8 Running Essentials of Summer 2012

Arc’teryx Incendo

On windy runs, Arc’teryx’s 4.2-ounce nylon Incendo jacket blocked the breeze, never left us feeling stuffy, and packed away to almost nothing when we didn’t need it.

Saucony Performance Shorts

Saucony’s four-inch polyester Performance shorts are featherweight and simple with a silky-smooth built-in liner—basically, all we’ve ever wanted from a pair of running shorts.

The North Face Better Than Naked

We liked the long, sun-blocking brim on North Face’s meshy, breathable Better Than Naked Hat, although runners with smaller heads said it hit their ears when pulled tight.

Patagonia Gamut Shirt

Testers praised how Patagonia’s nearly seamless, partially recycled Gamut shirt felt against their skin, and they loved the company’s anti-odor Gladiator treatment, which hung tough through long runs—and laundry lapses.

Pearl Izumi Sun Sleeves

Pearl Izumi’s Sun Sleeves kept our forearms warm on early-morning runs down to 40 degrees, while the breathable UPF-40, mostly nylon fabric meant we could wear them on milder days for sun protection too.

Sole Lightweight Sport Ankle Socks

Sole’s Lightweight Sport ankle socks slipped on smoothly, and the thin Lycra-blend material was highly breathable on warm days.

Native Blanca Sunglasses

Springy frames and adjustable nose pads and temple grips kept Native’s polarized Blanca sunglasses firmly in place in all conditions. Swapping in the included low-light lens is a snap.

Camelbak Ultra LR Vest

Weighing just over a pound when empty, CamelBak’s Ultra LR vest wasn’t the lightest hydration pack we tested, but its slosh-free 70-ounce bladder wrapped around our hips, making it the most comfortable for long days on the trail.