Six of the best: Running gadgets

These Bluetooth earphones stand up to all levels of perspiration, have a highly reflective and adjustable cable, and synch up with your smartphone for five hours of your run-faster-playlist delivery. The cable also has an in-line control unit so you can adjust volume, skip tracks and, should you feel the need to impress others with your smug fitness regime, take and make calls.

Don't bottle it

Hi Gear Hydration Pack (1.5L) - £15 from gooutdoors.co.uk

You'll not want to be stopping at the shop for water bottles when you're 'in the zone', yet you need to ensure dehydration doesn't halt your progress. This compact backpack has the solution, giving you access to your H2O via an easy drinking tube. There's also a place to attach a light should you wish to run in the dark, and some bungee cord on the back so you can stash your belongings away nice and securely.

Watch out

Tom Tom Runner Cardio Watch - £219.99 from johnlewis.com

With its built-in heart rate monitor, this latest product from Tom Tom is a stand-out addition to the now swelling ranks of running watches. Very clever technology in the watch shines two lights onto your skin then gives an on-screen heart reading based on the subtle changes of blood colour that occur as you exercise. A host of other functions and a solid build make this a worthy, if slightly pricey, jogging companion.

Mr Motivator

UP24 Activity Tracker by Jawbone - £104.99 from halfords.com

The best way to describe the UP24 is as a daily dashboard. Worn on the wrist, it'll track all manner of activity such as sleep details, steps taken, distance travelled, calories burnt and then upload them to a dedicated app for you to track progress and set more goals. For extra inspiration, team up with friends who also own one and compare your results - it can't help but bring out the competitive best in everyone.

Early adopter

Google Glass - £1,000 from google.co.uk/glass

Finally available in the UK, this much-hyped, very expensive eyewear offers a heads-up display of your progress and also lets you ask Google for directions, should your run go a little awry. Tap into one of the growing number of apps being developed specifically for Glass too, ranging from a display showing a marauding gang of zombies approaching you to a ghost run style experience where you race against yourself on your previous run. Not one for the masses yet, but still incredible for the lucky few.

Running outdoors is great, but it's not always do-able - be that because it's too hot, too cold or you simply don't want to bother navigating all those people on the pavements getting in your way. But if you don't want to face the gym either, probably for similar too hot/cold/many people reasons, this foldaway unit is just what you need. It has a few presets, a heart monitor and an incline setting - and you can watch the TV channel you actually want to.

App of the Week

easyCarclub - Free on iTunes

Search nationwide for cars nearby that others are looking to rent out whilst they're not using them, this peer-to-peer rental service will most likely save you a money on car rental and there's certainly more choice of motors too.