November is a weird month. The temperatures are all over the place, you’re not sure if you’re hot or cold. You should add a layer, take a layer off. We get it.
So, this month’s gear roundup is a little bit of everything: cozy layers, comfy shoes, and a few smaller items we think you should check out. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or starting to gather ideas for holiday gifting, we’ve got something for everyone.
As always, if you’ve tried something we’ve featured, we’d love to hear your feedback. It helps us keep going and decide what to try out next.
See and Be Seen – BioLite Dash 450
As the daylight diminishes, most of my runs begin before sunrise or end after sunset, and headlamps become an essential part of my kit. My current favorite is the BioLite Dash 450 because it is bright, light, and comfortable. This headlamp pairs perfectly with the BioLite Charge 20 PD, which I also use regularly.
I’ve used the BioLite while trail running, walking the dog, and road running. During a sunrise trail run, I confidently navigated boulders and roots at speed. Even in rough terrain, the light did not bounce or distract from my runs.
One of my favorite features of the BioLite Dash 450 is the rear lights. This increases your visibility and reduces the risks of running in low light. For added visibility, the BioLite features a retro-reflective strip, a small, thoughtful safety feature.
The BioLite Dash 450 offers a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The lack of traditional batteries makes this a very lightweight option. It only weighs 2.75 ounces. The BioLite Dash can operate for 60 hours at its lowest setting and 3 hours at its brightest. Fortunately, it has a reserve one-hour low-power mode for emergency lighting.
In a pinch, the BioLite Dash 450 can be charged on the go with a power bank. For longer excursions, the power bank and a long charging cable can keep you moving.
The BioLite Dash 450 will appeal to runners looking for a simple design and lightweight, barely-there feel.
- Size: one size fits all
- Colors: 3
- Available from Rei.com for $60
-Rebecca, Gear Tester
POCKETS!!!! Wolaco Distance Full Tight
I was really excited when I saw how many pockets these tights had, but that excitement faded fast when my iPhone 17 Pro Max didn’t fit in any of them. I even tried removing the vase, and still no luck.
There are two side pockets (one on the left mid-thigh and one on the right hip) and two smaller mesh pockets along the back waistband.
The material itself is incredibly soft, think buttery smooth, but I think that may be why the compression feels a bit light. I wore my usual medium, but I probably could’ve gone down a size. For reference, I’m 5’9″ with a curvier lower body.
I test them on both walks and runs, and even with the drawstring tightened, they slipped down as I moved. I found myself needing to constantly adjust them, which is not ideal, especially once you get into a flow running.
That said, they are comfortable. I’d compare them to Lululemon Fast and Free tights; the material is just slightly thicker, which is nice if a chilly wind picks up while you’re outside.
- Size: XS-XXL (size down)
- Colors: 5
- Material: 85% Luxe Nylon, 15% spandex
- Pockets: 4 pockets, 1 tshirt loop
- Available from Wolaco.com for $158
- Use code RUNTOTHEFINISH20 for 20% off
-Stacey
Reflective Gear – Ciele Nite Rite Capsule
I’ve really been enjoying the Ciele DLY Longsleeve NiteRite; it’s the perfect transitional piece for cooler mornings that turn into warm days. It kept me warm when I started my runs before sunrise, then wicked away sweat to keep me dry once the sun was up. The fabric feels soft and light, and I never felt overheated on my sprint intervals or long climbs.
The DLY Short 5” with the long brief liner has become one of my go-tos. The fit is comfortable, and the phone pocket is secure with no bouncing or chafing. The liner didn’t ride up at all, which is always a win. Paired with the GOCap, it’s an easy, all-day setup.
The hat is comfortable, breathable, and has excellent reflective detailing for early or late runs. I really appreciate the added visibility on these pieces, though I still make sure to wear a light to stay seen.
DLYLongsleeve
- Size: XS-XL
- Colors: 6
- Material: four-way stretch recycled polyester COOLmatic | PLUS SOLOmesh™ fabric
- Available from Cieleathletics.com for $85
DLYShort 5′ Long Brief
- Size: XS-XXL
- Colors: 9
- Material: 95% recycled polyester 5% elastane/ liner:78% nylon 22% elastane
- Pockets: 1 back pocket and a hidden key pocket
- Available from Cieleathletics.com for $90
GOCAP
- Size: M/L
- Colors: 1
- Material: fast-drying, anti odour, performance-ready COOLmatic | PLUS MIKRAmesh™ knit fabric.
- Available from Cieleathletics.com for $65
-John, Gear Tester
Swappable – Commbi Slippers
Truly unique idea behind these slippers. You can remove the soft footbed and slap it in to another pair of Commbi slippers or sandals, which cuts down on size for packing.
I snagged these as a cozy house slipper option for David, who we’ve realized does not do well barefoot. Likely because he has SUPER FLAT feet and therefore needs some support. The Commbi is not just a stylish option that he can also wear around, but has some great arch support.
These aren’t just another slipper, there is a ton of thought put into the design of this footbed to cup your heel, support your arch and give those toes plenty of room.
I’ll admit that the switching footbeds is an exciting piece, but I’m not terribly sure how much it would actually get used for us. There isn’t a way to buy the shoe without a footbed, so really the big option is if you want to buy additional footbeds to change the feel of it for certain seasons or outfits I suppose.
- Size: Women’s 5-12, Men’s 7-13
- Colors: 10
- Material: Sedona, Vegan Leather, Ashland, Sherpa and Shearling
- Footbeds: 6 colors/materials
- Available from Commbi.co for $235
-Amanda
Stylish Shades – Tifosi Vogel XC Sunglasses
I’m a newbie when it comes to runner-specific gear, so the Tifosi Vogel XC sunglasses are the first pair of dedicated runners’ shades I’ve ever tried.
The first thing I noticed during unboxing was how lightweight these glasses are. Weighing in at just 24 grams, I could hardly tell the frames were sitting on my nose during my runs.
I tested these glasses during short runs (2-5 miles) and long runs (longest topping out at 20 miles) that varied in temperature from 45 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I loved that these glasses didn’t slip or slide but mostly I appreciated that they didn’t fog up when my face would sweat.
I also like to run in areas that are shady, but usually I have to take my sunnies off and on to adjust for the differing brightness. With the Vogel XC’s, I could keep the glasses on and still see even in the darker shaded areas, which was a big plus!
I love that these have 100% UVA/UVB protection and I was able to use my headphones (Shokz OpenRun Pro) without any pinching or rubbing in the wrong places.
The only thing I didn’t love about these glasses was how they looked with the shape of my face. I have a more oval head and I didn’t feel like this style was the right fit for me.
Their website offers a wide range of shape options to choose from, and I’ve already found some that I think would suit my style better and provide the same benefits as the Vogel XCs.
- Colors: 6
- Available from Tifosioptics.com for $40
-Taylor, Gear Tester
Recovery Footwear – VELOUS Vernonia Slip-on
We’ve all been there; you peel off those shoes after a long run, and just walking around the house can feel like work. Enter: Recovery footwear!
Recovery footwear isn’t new, but it’s an expanding market as distance running becomes more and more popular. I’ve been basically living in my Hoka Recovery slides for years now, so I was excited to learn about a new-to-me player in the market and test their gear – Velous Footwear!
Velous Footwear is a recovery brand focused on sustainable design. Based in Portland, OR, the company aims to minimize environmental impact without sacrificing performance.
Their newest model, the Vernonia slip on has a sock-like upper, and features their proprietary Tri-motion technology, aimed to support your foot’s natural motion after those long runs and tough efforts.
While other recovery footwear I tried feels more like a standard shoe with some added support, these feel like pillows you can walk in.
For that reason, in my opinion, these are best used when you really need them and not all the time – the high stack and arch of the shoe make it a little awkward to walk around in if you’re just going about your business.
Looks-wise, these are not flashy, not offensive, your basic white or black slip on. For me, if the brand keeps this model in their line-up, it’d be nice to see a little more creativity in the design.
Price-wise, these are a little on the high-side at $134.95. The other major players in the recovery market, HOKA and Oofos have slip-on models in the $90-$100 range which feels a bit more digestible to me.
Overall, these feel great, and your feet will thank you in the long run – if you’re looking to invest in your recovery, with a sustainable brand, these could be a great fit for you!
- Size: unisex sizing
- Colors: 3
- Available from Velousfootwear.com for $135
-Kim, Gear Tester
There you have it, our November gear round-up! We hope you found something new to try out.
What to read next?
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