Sports clothes for a minimalist. The minimum for the maximum use

Sports clothes for a minimalist, i.e. a minimalist’s clothing base from a completely different angle.

Today’s post will be interesting for those of you who practice or intend to play sports. Sports clothes for a minimalist complement the clothing base. The post is dedicated primarily to people who:

– want to play several sports regularly
– would like to practice sport, but usually give up activity after a short time
– want to try different disciplines and by definition don’t get attached to one discipline
– don’t have a big budget
– do not have much space for storage,
therefore they need things that will work for several activities. As a result, the change of discipline will not be associated with throwing away clothes and taking up a new challenge will not mean any further expenses. Sportswear for a minimalist also requires consideration when shopping, because the selected clothes may serve us for several years before they need to be replaced with new ones.

Minimalist sportswear – the minimum that gives you the maximum

I would like to point out that we are talking today about amateur sports, because the more advanced person becomes, the more specialized purchases are. For example: for occasional rides on a MTB you don’t need to invest in expensive specialized shoes or specially designed outfits for MTB competitive cyclists.

My disciplines

In the last 10 years, I practiced the following disciplines:

jogging
badmington
squash
jogging again
MTB cycling
gym
krav maga
skating
fencing
swimming pool
and jogging again
yoga
in plans: sailing
Nowadays I do yoga regularly, I occasionally skate, bike, swim and run. Sometimes it’s like a flash in the pan and I like trying new things. So I composed my drawer with sports clothes to be prepared for each of my activities, and at the same time most of the clothes fit all of them.

Sports clothes for a minimalist

1 / T-SHIRTS
In my experience, runner’s T-shirts are the most versatile. They are suitable for jogging, as well as for bicycle, roller skates, on the court and for any indoor sport. I also practice yoga in them. Here I have to say that while dealing with yoga at home for half a year I did not buy anything designed for yoga apart from the mat – there was no such need. Let’s go back to the t-shirts. Due to this versatility, it is good to invest in decent T-shirts that will be comfortable, breathable and you will feel good in them. Due to the fact that sports fashion changes fast, it is worth choosing colors or patterns that are always on top, because a good investment will serve us for years.
The number of T-shirts you have depends on how often you play sports and how often you do your laundry, or if you want to wash them by hand. I assume that this kind of T-shirt ends up in the washing machine after one use. Following this lead, one T-shirt is for each day when you do sports in a given week, unless you manage to wash it more frequently on a regular basis.
minimum version: 2 sports T-shirts
optimum version: 3 sports T-shirts plus 1-2 tank tops.

2 / SHORTS
Another universal thing that goes with almost any sport. Therefore, they should also be treated as an investment. Choose a model dedicated to sports activities because of its breathable material and comfort. Consider universal colors – black, navy blue, gray (they go well with colored T-shirts and do not need to be washed so often). If you are playing a sport that requires stretching, be sure that chosen item would follow your movements. For example, I wear knitted pants for yoga.
minimum version: 1 pair of shorts
optimum version: 1 fabric and 1 knitted shorts.

3 / LONGSLEEVE
Again the one for running is the best solution for colder days. Choose one that regulates your body temperature and is breatheable. If you are prone to colds or want to ride a bike in it, choose a model with a stand-up collar. Remember that you should feel comfortable in motion. Comfortable ones have a thumb hole in the sleeve welt. They protect your hands from cold.
minimum version: 1 long sleeve shirt
optimum version: 1-2 long sleeve shirts

4 / LEGGINGS
Once again, the running clothes are present here, and they are perfect for both cycling and exercise. When choosing, follow the same rules as previously described, plus … check that it is not translucent. Many leggings are thin and when pulled over the body, they show more than we would like to. You don’t always see it in the mirror …
If you run or cycle in the dark, make sure you can be seen and they should also have a small pocket for keys for your convenience. The zippers at the bottom of the legs are also functional.
minimum version: 1 leggings
optimum version: 1-2 leggings

5 / JACKET
Indispensable for people practicing outdoor sports, also when the weather is cooler. It is useful for a bicycle, roller skates, jogging, etc. It should have a stand-up collar, it should be reinforced at the chest for better protection against wind, reducing the risk of colds. I recommend choosing a beathable softshell jacket that regulate body temperature. Remember that not every such jacket is rainproof.
minimum version: softshell windbreaker
optimum version: 1 rainproof windbreaker with retractable hood and 1 cycling jacket with special double material on the chest

6 / SPORTS UNDERWEAR
You can, but you don’t have to invest in it, although sports panties are very comfortable because they do not change their position during activity :). It is worth getting sports socks to ensure breathability of the foot and eliminate their shifting during movement, which protects against corns.
minimum version: a pair of socks for each day we play sports
optimum version: 1-2 sports bras (women 🙂), plus a pair of sports panties and socks for each sports day

7 / SHOES
I am not a minimalist here for functional reasons. If you run, your running shoes should only be used for jogging, which is what they are designed for. Also for economic reasons – each pair has its lifetime expressed in kilometers –from 25 km (the cheapest sports shoes from Decathlon, which I started with) to several hundred kilometers of potential mileage, and maybe even more 🙂 (with decent running shoes). This means that after „running” this distance, all shock absorbing systems wear out, etc. It really matters for comfort and health – I checked.

Therefore, if you are doing anything other than running, you should also have other footwear for it. For indoor exercises, you should have shoes intended only for this (not to leave rubber trace on the floors or the hall). If you choose universal shoes, one can be used for several indoor activities. And if you ride a bike, a third pair comes, but even sneakers may be enough here. I chose sneakers with sole that better adheres to the pedals. And they are just right for a trip, e.g. to the mountains 🙂
minimum version: depending on whether you do the 3 types of activity mentioned above: 1 running shoes, 1 indoor shoes, 1 for a bicycle
optimum version: as above.

Accessories:

– decent !!!!!!! bicycle helmet – please, don’t save here. Choose one that has as many airy openings as possible. A helmet is an absolute minimum for cyclists and skaters.
– sunglasses – obligatory with a UV filter. For the sake of eye health, also an absolute minimum
– baseball cap
As you can see, sportswear for a minimalist is quite a large drawer. Some of my sportswear is several years old, some even 6 years old, so it looks a bit different from an investment perspective. Well-composed content on the sports shelf also means no feeling of regret when brands launch new collections – we already have our best choice 🙂

Is there anything you would add to the list?