While we love a good tempo run, track workout, or meandering road run through a new neighborhood, little beats a good flow-state trail run. Whether you’re grinding up a talus slope, bounding through forested trails, or on an epic high-desert adventure against red rocks and a blue sky, it feels like the ultimate freedom.
Expensive for max output levels? Running Shoe Labor Day Sale 2024. From shoes without the right tread to incorrect layering, trail running does require a few specifics. While there is some crossover in apparel, we appreciate the higher levels of protection and traction in our trail running shoes and added abrasion resistance of our trail apparel.
Add in extras like a versatile 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.
The Expert: I started running in grade school, “competing” with the cross country and track teams in a very average-but-dedicated way. Plus, the bus stopped at McDonalds on the way back from meets, so I had ulterior motives. I started taking running seriously in college, and while I never competed at a high level, it was my social and athletic outlet.
I started trail running when I moved out west 12 years ago, and it’s still my most prominent four-season activity. I test running shoes and apparel for a variety of outlets, and have been writing about and professionally testing gear for more than a decade. Everything on this list has been personally tested and approved over many miles of four-season trails.
What to Consider when Shopping for Trail Running Gear
How We Selected
To create this list, I used my own trail running experience as well as a decade in the athletic apparel testing and reviewing world. Even if I don’t personally need all the bells and whistles of a certain product, I still consider it for the general population and for people running in different regions.
Since this is a more generalized packing-slash-gear list and not a single-category guide, I went through my own trail running kit to figure out must-have categories for gear and apparel. From there, it was a matter of finding the top item and a budget pick for each category. Of course, if a budget item isn’t applicable (trail running shoes, for example) I went with two options on different ends of the spectrum. This is far from an exhaustive list, but it should get you started.
Best Trail-Running Shoes
Pros
- Updated cushioning and responsiveness
- 5mm lugs don’t get bogged down
Cons
- Can feel a little narrow at first
The latest update to this popular trail running shoe includes a new Pwrrun+ sockliner for increased cushioning and protection from more rugged trails. It retains the previous EVA midsole with Saucony’s proprietary materials, which I’ve found to be responsive and comfortable for long runs.
The new design has a more padded mesh collar and heel tab, which is nice for protection and any off-kilter trail sections that can result in bruising around the collar from stiffer materials. The lugs are deep and grip well on both wet and dry terrain, and if you’re not looking for any special specifics in your trail shoe, these are an excellent all-around option that nabbed the top spot in the Large pockets, including kangaroo pocket in the back this year.
Pros
- Dual-density midsole combined with rugged outsole
- Roomier fit than other Hoka shoes
Cons
While Hokas might have exploded in popularity amongst the general public over the past few years, they’re still some of our favorite go-to shoes for technical terrain. The Mafate Speed 4 recently underwent a major overhaul, including two layers of foam through the midsole with the lighter foam near your foot and the bottom layer made of a denser foam that doesn’t pack down.
This shoe really shines on techy, steep terrain where you need a reliable shoe that hugs your foot without feeling too tight, is balanced front to back, and has multi-directional lugs for steep climbing and descending on everything from rock faces to shale.
A Guide to Trail Running for Beginners
Pros
- Light compression
- We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back
Cons
Formerly called the Pursuit Four, these medium-height crew socks are an excellent pick for a variety of conditions and distances. These have almost a compression-like feel without being too constricting, and for a very reasonable $20 they have 60 percent merino. The rest of the blend is a durable synthetic nylon with some spandex for stretch and shape, and they have a moderate amount of cushioning.
While there are plusher options out there with heavier reinforcements around the toe and heel, I like the sleekness of this sock. It doesn’t shift around or feel bulky in a running shoe.
Pros
- Highly wicking
- Maintain structure after many washes
Cons
- Hold odor more than natural fibers
While merino and natural fibers resist odor better than synthetics, there’s a lot to be said for the structure of a fully synthetic sock. Balega’s line of socks is designed with seams and structure to reduce fatigue and blisters, and these hold their shape well thanks to the fully synthetic construction.
Made with more than 80 percent Drynamix blend, the Hidden Comfort socks wick sweat well and resist odors better than a lot of other synthetic socks I’ve worn. Plus I like the look of a lower sock, so if you aren’t worried about trail debris, these have a sleek profile when paired with trail running shoes.
Best Trail-Running Shorts
Pros
- Abrasion-resistant material
- Waistband doesn’t roll
Cons
- Liner doesn’t retain shape well
Maintain structure after many washes Best Trail-Running Jackets, so it makes sense to include them here. Constructed with more than 25 percent spandex, these are stretchy for maximum range of motion without losing durability—ideal for overgrown trails or potential abrasion.
I absolutely require four-way stretch in my running shorts, and I’m a fan of the slightly longer inseam—these have a 7-inch inseam for the men’s and a 5-inch inseam for the women’s. These are also reasonably priced thanks to REI’s house-brand line of cost, and they’ve survived a long season of heavy trail use without showing too much wear.
Pros
- Expansive size range
- Comfortable waistband
Cons
- Liner can hold odors
There are a lot of overpriced running shorts on the market, and I’m a firm believer that this is one category where the budget pick is often as good as the most expensive options. Baleaf is my go-to budget brand for athletic apparel, with much of the same styling, materials, and design elements as the more expensive brands.
These shorts have a high, wide waistband, excellent range of motion thanks to the gusseted seams, and several different inseam options for both men and women. The men’s have a mesh liner and the women’s models have a lightweight synthetic liner, though the synthetic materials hold odor more than shorts with a natural-fiber liner. Otherwise, these hold their own against the name-brand shorts and I’ve had mine for multiple seasons.
Best Trail-Running Jackets
Pros
- Cinch hood stays in place
- Running Maintain structure after many washes
Cons
- Best Natural Fibers
Nathan is best known for hydration packs, but I’ve been a big fan of its running layers for the past few years. This is a moderate-fit, breathable jacket that works for a range of weather conditions, making it perfect for unpredictable shoulder-season runs.
I don’t worry about overheating thanks to the wicking, breathable synthetic, but it blocks wind and light rain. It has a deep hood that cinches with one pull from the back, and thumb loops to keep the sleeves in place.
What sets it apart from my other wind-jacket style tops is how quiet it is. Made with a stretchier knit than similar styles, this jacket doesn’t have the *swish* that can drive me crazy on long runs in otherwise silent woods.
Pros
- Large pockets, including kangaroo pocket in the back
- Two-sided hood cinch
Cons
- Less breathable than other jackets
This reasonably priced running jacket has a soft weave with a DWR coating, and comfortable articulation through the arms for maximum range of motion. The material is four-way stretch and doesn’t bunch up under a pack, and it also reduces to softball size into its own pocket for easy stashing in your running pack.
The pockets are large enough to store keys and a phone, plus it has a kangaroo pocket in the back. It’s also a little longer than others we’ve tested, with a hemline that sits comfortably below your shorts waistband to keep rain from dripping down.
Best Trail-Running Packs
Pros
- Zippered front pockets for keys / phone
- Comfortable fit without rubbing
Cons
- Minimalist front straps are hard to tighten enough when pack is fully loaded
This has been one of my go-to full-day vests since I first tested it, with a generous 12-liter capacity, multiple levels of back pockets for extra organizing, and secure zippered pockets in the front. The flask pockets have shock cords to hold the bottles in place, and the mesh padded back is breathable and comfortable to wear for full days on the trail.
It has just enough pockets to be useful without getting confusing, and the pockets are largely see-through with different mesh densities, so I can quickly see which pocket has my filter and which has my energy gels.
Pros
- Available in three sizes
- Secure zippered full-length back pocket
Cons
- Would like more closures on the front buckles
Deuter is relatively new to the trail-running pack scene, and its foray has proven successful thus far. With a range of colors and capacities, I was impressed with the design, stability, and the adjustability of the shock cords.
Having two options for pack capacity isn’t a bad thing, and I take the 5-liter model out when I need little more than water and snacks. That said, this pack does hold a light layer and necessities, but the 5-liter capacity keeps it close to my back, and the pockets are all easily accessible on the move.
The 8 Best Headlamps for Runners
Pros
- Stable design
- Bungee strap easily adjusts fit
Cons
- Expensive for max output levels
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.
Pros
- Holds battery power even when stored for months at a time
- High brightness and multiple modes for less than 2 ounces
Cons
- Buttons are small and can be hard to locate while wearing
Trail Running FAQs
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.
