RUNNING GEAR

(For men in a hurry)

Because obviously, time is of the essence.

It goes without saying that the main thing is just to run, however you do it, and whatever your pace. It also goes without saying that it’s always best to do it in style. ■ This first outfit will be an absolute no-brainer for keen runners – and film buffs. In Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks sets off for a run one morning on a whim, dressed in chinos and a checkered shirt. Three years later, he finishes his run, now wearing a trucker hat, a yellow terrycloth polo shirt, red shorts and a pair of white Cortez running shoes, plus sporting a massive beard. ■Apart from the beard, it’s all here. Even the Cortezes, which will surely test your pain tolerance. ■Fans of historical trivia will be interested to learn that trucker hats earned their name in the 1960s, when rural businesses like farm equipment stores gave them away as promotional items to truckers on the road.

T-shirt, ’70s. Shorts, HERMÈS. Cap, PHIPPS. Socks, FALKE. Watch, CASIO. Sneakers, NIKE.

This three-layer jacket is the ideal piece of kit for running in bad weather. It’ll keep you dry without trapping your body heat and making you feel like you’re in a sauna. ■ Similarly, the Gore-Tex shorts provide welcome protection. You could even add a pair of tights. ■Would you wear those Hoka One One shoes in the city for an ordinary walk? We’ll leave that up to you.

Jacket, ARC'TERYX. Shorts, NIKE. Sunglasses, OAKLEY. Socks, FALKE. Sneakers, HOKA ONE ONE from DISTANCE STORE.

More perfect gear for a long city run in chilly weather. ■With a hydration pack, you can quench your thirst along the way, which is always useful.

Jacket, THE NORTH FACE. Pants, bag and sneakers, NIKE. Socks, FALKE. Sunglasses, OAKLEY.

This outfit, accessorized with a headlamp and a pair of trail-running shoes, is perfect for a late-night run in the forest, even in the dark. ■ Looked at from a purely aesthetic viewpoint, all-black outfits work really well when you’re wearing technical gear.

Jacket, K-WAY. T-shirt, UNIQLO. Shorts, NORTH SAILS AC36 by PRADA. Leggings, RAIDLIGHT from LE VIEUX CAMPEUR. Socks, FALKE. Headlamp, PETZL from DISTANCE STORE. Sneakers, SALOMON.

Here’s a good proposition if you want to pretend to go running – or just run down to the bakery. ■The cotton of this T-shirt and jogging pants combo isn’t moisture-wicking, so you might get a bit sweaty, but you’re really not in any great danger. The bakery is just down the road, after all.

T-shirt, NIKE. Sweatpants, CAMBER. Socks, UNIQLO. Sneakers, NEW BALANCE. Bandanna, ‘80s.

Here’s the polar opposite of what you’d wear to run competitive races. These denim shorts and T-shirt are all about going running in total freedom. ■Despite appearances, the sandals absolutely belong with this outfit. They’re actually running sandals, specially designed for a good grip on steep terrain. This pair was inspired by the sandals that some indigenous people in Mexico wear to run long distances through the mountains. The Tarahumara are considered the fastest runners on Earth and have always competed in long team races over more than 37 miles, all while wearing sandals. ■ To find out more about these races – and plenty more besides – check out Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run.

T-shirt, ’70s, LIGHTNING BOLT. Shorts, ’80s, LEVI’S. Sandals, LUNA. Watch, POLAR from DISTANCE STORE. Sunglasses, OAKLEY.

Why make life harder for yourself? This running outfit is designed for racing, so it covers all the bases of the genre: short shorts (these are 5-inch shorts, meaning 5 inches long at the crotch); tank top, comfortable to move in; and lightweight fabrics. ■ The running watch gives a clear signal that this isn’t a low-key Sunday morning jog, but serious competitive running.

Tank top and shorts, ARENA. Sunglasses, OAKLEY. Watch, GARMIN. Socks, BURLINGTON. Sneakers, NIKE.

When you’re running in cold weather, you need to wear tights, especially if it’s windy. Layering shorts on top is an optional extra to protect your vanity, or rather your modesty, if you’re one of those guys who don’t necessarily want the world to see them in tights… ■These Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% running shoes have an articulated carbon fiber plate in the midsole that’s supposed to make you run faster – 4 percent faster, to be precise. That’s good to know, even if the important thing is obviously that the color of your shoes matches the rest of your outfit.

Shorts and leggings, ISABEL MARANT. Socks, NIKE. Sneakers, NIKE from DISTANCE STORE.

More sports glasses. More tights. More shoes so you can go even faster. Let's focus instead on this outfit’s small extravagance. ■ This hoodie is called a baja. Introduced in Mexico in the 1970s, it soon won the nickname "drug rug" because of its association with cannabis use. Coincidence? Bajas were also popular for a long time with Californian surfers, who liked to warm up in them when they got out of the water. Slip one on after your run. You’ll love it.

Baja hoodie, ’80s. T-shirt, shorts and tights, RAIDLIGHT. Sneakers, NIKE

Here, no three-layer jacket, no tights. It's just you and your lightweight T-shirt against the machine. ■ And there will only be one winner, of course.

T-shirt, SATISFY RUNNING from DISTANCE STORE. Shorts, NIKE. Socks, FALKE. Sneakers, HOKA ONE ONE from DISTANCE STORE.

All vintage pieces in this series are from LE VIF.