As a ten-year gear tester with six marathons under my belt, I’ve developed a finely tuned radar for what I will and will not need before any given long run. Distances over ten miles merit gels and my favorite hydration vest; weather in the 50s means shorts and a long-sleeved t-shirt, even if I’m shivering through the first mile. I know what percent charge I need on my sports watch and earbuds to ensure they won’t run out on a 20-miler.

But on race day, all that hard-earned wisdom goes out the window. No matter the forecast, I’m packing three different outfits for weather patterns ranging from polar vortex to Saharan Desert. Two pairs of headphones get tossed into my carry-on, along with three extra chargers and a back-up watch. The poncho that’s been languishing in my glove compartment since that one outdoor concert? Sure, why not! My therapist would say that overpacking is a symptom of my anxiety about all the race day variables I can’t control—and she’d be right.

Unfortunately, my neuroses can rack up unnecessary expense. For all they say about running being a (relatively) cheap sport, once you start training for half and full marathons, the essential gear list gets exponentially longer—and more expensive. I’m not here to argue that; I ran the 2024 New York City Marathon in a fresh pair of $250 super shoes like thousands of others—with no regrets. But when I crossed the finish line and took stock of what I actually used from my overstuffed kit, many of my MVPs were all surprisingly low-budget. If you’re running the New York marathon this weekend, these are the under-$30 essentials that elevated my race day from bearable to the best yet.

Anker Portable Charger

The last thing you need during a marathon is a dead phone. Even if you’re someone who can run 26.2 without music (mad respect if that’s you, I could never be alone with my thoughts for that long), your phone is essential for taking photos, finding your people after the race, or just getting yourself home. But big-city races like New York and Boston often involve a lengthy commute to the start line, which means you’re killing time on Wordle, catching up on podcasts, texting friends, or scrolling through social media for hours—draining your battery before you even start.

My race-day kit always includes a portable charger that meets two requirements. First, it shouldn’t need a cord. I don’t want one more thing to tote around, and this Anker charger plugs directly into my phone to save space. Second, it has to be cheap enough that I won’t feel bad ditching it later. Once I toe the starting line, I want to carry as little as possible—so the charger’s got to go. Instead of tossing it, I’ll hand it off to a runner in a later wave who can squeeze out the last bit of juice. This Anker model usually retails for around $30, but I often find it on sale for as low as $19—and stock up.

Cheap Crew Socks (And Borrowed Scissors)

I, too, have fallen victim to the Bombas hype—they’re basically catnip for runners like me who go through socks at an alarming rate. But during my first New York Marathon, I discovered a genius hack for the non-premium socks in my closet. Instead of shelling out for a pair of arm sleeves to stay warm during a chilly morning start, I got crafty. I borrowed a pair of scissors from the hotel front desk and snipped the toes off a beat-up pair of crew socks. Voila! DIY arm sleeves, for basically nothing. Chances are you have a pair of socks you can sacrifice, but if you need to buy some, these were the Amazon socks I used—they cut easily with my borrowed scissors.

Uncrustables

Y’all can keep your Nerd Clusters and gummy bears. When it comes to carb-loading before the race, you won’t find me without at least two emotional support Uncrustables on me at all times. The macros in a traditional PB&J are pretty unbeatable for pre-workout fuel, as Outside previously reported. And while a homemade option is likely more nutrient-dense than store-bought, beggars (and out-of-town race travelers) can’t be choosers. The Uncrustable is an elite snack—one of the few foods I could easily eat multiples of in the days leading up to the race. Plus, the fact that they often ring up for barely $1 per sandwich? Chef’s kiss.

Nathan Reflective Slap Bracelet

This recommendation is very specific to the NYC Marathon, which traditionally falls on the Sunday of  that Daylight Saving Time ends—truly one of the rudest days to have anything time-sensitive, let alone a marathon. The double-whammy of a late start time and sunset coming an hour earlier means many runners are finishing in near darkness. Plus, the exit chute from the NYC Marathon is notoriously long, requiring nearly another mile of walking. If you’ll be one of the later finishers, these slap bracelets are a lifesaver, keeping you visible to runners, officials, and (once you exit the race) cars.

Also, I’m here to report that slap bracelets are still just as fun as they were in elementary school.