Once upon a time, a brand-new runner set out on their very first run. Their shoes were too stiff, their shirt was itchy, and their shorts… well, let’s just say they learned the hard way about chafing. Then one magical day, they discovered this list — gear tested over hundreds of miles, in sunshine, in rain, and in those dark early mornings when bed felt far too comfortable. Each piece had been worn, loved, and proven worthy by yours truly (you can spot them all over my Instagram). And so, the runs became smoother. The miles felt lighter. Smiles showed up more often than grimaces. The runner realized that with the right gear, every step could feel a little bit like happily ever after.