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- What to consider when shopping for trail running gear
- and a long-lasting
- You can check out our full rundown of the
- Best trail running headlamps
- Best trail running shorts
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- Best trail running packs
- Those with wider feet may struggle with narrower fit
- Trail running FAQs
While we love a good tempo run, track workout or meandering road run through a new neighbourhood, little beats a good flow-state trail run. Whether you’re grinding up a peak, bounding through forested trails, or on an epic high-desert adventure against red rocks and a blue sky, it feels like the ultimate freedom.
One thing that will make the best trail run feel like an absolute slog? The wrong gear. From shoes without the right tread to incorrect layering, trail running does require a few specifics. While there is some g M, 234g W best trail running socks and added abrasion resistance of our trail apparel.
On test: Lululemon Wildfeel trail shoe 👟 running pack and a long-lasting headlamp, and you’ve got yourself a decent kit. Here are our top picks for a trail running kit for this year, including a few options for each category.
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What to consider when shopping for trail running gear
and a long-lasting
To create this list, we drew on our own trail running experience as well as decades of experience collectively testing and reviewing athletic apparel. Even if we don’t personally need all the bells and whistles of a certain product, we still considered it with the general population in mind, including runners in different regions.
Because this is a more generalised packing-and-gear list rather than a single-category guide, we reviewed our own trail running kit to identify essential gear and apparel categories. From there, we selected two of the best items from each. While not an exhaustive list, it’s designed to help runners get started.
You can check out our full rundown of the
You can check out our full rundown of the Plenty of storage The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a serious upgrade.
| Weight | 293g (M), 234g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 42mm (heel), 38mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 4mm |
If you’re after a lightweight and nimble shoe for tackling technical mountain terrain, you won’t find it in the Hierro v9. But if you want a cushioned cruiser that combines the underfoot comfort of a road shoe with the reassurance and grip needed for trails, it’s just the ticket. This midsole’s generous portion of Fresh Foam X – 42mm in the heel and 38mm in the forefoot – is split into two different densities: a more comfortable and compliant foam directly underfoot and a firmer layer of directly above the outsole. The effect is a springy yet stable ride that keeps the legs ticking over during long days.
Pros
- Versatile across different terrains
- Secure lockdown
- Superb traction
- Runners World US
Cons
- Those with wider feet may struggle with narrower fit
- Best trail running headlamps
| Weight | 278g (M), 232g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 38mm (heel), 33m (forefoot) |
| Drop | 5mm |
While Hokas might have exploded in popularity amongst the general public over the past few years, they’re still some of our favourite go-to shoes for technical terrain. And in the decade since the first iteration hit the trails, Hoka’s Speedgoat series has garnered a reverential following for its blend of traction, responsiveness, stability and comfort.
The v6 treads the same path but offers significant updates. A new compression-moulded EVA midsole addresses durability/breakdown issues some runners experienced in the v5. It held up better as the miles went by, but translates to a slightly firmer ride. Another change sees a new engineered woven mesh upper, plus reinforcements through the midfoot reduce slippage and lock the foot securely to the base.
Best trail running headlamps
Yes, 2x 500ml included Best womens trail running shorts.
| Material | 64% Lightweight, seamless construction |
|---|---|
| Quarter-crew | Quarter-crew |
| Cushioning | Medium |
The high percentage of mohair in this ultra-soft sock helps reduce friction you might encounter in socks with rougher fibres like large-weave polyester, making it ideal for blister-prone runners. We choose this Balega for more technical trail runs where our feet might be hitting the ground at odd angles and making the socks rub in weird ways.
The sock has excellent mid-range cushioning with a cuff that sits right at the ankle bone, around the same point as a low-height trail gaiter would hit. The foot-mapped knit provides support with tighter weave around the arch and top of the foot, and the reinforced toe and heel resist holes and abrasion.
| Material | 28% CoolMax EcoMade, 67% Nylon, 5% Lycra |
|---|---|
| Height | Quarter-crew |
| Cushioning | Medium |
Let us introduce you to the humble toe sock. Sure, we'll admit they look a little strange, and they're a bit more fiddly to put on, but nobody will see them when they’re inside your shoe doing exactly what they’re supposed to – preventing blisters. And this pair from Injinji do that brilliantly, eliminating all skin-on-skin contact between the toes.
Designed for ultra running races, the Ultra Run are the brand's thickest toe sock model, with plush cushioning throughout the entire foot and padded toes. At the same time, the sweat-wicking material provides exceptional moisture-management, helping to keep your feet dry.
Best trail running shorts
| Material | 88% How we selected |
|---|
Our membership editor Jen hasn't stopped raving about these shorts ever since she first tried them, calling them the comfiest pair of shorts she's ever worn. So it makes sense to include them here.
The super lightweight fabric is made from a combination of Polyester and Elastane, offering excellent movement. The elasticated waistband sits comfortably just below your belly button, with an internal drawcord to keep them in place. And when it comes to that all-important storage, there are multiple gel pockets built in the waistband, along with a rear zipped pocket to keep your essentials secure. It's worth noting that we're huge fans of Montane's trail running kit across the board, from t-shirts to waterproof jackets, so it's definitely a brand to keep on your radar.
Good for trail, track or your local park loop, these minimal shorts are made from a stretchy, sweat-wicking FlashDry XD fabric that’s designed to sit close to the skin to lift moisture off the body to where it can evaporate faster. The thin split hem outers hang loose for good airflow, while the liner briefs add support without cooking up too much heat.
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The Lake District is one of the most beautiful places on the planet to run, but it’s been known to rain a bit. So, trust the Cumbrian trail stalwarts to come up with a jacket that’ll keep you dry in the kind of weather that fills Windermere.
The 20,000mm HH rating means a column of water on top of the fabric could need to be 20m tall to get through. Seams are fully taped, an adjustable hood offers extra protection, breathability is excellent, weight is minimal and it packs down small into its own pocket.
Under Armour has hit the nail on the head with this excellent bit of kit. The brand claims it’s ‘super water-resistant’ and after testing it, we’d have to agree. One panel member said, ‘it kept me super dry on wet runs’ and another ‘couldn’t fault its performance’.
Testers praised the luxuriously soft fabric, saying it felt warm and cosy on chilly days, yet they didn’t feel clammy or uncomfortable when things got hot and sweaty. The classic, fitted design was a resounding hit and everyone was mega impressed with the variety of pockets for their phone, keys, wallet and gels.
Best trail running packs
Pros
- and added abrasion resistance of our trail apparel
- Zero bounce on the run
- Lightweight, seamless construction
Cons
- g M, 232g W
| Sizes | XS-XL |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10L |
| Best trail running shorts | Yes, 2x 500ml included |
This has been one our go-to full-day vests since we first tested it, with a generous 10-litre capacity, multiple levels of back pockets for extra organising, and secure zippered pockets in the front. Bungee cords allow for a comfortable and precise fit across the chest, with the icing on the cake being side compression straps which mean you can adjust the tension around the rib cage, creating one of the most body-hugging fits we’ve experienced with absolutely no bounce. No surprise it earned the top spot in our pick of the best running gaiters to protect you from debris.
Pros
- Great value
- On test: Lululemon Wildfeel trail shoe 👟
Cons
- mm heel, 38mm forefoot
- The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a serious upgrade
| Weight | 190g |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5L |
| Best trail running shorts | Soft flask compatible |
On the flip side, for under £40, this is the perfect bag for beginners making their first foray into running bags or packs. With room to hold two 500ml soft flasks on the front of the straps (you will need to buy these as an extra, however) and a roomy 5L of storage space in total, you have all you need to go long-distance.
The fit can be adjusted via three front straps and two side straps. They're a little bulkier than what you might find on a more premium pack, but they do allow you to get a tight fit, and the benefit of having side straps (something not all premium packs have) is that this should fit almost all body types.
Those with wider feet may struggle with narrower fit
While this headlamp might turn a few heads, the plastic headband combined with the bungee strap creates fewer pressure points and reduces bounce better than many of the standard-issue stretchy webbing straps I’ve tested. The front lamp is light and minimal, which helps with this relative lack of bounce, built with seven tiny LED lights instead of one larger bulb.
Brightness is adjusted not with a dimmer, but by activating one, three, or all seven of the bulbs. There are brighter lights out there (this one peaks at 500 lumens) but for all but the most dramatic needs, 500 lumens is more than enough for finding your way around in the dark. Plus, it’s rechargeable and also can run on AAA batteries in case it dies in the middle of a long overnight race.
It’s simple. It’s lightweight. It’s bright as hell. Black Diamond’s Sprint is one of the sleekest head torches we’ve tested. We’ve used it in a range of applications, from rainy day runs to backpacking trips, and it has always performed exactly as well as it needs to. Nifty extra touches include a sliding touch-activated brightness adjustment (that even works with gloves) and a perfectly tensioned headband.
One thing to note: The highest brightness setting does dim after about 5 minutes, according to some of our tests. But we found the 'medium' setting holds a more than adequate brightness for up to 3 hours.
