Running gear

[MuddledGardener]

I am just starting out on this adventure, and wonder where people get their clothes. I am at the very upper end of size 16, so would look hideous in Lycra! 🤣 Thoughts and recommendations, please. Ta.

[TheTaffSnail Graduate]

First of all we'll done you will love it. I'm a few sizes larger than you (but a little smaller than before I started!) I wear leggings from Primark and a long t-shirt. I've run in the gym and outside and I don't think anyone really notices anyone else. Comfort is the most important thing.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to TheTaffSnail]

Thank you! 😊

[Hidden]

I pick up my gear at TKMaxx. They have a great range, including well known brands, and a really good prices. (I sound like I'm on commission!). I also love that you can take a load of stuff into the changing room to try on instead of shuttle-running to the rails all the time!!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hmmm. I’ll have to plan a foray into the local town, as I’m a country bumpkin!

[Hidden in reply to MuddledGardener]

I'm a country-bumpkin too, but I can't resist TKMaxx!! They have great running socks as well - picked some up today, nicely cushioned heels!!

[Hidden]

I’m a 14-16 and got some Lycra bottoms and sports bra from sports direct. I just wear long T-shirt with it

[Bumblebetty Graduate]

I got a short sleeved top from M and S that is really good and they do large sizes. Got cropped Adidas leggings and Nike joggers in big sizes in the Next sale so worth checking their clearance section. Think the big brands are starting to realise are missing a big ( excuse the pun) slice of the market by not catering to larger people.

[madmother Graduate]

Matalan do a nice range and its a reasonable price. I pick quite a lot up in the sale.

[Bookbizlady Graduate]

The middle of Lidl! But only when they decide to stock them!

[Zippy17726]

I’m a (very full!) 16 ( Apple shape though and tummy bigger than legs like a robin 😂) and I have a bit of a leggings addiction.

My favourites are the tikiboo, they are prints though so not very discreet! They really do wick sweat away, they feel like you aren’t wearing them, (I have honestly looked down when stepping out of the house to make sure id put them on!!) and they have a pocket on the back of the waistband that fits my iPhone 7plus without dragging the waist down. The waist is lovely and high. I got an xl in those and wouldn’t have wanted to order smaller .

Then for my top I have a top from next which is long enough to cover my bottom and wear a vest underneath it .

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Zippy17726]

Just looked on their website, they have such fun stuff!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Zippy17726]

I’ve spotted loads I want. Even wondering about shorts. Have you tried them? Do you know how long they are? It seems that they have a softer part with a pocket. They look so good. Why is Christmas so far away?

[Zippy17726 in reply to Couchpotato2]

Lol they are so nice, even better than the pictures but I’ve not tried the shorts-yet!!!

I have rainbow tiger and the green leopard and love them !!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Zippy17726]

Yes rainbow tiger is fab!

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I have a couple of pairs of capris from tikiboo. They are amazingly comfy. My concern is that the bottom of the capris (at the hem) is quite tight, they are meant to be on the calf but I pull them up to just under the knee as they are tight enough to make a ridge/bulge effect, not painful but not pretty. I thought that if I got the shorts, if the same thing happens on the thigh it would look even less attractive........

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Zippy17726]

Thank you!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

I’m a complete fan of Decathlon where the stuff is good quality and on the cheap side. I bought my entire outfit from there and the gadgets. Also I’m a size 16 and you’ll be great in lycra. I was advised to go with the brightest colours and patters and now have bright pink tops (they were cheaper).

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thank you!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

My Decathlon size is 2xl (some of their xl has the same measuments).

[TFG89]

I’m a few sizes bigger than you and I bought some thicker Lycra legging/trousers. I feel really conspicuous in them but my argument to myself is that I probably have more that’s going to chafe and so I need proper clothes designed for the job. ASOS is good, I stalked some plus size social media people and looked at what they had and their reviews and I’m really happy with my choices!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to TFG89]

Thank you!

[Pianism Graduate]

Most of mine is Matalan at the moment (though I've just ordered the new parkrun apricot tee-shirt!). I've struggled to get things in running shops that are a "proper" XXL size (don't know how that equates to women's sizes)... their idea of XXL is not my idea of XXL!!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

I go for 2xl in Decathlon but I would say that’s size 16 but not over.

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I'm more used to M&S XXL, which is definitely much more generous (and often elasticated to boot!!).

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Yes ms xxl seems xxl whereas in my view my Decathlon 2xl seems more like an xl if that makes sense. I’m also wondering about the park run tshirt and on the tikiboo website I’ve noticed london leggings in orange.. (maybe blue wld be a little less shocking)

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

We like shocking though

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

It’s like I have lost all my taste when I comes to running! The gaudiest, the better. Do look on tikiboo, you’ll be impressed

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Will do! 😀

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Pianism]

🤣🤣🤣

[Zippy17726 in reply to Couchpotato2]

The London leggings look amazing don’t they!!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Thank you!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Thank you!

[Runfatgirlrun71 Graduate]

I am an 18. I wear Lycra under armour tips xxl and cheap pair of leggings thick from matalan. I usually tie a hoodie or something around my waist that covers up a myriad of things. I don’t think anyone notices right things on larger girls ...everything goes at park run ..no one blinks an eye.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Runfatgirlrun71]

Thank you!

[Scooper47 Graduate]

Lucy locket loves x their activewear leggings are great they don’t fall down or move x and they are all funky designs great for drawing the eye away from our bodies

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Scooper47]

Thank you!