8 Affordable Running Gears You Should Buy at Decathlon PH

Runners looking for affordable gears, this one is for you.

Decathlon, a French sports company renowned for their low priced, but quality sports items, recently opened their first store in the Philippines. It’s not even a month since their pioneer store/ warehouse on the 2nd Floor of Festival Mall in Filinvest Alabang opened,  but it’s already gaining the attention of Filipinos who are into sports or wellness.

Offering a broad range of gears to almost every major sports discipline, Decathlon is a one-stop shop for your sports needs. And boy, do they got everything! Currently, they have gears for 50 sporting equipment for events like swimming, hiking, cycling, basketball, kayaking, and of course- running.

I had the chance to look at what they have to offer during their Media Launch event last July 20. During the event, I quickly proceeded to the Runner’s aisle to snoop around their products.

Here are the eight affordable running gears which you should buy at Decathlon:

1. Kalenji Running Shoes

Most of the running shoes (and even other running-related items) in Decathlon are under the”Kalenji” name. They have a broad range of models from cushioned, stability and neutral. Their entry shoes Run Active series sells for PHP 1,500. While their more aggressive shoes such as the Run Eliorun and EkiPrime, sells for PHP 2,200 to PHP 2,700, respectively.

But what caught my eye was the Kiprun shoes which sell for PHP 3,900 for the cushioned (LD) trainer and tempo (SD) trainer to PHP 4,200 for their flat racers. It’s Decathlon’s most prized shoe line (no pun, intended!) which had made a name for itself in the long distance running scene because of its overall reliability and road performance.

2. KipRun Trail Running Shoes

Decathlon also has shoes for trail runners who are looking for cheaper alternatives. Right on point, was the KipRun Trail Run X6 which makes quite an impression for a PHP 3,900 shoe. Judging by its 5 mm cleats alone, it’s meant to be versatile on different terrains and has excellent grip. The X6 also got a shoe lace pocket which is useful if you don’t want them tangled in vegetation or any other obstacle.

Cheaper, but still competitive alternative is Elio Feel which is tagged at PHP 2,900. It’s also lightweight and has 3 mm lugs and 6 mm heel drop. I guess that this one’s aimed at more casual trail runners, but it can also be used for trail races with shorter distances.

3. Run Wind Pack Away Running Jacket

We’re already in the rainy season and its one of the things that can get on your way training outside. As such, you need a jacket when you run outside to keep your upper body dry. You also need it to be lightweight and compact. I feel that this PHP 650 pack away jacket is perfect, given that the weather changes quickly nowadays.

4. Optonia Massage Kit

Tired leg muscles from running also need massage for it to recover quickly. The Optonia Massage Kit seems promising since its a 3-in-1 kit with rollers for calves,  thighs and back muscles, a ball for deep massaging small areas, and a stick for applying pressure at certain points in the body. It’s currently sold at PHP 1,500.

5. GeoNaute On Move 50 GPS Watch

Another essential tool every runner should have is a GPS watch and you to have one for only PHP 3,600, is a bargain. The GeoNaute On Move 50 can record seven sessions and lasts for 7 hours when in GPS mode. As for its accuracy, we’re putting it on hold until we reviewed a unit. Decathlon also sells Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) devices for as low as PHP 1,000 for their On Rhythm HRM Watch and Strap.

6. Compression Socks or Sleeves

If you ever need cheaper compression, you may want to consider buying their products which starts at PHP 450 for the Kalenji Sleeve. Their compression socks are also inexpensive with a price range of PHP 700 to PHP 900, while compression tights are at PHP 1,100 to PHP 1,900.

7. Running Tees

While you may have dry fit shirts obtained from fun runs, its wouldn’t hurt to have a few running shirts that have less print in them. Decathlon has tons of Run Dry shirts which costs only PHP 380 to PHP 480. The quality is also good as the shirts are made from a mix of elastane and polyester, which makes it quite breathable.

8. Hydration Bladder (1L to 3L)

While Decathlon is also selling large hydration packs, what caught my attention was their small hydration bladders. If you’re a trail runner, their 1 Liter to 3 Liter bladders may fit your needs in your next race. Here are their prices: 1L- around PHP 450, 2L- PHP 500 to PHP 550, and 3L- PHP 650.

Aside from these products, there are still scores of running items on sale at Decathlon which I haven’t mentioned. These simply made my short list given the short, but a rewarding time I had at their store.

Overall, Decathlon made quite an impression on me as a customer. The sports store has it all, and every aisle is manned by someone who knows the product well given that many of them also practitioners in different sports disciplines. And need I mention about the price? If there is one takeaway from my Decathlon experience is that- you don’t have to spend much to excel at your sport or start a healthy and active lifestyle.

To get the most of your Decathlon experience, it’s best if you enroll on their Free Membership program. This could be done when you check-out at the cashier and present a valid ID. Perks include a 2-year warranty program, personal notification if there are any recalls and access to the warehouse’s playground.

Know more about this sports retail through Decathlon PH’s FB Page and their website www.decathlon.ph.

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PS: I’ve kept mentioning about Kalenji in the article. Apparently, the word Kalenji refers to a Northern Kenyan tribe which has produced some of Kenyan’s best endurance runners.

++Featured Photo Credit: Retail News Asia