Jon Glaser’s Favorite Gear | Best Running Gear 2019 – Runner’s World

Gear isn’t the only thing Jon Glaser loves—the actor-comedian also has a heart for running. On the heels of the season two finale of his hit reality show Jon Glaser Loves Gear, he appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where he dished on his next race: a trail half marathon in May. Glaser has already begun training for the event, which included his run to Fallon’s studio.

“I’m running the North Face Race at Bear Mountain in New York—doing the half marathon length. I ran the 10K last spring and had a lot of fun, but then I tried a trail half last fall and it was brutal. It almost felt harder than running the NYC marathon, which I did two years ago,” Glaser recounts.

“It was still a lot of fun, and really beautiful—but very hard. I think that’s because I stupidly undertrained and stupidly underestimated just how hard it would be, so hopefully I’ll be better prepared this time,” he adds.

For Glaser, that means better training—and even better running gear to match. Here are just a few of his favorite things he always keeps on hand (and foot).

Ultimate Direction Mountain Ultra Vest 4.0

“I love my running vest, which is an Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0,” Glaser says. “It’s very comfortable, I love how it fits, and it has really good storage and design.” (The 4.0 has easy-access zip pockets on the straps, trekking pole holders, and comes loaded with two collapsible water bottles.) “And I love how it looks,” he adds, “which is secondary but of course still a factor!”

CEP Compression Socks

Glaser flashed these compression socks on his recent appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in March. This pair has a nice, tight squeeze that boosts blood flow through the calves for better runs and recovery.

Nike Pro Compression Shorts

A solid base layer is a staple against chafing, and that’s where this pair of compression shorts comes in. Whether you’re running a marathon—or just to Jimmy Fallon’s studio— they’ll keep you cool and comfy.

Hoka One One Speedgoat 3

“I really like the Speedgoats, as well as an old pair of Challengers, version 3. Overall, I’ve found that I prefer a little more cushion off road,” Glaser says. “Even with all that cushion, they still feel fairly responsive without feeling too rigid, and also without feeling too mushy—which I don’t like.”

Altra Escalante 1.5

While Glaser prefers more cushioning for trail runs, he digs a flatter shoe for street and sidewalk jaunts. “I run road in Altra Escalantes. I love them—really love the wide toe box,” he says. “I’ve been meaning to try some Timps to see how a little more cushion felt.”

Ciele Athletics Polartec GOCap

Glaser topped off his look on Fallon with a toasty Polartec fleece cap from Ciele. For warmer weather runs, you can snag the same sweat-wicking lid in even more colors—but without the wool.

Adidas Own the Run Shorts

“I have a couple old pairs of black Adidas running shorts that I like. They’re very simple looking, and I also like they way they’re cut on the sides. They aren’t flat across—I don’t like how that looks,” he says. “And I think they’re 5 inches, which is my preferred length running short.”

Nomad Unsinkable Sunglasses

Glaser wore a pair of Reflekt Nomads when he appeared on Fallon, and these specs work just as well for trail running as they do for dimming bright lights on the set. The polarized lenses are guaranteed to stay afloat if you drop them on a creek crossing.

The North Face Better Than Naked Shorts

“If I’m wearing shorts over tights, I like [to wear] something a little shorter,” says Glaser. “I have an old pair of North Face Better Than Naked shorts that I love in this electric blue color. They’re a little smaller, I think they’re 3 inches.” The price might feel a bit steep, but The North Face arms this pair with a worthy quick-drying liner, multiple pockets, and a lifetime guarantee.

Garmin fēnix 5 Watch

“I have an older Garmin Fenix 3. It’s the watch that’s “too much watch” from my Gear show. It’s a great watch, but it’s several years old now, and of course every year there’s something newer and cooler that comes out,” Glaser says. The fēnix 5 is the latest version available, and it certainly is swanky. The watch boasts a barometric altimeter, full training and form analysis, and up to two weeks of battery life—all wrapped up in a sleek stainless steel bezel.

Zensah Arm Sleeves

“I have a very old pair of Trek cycling arm warmers that I got as a Secret Santa gift,” Glaser says. While they’re really intended for biking, he says they still get the job done on runs. This pair from Zensah uses a very similar compressive design, but is better suited for running, and packs stellar UPF 50+ sun protection.

Marmot Minimalist Jacket

“I have a very old Marmot windstopper jacket that has pit zips,” Glaser says. (Pit zips are strategically placed vents in a jackets’ underarms for improved breathability.) “It’s a great layering piece, and also cinches at the waist, as well as right above the waist, and at the neck. I can’t get rid of it.”

Zeal Radium ”Shades”

“Sometimes the line between me and my ‘a**hole TV self’ blurs in a way that is very unsettling, and saying ‘shades’ was one of them,” Glaser laughs. On or off camera, he still loves these sunglasses from Zeal, which feature a plant-based resin frame, polarized scratch-resistant lenses, and an extra grippy rubber nosepiece.

A Good Postrun Sub Sandwich

Skip Dean

“If I could teleport any sandwich place to the finish line, it would either be City Subs, Court Street Grocers, or Potbelly,” Glaser says. “I’d celebrate with a long hard nap when I get home, and then later that week with an hour-long full body massage, followed by an hour-long scalp massage.”