Checklist · 11 picks · 4 categories
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You signed up for your first 5K or half marathon, and now it's real. You already run in your shoes, so this kit is the race-day layer on top.
Energy gels keep you fueled on longer runs, and there's a gel for every stomach, from liquid GU to six-ingredient Maurten. A race belt holds your gels and phone, and the bungee toggles hold your bib, so no more safety pins through your shirt. Electrolytes are nice on long, sweaty training runs, and sunglasses make a sunny start line a lot nicer. The gels come from Garage Gym Reviews and NBC Select, the belts from iRunFar, and the electrolytes and shades from Treeline Review and NBC Select. Each card shows the drawback its outlet called out.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you haven't started running yet; the Running Starter Kit covers shoes, socks, anti-chafe balm and a watch first.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
Pick a budget to see your plan.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
0 of 2 on your list · tap one to see your options
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GU Energy Labs Liquid Energy Gels | budget | $25-50 | your very first gel | 1 outlet |
| Bare Performance Nutrition Go Gel | mid | $25-50 | a gel that tastes like actual food | 1 outlet |
| Maurten Gel 100 | splurge | $25-50 | runners who don't love sweet gels | 1 outlet |
Best energy gelsbudget pick · Box of 12
Best for your very first gel
Garage Gym Reviews' best-tasting running gel: a good starter gel, since the liquid is easier to get down mid-run.
Heads up. Only comes in a box of 12, and only 5 flavors
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best-Tasting Running Gel.
$25-50
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mid pick · Packets
Best for a gel that tastes like actual food
NBC Select's best energy gel for marathon training: personal trainer Ali Fournier says they taste like applesauce.
1 outlet. NBC Select best energy gel.
$25-50
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splurge pick · Packets
Best for runners who don't love sweet gels
Garage Gym Reviews' best overall running gel: simple ingredients, an almost flavorless taste that's easy to get down, and a texture more like Jell-O than syrup.
Heads up. Pricier per packet than other gels, and only unflavored
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best overall running gel.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UltrAspire Fitted Race Belt 2.0 | budget | $25-50 | pinning nothing to your shirt | 1 outlet |
| Naked Running Band | mid | $50-100 | carrying gels, phone and water for 13.1 | 1 outlet |
| Mammut Aenergy Trail Belt | mid | $50-100 | organized pockets for every gel | 1 outlet |
Best race beltbudget pick · Fitted
Best for pinning nothing to your shirt
iRunFar's best budget running belt: a lower price doesn't mean fewer features or worse performance.
Heads up. Can bunch up if you're not carrying much in the pockets
1 outlet. iRunFar best budget running belt.
$25-50
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mid pick · Pick by waist
Best for carrying gels, phone and water for 13.1
iRunFar's runner-up best overall running belt: still one of the best of its kind.
Heads up. Can scrunch up depending on body type
1 outlet. iRunFar best Overall Running Belt Runner-Up.
$50-100
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mid pick · Tube-style
Best for organized pockets for every gel
iRunFar's best overall running belt: lots of small features and details, with a place for everything.
Heads up. Heavier than many tube-style belts, and the back pocket isn't the most breathable
1 outlet. iRunFar best overall running belt.
$50-100
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Mix | budget | $25-50 | flavoring your water when plain water gets boring | 1 outlet |
| Skratch Labs Hydration Sports Drink Mix | budget | $15-25 | long training runs in the heat | Limited evidence |
| SaltStick Fast Chews | budget | $15-25 | electrolytes without mixing a drink | Limited evidence |
Best electrolytesbudget pick · Packets
Best for flavoring your water when plain water gets boring
Treeline Review's best overall electrolyte mix (also their best budget pick): five electrolytes, good taste and clean ingredients at a low price per serving.
Heads up. Some flavors are too sweet
1 outlet. Treeline Review best overall electrolyte mix.
$25-50
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budget pick · Tub
Best for long training runs in the heat
Running coach Heini Tallent's favorite electrolyte powder, from NBC Select's marathon gear checklist.
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$15-25
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budget pick · Chewable tablets
Best for electrolytes without mixing a drink
Coach Heini Tallent and NBC Select's Zoe Malin both use these chewable electrolytes, and Malin likes the taste too.
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$15-25
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Best sunglassesmid pick · 23 g
Best for sunny race mornings
Treeline Review's best overall running sunglasses: a low-cost, comfortable all-rounder that stayed put on hot climbs and big descents.
Heads up. Not the fanciest lenses or frames, and there's branding on the lens
1 outlet. Treeline Review best Overall running sunglasses.
$50-100
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budget pick · About 25 g
Best for cheap shades that survive training
Treeline Review's best budget running sunglasses: they held up over nearly a year of reviews and beat the goodr OG on durability.
Heads up. A bit heavier than goodr OGs, though not that noticeable
1 outlet. Treeline Review best Budget running sunglasses.
$25-50
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Your usual running shoes, then energy gels and a race belt to carry them. Electrolytes and sunglasses are nice to have. If you still need the basics like shoes, socks and anti-chafe balm, start with our Running Starter Kit.
Garage Gym Reviews calls the GU Energy Labs Liquid Energy Gels a good starter gel because the liquid is easier to get down mid-run, though it only comes in a box of 12.
Use a running belt with bib toggles or loops. iRunFar's best budget running belt, the UltrAspire Fitted Race Belt 2.0, has two bungee toggles for your bib, though it can bunch up if the pockets are nearly empty.