| HITTING THE TRAILS
TRAIL GEAR ESSENTIALS
Whether you ’ re an experienced road runner looking for a change of pace , or a beginner runner who just loves being out in nature , trail running offers not only a healthy activity , but will open a whole new world of awesome running , but it has a few gear requirements . – BY SEAN FALCONER
FIND SHOES WITH GRIP
The most important piece of running
1 gear for trail is getting the right shoes .
You can get by with road shoes if you stick to relatively flat gravel roads , and run in dry conditions , but once you start heading up steep hills or mountains , and encountering rocks , roots and mud , you will soon realise why trail shoes are important .
Trail shoes offer far better grip and traction than road shoes , as well as protection from rough surfaces and stability . Basically , it ’ s the same as putting slick tyres on your car and trying to drive up a muddy hill , versus putting off-road tyres on the car and getting the grip you need to move up that hill . Ditto , the same as trying to ride up a mountain on a road bike with slick roadie tyres … it just doesn ’ t work .
Within the trail running shoe category , you ’ ll find a range of shoes that are suited for everything from easy , entry-level trails up to highly technical , gnarly terrain . You can also choose between low-profile minimalist trail shoes that give you an enhanced feel for the trail , or maximalist shoes that have lots of cushioning to reduce impact on joints and muscles .
GEAR UP FOR THE TRAILS
Like road running , you don ’ t need
2 that much gear to do it , so going for a quick , short trail run can be as simple as pulling on shorts and a T-shirt , lacing up a pair of running shoes and heading out the door . However , if you pla not run longer , and higher , and on more challenging surfaces , there are a few gear considerations that will make your run much more enjoyable and comfortable .
Carrying Water : This is a must-have on the trails , and you have several watercarrying options , including hydration packs , hydration vests , handheld water bottles or waistpacks with water bottles . If you ’ re going for a short run , you ’ ll get by with a handheld water bottle or small waistpack , as you ’ ll be able to carry enough water for the run while also having room to store your house key , some cash , and an energy bar or gel , but for longer runs , consider a running hydration vest or a running hydration pack . These offer more storage for larger amounts of water , extra clothing , food , first-aid supplies , navigation tools and other items you may need on a half-day or full-day adventure . If choosing a hydration pack , look for a running-specific style with a narrow design that allows you to swing your arms freely .
Clothing : Similar to road running , moisture-wicking material is recommended , rather than cotton , which
is very slow to dry , and packing a lightweight rain jacket or fleece top is a must if heading to high altitudes where the weather may be unpredictable . Dress in layers , as it will help you manage your comfort throughout the day , adding or shedding layers as the conditions require . Also keep in mind that trail running generates a lot of heat and perspiration , so opt for breathable clothing with ventilation openings , and be careful of waterproof clothing that does not breathe well , and thus gets wet clammy on the inside .
Watch : There are many options on the market these days in terms of running watches , from basic sport models that tell the time and include a stopwatch , and activity trackers that monitor your steps , all the way to top-of-range GPS watches that track distance and speed , map your route and can be used to help you navigate , and heart rate monitors that offer optimal training pace level info to help you maximise the effectiveness of your run .
Safety Gear : If you do tackle remote trails , far from help should you run into any problems , then carrying a basic medical kit , including a space blanket and a whistle , is essential , along with water and warm clothing . As they say , better to be safe than sorry .
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