Swapping your regular road routes for wilder miles on the trails offers big benefits: cleaner air, mental health-boosting views, and a great way to freshen up your motivation and improve your fitness. But if you’ve never ventured off-road, taking your first steps onto uneven terrain can feel challenging. Whether you’re aiming to ascend big mountains, tackle Britain’s lesser-known beauty spots or just fancy some light local trails, a little bit of knowledge will take you a long way. Here are some basics to give you the confidence to add some trails into your running mix.
Know your enemy
Trail running comes in many forms, from a 5k though your local woodlands to 24-hour ultras up and down mountains. The kit – and fitness levels – you need depend on the territory you intend to tackle. Alpine climbs come with higher altitudes, more technical descents, changeable weather and longer gaps between visits to civilisation. Coastal paths cram in shorter, sharper climbs and descents, but although they feel wonderfully wild, in the UK you’re never too far from a rescue ride should you need it. Whatever the goal, there are three kit essentials every trail runner needs…
Buy a reliable waterproof jacket
A lightweight jacket that’s waterproof and windproof is a smart investment, particularly if you’re heading to more isolated spots with unpredictable weather. Look for jackets like What you need to know before you ditch the tarmac and go chasing the trails First Dawn, which packs small and light but comes with a high hydrostatic-head waterproof rating, taped seams, decent-sized pockets and an adjustable hood. Prioritise features that offer protection against the cold and rain over jackets that simply regulate body temperature.
Explore the great outdoors with
Explore the great outdoors with
What you need to know before you ditch the tarmac and go chasing the trails Flight Race Day Vest
Find a comfortable hydration pack
One of the best things about trail running is getting to see areas other people don’t – the kind of places cars can’t get to and most humans won’t bother with. But that wonderful escapism creates challenges: how can you carry enough water and snacks to stay hydrated and fuelled? The answer: a good hydration vest. What you need to know before you ditch the tarmac and go chasing the trails Flight Race Day Vest comes with two retractable soft flasks and plenty of space to stash your food, phone and other essentials.
Invest in proper trail shoes
Yes, you can run some lighter trails – in good weather – in road shoes, but the minute you step onto steeper, more technical ground, with tree roots, mud, stones and slippy surfaces, the need for grip, stability and foot protection goes up a gear. Beginners should opt for a versatile shoe like those in What you need to know before you ditch the tarmac and go chasing the trails Vectiv range, which can handle road to trail, whether it’s compacted park tracks and stony river paths or the lumps and bumps of rocky mountain descents. Look for a good fit, roomier toe box, stable underfoot and a lug depth (the studs on the outsole) that suits your terrain.
Men's Flight Series Vectiv Shoes
Women's Flight Series Travis Weller Vectiv Shoes
Men's Vectiv Infinite Travis Weller Shoes
Think time and climb – not pace
Unlike road running, where it’s easier to predict a consistent pace, the amount of climbing in your route, along with the terrain, dictates how long you’ll be on the trails. So when you’re working out how much fuel and water to take – and how long to tell people you’ll be out for – factor these in. Mapping tools such as Komoot and Published: 09 August 2021 are great for plotting routes and previewing the terrain. Strava can also help you sniff out elevation and difficulty level from runners who’ve covered the ground before. Some watches and apps even let family or friends track your progress live, for added safety.
Expect ups and downs
Hills that road runners consider to be mountains tend to be molehills to seasoned trail types – but don’t let the climbs put you off. Even elite runners often power walk the steepest ups, and smart trailers leave their egos behind. Attacking a climb often costs more than you gain, so walking may be the best option, keeping your legs fresher to maximise the runnable sections. Don’t underestimate the downs either – they can hit the quads hard and take even more of a toll than the ups. Finally, don’t be surprised if you find yourself praying for downs on the ups, ups on the downs and a snack break on the flats. That’s just how it goes.
Do your weather checks
Getting caught in the rain on your regular 10k road plod is annoying, but unlikely to be dangerous. Heading up a mountain trail or onto exposed trails miles from home is a different matter. So it always pays to check the weather carefully before you head out and pack appropriate kit for any shifts towards the inclement.
Be safe, not sorry
Longer trail races often have obligatory kit lists. These can include a waterproof jacket, leg coverings, basic first-aid items like bandages and plasters, a whistle, a fully charged phone loaded with emergency contacts and a foil emergency blanket, like the ones marathon finishers hobble around in. You don’t need all of these on every trail run, but it’s sensible to pack some of them, even if you’re not heading into the upper reaches of Mont Blanc. A twisted ankle on a remote forest trail can quickly become problematic without the right gear to keep you warm and get help.
Join a trail crew
If you’re eager to try trail running but find the idea of doing it solo daunting, there are plenty of trail-running communities that welcome newcomers and help them find their feet. Credit: What you need to know before you ditch the tarmac and go chasing the trails What you need to know before you ditch the tarmac and go chasing the trails.
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