The Running Gear That's Lasted Us the Longest

In our gear-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall prey to purchasing the latest of everything. But we all have that one piece of running gear that lasts for what feels like our entire running lives. Even we, the editors of RUN, who are always looking for the next best thing in apparel, shoes, and accessories, have old AF stuff that we’d never give up.

In honor of Earth Month, we decided to pay tribute to the items that have run with us for years. Were they bought because of sustainability? Nope. But it’s important to celebrate the things that just happen to last because it proves that you don’t have to buy things to be green—just hold on to what you’ve got.

For some of us, these pieces have been in our lives for decades, and they still work. They keep finding their way into our rotation. Whether it’s that they feel good, look good, or just continue to smell kind of OK, we love them. We’re sure you have something in your wardrobe that feels this way to you.

Under Armour Running Leggings

It’s been a dozen years since I found my favorite running leggings at an Under Armour outlet mall shop. I’ve washed and worn them too many times to count and they are still as good as the day I bought them.

Yes, they are bright and wacky (probably some of the traits that landed them in the outlet mall in the first place). But I love the just-below-the-knee length for spring, summer, and fall running. They provide gentle compression that keeps them put throughout long runs. – Rebekah Brately

Lululemon Running Shirt [Name Unknown]

As a gear guy, this piece is a little embarrassing for two reasons: First, I spent almost an hour trying to figure out what model Lululemon shirt this is and failed miserably (thank you Lululemon and your constantly shifting product lines that have spawned a fervent fan base so intense that there’s a website dedicated to tracking it).

Second, I’ve tried probably hundreds of specialty running-brand t-shirts, and literally none of them have survived me three seasons of cautious care, let alone the 13-plus years I’ve owned this [unnamed] Lulu shirt. Where the “running experts” have failed, what was originally a yoga brand has succeeded: By my best calculations, I’ve likely worn this shirt easily 1,000 times, and it still lives at the tippy top of my run clothing pile. – Chris Foster

College-Issued Nike Dri-Fit Tee

At the end of the summer in 2009 I matriculated at college, where, like everyone on the cross country and track team, I was given a wardrobe of college-issued Nike running gear. The chunky Pegasus 26 and chaotic Vomero 4 I was handed look nothing like the sleek Pegasus 41 and thicc Vomero 18 of today. But that black Dri-FIT shirt is somehow even softer now, 15 years later, than it was then.

I run with some recent college grads now, and judging by the look of their college-issued running apparel, if anything, the quality of those shirts just isn’t what it used to be. (But admittedly, it may be a bit thinner, more breathable, and more high-performance for running.) Thankfully, mine are still in superb shape. (Even if I do mostly just wear them for sleeping, so I don’t totally look like I’m trying to relive the glory days…) – Abby Levene

Saucony Peregrine 10

It doesn’t matter what new model or fancy trail shoes I buy; I only want to wear these beautiful Peregrines. When they first came out around 2020, the Saucony Peregrine 10s were touted as being responsive and firm, with good stability and traction. I’m not a trail shoe expert (I mean, not only am I primarily a road runner, but I’ve been wearing the same pair for five years), but I agree.

I don’t think that’s why I keep returning to these shoes, though. In a way, they feel magical, like they are the only shoe that allows me to run trails fluidly. Or maybe it’s nostalgia—I bought these when I first moved to Utah and started to dabble in trail running. I know I should replace them and run in something newer, but why would I when they still feel comfy and fresh? After wearing them for countless rocky miles, many scrambles, stream crossings, and wrestling my dog away from dead animals, the upper has just started to give way. I’ll probably try to patch it—they haven’t given up on me yet, why would I give up on them? – Ali Nolan

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