What every runner should pack before a trip

Saysky’s summer run-ready tee is made from light, soft, sweat-wicking fabric that dries fast. But there’s no escaping the inevitable leakiness of hot, sunny runs and when your sweat does start to flow, instead of showcasing your sweat patches to the beach bar crowd, the clever fabric activates to reveal a flower print. Blooming marvellous.

These won’t pair quite as well with your holiday outfits as the Elliot Runner or the Cloudsurfer 2 (below), but if you want to pack one running shoe that can really do it all, the Boston 13 is a multipurpose space-saver. The combination of Lightstrike Pro super foam, carbon EnergyRods and ample padded heel collars make for a consistent ride across a good pace range, from gentle plods to marathon pace miles and beyond.

A perfect space-saving blend of running performance and lifestyle aesthetics means you only need to pack one pair of sunnies. They’re lightweight with a secure fit for on-the-run comfort and SunGod’s standout 8KO lenses deliver complete protection with exceptional clarity.

When it comes to packing light, merino wool is a secret weapon. It squashes down small to save space in a crammed case, wicks sweat brilliantly, dries fast and naturally handles the second-use stink better than man-made fabrics. So if you need to, you can get away with wearing them more than once.

Whether you’re planning runs on the beach, dips in the sea, or just want to step off a hotel treadmill straight into the pool, Ciele’s hybrid run/swim shorts handle it all. The five-inch men’s and four-inch women’s mesh-lined shorts are both cut from a quick-drying, hard-wearing ripstop with a PFC-free water and chlorine- or saltwater-resistant finish. So you can switch seamlessly from run to swim to lounger and back.

This suitcase-friendly massage gun pummels beyond its pack space. It offers a huge range of app-guided routines that make it easy to work effectively on any travel or run-induced tight spots. There are three preset speeds, but you can fine-tune the percussions per minute (PPM) in the app to better tailor your treatment.

Part flip-flop, part recovery slider, these are perfect for strolling beaches or pottering by the pool after a run. The soft ventilated strap cuts the risk of intra-toe irritation, while an EVA footbed offers comfort. Airy, light but rugged for a happy balance of comfort and protection.

No matter how much anti-odour fabric tech your run kit comes coated in, sometimes the stink wins out and you have to bite the bullet and give it a proper freshen up. This concentrated wash-in cleaner not only ensures your technical gear is clean and fresh, it also protects waterproofing.

A good set of dry bags, like these light, waterproof Silva Terra ones, deliver on three fronts: they’re great for organising essentials, they keep kit dry in a running pack and they separate used gear from fresh threads. Ideal for holidays and race-day drop bags, and they’re 100% recycled, too.

You can never have too much protection from the sun and harmful UV rays can still sneak through standard running tops and damage your skin. This sweat-wicking tee uses ultraviolet-blocking fabric to create an added barrier against the summer holiday sun.

Whether you're putting in long miles or late nights, hydration is key in the heat. These freeze-dried real-fruit powders come in travel-friendly sachets and great flavours, such as strawberry and basil,
that you’ll be happy to sip six miles into a run or lounging by the pool. The electrolyte punch comes from dried coconut water and Himalayan pink salt.

If you like to use holiday downtime to dream about your next big running goal, this inspiring collection of stories from women pushing boundaries in ultrarunning will fire your imagination. Packed with grit, vulnerability and triumph, if this doesn’t motivate you to put down the margarita and get moving, nothing will.

On’s Cloudsurfer steps happily from holiday miles to everyday mode. Subtle styling means they are versatile – wear with jeans or a skirt; smart shorts or beach shorts. A CloudTec Phase midsole serves up excellent daily mileage comfort that eats up easy 10Ks as readily as we scoff down a hotel breakfast.

A deep dive into resilience and what makes humans capable of overcoming challenges, this offers advice on how to develop real mental strength – not the ‘all or nothing’ cliches we’re served up on social media. Smart, empowering and a timely mindset reset while you’re away from the grind.

Sticking sweaty kit in plastic bags amplifies the stink. STNKY’s 13- and 26-litre reusable fabric bags minimise odour while locking ripe gear away from clean clobber. They double as washbags that you can bung straight in the washing machine.

This five-panel cap keeps the sun off your head, sweat out of your eyes and small essentials safely stashed (there’s a built-in zip pocket). Lightweight, water-resistant fabric shifts moisture fast and provides a UPF 50 barrier.

Taking up minimal space, this is about as thin and stripped back as headgear gets, but the wide, sweat-wicking band does a good job stemming sweat tides before they sting your eyes. The super-thin fabric fits under a cap or helmet if you need extra protection.

Speedo’s run-friendly swim shorts are better in water than on dry land, but the four-way stretch, rapid-drying knit is comfy enough to cater for both. The UPF 50+ fabric wards off the sun’s rays, along with chlorine and sand, while a rear pocket takes care of your room card. Available in men's and women's.

Affordable, sort of stylish, extremely well cushioned – what more could you want in a pool- and beach-ready recovery slider? The firmer foam offers arch support, the slight rocker eases pressure on tired legs and grooves on the bottom provide traction to prevent unfortunate slips.

We all sweat at different rates, making hydration in hot conditions personal. Precision’s fizzy tabs, hypotonic powders and salt pills let you combine tabs and powders with different salt levels to tailor your hydration.

Built to keep your running kicks carefully cocooned from that freshly pressed sundowners outfit, this cotton canvas bag stows shoes up to a men’s size 13. When you’re back from your travels, use the bag to transport speedy workout shoes to the track.

Ultra-lightweight and super breathable with built in UPF 50 sun protection and an open-weave mesh across the torso to maximise airflow, the Soar Hot Weather T is engineered for running in comfort in serious heat. The styling means it looks pretty decent pootling down to the beach, too.

The North Face’s classic slider cuts a more subtle beach- and pool-friendly style that doesn’t scream runner/adventurer at rest too loudly. The comfy mesh foam strap wraps and holds without digging or rubbing, the EVA-foam midsole/outsole keeps your pads well protected and the whole package is built to survive multiple summers.

Made specifically to handle running and swimming, the breathable, quick-drying, soft-and-stretchy fabric and tasteful pool- and beach-friendly cut mean you can seamlessly move from logging miles to hitting the water. You get an antimicrobial mesh liner, secure zip pocket on the hip and a drawcord on the elasticated waist for no-slip security. Available in men's and women's.

Garmin’s super-bright AMOLED Forerunner is packed with travel tools, including a jet lag advisor that helps you minimise the long-haul fug, offline music from Spotify so you can soundtrack your runs without rinsing your roaming data and safety tracking for when you step into the unknown. It will even monitor your stress so you can make sure you’re using your downtime to unwind effectively.

These cracking-value, technically excellent sunnies pack run-specific polarised lenses that deliver precise, natural-feeling vision. They’re durable, light and comfortable, with a broad nose-bridge and good hold from the arms for a zero-bounce fit. Style-wise, they don’t scream ‘runner’ as loud as performance styled shades, so you can wear them when you’re not running, too.

With a 45-hour battery life, active noise cancellation for blocking out ambient noise on planes, trains and while you run, and a sunglass-compatible earhook design, Powerbeats are great for adventures. A magnetic charging case makes it easy to re-juice and the stay-put fit keeps everything locked.

These are so stylish that you can happily wear them in pretty much any out-and-about holiday situation, but they’re much more than a pretty face, packing high-end Pebax-powered performance. The Elliot Runner is also a seriously versatile running shoe, with a smooth and comfortable ride for racking up relaxed miles, as well as plenty of pep for faster efforts.

Not everyone can pull of the visor look but for those runners who want to channel Hunter S Thompson or just prefer to keep the top of their noggin open to the breeze, Saysky’s simple unisex visor throws plenty of shade on your face, has a soft lined headband that soaks up sweat well and an adjustable one-size fit that stays well put.

With ample storage split over two compartments, plus separate internal zippered stash space, this rugged and durable 100% recycled polyester washbag takes care of all your travel toiletries, from toothpaste to sun cream and anti-chafe cream. And you won’t need to cut your toothbrush in half to cram it all in.

When it comes to protecting your skin on sun-baked runs, the right tool for the job is P20 SPF 50+. Easy application, all-day protection from one coat, water and sweat resistance, and zero chance of it running into your eyes mid-run.

Great for protecting often-neglected lips from all weather, this compact, moisturising, SPF 50+ lip balm defends against chapping, burning and dryness. It’s also water resistant, so it’ll keep working through sweaty runs and dips in the pool.

It’s not advertised as a sports-specific sun cream, but we rate this as a daily option that doesn’t clog pores when you sweat. The water- gel consistency glides on and absorbs quickly for fuss-free coverage.

One of the best anti-chafe solutions, 2Toms’ roll on is easy to apply. Use it on thighs, underarms and anywhere chafing strikes. It covers well and one application lasts all day.

Forget to roll on 2Toms? This protects skin from friction and blisters, and moisturises and soothes chafing. It’s packed with natural ingredients, such as shea butter, marine collagen and vitamin E to deliver fast-acting TLC.

Ideal for speedy turnarounds and designed specifically to tackle sweaty, postworkout hair, this pump-action, dry hair mist uses powders to absorb oils, eliminate odour and leave your hair feeling refreshed and clean without the hassle of a full shower.