Britain isn't well known for its blinding sunlight, but try running without shades in summer and you'll soon regret it. By enabling you to see in bright light, sunglasses help you see obstacles around you, and they shield your eyes from debris

's running to or from the office, or taking your trainers out for a spin at lunchtime. We tested backpacks of all shapes and sizes to find the eight best to lug your life (and kit) around in.TESTING CRITERIA Comfort Did the straps dig in or melt

When Runner's World readers were asked to list their essential kit last year, heart-rate monitors came out on top. Unfortunately for the female runner, using a heart-rate monitor is usually an uncomfortable experience, requiring 10 minutes before

-brainer choose a gilet. We think these sleeveless tops are the most versatile pieces of kit you can buy and should be in every runner's wardrobe. A gilet will keep your torso dry and warm on all but the coldest, wettest runs and if the rain stops

Running on a British winter’s day can be a temperature-regulation lottery. If you look out of the window before a run and notice frost glistening on the lawn, it’s tempting to pull on several layers of your warmest kit. Be blinded by bright sunshine

Welcome to the Runner's World Shoe Buyer's Guide, proof that running continues to grow despite the downturn: with more manufacturers launching into the UK market and a wider range of shoes from the big brands, we've reviewed 42 new models in our

Many running shorts come with webbing to act as built-in underwear – but these can chafe or, for men, may not provide enough support. Wearing sports briefs under your shorts can make your running more comfortable. Here's what to look for

slides) how they’ll look on our range of vintage tees. Each of our winners (five in total) will receive a full set of Runner's World kit (vintage tee, performance tee and hoodie).We're just putting the final touches to our online shop (in association

Becoming a better runner is about more than just running - you need to make your body fit for purpose through cross-training. And with gym memberships having bitten the dust at the first sign of the credit crunch, and winter having curled its frosty

Being able to see how fast and how far you're going while you're running is one of the best ways to get the most out of your training and keep motivation levels high. Speed and distance monitors come in different shapes, sizes, prices and levels