6 Accessories You Need for a Day of Sports

Sports are a great way to stay fit and socialise with other like-minded individuals. There is a wide range of sports out there, so it’s easy to find something you love, whether it’s football, basketball, baseball, golf, ice skating, or volleyball.

Regardless of the type of sport you participate in, you’ll need to make sure you have all of the necessary accessories. Each sport requires a unique set of accessories and specific clothing to maximise your safety and performance. However, there are some general accessories most sports lovers can benefit from owning.

Here are six accessories that you need to invest in as a sports enthusiast.

Athletic Trainers
When you’re running, jumping, and squatting, you need the appropriate pair of shoes. Athletic trainers are the best choice for reducing the risk of ankle injuries and optimising exercise performance. They provide enough ankle support to stabilise the joints and cushioning to protect your feet during intense movements.

Different sports require different types of shoes. For example, running and heavy weight training often require flat-soled shoes to reduce the chance of ankle and knee injuries. Court-based sports, such as tennis or basketball, may require shoes with slightly more cushioning and protection.

Athletic Socks and Hat
Although not necessarily essential for high performance, investing in athletic socks and a trucker hat can complete your sports look by creating a cohesive outfit. Your socks should provide comfort and support, and they should be made from moisture-wicking material to minimise sweat accumulation during sports games and training sessions.

A trucker hat will keep your head warm during cold winters when you’re playing outdoor sports and protect it from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation during hot summers on the field or court. It will also protect the skin on your face, enabling you to maintain healthier, clearer skin.

Reusable Water Bottle
You’ll need to rehydrate during and after sports matches and training sessions. Whilst you could purchase single-use plastic bottles for each workout or game you participate in, doing so contributes significantly to your waste production and isn’t the most sustainable option.

Instead, consider purchasing a reusable water bottle. Ideally, your chosen water bottle should be made out of glass or metal, which are more durable and less toxic than hard plastics.

Keep a filled water bottle by the side of the court, pitch, or rink so you can take regular sips whilst training and playing. Doing so will optimise your exercise performance and help you maintain good health.

Moisture-Wicking Clothing
When you’re running around a field or bottling from side to side on a court, you’ll build up a sweat. To minimise discomfort and nasty odours, you will need to wear moisture-wicking clothing for your sports activities.

Moisture-wicking clothes enable sweat to evaporate quickly from your body to keep you cool and comfortable. Generally, the best fabrics for sports clothing are polyester, nylon, and spandex, or a combination of all three.

Fitness Watch
Smartwatches and fitness bands are all the rage at the moment and for a good reason. These handy smart devices enable you to track your activities, including your calories burned, steps taken, and heart rate during your sports activities.

Many advanced fitness watches also monitor your temperature, which is a vital health metric to be aware of when you’re exercising. This is especially important if you’re exercising outdoors during a hot summer. You can check your internal temperature to ensure you don’t overheat or experience heat exhaustion.

Note that you can get smartwatches that are specific to certain sports, such as running, cycling, or swimming. Consider purchasing a specialised watch for maximum health-tracking capabilities.

Sunscreen
Sunscreen probably isn’t the first thing you think about when you consider sports accessories. However, it’s essential when you’re participating in outdoor sports.

Sunscreen protects your skin from sun damage. It creates a protective layer across the skin’s surface to either deflect or absorb UV radiation, preventing it from entering your skin cells and damaging your DNA.

Keeping some sunscreen in your sports bag enables you to apply a layer to your skin when the sun is high. Make sure to reapply the cream every few hours if you’re outside in the hot sun all day (and stay hydrated, of course). If your chosen sport is swimming and you tend to train in outdoor pools, make sure you find a waterproof sunscreen.