Sportswear can be blooming expensive. It also takes a hell of a beating and can need replacing far more often than you’d like.
Socks is one thing that I seem to get through like they’re going out of fashion. I’d never actually managed to wear a hole in a pair of socks before I started with this exercise lark, now I swear they’re falling apart on a weekly basis. Sports bras is another, the hooks fall off and the elastic starts to go, I’ve even actually repaired them, and I’m not one of lifes repairers.
Wether it’s leggings that are wearing thin, running shoes that need replacing or sports socks that your toes poke through it’s time to stock up. The January sales is a good time to take advantage of the “New Year, New Me” special offers and stock up on some fitness essentials in the sales to see you through the rest of the year.
Here are some of my essential picks that it’s worth picking up in the sales!
Compression Leggings
Compression leggings are supposed to be excellent for supporting muscles and improving recovery. I have a Skins pair and a 2XU pair and I love them, however, they can cost around the £70-£100 mark. That’s lots, buy last seasons in the sale, are there even seasons in sportswear?
Clockwise from top left:
2XU Women’s 3/4 Compression Tights £70 £45
2XU Women’s Compression Tights £75 £44.99
Skins Women’s Pacer A200 3/4 Tights £60 £30
2XU Women’s Recovery Compression Tights £95 £59.99
2XU Women’s Compression Shorts £50 £32.98
Sports Bras
I remember going out to buy my first proper running bra and nearly having a heart attack at the price. They were nearly £50, so I bought one for £10 from Primark and it was rubbish. I now swear by Shock Absorber bras for running and I always track them down in the sale!
Clockwise from top left:
Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra in Grey/Coral £42 £17.95
Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra Twin Pack £84 £37.80
Panache Non-Wired Sports Bra £38 £25.95
Under Armour Mid Impact Sports Bra £19.99 £16.99
Sports Socks
Once I discovered the delights of proper sports socks with supportive arches and cushioning in the bits where there is supposed to be cushioning and special sweat wicking materials I was sold forever. They are, however, expensive, as socks go, and wear out probably the fastest of all my sports kit.
Here are some good sports socks in the sale!
Clockwise from Top Left:
Asics Tech Running Socks £11.99 £2.99
Karrimor Marathon Socks £11.99 £5.99
Salomon XA Pro 2 Pack £19.99 £9.99
Nike Elite Running Cushion Crew £10 £5.50
Hilly Cushion Socklet £9.99 £5.99
Running Shoes
A few months after I started running I went to get my gait tested and buy myself a new pair of running shoes. They cost me about £80 (mostly because they only ones they had cheaper were pink. WHY ALL THE PINK RUNNING SHIT?). I was told apparently I needed to buy a new pair every 500 miles, at the time I was running 30-50 miles and investing in a new pair of shoes once a year seemed a lot at £80. Fortunately I don’t care if my running shoes are last seasons or not so it’s easy to nab a bargain in the sales.
Clockwise from Top Left:
Saucony Jazz Women’s Running Shoes (neutral) £84.99 £42.49
Mizuno Wave Inspire 12 Women’s Running Shoes (stability) £109.99 £65.99
Asics Women’s GT 1000 (stability) £100 £54.99
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Zante V2 (neutral) £95 £49.87
HAPPY SHOPPING!
