‘I’m an ultra-marathon runner and this is the kit you need if you're upping your miles in 2025’

If you’re seeking comfort on your daily runs, this is the shoe to invest in. It’s a maximum cushioning shoe with a 39.3mm stack height (the width of the foam) in the heel and a 27.8mm height to the forefoot, making it best for those who strike with their heels.

There’s impressive cushioning from Asics’s PureGEL – an innovative material that claims to provide more softness and better energy return than the foam used in older shoes from the brand. Despite all that foam, the shoes feel incredibly light but that doesn’t stop them from feeling bulky, which might not be to everyone’s preferences.

It’s not the most breathable shoe but there’s still good ventilation in the toe box to stop your feet from overheating in summer. Overall, they’re great for longer runs at easy paces. The shoe isn’t amazingly fast, but the comfort and cushioning will keep your feet happy throughout long training sessions.

The trend of ultra-cushioned running shoes isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and the Brooks Glycerin Max is another pair you’ll want to add into your rotation. The shoe boasts a massive 45mm stacked heel and uses a glide roll rocker to promote heel to toe transition that eases the foot down to the ground on each stride – essentially, it feels as if you’re being tipped forward which makes the shoe feel speedy. So speedy, in fact, that these have become my go-to for faster sessions.

What’s unique about the Glycerin Max is its innovative foam. The new DNA Tuned material combines two densities of foam into one: large cell foam for cushioning and small cell foam for reactivity. In short, it makes for a lightweight shoe that’s springy and snappy while still being comfortable over long distances. The roomy toe box ensures your toenails won’t get too cramped or bruised either.

Some of my favourite running trainers come from Hoka. These ones feature the brand’s J-Frame technology, which prevents your ankles from rolling in, as well as a large amount of cushioning that helps absorb the shock of each step and keeps my leg muscles feeling fresh for longer.

While the knit material does put you at risk of getting wet feet on rainy runs, it is comfy and breathable, and the coral pink colourway is much more stylish than other running shoes I’ve had in the past. While that colourway is sold out in quite a few sizes right now, there are plenty of other options to shop.

Hydration vests do more than just carry a water bottle. This cleverly designed option from Salomon has a large pocket on the back for holding extra layers of clothing, a secure spot for your keys, and spacious pockets on the front for your phone and snacks. And that’s on top of the eight litres of water you’ll be able to carry, too!

I love the lightweight feel of the vest, as well as the adjustable strap across the front, which keeps it in place throughout my runs. While it’s made from soft, breathable fabric, I can get quite warm in it, so bear in mind that you may not need as many layers.

It’s got a high price tag compared to other running vests on the market, but it's a high-quality option that fits all my gear without causing any rubbing or chaffing. A worthwhile buy.

Score: 86/100

A good fitness watch isn’t an essential – after all, all you really need is a pair of trainers and you’re good to go; however, if you’re training for a race or just trying to hit a PB, a watch that can provide feedback on your runs will make all the difference.

This one from Coros has been a game-changer for me. It does all the usual bits like tracking steps, active minutes and sleep, as well as providing data on your heart rate, stress levels and running fitness. One of my favourite features has to be the body battery score. After each run, the watch calculates my perceived effort and tells me how long I need to rest for until I’m fully recovered – an incredibly useful feature that limits your risk of injury when training.

You can also plan routes on the accompanying app and your watch will provide turn-by-turn navigation, which allows you to switch up where you run, without the fear of getting lost. Just note, it does look a little plasticky because of the nylon strap so it may not be one to wear for nights out or in the office, but otherwise, it’s hard to fault.

Score: 83/100

Unlike over-ear headphones or ear buds, these running headphones sit just outside your ear and send audio vibrations through your cheekbones and inner ears so you can hear the music. This means you can still hear traffic and voices, and take in your surroundings while running. It also makes them the only pair of headphones approved by England Athletics for use in road races, so if you can’t go for a run without some music to pump you up, these are the perfect investment.

While the sound quality isn’t as good as other headphone styles, I’ve found the compromise worth it for a comfortable pair of headphones that help keep me safe when running outdoors.

Price shown is for a monthly subscription.

Starting your training for a race can be daunting, especially if this is your first one. How do you know when to start training, what kind of runs you should be doing, and how far you should be going? Don’t panic. Enter: Runna.

This handy personal running coach has been my best friend over the last few months (yes, I'm currently training for an ultramarathon and yes, I'm crazy). It provides you with a comprehensive weekly plan made up of easy runs, tempo sessions, intervals and long runs (as well as explaining what the difference is between them all!). While on the move, you’ll receive audio cues about the pace you’re running at, too, helping you to control your heart rate and optimise your training.

Of course, spending an extra £15.99 a month on top of buying trainers and running gear isn’t ideal, but this is a purchase that should be at the top of your list if you’re looking to progress – it's definitely one of my favourites. There is a handy two-week free trial, so you can test out the app before committing to the subscription.

If you’ve ever reached the end of a long run and felt drained of energy, on top of experiencing things like headaches and brain fog, chances are you could do with an electrolyte drink. When you’re running for over an hour, rehydrating with water often isn’t enough – you also need to replace the essential minerals lost from the body through sweat.

This drink from Humantra contains the six essential electrolytes the body needs for proper hydration and it comes in three tasty flavours: lime, elderberry and pomegranate. Each sachet is also plant-based, gluten-free and zero-sugar, so I’ve found them to be kind on my gut, too.

Just combine a sachet with water and drink before, during or after your run to refuel.

As a general rule, most runners try to consume an energy gel every 60-90 minutes to maintain energy levels and keep the muscles fuelled. They’re packed full of easily digestible carbohydrates that the body can quickly use. However, many energy gels on the market have a horrible texture and aren’t the nicest to consume.

These fruit jellies from Decathlon buck the trend. They’re halfway between a gel and a bar (I like to think of them as giant jelly babies) and provide 21g of carbohydrates per jelly.

As each one is coated in sugar, they can get a little sticky at times, but they’re a handy size for popping in your running vest or belt and have a helpful adhesive strip for opening and closing the packaging so you can munch away while on the go.

Score: 87/100

Some of the best massage guns can cost over £500 (yes, really) but I love this budget option from Boots. Granted, it’s not the most powerful, but the GHI’s expert testers still found it reliable for releasing tension and easing any soreness in the muscles.

There are three speeds – although the first is very gentle – and four interchangeable heads that tackle different aches and pains. I find the gun moves easily over my skin and, even after using it over all my muscles, it doesn’t leave me with an aching wrist or that lasting vibrating feeling.

Just note that it does have a short handle, so it's not the best option for treating sore back muscles, but for easing tension in the calves post-run, this massage gun is a steal.

I love a warm, relaxing bath any day of the week, but slipping into the tub after a long run is my favourite thing to do by miles (pardon the pun).

Studies have shown that adding Epsom salts to hot bath water effectively reduces pain and stiffness in the joints, allowing your muscles to recover faster. These ones from Dr Teal’s are combined with menthol to soothe overworked muscles and I love the cooling effect they have on any niggling pains.

Adding around two cups of salts to your bath is a simple – and incredibly relaxing – way of looking after your body post-run.

Of course, everyone tries their best to avoid injury when training for a big run, but they can still happen. If you’re suffering from pain, inflammation or any other niggles, this handy at-home device could be the answer.

Kineon uses red light therapy to increase blood flow, trigger anti-inflammatory molecules and stimulate cells into repairing damaged tissue. It can be used on all parts of the body to ease everything from back and knee pain to problems in the ankles, shoulders and hips. The device is simple to use with just one button needed to activate the light therapy, and treatment lasts just 15 minutes, so it can be done while relaxing on the sofa or lying in bed at the end of the day. Plus, it's a great tool to have for post-race recovery.

Obviously, it’s a hefty investment, so only really for regular runners, but the brand does offer a 30-day free trial policy so you can get a refund or further guidance if you’re not satisfied after 30 days of treatment.

Score: 88/100

This hand-sized sleep gadget makes a great addition to your night-time routine if you’re a runner. We all know the benefits of a great night’s sleep, and it’s even more important when training regularly.

Designed with the help of doctors, sophrologists and sleep centres, the Morphee sleep aid features over 200 music and meditation combinations to help calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep. I’ve been using the device for its calming nature sounds and meditative music, which have helped me de-stress and fall asleep quicker.

When trialled by our GHI panel, testers loved the different programmes and soothing audio, and appreciated the lack of screen or accompanying app, allowing you to avoid disruptive blue light before bedtime. It’s lightweight too, so you can easily pop it in your luggage when you’re going away.