The Runner’s Toolkit

Running Gear Lab
Reviews and Training Tools for Everyday Runners

Choose the right running shoes, compare GPS watches, build a race plan, and get coach backed advice from real running experience.

Find Your Gear → Read Our Guides
15+ Years Running
7 Free Tools
50+ Races Run
100+ Athletes Helped
Most Popular

Find your Shoe

Find the right shoe, then read the reviews that back up the recommendation.

Running Shoe Finder Best Shoes for Arch Support Shoe Reviews
Explore → New

Training

Build a personalized plan and find the guides that make it work.

Training Plan Creator Marathon Pacer Guide What is a PR
Explore → Favorite

Watches

Match your GPS watch to your training style, then compare the top models.

Running Watch Finder Garmin Forerunner 165 Review Watch Reviews
Explore → Find a Race

Races

Browse marathons and find the guides to get you to the start line ready.

Marathon Finder First Marathon Guide Race Day Checklist
Explore →
Free Tools

Train smarter, not just harder

Running Gear Lab is built by a coach and lifelong endurance athlete with experience in triathlon, marathons, trail running, and Ironman racing. The goal is simple: help runners choose gear that fits their body, training, and budget without overcomplicating the process. I offer free advice and tools to help athletes complete their goals.

Running Race Training Plan Creator

A personalized, periodized training plan generated in seconds. Built on the same principles I use coaching real athletes.

  • Adapts to your experience, race date, and goal time
  • VDOT-based pace zones & 80/20 intensity balance
  • Marathon, half, 10K, 5K, plus Couch-to-5K and Couch-to-10K
  • Built-in strength training & printable weekly schedule
Build Your Plan →

Running Shoe Finder

Find the perfect shoe for your foot, gait, and training needs in just a few questions.

Find Your Shoe

Running Watch Finder

Match the right GPS watch to your training, budget, and goals. No more guesswork.

Find Your Watch

Marathon Finder

Browse marathons by date, location, and difficulty. Find your next race goal.

Find a Race

More Free Tools

Pace calculator, race predictor, VO₂ max estimator, heart rate zones, and more — all free.

View All Tools
Top Gear Picks
Tested and coach-approved · Amazon affiliate links
Best Seller
Socks
Balega Blister Resist Performance Socks
My Favourite Socks
Amazon → Top Pick
GPS Watch
Garmin Forerunner 165
My Current Watch
Amazon → Editor’s Pick
Daily Trainer
Brooks Ghost 16
Best neutral trainer for most runners
Amazon →
From The Lab

Latest Guides

View all →
01 Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet
Shoes →
02 How to Build Your First Marathon Training Plan
Training →
03 Best Garmin GPS Watches for Marathon Training
Watches →
04 How to Prevent the Most Common Running Injuries
Health →
05 The 80/20 Rule: Why Most of Your Runs Should Feel Easy
Training →
Justin running
About

Hi, I’m Justin.

I’ve spent the last decade chasing finish lines. From Olympic distance triathlons to full Ironmans, road marathons to trail running. Along the way I became a triathlon coach, because I love helping other runners figure out what actually works.

RunningGearLab exists to help other runners. The tools here are built from real coaching experience and tested on real athletes, including me.

Triathlon Coach Ironman Finisher Marathon Runner 10+ Years Racing