The 10 Best Running Apps & Tech Gear

You may think of running as a low-tech endeavor: All you need to do is lace up a pair of sneakers and go. But if you want to improve your performance, train for an event or simply get into better shape a little faster, technology is your friend. There’s no shortage of GPS-enabled running watches on the market, but Garmin’s Forerunner 630 is one that frequently earns rave reviews. That’s thanks in large part to an attractive design, 1.2-inch color touchscreen and a slew of features. These include: built-in GPS, the ability to see your pace, speed, timing and elevation and advanced metrics like a threshold measurement, which shows your overall effort. The Forerunner 630 is waterproof to 50 meters, so you can wear it swimming, and includes a cycling mode that runners. 399 for the watch alone). Music is often the runner’s dilemma: The right tunes can keep you motivated, but running with headphones can be dangerous if you’re cut off from sounds you need to hear to be safe.

That’s where Aftershokz comes in: These headphones use bone-conduction technology — they sit right on your cheekbones (near your ears) and conduct sounds through your eardrums and bones. This leaves your ears uncovered, keeping you connected to your environment. The Trekz Titanium features a titanium frame that’s durable but flexible and resistant to sweat, moisture and dust. They also include noise-canceling microphones for making calls and voice prompts. When it’s cold outside, the idea of putting on headphones and a hat may have you feeling bogged down. Enter Caseco’s Blu-Toque Bluetooth Beanies, comfortable knit hats with Bluetooth headphones built right in. That means you can listen to your tunes and take phone calls right from your favorite hat. The hats are water-resistant and washable — just take the speakers out of the zipped inner pouch before tossing it in the washer. Batteries can be charged in two hours and last for about six hours of music playback. There are more than 55 styles, so finding your perfect look is easy.

Worn-out running shoes can mean sore feet and foot injuries — something no runner wants. High-tech Mino soles monitor the life left in your favorite running shoes. The Mino insert is 2.5 millimeters thick, 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, and it sticks to the bottom of one shoe beneath the existing insole. Go truly high-tech with Under Armour’s new SpeedForm Gemini 2 Record-Equipped running sneakers. These shoes feature a built-in chip that tracks and stores your running metrics, including cadence, time, duration, distance and splits. The chip — which uses a long-lasting battery designed to outlast the sneakers — connects to UA’s MapMyRun app for GPS and data analysis. You don’t need to run with your phone for the sneakers to track data, though, as they can go up to five workouts between syncing. If you really want to dive deep into analyzing your form and performance, the Fitness Running System from Sensoria may be just what you need. This System includes two pairs of Sensoria fitness socks, two anklets, one heart-rate monitor, and one sports bra (for women) or one T-shirt (for men).

The fitness socks track steps, calories, pace, cadence and foot-landing technique. The socks connect to the lightweight anklets, which connect wirelessly to Sensoria’s mobile app. The heart-rate monitor fits inside either the sports bra or T-shirt so you don't have to wear a bulky strap. Overall, the Fitness Running System is designed to offer real-time feedback on your fitness and form, while reducing your chances of injury and boosting your performance. You love the idea of a personal trainer creating workouts based on your fitness level and goals, right, But you probably hate the idea of a paying the big bucks that most trainers charge. The Pear Personal Coach — a mobile app (Android and iOS) that delivers a virtual trainer directly to you — is free. Pear tracks your exercise data and suggests workouts that can help you reach your goals. Many of the workouts have been designed by well-known athletes, such as marathoner Deena Kastor and Kirk Olson, who oversees strength and conditioning training for the Minnesota Wild hockey team.