The Best 4th of July Running Gear (That Doubles as Team USA Cheering Gear!)
Shop July 4th–themed running apparel from your favorite running brands.
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The Fourth is a celebration of independence and freedom—and what’s more freeing than a sweaty, heart-pounding run outside in the fresh air? Whatever your reason for running, you might as well do it in style. This summer, celebrate the holiday with 4th of July running gear that includes patriotic shoes, apparel, and more.
Knockaround Star Spangled Sunglasses | $25
With blue fronts and red, white, and blue arms, plus white stars and stripes along each outside arm, these shades scream “I love the U.S.A.” They’re also polarized moonshine lenses with full UV400 protection, and won’t bounce or slip around on your face while you run, no matter how sweaty you get. A frame height of 52mm and width of 140mm make this classic silhouette ideal for small to medium sized head shapes and square, rectangular or oval faces.
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Hydroflask USA Limited Edition 32 oz Wide Mouth | $53
Hydrate all summer with the official water bottle of the USA Olympic surf team. Pour your cold drink in before leaving for your run, the gym, or the beach, and your drink will stay ice cold, no matter how smoked you get from the heat.
Brooks Launch 8 | $100
Brooks has never shied away from a themed shoe, and their limited-edition Launch 8 doesn’t disappoint with red and blue soles, laces, and cushioning, and stars and stripes on the logo. Aesthetics aside, the Launch 8 is a perfect middle-of-the-road running shoe that employs the brand’s BioMoGo DNA midsole cushioning for a bouncy, speedy ride that can go the distance. A new one-piece mesh upper takes off some weight for more breathable summer runs.
Brooks Tempo Hat |$20
Let freedom run. Stay shielded from the sun and run distraction-free for miles and miles in this sweat-wicking, super-lightweight hat.
BUFF USA Coolnet UV+ | $24
Bet you never thought you’d need as many buffs as the current world status calls for… This one can serve multiple purposes, whether you’re using it to keep your hair out of your eyes while running, blocking dust and dirt on the trail, or protecting yourself during a last-minute grocery run for cookout supplies. The moisture-wicking material blocks UV rays and manages odor, and features the perfect colorway for July 4.
Goldsheep Patriotic Stars U-Bra and Leggings | $60, $98
Made with a high-performance polyester-spandex blend fabric that’s also moisture wicking and quick drying to help keep you cool and comfortable, these pieces will feel like butter on your skin, even as you sweat. Perfect for a spin session or easy recovery jog around town.
Tracksmith Run Bra | $58
Another understated patriotic option, the Tracksmith Run Bra works especially well for the Fourth, but wouldn’t look out of place any other day of the year. Its muted navy and signature red and white racing stripe on the band stay true to the band’s retro roots. But there are two layers of highly compressive fabric that can stand up to tempo paces, and a racerback design offers added support.
Reebok Classics Cropped Vector Track Jacket | $75
Talk about a throwback. This Vector design was pulled from the archives to give this women’s cropped track jacket some old-school swagger. Pops of red, white, and blue make it perfect for catching late-night fireworks, or cheering on Team USA in Tokyo later this summer.
Mizuno Patriotic Tights | $50
This summer’s temperatures are predicted to be scorching, but if you’re the kind of runner who prefers leggings no matter what the thermometer says, you can’t go wrong with Mizuno’s lightweight, full-length tights with red and blue stripes. They’re moisture-wicking and have a back zip pocket for storage, and if you peek inside the waistband, you’ll see the phrase “United We Stand.”
BOA Interval Singlet | $32
OK, who knows your chances of ever donning a real Team USA singlet, but in the meantime, this will do the trick. BOA’s racerback tank is lightweight and breathable to keep you cool and fast, with offset seams and a dropped hem that prevent chafing and provide extra coverage. At the very least, you’ll feel like you could keep up with Aliphine Tuliamuk.
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Rossignol R-EXP Trail Running Belt | $40
Trail runners, rejoice. Now you can last even longer, while sporting some serious red, white, and blue pride. This Rossignol running belt offers space for water, gels and must-haves while you log the miles. At only 38 grams, the ultra-lightweight, stretch design includes a water flask pocket, a secure zip pocket and two side pockets, plus elastic straps that can secure poles when you’re not using them.
APL Women’s TechLoom Bliss | $200
The ultimate intersection of luxury and performance, the APL TechLoom Bliss running shoe is the lightest APL running shoe yet. Weighing in at 6.8 ounces with an 8mm drop stack height, it features a stunning slip on design and top-notch comfort. Wear them for casual runs, gym workouts, and walks around town. And in this red, white, and blue colorway, they’ll look just as good on the run as they will at your town’s fireworks celebration.
ASICS GEL-Cumulus 22 | $120
ASICS is known for unique color combos, but nothing is more tried and true than red, white, and blue. The newest update to a running favorite features a one-piece mesh upper that joins with a seamless 3D print construction for extra support. The brand’s FLYTEFOAM technology midsole is softer than ever, and the heel has been redesigned to better absorb impact. Plus, it’s 2 ounces lighter than the 21—weight that counts as the miles add up. These are technically last year’s models, but they’re still on sale, so snatch them up while you can.
Under Armour Freedom USA Tank | $25
It doesn’t get comfier than a loose cotton tank with USA printed in red, white, and blue. Under Armour’s tank is made from a super soft cotton blend (no chafing!), and has cute crossover straps with a keyhole cutout on the back. Wear it on your run or pair it with denim for your post-workout BBQ.
Adidas Americana Bucket Hat | $30
Bucket hats are back, baby. This adidas bucket hat honors America with a star-spangled Trefoil logo embroidered on the crown. Plus, it comes pre-washed for a soft, worn-in feel from the very first wear. Perfect for that post-run, sweaty-hair-don’t-care vibe as you hit the pool, beach, or backyard BBQ.
OluKai Ho‘ōpio sandals | $65
Give your feet some extra TLC outside of the hours you’re in your running shoes with a pair of sleek and comfortable sandals. These have water-resistant straps with a quick-drying jersey knit lining and a soft nylon toe post that deliver hours of comfort, plus an anatomical poured PU footbed with micro-texture for traction for endless support.
Putting Your 4th of July Running Gear to Use
Go for a run on a brutally hot, humid day, or log some miles at a higher elevation than you’re used to, and it feels like you’ve suddenly lost weeks of fitness progress. Heat puts your body under a serious amount of stress, which translates directly to your performance. Knowing what to expect—and how to adapt—can help you deal with the new stressors and keep training smart.
- Relax your pace: Everyone adapts on a different timeline, but you can acclimate to heat in about 10 days, says Lance Dalleck, PhD, an exercise physiologist and researcher with the High Altitude Exercise Physiology Program at Western Colorado University. To compensate, Dalleck recommends slowing your pace by 45 seconds to a minute per mile, or cutting a run short by a mile or two.
- Protect yourself: Great gear is one thing, but during hot, sunny days you need sun protection, too. Take it from American record holder in the marathon Deena Kastor, who has had melanoma three times and non-melanoma skin cancer countless others. “I think it’s important to take these measures: Having a great sunscreen, wearing a hat when you’re out there to protect your face, and also being very thoughtful about the clothing you’re wearing,” she says.
- Get shady: Looking for routes that have good tree cover and shade is one simple way to make a steamy run more manageable. (Going out early in the day or later in the evening when the sun intensity is at its lowest is another.) A good pair of sunglasses can also help reduce eye fatigue and make your runs that much more enjoyable. But since not all routes are the same, sunglasses, and sunglass lens types in particular, aren’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how to find the best pair for the road or the trail.
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