STEPtember Essentials: 10 Products That Make 30 Days of Walking Way More Doable

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Walking doesn't require much gear to start, but the right gear makes 30 straight days of it more comfortable, easier to measure, and easier to stick with once the novelty wears off after a week or two

Group challenges are helpful because when you're working in a small team, you tend to log about 2,000 more steps a day than people trying to go it alone. Research also shows that step challenges can help lower stress and anxiety and increase mood scores even if you don't hit your goal.

Here are some goodies and gadgets from the Stridekick Shop that you can stock up on before your STEPtember challenge kicks off. 

For Your Feet

Brooks Ghost 18

The Ghost line has been a walker favorite for years, not just a running shoe. It sits in a "balanced cushion" lane rather than the max-stack, floating feeling of something like a Bondi, so you still get real ground feedback and stability during long walking days. Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam handles the cushioning; a wide toe box and available wide sizing means it fits a broader range of feet, and it comes in both men's and women's versions.

Shop the Brooks Ghost 18 (Men's) | HSA/FSA Eligible

Shop the Brooks Ghost 18 (Women's) | HSA/FSA Eligible

VIM & VIGR Pinstripe Cotton Compression Socks

These compression socks are designed to squeeze the most at your ankle and ease up on your leg, which can help with leg fatigue, swelling, and achiness after lots of walking. Compression might also help with balance by improving the feedback from your legs to your brain. 

VIM & VIGR developed their line of compression socks with vascular surgeons, but they're designed to fit into office attire instead of looking overly medical. They come in wide calf sizes, which isn't always easy to find in the world of compression socks. 

Shop the Pinstripe Cotton Compression Socks | HSA/FSA Eligible

To Track Your Steps

Fitbit Inspire 3

If you just want the number of steps you take, your distance, and active zone minutes, along with your heart rate and sleep, then the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a great option. The battery lasts about ten days per charge, and you don't have to be super tech-savvy to use it since it's one of Fitbit's more basic options. Tracking your steps has been shown to increase step count by about 1,100 extra steps a day, so it could help you reach your step goal a bit more easily. 

Shop the Fitbit Inspire 3 | HSA/FSA Eligible

Garmin vívoactive 6

If you're a big data person, then you might wanna upgrade to something like the Garmin Vivoactive 6. It has a bright display, tracks your body's energy levels, HRV status, sleep coaching, and 80+ sport profiles, including daily suggested walking workouts. You'll also get 11 days of battery life. Garmin coach plans adjust based on how you're recovering, which can help keep you going without wearing out over your challenge month. 

Shop the Garmin vívoactive 6 | HSA/FSA Eligible

Get More Out of Your Steps

OMORPHO G-Vest Icon 6lb

This lightly-weighted vest made for women adds 6 lbs. of microload spheres distributed evenly across your body so it doesn't bounce or move around while you're walking. You can also add an optional G-pack for another 6 lbs of load. You don't need a weighted vest to hit your step goal, but it's a great tool for progressing your walks and adding a little variety to your workouts. 

You can read more about what a weighted vest does here. 

Shop the G-Vest Icon 6lb | HSA/FSA Eligible

Stay Hydrated

Hydro Flask 32oz Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap 

A straw cap means you can actually drink from this one mid-stride instead of stopping to unscrew a lid every time you're thirsty. The 32oz size holds enough for a long walk without being heavy to carry, and the stainless steel keeps water cold even if you're out for a while. The wide mouth makes it easy to add ice or clean out afterward.

Shop the Hydro Flask 32 oz Wide Mouth | HSA/FSA Eligible

Live It Up Vital Minerals Electrolyte Powder

If you want your essential electrolytes but without the sugar, this coconut-water-based powder comes in five flavors: Lemon Lime, Pomegranate Mango, Strawberry Lemonade, Pineapple Coconut, and Watermelon. 

Live It Up provides a balanced sodium-to-potassium ratio and no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Plain water is fine for most walks, but for longer or hotter walks, electrolytes can help keep you better hydrated than water alone and help your body hold on to fluid after you've sweated a good amount of it out.

Shop Live It Up Vital Minerals Electrolyte Powder | HSA/FSA Eligible

Fuel Up

2 Betties Chocolate Chip Bites

Longer walk days call for a snack that won't sit heavy or spike and crash your energy. These bite-sized rounds are made from almond flour, maple syrup, and walnuts. They have no refined sugar and are gluten-free and dairy-free, so they work as a pre-walk energy boost or a post-walk treat without derailing anything.

Shop the 2 Betties Chocolate Chip Bites | HSA/FSA Eligible

Recover Better

Hyperice Hypersphere Go

This little 3.5-inch vibrating massage ball has three speeds and lasts for two hours on a charge. You can use it on your calves, glutes, and shoulders as a big step up from a tennis or lacrosse ball. It has vibration therapy, which has been linked to less soreness after a lengthy or rigorous walk, so it's ideal for those longer step count days.

Shop the Hypersphere Go | HSA/FSA Eligible

Normatec Go

The Normatec Go is a portable calf compression sleeve set that you can wear pretty much anywhere. They are similar to the full compression boots but sized for the smaller muscle group area of your calves, which likely need the most help after lengthy walks. You can wear them while lounging on the couch, sitting at your desk, or even in the car on the way back from an away-from-home walk. 

Shop the Normatec Go | HSA/FSA Eligible

What to Know Before You Shop

Most of these picks are HSA/FSA eligible, so your pre-tax dollars might help you meet your STEPtember challenge goal. Eligibility varies by plan administrator, so check with yours if you're unsure. Head over to the Stridekick Shop to browse, then go pick a challenge.