fabric next to the skin speeds up heat loss. As with summer kit, synthetic fibres predominate, but you’ll also notice the re-emergence of a natural fibre in our selection of the best winter base layers.Wooly Warmth…You rarely see sheep shiver. That

-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

to recover between each repetition. Be sure to have a 10-minute warm-up jog first and a similar cool-down afterwards. The best place to run intervals is on a track, but if you don’t have one nearby don’t worry. Find a flat grassy area, where you can run

count down sequentially, so you can use them to warm up, train and warm down.Can display fat burning as a percentage of the energy that you’re using. Contact: 01454 853573; www.sportstronic.comTimex Marathon Digital £59.99 Digital FM technology

pocket for stashing energy gels, gloves and even a map.Best for As it isn't a breathable jacket, running in the Hurricane is best restricted to short trots. But as a warm-up jacket, or simply a coat to wear to races when it's pouring down, it works

runners accept wet feet as par for the course, but pair up a mesh shoe with a quick-drying wool-mix sock. The cold water trapped between your skin and the sock actually warms up, so it isn't as bad as it sounds."Even the shoe companies seem to agree

stability - and that’s when it could be worth investing in an off-the-shelf insole.Research at the University of Calgary found that army recruits who placed off-the-shelf insoles in their boots suffered up to 14 per cent fewer injuries to their feet, knees

. The plastic hard chest straps, which contain the all-important electrodes that pick up your heart beat, can be uncomfortable. By integrating the electrodes into a soft fabric, Polar’s new belt is a perfect solution, particularly for women.Contact: 01926 816177

different interval sessions by time or heart rate, and even include warm-ups and cool-downs.Pros Tons of info; intuitive to useCons Expensive; too much info for someTimex iControl Triathlon 30 and Ironman 50 £33-£48 (Men’s and ladies versions)Key feature

't really seem to help. I subsequently found that my maximum was much higher at 203.""The best way to determine your maximum heart rate is on a treadmill," say Dunbar. "After a thorough warm-up perform two flat-out, four-minute runs, separated by a two