Kit & Gear

My Recommended Running Kit: Jake Smith

Want to know what kit the professional athletes are wearing?

We spoke to our SportsShoes.com athlete, Jake Smith, to find out more about his favourite pieces of running kit and top recommendations on what to wear for training and racing.

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Jake has taken the world of athletics by storm over the last 12 months, finishing 18th in the World Half Marathon Championships in Poland, 2020. In what was his first senior race for Great Britain, he recorded a phenomenal debut time of 1:00:36 to post the third fastest time ever recorded by a British athlete over the distance, only eclipsed by distance running greats Mo Farah and Callum Hawkins.

Jake has recently recovered from a long-term Achilles injury, but is now back training as he aims to run 27:28 for 10K distance and earn GB qualification for the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.

Check out our Q&A with Jake Smith, to learn more about his incredible achievements so far and find out who and what inspires him the most.

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TOP-TO-TOE FROM THE PRO

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INOV8 STORMSHELL FULL ZIP RUNNING JACKET

This jacket provides the perfect balance of lightweight performance and fantastic design. With a 20,000HH rating, it’s my preferred choice of jacket for wet weather training, because it helps to keep me dry without weighing me down during a run. I particularly like the high collar and adjustable hood, which ensures a personalised fit and better protection from the wind and rain. Depending on how many layers you plan to wear underneath, I would opt for a slightly smaller size, as I found this jacket to be a slightly bigger fit than most.

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NIKE AEROSWIFT NN RUNNING VEST

Without a doubt, this is probably the nicest vest/singlet I have ever worn. This lightweight singlet delivers mobility for sessions. The open-hole design helps keep me very cool and is actually made up of 75% recycled polyester. This innovative vest wicks moisture away from my skin to keep me feeling comfortable and dry at all times. I love the look of this vest and when paired with the Nike Aeroswift shorts (below), it looks incredible. I will be constantly wearing it during the summer season, whether I have a race or session on the track.

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NIKE AEROSWIFT 4 INCH RUNNING SHORTS

These running shorts are extremely comfortable and are perfect for both racing and training sessions. The sweat-wicking technology and a ventilated waistband help keep me dry during exercise. They are designed to keep you cool and the Dri-FIT technology keeps me dry for as long as I need.

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UNDER ARMOUR COOLSWITCH RUN V2 RUNNING TIGHTS

These are my all-time favourite running tights. They are extremely comfortable to wear and made from material that pulls heat away from your skin, making you feel cool and able to perform for longer periods of time. These compression tights provide added support and mobility in any direction allowing me to move without any restriction. These reflective running tights are soft on the skin too and really help with blood flow to the major muscles. I wear these for warmup and when my legs are sore after a hard training session to increase the recovery process. I also love the colour too as they match lots of the shoes I already own. As they keep your legs warm prior to a training session, I always feel even more ready to run hard.

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NIKE YOGA DRI-FIT PANTS

These Nike Yoga Dri-Fit pants, available in both black & grey, are made from a soft, light layer of material that is extremely comfortable to wear. They wick away sweat effectively to help you stay dry during exercise, whilst keeping you cool and comfortable during everyday activities. The elastic waistband sits comfortably against my skin and I highly recommend them for anyone looking for a versatile pant to wear before, during and after exercise.

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 27 TOKYO RUNNING SHOES

These shoes are extremely cushioned and supported as they are engineered to provide incredible comfort. Reading the product description on the Sportsshoes website, I totally agree with the quote 'the mesh acts as a lightweight second skin, providing a supportive and comfortable fit'. Since November I have struggled with a bad achilles injury and am going through the rehab stage since having an injection 3 weeks ago now. These shoes also provide a bigger heel drop reducing the stress on this tendon, in each stride, and the heel counter really helps to secure my rearfoot during exercise. The main cushioning compound used in this shoe is known as Flytefoam which allows for high energy return. This compound also protects you from unnecessary stress and fatigue, which I totally agree with and am happy to use for my recovery/easy runs during the build-up towards the Olympic 10K Qualifiers. I also like the look of these bright red shoes and they fit perfectly around my foot. Wearing these shoes gives me the confidence to know that my achilles and feet are both very protected. They do feel very wide too, which is convenient for those individuals wanting slightly wider fit. I would recommend these shoes for easy and recovery runs, especially for people who have, or have had a history of achilles problem.

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You can follow Jake and all of his running adventures here.

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Interested in the latest shoes, apparel and technology? Then head over to our Kit & Gear category for more reviews, tips, advice and product releases.