Dreading training through the hot summer months? We’ve rounded up a few things to help make summer running feel a little more manageable.

From gear that helps keep you cool to products that simply make training a little easier, our team pulled together some favorites for the month of June.

If there’s a brand you think we need to try, drop us a comment!! Or have you tried one of these, let us know we’re always looking for more feedback on what’s working and what’s not.

The North Face Summit Series Pacesetter 3″ Short

The North Face Summit Series Pacesetter 3” Short is a lightweight short that I could easily do any long run in.  

I was able to test these shorts in everything from a cold downpour and hail to wind to blistering sun all in one run thanks to spring time in Colorado.  And if I had to run in all these conditions again I would pick these shorts.  Although I still can’t decide if they are high rise shorts or mid-rise shorts.  

north face pace setter shorts

The secured zipper pocket on the back of the waistband was big enough to hold my phone and keys. With the mesh side pockets able to hold any gels or dog treats (the important things).  Plus the adjustable draw cord to keep these shorts from sagging when loaded with the phone, keys, and dog treats.

The LIGHTRANGE fabric is extremely light, so much that being in between sizes I might have sized down to keep the backside from being so flowy.  But also with this, the Pacesetter shorts with their DWR finish repelled water and were dry so quickly after being caught in a downpour. 

-Aimee, Gear Tester

Smartwool Active Ultralite Crop Tank

Never did I think I’d find myself reaching for wool in the summer, but this has easily become my favorite tank top lately.

I get hot really easily, so I’m pretty picky about what I wear, especially during hot Colorado summer runs and hikes.

The Smartwool Ultralite Crop Tank is super lightweight, breathable, and honestly just really comfortable to wear. One thing I noticed right away is that it didn’t even leave me feeling super sweaty or smelly after hours outside.

And don’t let the word “crop” scare you off. The fit feels just right, not too short, not too tight, and not overly baggy either.smartwool ultralite tank

Wool is actually a great material to wear during the summer since it helps with moisture management. Smartwool has a bunch of summer gear you should definitely check out.

-Stacey, RTTF Coach and Gear Tester

FP Movement x Merrell Hut Moc 2 Packable Slip-on Sneakers

The FP Movement x Merrell Hut Moc 2 Packable Slip-On Sneakers are perfect for the ‘in-between’ moments in life.

Something to grab after a run, wear around a campsite after a hike, slide on during post-workout recovery mode, keep in your car for quick swaps out of muddy shoes, wear for some quick errands, or throw on while making your way through an airport.

They’d also be great during a team relay between legs, giving your feet a break from running shoes while still feeling substantial and more comfy. They are lightweight, versatile, comfortable, and easy to pack around. 

These slip-on shoes feature a unique, zip-together design. They zip up smoothly and easily, and can then be connected using an included carabiner to clip them onto a pack or belt loop.

The added weight of these feather light shoes attached to a bag is barely noticeable, and you can even stash a clean pair of socks inside of them so you’re all set to go when you want them! 

FP x Merrell

Although I found the appearance of the quilted upper and the zipper running around the entire top of the shoe a bit quirky at first, the comfort won me over once I gave them a try.

Walking in them felt smooth, stable, and comfortable. I liked the flexibility of being able to pull them fully on over my heel for a more secure and all around fit, or just step into them with the collapsible microfiber back folded down when I needed to slip them on quickly and get going.

The Hut Moc 2 Packable Slip-On Sneakers only come in full sizes, so I sized up a half size from my usual and wore thick socks. 

These shoes have a strong, but flexible, ripstop upper. Double stretch gore makes putting them on and taking them off easy. They are treated with Cleansport NXT for natural odor control. Underneath, the FloatPro foam midsole offers a soft step without a lot of added bulk. And the EVA outsole gives a good amount of structure and grip for everyday use.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the small “clink” sound the zipper pull tab made as I walked, but it wasn’t a big deal.

At times, I also wished the top of the tongue area felt a bit smoother or more padded for added comfort, but overall, the fit still felt really good. These aren’t shoes I would wear for a technical trail hike, training run, or use for an all day activity. But they are a handy option for plenty of ‘on-the-go’ short-term needs.

-Beth, Gear Tester

FP Movement Buckel Scrunchies

Part of the Buckle Scrunchies line, Buckle Hair Ties by FP Movement offer a simple solution to removing hairbands after a workout without tangling, pulling, or breaking hair in the process. I was impressed with how easy they were to use, how securely they held my ponytail, and how removing them was pain-free.

I have thick, wavy, fairly long hair. And I currently run about 5 days a week.

I don’t want to think about how my hair feels when I’m running. I need hair ties that are strong, don’t slide around, and do as little damage to my hair as possible.

I was able to put Buckle Hair Ties to the test through many training runs and during a handful of regular errand days as well.

When I’ve used regular hairbands during a run or workout, I’ve always needed to use two to keep everything secure. But these Buckle Hair Ties are already designed as a dual-band, which is perfect for what I need.

FP buckle scrunchies

FP Movement claims their elastic Buckle Hair Ties are quick-release and zero-tangle. I found this was almost always the case.

I only had one instance where the hairband got randomly wound around the buckle and wouldn’t come free right away, but it was easy enough to fix.

To use these hair ties, click the buckle closed, wrap the band around your hair as usual, then simply release the buckle to remove it. No need to slide the hairband over messy, sweaty, post-workout hair!

After some trial and error, I found that I preferred keeping the buckle section still against my hair while wrapping the elastic segment around my ponytail, so my hand wouldn’t rub against the plastic as I finished securing the hair tie.

In short, these hair ties delivered a strong, comfortable hold and made post-workout removal refreshingly simple.

-Beth, Gear Tester

Garden Cup

If you’re looking for a way to make nutrition a little bit easier, these grab-and-go options from Garden Cup are perfect.

These grab-and-go options help you hit your protein all in one container without needing meal prep or getting a bunch of ingredients.

Order weekly or bi-weekly from over 40 cup combos so you’re not always stuck eating the same thing.

garden cup
image from @gardencuplife

Instead of stressing about spending hours meal prepping, Garden Cups make meal planning easier.

We also love that everything is recyclable. The box, liners, cups, and everything can be recycled or even sent back to Garden Cup for sanitization and reuse.

  • Over 40 different options available
  • 4 meal options: best sellers, macro master, veggie delight, and build your own
  • 6 or 9 pack options
  • Delivered weekly or bi-weekly
  • Available from Gardencup.com 

-Coach Amanda

Is there a piece of gear you’ve been dying to know about or an area you’d love to see us focus on? You know the drill: drop a note below, and we’ll be happy to get the team on it if we can!

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