in the rain, keeping your headphones in your ears can really be a challenge when the rain is coming down!  I used to have a pair of headphones that would slide off my ears – definitely a distraction while running a race!

I’ve become a huge fan of wireless headphones and have frequently shared my love for Aftershokz Bluetooth headphones.  You won’t see me running a race without them!  Here are some other great brands you may want to consider that have been recommended by my fellow bloggers:

Keep Your Cell Phone/Electronics Dry

I keep my cell phone in the pocket on long runs!

Last December I had a work trip to Charleston, South Carolina and went for a lovely 7-mile run.  Unfortunately, part of the run was in the pouring rain and I carried my cell phone in my hand the entire time!  I was using the phone to take pictures and to map out my route.  Unfortunately, the rain was too much for my screen and I had to replace my phone a month later.  Thankfully, I was long overdue for an upgrade…but don’t let this happen to you!

There are so many different options out there for keeping your electronics dry and protected from the rain.  While I usually use my Orange Mud Hydraquiver pocket, there are some really nice running belts that do the job.  Here are just a few ideas:

Stay Away from Cotton Socks!

Confession – I can recognize that for some runners, wearing cotton T-shirts or socks while running is more of a personal preference.  But if you’re running in the rain, please, please, PLEASE don’t do it!  It is a recipe for disaster!

Here are some picks of running socks made of synthetic fabrics that aren’t too expensive:

And here’s an extra tip – don’t wear compression socks in the rain!!  I had a heck of a time trying to pull off my soaking wet socks after Broad Street.  Lesson learned!

What gear tips do you have for running in the rain?

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