Essential backpacks & hydration vests

The Runner’s World team are always sweating the details as we put the latest gear through its paces. Our collective efforts have road-and trail-tested hundreds of products over the past year, and now we’ve compared notes and pored over the data to hand-pick the best of the best. Over the following pages, you’ll find the stand-out kit that has enhanced our running in 2025, all lined up on the red carpet to claim the coveted gongs in the various categories of our annual Gear Awards

From binocs to balms, comfy seats to crunchy snacks: a celebration of little treats that make all the difference.

Water, fuel, recovery shoes, spare clothes… need somewhere to put all your race-day kit? Here’s our pick of multi-compartment backpacks

Kit reviews from Britain’s most experienced gear-testing team. Here, Francesca Donovan and David Linternn focus on two innovative new outdoor products

SIX OF THE BEST

From a laptop-laden commute to an epic ...