Yes, you can get great running kit on a budget — here’s what to buy

A do-it-all shoe that copes well with 90% of your weekly miles, the Velocity Nitro 3 has value baked in. It ticks all the boxes: comfort, performance, ride quality and excellent ‘disappearing’ fit. The nitrogen-infused midsole foam balances energy and cushioning, while the uppers provide cruising comfort without weight.

Versatile, comfortable and great value for money, the Roadfly has been hailed as Inov8’s best ever road shoe by the RW team. It’s not flash, but it does all the important stuff well: it’s responsive, has enough cushioning, fits beautifully and feels at home at a wide range of paces. A shoe that can do pretty much everything.

It pushes the limits of ‘affordable’, but the Adidas Adistar BYD undercuts rival £200-plus plated super trainers on price and excels on performance. Snappy, well-balanced and durable, it serves up a happy, energetic, gliding ride that will propel you from training day one to the marathon finish line.

It might lack the super foam-plate combo taking over the trails, but this budget shoe does the basics well. You get a reliable, mildly cushioned platform that’s nicely stable with plush-enough uppers and decent grip. A great option for eating up easy miles up to a half marathon out on the more runnable trails.

Standard buds won’t stay in your ears? The clip-on, lightweight Up is an excellent alternative with an unshakeable fit that leaves your ears open – a bit like bone conductors. The buds kick out a big, run-boosting sound with a marathon-taming six hours of playback – 18 more in the charging case. A cut-price rival for classic headphones.

If you want secure fit with sealed-in sound, JLab’s Go Sport+ offers the best of both – in-ear buds with a stay-put ear hook design. The buds and case deliver 35 hours of runtime and there’s top-tier functionality here, including customisable sound and safety-boosting, race-friendly awareness mode.

If you’re looking for Shokz-style headphones on a budget, these swim-proof, two-in-one, Bluetooth and MP3 bone conductors cram in a lot for less – 8GB of music storage and a 10-hour run-time battery, plus multipoint Bluetooth for easy switching between phone and laptop.

If you’ve already got two drawers full of technical T-shirts, you can save yourself a few quid here. But if you’re in the market for a simple, sweat-wicking running top that’s light and airy, good for daily miles and trips to the gym, this H&M basic fits the bill.

Marks & Spencer’s Goodmove Collection features some excellent workout staples, including this top with a mesh back panel. It hangs low for good coverage, side splits boost your motion range and it comes in a selection of classic colours.

Kiprun’s shorts are designed for chasing PBs. The non-compressive fabric breathes well and dries fast, providing great long-haul comfort. The stash space is superb – a five-pocket waistband that zippers your phone, stretches to stow gels and fuel and even swallows a 500ml soft flask.

With built-in support and dignity protection all-in-one, these lightweight twin shorts represent great value. The mildly compressive stretch liner fabric is soft but supportive, the perforated waistband keeps things cool and comfy, and two zippered pockets provide decent storage.

Kiprun’s basic shorts are all about versatility. Cut from a light, fast-drying fabric, they are happy on track, road or trail. There are four pockets – one with a key hook, one back zippered and two sides – and a comfy drawstring waistband. A great short for warmer weather.

For under £40, this is the perfect first running vest. There’s room for two 500ml soft flasks up front, while 5L of storage across 10 pockets provides all the space you need for your long-run essentials. Adjustable sternum straps create a reliable fit, plus there’s a built-in whistle.

If you want a minimal pack for shorter training runs, the Racepac 4 is a compact vest that doesn’t compromise on the essentials. It sports three pockets up front along with room for two 500ml soft flasks, plus a big back compartment that can swallow a 2L bladder or your other essentials.

Fully waterproof jackets can cost silly money, but this downpour defeater bucks that trend. It has fully taped seams, a DWR water-repellent coating that beads off bad rain, a big waterproof back pocket and an adjustable peaked hood – all at a wallet-friendly price.

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Sometimes you need a lightweight layer for the changeable Great British weather. This basic jacket does just that. At under 200g it’s light, the back vent boosts breathability, two zip pockets provide ample stash space and there are safety-boosting reflective details, too.

Not ready to invest big in technical kit? These leggings pack style and substance at a good price. The fabric provides excellent sweat wicking, there’s a roomy back pocket and a drawcord for adjusting the fit.

These leggings combine comfort, utility and style. The seamless design has good ventilation and sweat-wicking properties, so even in the lighter shades, you don’t suffer unfortunate patches. They’re also designed with Polygiene StayFresh fabric, keeping them fresher for longer.

These leggings are cut from a soft, supportive but stretchy fabric that’s easy to pull on and offers second-skin comfort with reliable sweat wicking. You can move freely, whether you’re plodding on the pavement or doing high knees at the track. The wide waistband holds firm, the leg cuffs prevent riding up and there’s a good drop-in side pocket.

Tifosi specialises in making good-quality shades at prices that won’t leave you feeling sick should the worst happen and you lose or break them. The Sanctum’s scratch-resistant, shatterproof polycarbonate lenses at least protect against the latter. At 26g, they’re super light, the hydrophilic rubber-coated nose pad grips more as it gets wet and the classic style works for more than just your sunny miles.

These totally seamless boxer briefs do a very solid job on the move. The two-way stretch fabric is soft, light and extremely comfortable, the soft waistband stays put and even though the legs ride up a little, the fabric is so thin it’s not really an issue.

These boxers have plenty of admirers in the RW team thanks to their snug fit and full coverage. You may want to order a size up, as the waistband can rub slightly and fold over in more intense training sessions. But they’ll keep you cool, won’t bunch up and will dry quickly.

Another RW team favourite from the Kiprun range, these mid-length socks boast great fit and excellent breathability thanks to the mesh knit. They don’t twist or slip down on the run and they stand up brilliantly to multiple wears and washes. At this price, they’re a total steal.

With anti-blister cushioning zones, knit cooling panels and a lightly hemmed collar, these mid-length socks are really comfortable over any distance. They wash well, dry fast and are incredibly durable – ideal if you’re out on a wet trail. They also come in ankle length.

This comfy, fuss-free sports bra offers an impressively supportive, no-chafe running experience. It combines thick, adjustable straps with a triple hook-eye closure for tension, plus a wide, comfortable underband and moulded cups for a flattering silhouette.

If your top priority is accurate heart rate data beamed to your watch or fitness app, the Coospo H9Z offers excellent bang for buck. It clocks heart rate, calories and training zones, with reliable ANT+ and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, plus 50 hours’ training on a single charge. And it beeps at you when you connect.

The Renpho Reach’s killer USP is a detachable extension handle that makes it much easier to reach tough spots, such as your shoulders and back. But this five-speed, mid-weight massage gun does more. It bashes out up to three hours of full-body pummelling and the speed automatically reacts to your pressure.