A full set of running wear comes to 218g and JPY 12,700 with mont-bell's shirt 63g, shorts 98g and socks 57g, 3 pieces. It is the lightest combination by official weight. The 1 piece you add on top is a water-repellent-only windshell at 45g, or a rain jacket with 20,000mm or more of waterproofing at 143g. The point of hesitation gathers on when to carry this 98g gap.
The Shoe Nerd's top pick
What to buy first is not a shirt but the 45g windshell. mont-bell makes two pieces from the same 7-denier fabric: a water-repellent-only 45g, and a 143g with a waterproof membrane and seam tape added. For waiting at the start on a cold morning and light rain, 45g is enough, and the added 98g is needed only in a downpour and in the mountains.
Key points
- mont-bell's official average weights: shirts 63g and 80g, shorts 98g and 106g
- Short pockets: mont-bell has 6, Nike AeroSwift has 5, On Core Shorts has 3
- Cotton in 5-toe socks: Tabio's standard is 46%, the Pro 18%, and mont-bell has none with 27% paper thread
45g and 143g: the same fabric, a 98g gap
mont-bell's official pages list two jackets with the same outer fabric: "7-denier Ballistic Airlight Nylon Ripstop." One is 45g, the other 143g.
The 45g EX Light Wind Jacket is a piece with only a water-repellent finish on the fabric. The 143g Versalite Jacket layers a waterproof breathable membrane on the same fabric to make 3 layers, seals the seams with tape and adds a hood. The official waterproofing is 20,000mm or more.
The gap is 98g (143 − 45). This 98g is the weight for keeping rain out. 20,000mm of waterproofing means it does not leak even with a 20m column of water standing on the fabric. Water repellency is a finish that beads water on the surface so it rolls off, and water gets in through the seams.
So the order is settled. For road races and daily training, buy the 45g first. You add the 98g on downpour days and once you decide to enter a mountain race.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
mont-bell EX Light Wind Jacket
The lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 11,500 (as of 10/13). Prices range up to JPY 12,700 depending on the store. Prices change daily. For clothing, compare the maker's size chart (height, chest, waist) with your own measurements. If unsure, check the store's return and exchange terms on its page.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow to choose running wear: the conditions I used
I lined up current men's items. Materials and prices are the Japan official site listing of Oct 13, 2026. For order, I put mont-bell on top lightest first, and the others below it cheapest first.
mont-bell and The North Face give weight in grams officially. Nike and On write the material share and the number of pockets in detail.
Running shirts: 63g and 80g, a 17g gap from the sleeves
| Product | Material (official notation) | Official price |
|---|---|---|
| mont-bell Cool Light Sleeveless Shirt | Wickron Cool (polyester). Ultra-thin, antibacterial finish | JPY 3,600 |
| mont-bell Cool Light T | Wickron Cool (polyester). Absorbs sweat and spreads it | JPY 4,000 |
| Nike Stride Dri-FIT ADV Short Sleeve | 100% polyester. Raglan sleeves | JPY 7,590 |
| On Performance-T | Front is 90% polyester, 10% elastane. DryTec | JPY 10,450 |
| Nike AeroSwift Dri-FIT ADV Tank Top | 100% polyester. Holes across the whole fabric | JPY 12,430 |
No. 1: mont-bell Cool Light Sleeveless Shirt. It weighs 63g. A fabric billed as "knitted extremely thin so heat does not get trapped." Price per gram is about JPY 57 (3,600 ÷ 63). What to watch: with no sleeves, your shoulders are in the sun, and your sides touch the pack belt directly.
No. 2: mont-bell Cool Light T. The same fabric with sleeves, at 80g. The gap from the sleeveless is 17g, which is the weight of the 2 sleeves (80 − 63). The price gap is JPY 400. Price per gram is JPY 50 (4,000 ÷ 80). It suits people who use 1 piece for both training and the race. What to watch: being ultra-thin, it shows your body line.
No. 3: Nike Stride Dri-FIT ADV. It bills "raglan sleeves reduce friction at the armpits." Since the shape keeps seams off the shoulders, people who carry a pack or a bottle vest should look here. It has reflective material on the sleeves and left chest, for people who run at night.
No. 4: On Performance-T. The front is 90% polyester and 10% elastane, and at the back the elastane rises to 23%. With more stretch thread, it follows the body. If you want to wear it loose, there are other ways to choose.
No. 5: Nike AeroSwift Tank Top. A race piece that bills "open holes placed throughout the material based on data from real runners." The price is about 3.5 times mont-bell's sleeveless (12,430 ÷ 3,600). It is 1 piece for a race where you aim for a record, not something to buy as training wear.
To choose by thinness and lightness, mont-bell; to choose by a body-hugging shape, On.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
mont-bell Cool Light T and Sleeveless Shirt
The lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 4,100 (as of 10/13). Prices range up to JPY 6,500 depending on the store. Prices change daily. For clothing, compare the maker's size chart (height, chest, waist) with your own measurements. If unsure, check the store's return and exchange terms on its page.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
On Performance-T
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 8,800 (as of 10/13), ranging up to JPY 11,000 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanOther shirts from PUMA and On are lined up in the article on HYROX wear at the official prices of the same day. If you split On's jackets and tights by role, see the article on On running wear.
Running shorts: 6, 5 and 3 pockets
For shorts, choose by pockets more than weight. In a full marathon you carry several gels, and in training you carry a key and a smartphone.
| Product | Pockets (official notation) | Official price |
|---|---|---|
| mont-bell Cross Runner Shorts Light | 6. Zip 1 on the right hip, 2 at the waist, 2 at the sides, 1 inside left for coins | JPY 6,800 |
| mont-bell Cross Runner Middle Shorts Light | 6. Positions are the same as above | JPY 7,200 |
| On 7" Core Shorts | 3 | JPY 6,600 |
| Nike Stride Dri-FIT 13cm | Zip 1 at the back, and side pockets | JPY 8,250 |
| Nike AeroSwift Dri-FIT ADV 5cm | 5. Slip-in 4, zip 1 at the back | JPY 12,430 |
No. 1: mont-bell Cross Runner Shorts Light. 98g, with 6 pockets. Price per pocket is about JPY 1,133 (6,800 ÷ 6). The 2 at the sides are "tall pockets that fit a smartphone." The fabric is a water-repellent polyester that is "slow to hold water, light and firm."
No. 2: Middle Shorts Light. The sibling with a longer length, 8g heavier and JPY 400 more (106 − 98, 7,200 − 6,800). Pockets are the same 6. For people who do not want to show their thighs, and people who use them in the mountains. For road races only, the shorter one is enough.
No. 3: On 7" Core Shorts. The cheapest of the 5, with an inner. 3 pockets, JPY 2,200 per 1 (6,600 ÷ 3).
No. 4: Nike Stride 13cm. The zippered pocket at the back bills that it "can hold most sizes of smartphone." A piece for people who want the smartphone at the center of the back.
No. 5: Nike AeroSwift 5cm. A short race piece with a 7cm inseam and 4 slip-in pockets. It bills that "you can store race-day essentials such as gels and snacks." About JPY 2,486 per pocket (12,430 ÷ 5). It is built for the real race of a full marathon carrying 4 gels, and for training with a smartphone, the No. 4 suits better.
To choose by pocket count, mont-bell; for a real race running with gels slipped in, the AeroSwift.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
mont-bell Cross Runner Shorts Light
The lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 7,900 (as of 10/13). Prices range up to JPY 10,880 depending on the store. Prices change daily. For clothing, compare the maker's size chart (height, chest, waist) with your own measurements. If unsure, check the store's return and exchange terms on its page.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Nike AeroSwift Running Shorts
The lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 8,999 (as of 10/13). Prices range up to JPY 12,430 depending on the store. Prices change daily. For clothing, compare the maker's size chart (height, chest, waist) with your own measurements. If unsure, check the store's return and exchange terms on its page.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSocks: 5-toe splits by cotton share
| Product | Shape and thickness | Material (official notation) | Official price |
|---|---|---|---|
| mont-bell KAMICO Cross Runner 5-Toe Socks | 5-toe, thin, no pile | 37% nylon, 34% polyester, 27% paper, 2% polyurethane | JPY 2,300 |
| Tabio Racing Run Pro five-toe socks | 5-toe, thin | 40% nylon, 28% polyester, 18% cotton, 8% Deocell, 6% polyurethane | JPY 2,420 |
| Tabio Racing Run five-toe socks | 5-toe | 46% cotton, 34% polyester, 12% Deocell, 7% nylon, 1% polyurethane | JPY 2,200 |
| On Performance Run Sock Mid | Ordinary shape | Mainly polyamide (nylon) | JPY 2,530 |
Tabio's 2 pairs differ by only 1 word in the name. Inside, the cotton is 46% and 18%. The Pro cuts cotton to under half and bills itself as "about 30% lighter per foot" than the conventional one. It is a double build with nylon on the outside and a deodorizing thread and polyester on the skin side.
No. 1: mont-bell KAMICO 5-Toe. No cotton, with 27% thread made from paper. It bills itself as "pulling away from the skin when you sweat," and the length is above the ankle so gravel does not get in. What to watch: it is thin with no pile, so it does not suit people who want thick cushioning.
No. 2: Tabio Racing Run Pro. Thin, with 18% cotton. A 5-toe to match thin race shoes. The price gap from the standard is JPY 220 (2,420 − 2,200). The official online store shows sold out, so you end up checking stock store by store.
No. 3: Tabio Racing Run (standard). 46% cotton. It absorbs a lot of sweat, but cotton is a thread that is slow to dry. Send it to training up to 1 hour, not to a full marathon or a rainy day.
On's Performance Run Sock. Where to go for people who want a shape that is not 5-toe. It bills itself as "excellent in breathability and cushioning." If you dislike the feel of fabric between your toes, you need not force yourself into 5-toe.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Tabio Racing Run five-toe socks
The lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 2,200 (as of 10/13). Prices range up to JPY 2,860 depending on the store. Prices change daily. For clothing, compare the maker's size chart (height, chest, waist) with your own measurements. If unsure, check the store's return and exchange terms on its page.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanJackets: the 45g water-repellent, or the 143g with 20,000mm waterproofing
Scroll the table sideways →
| Product | Weight | Water resistance (official notation) | Per gram | Official price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mont-bell EX Light Wind Jacket | 45g | Water-repellent finish | About JPY 215 | JPY 9,680 |
| The North Face Strike Trail Jacket | About 120g (L) | 3-layer waterproof breathable material HYVENT | About JPY 202 | JPY 24,200 |
| mont-bell Versalite Jacket | 143g | 20,000mm or more waterproofing, 50,000g breathability. Seam tape, hood | About JPY 168 | JPY 24,000 |
| mont-bell Torrentflyer Jacket | 233g | 20,000mm or more waterproofing, 50,000g breathability. Seam tape, hood, 2 pockets | About JPY 109 | JPY 25,500 |
No. 1: mont-bell EX Light Wind Jacket. 45g, and packed it is 11.5×8.5×4.5cm. A size that fits in a shorts pocket. To limit flapping in the wind, the silhouette is a little tight. Its weakness is clear: only water repellent, and the seams are not sealed. It is a garment that cuts wind and chill, not one to run 1 hour in the rain.
No. 2: The North Face Strike Trail Jacket. A 3-layer waterproof fabric at about 120g. 23g lighter than the Versalite (143 − 120). It has a color that lets the bib show through, so you can run a race with it on top. What to watch: at about JPY 202 per gram, it is the most expensive of the 3 waterproof pieces.
No. 3: mont-bell Versalite Jacket. 143g with the waterproofing and breathability numbers, seam tape and hood all there. Packed it is 7×7×11cm. A simple design that omits pockets. The outer fabric is a thin 7 denier. For brushy paths or a heavy pack, a thicker fabric suits better.
No. 4: mont-bell Torrent Flyer Jacket. The outer fabric is 15 denier, about 2 times as thick as the Versalite. 90g heavier and JPY 1,500 more (233 − 143, 25,500 − 24,000). In return it has 2 zippered pockets, and the fabric stretches both ways. Price per gram is about JPY 109, the cheapest of the 4. For mountain races where you walk longer than you run, and people who reuse it for mountaineering, this one.
Nike's Miler Repel Jacket has a hood in a water-repellent fabric.
For a waterproof piece, it is a choice of two: the Versalite, whose numbers are complete, or the Strike Trail, whose bib shows through.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
mont-bell Versalite Jacket
Lowest price on Rakuten Ichiba: JPY 10,000 (as of 10/13). Prices change daily. For apparel, compare the maker's size chart (height, chest, waist) with your own measurements. If in doubt, check the shop's return and exchange terms.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
The North Face Strike Trail Jacket
The lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 16,940 (as of 10/13). Prices range up to JPY 24,200 depending on the store. Prices change daily. For clothing, compare the maker's size chart (height, chest, waist) with your own measurements. If unsure, check the store's return and exchange terms on its page.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanWhich passes as trail mandatory gear
As I read in the article on trail mandatory gear, the conditions races ask of a rain jacket are 3: both waterproof and breathable, seam tape, and a hood. Only the Izu race gives a waterproofing number, "recommending" 10,000mm or more.
I apply these conditions to the 4 in the table. The Versalite and Torrent Flyer meet all 3, and their waterproofing is 2 times the recommended line (20,000 ÷ 10,000). The EX Light Wind Jacket is water repellent only, so it does not pass.
For the Strike Trail Jacket, the official store page states the 3-layer waterproof breathable fabric and the hood. To carry it as mandatory gear, it is a piece to check by laying the race's entry guide next to the product tag.
Decide running wear by temperature guide and race length
I apply the material explanations to scenes. The dividing lines are my judgment.
| Scene | Top | Bottom and feet | Add |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 degrees or more, up to 10km | Sleeveless (63g) | Short shorts, thin socks | None |
| 10 to 20 degrees, half | Short-sleeve T (80g) | Shorts with 3 or more pockets | Windshell until the start (45g) |
| Under 10 degrees, full | Short-sleeve T | Shorts with 5 or more pockets, socks with little cotton | Windshell. If rain is forecast, a rain jacket (143g) |
| Mountain race | Short-sleeve T | Long shorts, socks above the ankle | A rain jacket that meets the conditions (mandatory) |
The reason to choose sleeveless on a hot day is that you can wear the ultra-thin fabric billed as "heat does not get trapped," with the 17g of sleeves removed. What you add on days below 10 degrees is a piece that cuts wind. A shirt that absorbs sweat and spreads it gets cold when wind hits it, so the 45g stops that wind.
I set 5 or more pockets for a full marathon so you can split the gels. Nike's AeroSwift has 4 slip-in pockets, and mont-bell has 4 at the waist and sides. Up to the half, On's 3 are enough.
I split rain by time. Water repellency is a finish that repels water on the surface, and the seams stay as they are. If rain is forecast beyond 1 hour, switch to a piece with a waterproofing number and seam tape.
How many grams and how much money is a full set of running wear
| Combination | Breakdown | Total weight | Total price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top, bottom and socks | Sleeveless 63 + Shorts Light 98 + KAMICO 5-Toe 57 | 218g | JPY 12,700 |
| + Windshell | The 3 above + EX Light Wind 45 | 263g | JPY 22,380 |
| + Rain jacket | The 3 above + Versalite 143 | 361g | JPY 36,700 |
Top, bottom and socks, 3 pieces, come to 218g. That is lighter than half the water in a 500ml PET bottle. Adding a rain jacket makes it 361g, and the 1 jacket takes about 4 tenths of the whole (143 ÷ 361).
In price, against JPY 12,700 for the 3 pieces, the Versalite alone is JPY 24,000. The 1 rain piece costs about 1.9 times the 3 pieces of clothing (24,000 ÷ 12,700). This is why I recommended the 45g first at the top. With a windshell, even all 4 pieces come to JPY 22,380.
In the HYROX article, the cheapest 3 pieces from PUMA and On came to JPY 15,180. mont-bell's 3 pieces are JPY 2,480 cheaper than that (15,180 − 12,700).
Who is it for?
The 3 pieces suit people who are putting together a full set from now. If you have a moisture-wicking shirt and shorts and run up to the half, you can run by adding just the 45g windshell or socks with little cotton.
A rain jacket suits people who enter mountain races. If you rest on rainy days, JPY 24,000 is soon enough once it is asked of you as mandatory gear.
I did not put compression tights or calf covers into this table. They are chosen by the function in their sales pitch, which does not fit this article's method of lining up weight and material numbers.
FAQ
How much does a full running outfit cost for a beginner?
With mont-bell's top, bottom and socks, it is 218g for JPY 12,700. Adding a windshell makes it JPY 22,380, and adding a rain jacket makes it JPY 36,700.
Can one piece serve as both windshell and rain jacket?
A rain jacket can double, because it stops wind too. The reverse is not possible. The weight goes up 98g and the price rises JPY 14,320 (24,000 − 9,680). For people who enter mountain races, covering both with the Versalite alone is the way to carry the least baggage.
Is it better for 5-toe socks to have no cotton?
Decide by running time. Tabio's standard is 46% cotton, the Pro is 18%, and mont-bell's KAMICO has no cotton. For long times with wet feet, such as a full marathon or a rainy day, the 2 pairs with little cotton. For training up to 1 hour, even the standard is enough. The cotton share of 12 pairs is compared in the article on running socks.
How many pockets does half marathon running shorts need?
3 is enough. 3 places: 1 or 2 gels, a key, and coins or an IC card. The checkpoint times and pace are summarized in a table in the article on half marathon pace and checkpoints. Once you know your running time, the number of gels to carry is decided too.
Gear in this article
Ads and images: Rakuten IchibaSources
- mont-bell official: Cool Light Sleeveless Shirt Men's
- mont-bell official: Cool Light T Men's
- Nike Japan official: Stride Dri-FIT ADV Short Sleeve Running Top
- Nike Japan official: AeroSwift Dri-FIT ADV Running Tank Top
- On Japan official: Performance-T
- mont-bell official: Cross Runner Shorts Light Men's
- mont-bell official: Cross Runner Middle Shorts Light Men's
- Nike Japan official: AeroSwift Dri-FIT ADV 5cm Running Shorts
- Nike Japan official: Stride Dri-FIT 13cm Running Shorts
- On Japan official: 7" Core Shorts
- mont-bell official: KAMICO Cross Runner 5-Toe Socks
- Tabio official: Racing Run Pro five-toe socks
- Tabio official: Racing Run five-toe socks
- On Japan official: Performance Run Sock Mid
- mont-bell official: EX Light Wind Jacket Men's
- mont-bell official: Versalite Jacket Men's
- mont-bell official: Torrent Flyer Jacket Men's
- The North Face official store: Strike Trail Jacket (NP62576)
- Nike Japan official: Miler Repel UV Protection Running Jacket
Related reading
Shoes & gearHow to Buy Japanese Running Shoes Overseas: Sizes, Duty, ShippingFour ways to buy Japanese running shoes from overseas: Rakuten forwarding, buying agents, local stores and shop-to-abroad shipping. How cm sizing works, US and Taiwan duty, banned items, from official pages.Oct 19, 2026
