Getting ready for a racecation? Here is a roundup of the runner travel gear you need to pack to make running on vacation enjoyable without extra luggage.
You’re heading on vacation or traveling for a destination race. What do you actually need to pack, and how do you avoid bringing a bunch of stuff you’ll never use?
Coach Amanda is a pro at fitting everything into a carry-on. I’m the opposite and still tend to overpack because you just never know what you might need while traveling!
But when suitcase space is limited, you have to be a little more strategic. What can you pack that doesn’t take up a ton of room, but can pull double duty and make your travel day a whole lot easier?
We’ve pulled together some of our favorite travel essentials that are actually worth making room for in your suitcase… or carry-on.
Runner Travel Gear Round Up
Ok, so you’ve made your packing list, and now your head is spinning.
You need race-day gear, travel clothes, regular clothes, something comfortable for exploring, and, somehow, it all needs to fit in a bag you can actually carry.
That’s where packing gear that can do it all comes in handy. Pretty much everything on the list below can be used in multiple ways, whether you’re heading out for a shakeout run, to an amusement park, or recovering after race day.
Pack what’s important, leave behind the things you probably won’t use, and maybe you’ll even have a little extra room to bring home some goodies from your racecation or vacation spot.
For Your Carry On
GoRuck Bag
Instead of trying to make a regular backpack work and getting frustrated when you inevitably run out of room, we love a bag with plenty of pockets and compartments.
Having a designated spot for your shoes, race day gear, electronics, snacks, and all those other travel essentials makes it much easier to stay organized.
Plus, you won’t have to unpack your entire bag at the airport just to find that one thing you need.
Bags from GoRuck are built to handle being tossed around during travel, whether they’re going in the overhead bin or getting shoved under the seat in front of you.
They also have plenty of pockets and compartments to keep everything organized, so you’re not digging through your entire bag every time you need something or go through airport security.
Pack all your race-day essentials in your carry-on so you don’t arrive at your race destination only to find your luggage missing. Nothing is worse than running a race in all-new gear… nothing new on race day, right?!
- Available in 15L, 20L and 26L
- Multiple zippers to keep everything safe and secure
- Laptop compartment
- Perfect Travel Size: TSA Compliant
- 3 internal pockets, 3 rows of external and internal MOLLE webbing
- Extra Padded Shoulder straps and top handle to carry heavier loads more comfortably
- Opens Flat making it easier to pack and organize
- Check it out from Goruck.com starting at $395
RIPT Noise Canceling Headphones
Airports and planes are loud, and all that constant noise can add more stress to your travel day than you realize.
A good pair of noise-canceling headphones, like these from RIPT, can help you tune everything out and actually relax or maybe even sleep during your next flight.
It’s one of those small things that can make a big difference in helping you feel a little more rested and relaxed when you land.
The last thing you want is to start your racecation with your stress levels even higher than they may already be thanks to those pre-race jitters.
Whether you’re traveling for a racecation or want to tune out the noise around you at the gym, these noise-canceling headphones are a great option.
They may look a little bulky, but they’re surprisingly lightweight and comfortable.
The padding around the ear cups and headband is soft enough to wear during long flights, workdays, or strength sessions without causing discomfort.
You can connect them to your phone, laptop, or tablet via Bluetooth, making them just as useful for listening to music and audiobooks as for watching movies on the plane.
- Microphone Included, Noise Cancellation, Sports & Exercise, Volume Control
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Battery life: 50 hours
- Noise control: Active Noise Cancellation
- Colors: 2 available
- Available from Amazon.com for $249
Moisturizing Sunscreen
This is one you probably have not thought about and is also easy to forget.
If you’re flying and the window shades are up, when you doze off for a nap the sun could be shining directly on your face. That’s a whole lot of exposure and as someone who spends a lot of miles outdoors, we want to protect that skin. Coach Amanda SWEARS by this brand for running, but also just for daily use.
Toss a small tube or stick of sunscreen in your carry-on and actually remember to use it, especially for those longer flights when you’re heading somewhere warm and sunny. 
One of our favorites is the ELTA MD because it combines sun protection and a moisturizer in one. Plus, tinted options are available that act like a foundation…again, gear that plays double duty!
We have a full list of the best sunscreen where you can check out other options. But we love this one because it’s easy to throw in your bag, and you won’t have to deal with it popping open due to the plane’s air pressure.
Protein Bars
Don’t get caught in a situation where you become hangry.
Flight delays happen, connections get missed, and airport food options can be hit-or-miss.
Having a couple of protein bars in your bag means you always have something to grab when an unexpectedly long travel day leaves you hungry.
Look for an option with a good balance of protein and carbs to help keep you satisfied until you can sit down for an actual meal.
And if you’ve already started carb loading for your race, pack ALL the snacks.
Don’t rely on the airport to have the food or the amount of carbs you need to stick to your fueling plan.
Coach Amanda’s long-time go-to is Aloha Bars; you’ll always find these in her purse, backpack, or carry-on. That’s not an exaggeration, she has tested so many bars and just LOVES these for flavor and ingredients, so they go everywhere.
These bars are nutrient-dense with at least 14 grams of protein and healthy fats to help fuel your body. The bars are low in sugar, gluten-free, certified vegan, USDA Organic, and Non-GMO Project verified. Another plus is the sheer number of flavors.
If you’ve never had these before, check out the sample pack where you can select 6 flavors to try. You’ll get 2 of each flavor for a 12-bar package.
Aloha also offers mini bars that are perfect for traveling with 6 grams of protein, protein drinks with 20 grams of protein and prebiotics, and protein powders with 18 grams of protein.
A 12-pack of bars runs about $32.99 if ordered directly from the Aloha website ( discount with this link auto applied). These are also available on Amazon and in a wide variety of grocery stores.
Must Bring Running Gear
Wool Apparel
Yep, you read that correctly: pack wool apparel.
And no, we’re not talking about the fuzzy wool socks you throw on during the winter. Merino wool is one of those fabrics that can do it all, making it a great option when you’re trying to pack light.
It’s naturally odor-resistant, so we won’t tell anyone if you get a few wears out of the same shirt while traveling.
It also helps regulate body temperature, which means the same piece can work for everything from chilly mornings to warm afternoons.
Basically, Merino wool is a little travel hack for when you need extra space in your suitcase to bring home vacation souvenirs.
A few of our favorite wool pieces worth packing are in our breakdown of the best wool running gear, and if you don’t believe us about packing wool, check out why wool is the new go-to performance fabric.
Running Belt
If you’re wearing shorts or pants with no pockets (who does that?), you’re probably asking yourself, where do you put all your stuff?
Between your phone, hotel key, and maybe a gel or two for a longer run, a running belt keeps everything together without taking up much room in your suitcase.
Plus, you can use it for sightseeing or exploring after your run when you don’t want to carry around a bigger backpack.
We couldn’t narrow it down to just one, so we actually have a full list of the best running belts. There’s a good variety of options, so you’re sure to find something that fits your style.
Does it all Shoe- On Cloudsurfer 2
If there’s one gear swap that can save you some serious suitcase space, it’s packing a single pair of shoes that can handle both your runs and a full day of sightseeing.
Gasp, yes, I know. Only packing one pair of shoes. I’ve been told it can be done!
The On Cloudsurfer 2 is one of our go-to recommendations for exactly this.
It has enough cushion to keep your feet comfortable while you’re racking up the steps exploring a new city, but it’s still versatile enough to head out for a run when you need to get some miles in.
You’ll find it on so many of our best-of lists because it’s a shoe that provides all-day comfort and, honestly, should be at the top of your travel list.
- Weight: 9.2 oz Men’s, 7.9 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 9mm
- Stack Height: 32mm
- Usage: Daily trainer
- 4 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available at On.com for $160
- Read our full review of the On Cloudsurfer 2 here >>
For Recovery
Mini Massage Gun
Hotel rooms aren’t exactly known for having a ton of extra space, and finding enough room on the floor to use a foam roller can be a challenge.
That’s where a mini massage gun comes in handy. It takes up less room in your suitcase and lets you target those tight spots that need a little extra attention (hello calves after sitting on a plane for hours!).
We’ve recommended packing a foam roller as an important post-race recovery essential, but consider a mini massage gun a more travel-friendly option.
Plus, did you also know that you can often use your HSA funds to purchase gear like massage guns?
The Theragun Mini is available from Amazon.com for $219 and comes in multiple colors.
We also have a full list of some of the best budget-friendly massage guns if you’re looking for other options; just keep in mind that not all of them are TSA-approved.
CEP Compression Socks
They may be a little annoying to put on, but compression socks can improve blood flow and circulation, which is especially helpful when you’re sitting for long periods or focusing on recovery.
And they can pull double duty on your next trip.
Wear them on the plane while you’re sitting for hours, then pull them back on after the race when it’s time to focus on recovery.
They also come in both tall, sleeves, and no-show options, so you can pick the style that works best for your travel day and race plans.
CEP is one of our go-to brands for everything and anything compression. It’s good quality, lasts a long time, and doesn’t lose its compression.
Check out our full list of the best compression socks to see all the different options available for tall, no-show, and even compression sock sleeves.
Electrolytes
Flying can leave you more dehydrated than you might expect,
Between the low humidity in the cabin, rushing through the airport, and trying to remember everything else, it’s pretty easy to completely forget to drink some water.
Pack some electrolyte powder to add to your water, and make a point of sipping throughout your travel day.
Especially if you’re heading to a race, you want to stay on top of your hydration instead of landing and immediately trying to play catch-up before you even get to the start line.
A lot of brands make super easy on-the-go packets that you can throw into your carry-on vs packing a questionable zip-loc bag and getting questioned by TSA.
Here are a few of the electrolytes we love to travel with:
Well, there you have it, our runner travel gear round-up!
We hope this list helped ease some of your what to pack anxiety and gave you a few ideas for gear that can pull double duty without taking up your entire suitcase.
Is there one item you never travel to a race without? Let us know below.
Looking for what to read next?
- 6 Unexpected Marathon Travel Tips For Your Best Race
- Long Flight Tips: An Active Traveler’s Guide to the Carry-On
- Inside the Most Exclusive Running Club: 8 World Marathon Majors Explained
The post Packing for a Vacation or Destination Race? Here’s the Gear that Deserves Space in Your Bag appeared first on RunToTheFinish.
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