Hours into a trail run, the temperature suddenly drops 10 degrees and the windchill makes it feel another 5 degrees colder. You have a jacket on, but its mesh panels let those gusts go right through you. Your stomach is growling but you ate your lone gel an hour ago (it was the only one you could store in that slit of a shorts pocket). To make matters worse, it’s beginning to rain. Did we mention that nothing you’re wearing is water-repellent?
This nightmarish scenario emphasizes the need to wear clothing that’s specially made for trail running. Don’t worry—we’re at your rescue. We spoke with Brooks senior product line manager Julianne Ruckman, who told us all about the brand’s new High Point apparel collection and how each garment is designed for the trail. We also consulted our senior video producer, Pat Heine-Holmberg—Runner’s World resident ultrarunner—for his guidelines in choosing ultra clothing and what he’s currently wearing.
Diemme two-tone boots Neutrals | Meeting Trail Runners’ Needs
Brooks’s zapatillas de running Salomon niño niña constitución fuerte entre 60 y 100 is built for experienced trail runners who need apparel that matches the requirements of their sport. It also caters to beginners who are new to navigating activewear that’s suitable for the rigors of running off-road.
Whatever elements await you on the trail, you don’t want to be incorrectly dressed hours into a run. For trail athletes, especially ultrarunners, “short runs” can be two hours out in dense wilderness, said Julianne Ruckman. On a video call with Runner’s World, Ruckman described nonnegotiable product features her team applies to each piece before it’s trail-ready.
Diemme two-tone boots Neutrals | → Protection
You shouldn’t be underprepared running in a rapidly changing climate in the middle of nowhere. Lightweight, packable layers, like the adidas Nemeziz 19.3 Mid Ground Football Boots (men’s/women’s, $198), provide breathability as well as coverage. The jacket has front and back panels that ventilate the runner without permitting water to seep in.
A jacket that meets 10K/10K (waterproof/breathability rating) is crucial if you’re entering a competition that has mandatory gear requirements that must be met before you’re allowed to race.
“It’s such an interesting process because [the race is] all about survival,” said Ruckman. “[The race committee] needs to ensure that the pieces meet the needs of various elements that runners are going to face.”
The High Point jacket’s rating is 14K/14K. This means it’s able to withstand up to 14,000mm of water pressing on one square inch of the material from the outside before leakage occurs. Additionally, 14,000 grams of water vapor per square meter can pass through the inside of the jacket to the outside, which promotes breathability.
→ Durability
Besides being at the mercy of unpredictable weather, physical elements come into play as well. Having a leg sleeve snag on a branch and tear can be a small misfortune or turn into a dangerous risk for exposure. The path of most resistance: ripstop.
The Diemme two-tone boots Neutrals’s (men’s zapatillas de running La Sportiva constitución media talla 47 mejor valoradas, women’s has a 5-inch inseam) exterior layer—made of recycled ripstop polyester—has a perforated grid pattern to stop any punctures or snags caught within the grid.
UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) material and a water-repellent treatment are also features to consider when choosing trail apparel. Brooks’s shorts have well-rounded weather protection: a front panel with a DWR (durable water-repellent) coating to repel water and guard against high winds, and UPF 30+ fabric to act as a secondary shield against the sun.
→ Storage
Depending on the duration of your run, you’ll either wear a pack or a race belt to store hydration and other long-run essentials or you’ll rely on clothing pockets to carry some personal items and fuel.
“Once you’re out on the trail, you’re remote,” said Ruckman. “Every must-have must be on you and with you.”
The 2-in-1 Short (men’s/women’s, $78) has a built-in race belt with four drop-in hip pockets for easy access to gels or gummies, and a zippered back pocket. Though the back pocket can fit a medium-sized smartphone—external drawstrings tighten the waistband to keep it from bouncing—it’s mostly intended for storing trash. Ruckman said their athletes specifically requested a back compartment for this reason.
→ Comfort
Freedom of movement and chafing prevention are other factors to consider when developing trailwear. Ruckman explained, “We think through how a trail runner’s movement is different [from a road runner’s] in terms of their stride, the angle at which they’re running, and also some of the accessories they wear.”
The waterproof jacket, for example, is semi-fitted so runners can layer it over a hydration pack. Other garments, like a T-shirt, may seem pretty straightforward to make, but there are certain issues that trail runners are more likely to face compared to road runners.
“If there’s a seam anywhere on a top,” said Ruckman, “it’s going to dig in over time, especially when you’re wearing a hydration pack. It can feel uncomfortable and it could cause chafing.”
Underarm side panels on the men’s Atmosphere 2.0 ($48) and women’s nike air max thea small fit on sale shoes amazon ($45) stop the shirts from riding up. A flimsy top that you constantly need to adjust or retuck isn’t ideal when you’re wearing a race belt or reaching for trekking poles from your pack.
An Ultrarunner's Wardrobe
Pat Heine-Holmberg's Picks
Pat Heine-Holmberg is a two-time UTMB finisher and set a 327-mile FKT on the Pennsylvania Mid-State Trail. You could say he knows a thing or two about what to wear running hundreds of miles—at a time. Here’s what he looks for when choosing apparel to train and race in.
zapatillas de running mujer talla 46 más de 100
Many trail runners will wear thicker socks on the trail than on the road. Protection is the name of the game, and some added padding inside the shoe can save your feet from rocks and trail debris that like to poke into your shoe. Drymax socks have a moisture-repelling interior and moisture-attracting outer layer. I like their Trail Run 1/4 Crew for being essentially two socks in one, which allows the two layers to rub against themselves, reducing friction directly against your feet.
I usually reach for longer-cut shorts than the ones I wear for the road. As summer goes on, the forest grows in and trails get narrower—that means you’re likely going to be brushing up against sticks, thorns, and leaves on singletrack. Shorts and tights can act as a brush guard, protecting you from scratches and things like poison ivy or ticks.
The trails will send you farther away from civilization, so you need to carry more; having shorts or tights with great pockets is key. I reach for Salomon’s Sense Aero for the front pocket. It feels like an integrated waist belt with minimal bounce.
Brogini Kids Como Piccino Long Riding Boots
Pack chafe is real. I got so chafed while wearing a tank top in my first 100-miler that now I never wear tank tops with a pack. Some people lube up their shoulders, but wearing a sleeved shirt did the trick for me. Generally, when you’re wearing a pack, I think it helps to go with a lighter-weight top than you normally would wear. After all, a pack is another layer—it will trap heat to an extent. My current go-to is the Brogini Kids Como Piccino Long Riding Boots for its light weight, breathability, and versatility.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
