Hiya im a fashion student from DeMontfort University Leicester, i am currently designing sportswear for runners at all levels. I'd like to know what people like to wear when they run in races and in training.

- Colour- do you choose a colour that will help you be seen by drivers or at night? Do you look for reflective clothing?
- Do you prefer fitted clothing? e.g. leggings or tracksuit bottoms.
- Types of fabrics
- How does your race wear compare to your training gear?

I would really appreciate your opinions they will help me to achieve the best out of my designs.
(could you please tell me if you are male or female to help me compare opinions)

I prefer darker colours with reflective strips. I'm not a fan of fluorescent clothing.

Fitted. Keeps me warmer and is more comfortable to run in.

Anything breathable.

I wear the same clothing for races with the addition of my club vest.

Male

Agree with all the above. Not a huge fan of fluo stuff. Fitted is good (esp the fitted tops from Concurve). Has to be breathable although for short runs in the winter I'm not too fussed - will wear cotton T-shirt if the rest is in the laundry basket.

- Colour- do you choose a colour that will help you be seen by drivers or at night? Do you look for reflective clothing?

Both... some of my training gear is reflective and some is bright or fluorescent, the main thing is that I can be seen by traffic, especially as I run mainly in country lanes.

- Do you prefer fitted clothing? e.g. leggings or tracksuit bottoms.

yep, I prefer lycra shorts and leggings as opposed to normal shorts and tracksuits. Although tops need to be a little looser

- Types of fabrics

It has to be a wicking fabric.

- How does your race wear compare to your training gear?

I have to wear club kit for races, lycra shorts or leggings and club vest

Agree with AJ

I forgot - one thing which would really really really help is slightly bigger pockets on tops. I'm not talking about carrying a week's worth of shopping here, but surely a credit card and train pass is not too much to ask? Most tops don't have pockets, and shorts only have a tiny pocket only suitable for a key. The only top I have which I can comfortably wear when I run home from work is a Concurve one, with a small pocket towards the back whwere I can stick a credit card and my tube pass.

Pockets are an often overlooked feature in my opinion. I have some Nike shorts with a pocket at the back which is great for sticking a key in and a couple of quid for a newspaper on the way home. How about some socks with a pocket in? That's something I've never seen. I'd love to see some separate coin pockets so my change doesn't rattle, maybe 2-3 pound coin sized sections.

A long thin pocket on the sleeve of a top for an energy/gel bar would be good as well!

Yes! Keys and change rattling! AaaarghhH! How annoying is that! Let's have a few tiny pockets on the sleeves, or somewhere...

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I'm a bit tubby.

- Colour- do you choose a colour that will help you be seen by drivers or at night? Do you look for reflective clothing?I wear a reflective tabbard as most clothes are black or blue
- Do you prefer fitted clothing? e.g. leggings or tracksuit bottoms.Fitted tights and tops but I like bagyy shorts
- Types of fabricsMust be wicking the best ive found is Helly Hanson Lifa sheer quality
- How does your race wear compare to your training gear?No different except I wear a club vest

Pockets to fit energy gels is a good idea maybe on the side or or lower back of a shirt oh yeah and Im male

What's the thinking behind lycra for training and baggy for racing? And why 2 sizes too big?

Maybe its a disguise? or he pulls up the really huge shorts so the horrible club vest doesnt rub?

To add further: a rear zipped pocket which can fit small keys etc is good. A bigger one for an MP3 player is great.

To answer the others: Wearing large shorts is a hangover from my old proper racing days. I wore the most garish shorts I could so my coach could easily identify me in a mass field. The only ones I could find were too big for me and I have continued to buy this size ever since.

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I'm a bit tubby.

Do you have to wear a belt and braces with them?