The best trail running gear you actually need, according to real runners

The Altra Lone Peaks have always been favorites of trail runners, like Randi Powell, an ultrarunner in Colorado Springs who aims to complete four ultras before her 40th birthday and chef de cuisine of Ristorante del Lago. The brand’s newest iteration has an updated upper for added durability. It also keeps its other features, like chunky lugs for grip, a zero heel-toe drop (which might not work for everyone; ease into zero drops if you are new to it), a cushioned midsole, and the wide toebox Altra is known for. A men’s version is also available.

Saucony is a well-known name in the trail running world, as it makes solid shoes built for rough, rocky terrain. The Peregrines are one of the brand’s top sellers, and for good reason. Saucony built the shoes for technical ground, from the durable upper that won’t rip if you snag on a branch to the chunky 5-millimeter lugs that keep you trekking up steeps. The Peregrine also come in a waterproof Gore-Tex version; opt for waterproof shoes if you consistently run on a wet trail or in winter conditions. A women’s version is also available.

Bailey Kowalczyk, a professional trail runner and coach, has a go-to, do-it-all trail shoe: the Nike Pegasus Trail 5. This version has an updated, even more cushy midsole so that your feet don’t fatigue on rougher terrain. The lugs aren’t massive, which means these shoes can take you from the road to the trail without any added weight or clunkiness but will still give you added support on hills and gravel.?A men’s version and a waterproof Gore-Tex version are also available.

New from Lululemon is its Beyondfeel Trail Running shoe, a take on shoes meant for more than just a sidewalk but that don’t need the beefed-up traction for an intense trail — think the gravel bike of shoes. I tested these myself and found this pair to feel a little bottom-heavy. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially for running trails or on loose gravel. The lugs are multidirectional, and the heel drop is 9 millimeters. There is also a nice layer of foam for added cushion that helped with overall comfort on trails that were a bit rockier than just a nice gravel. I found a white version of trail shoes to be a bit odd, as even after one dry run, they were noticeably dirty; other colors include burnt orange and a tan with mint green. A men’s version is also available.

Another road-to-trail shoe, the Hoka Challenger 7, is made for more rugged trails but can still provide the support and cushion you want. They feel lightweight and bouncy on both short and longer runs, and the 4-millimeter lugs faired well on more technical, rocky trails.?Hoka updated this version with softer foam and an increased stack height for more spring, which was noticeable (and needed) as I got tired near the end of my routes. A men’s version is also available.

Darn Tough socks were the only socks recommended by all of our experts. Andy Wacker, a professional trail runner and athlete for Salomon and Darn Tough, specifically likes the Stride Micro Crew Ultra Lightweight socks. These merino socks have no cushioning for a minimalist feel and won’t bunch at all. Wacker raves about their quick-drying capabilities (great for if you run through a river, he says), and the taller height is good for avoiding getting pebbles in your shoes.

Kowalczyk also swears by Darn Tough socks, saying she never once had a blister with these merino socks. For a no-show pair, opt for the No Show Tab Ultra-Lightweight running sock, which has a bit of cushion underfoot and on the heel tab. Plus, Darn Tough’s lifetime guarantee is a huge bonus for folks who wear through socks quickly.

If you have softer skin on your feet and tend to get toe blisters from them rubbing against each other, check out Injini’s toe socks. Yes, they feel a bit funky at first but they have saved my toes on many runs and longer treks. The men’s and women’s trail midweight crew socks have extra cushioning in the footbed and added arch support for happy feet during and after your run.

Feetures socks are some of the softest socks I’ve ever worn, yet they are still really supportive during a run. The Trail Max Cushion Mini Crew have targeted compression underfoot and reinforced zones in high-wear areas so that you won’t wear through them. This mini crew has a 5-inch cuff for protection without having to sport a fuller-length sock.

The Ramble sunglasses from Glade are a larger option with top tech for seeing clearly on a trail run: Reveal photochromic, tint-adjusting lenses that change as the light changes. During a run next to a creek that went in and out of the sun, I noticed a subtle change in the lenses that helped me see more clearly. The lenses turn almost completely clear in the shade, though, and it makes them look a bit funky.?

For wraparound-style sunglasses that look just a smidge ridiculous (it’s a vibe) but offer good style and superb trail-running functionality, check out the Exposé shades by Blenders. I’ve worn these for months and never have an issue with vision, no matter how much sun or shade I’m in. They come in various colors and varying lenses, all with a large frame and adjustable nose pads.

Wacker stands by his pair of Oakley Sutro Lite sunglasses for trail runs. Although they are not cheap (they start at $202), the sunglasses are a high-wrap style and semi-rimless, so you can see more as you traverse the trail or hop between rocks. The lens is made to enhance color and contrast so you can see clearer, and there is even a trail-specific lens made for variable shade conditions. The insides of the temples and nose pads are grippy, so the shades won’t be sliding down as you get sweatier. You can also customize the Sutros with different frame colors and temple pieces.

Mirna Valerio, a trail runner, ultra marathoner, and author of “A Beautiful Work in Progress,” loves Tifosi sunglasses for a mid-priced option. New this spring are the Saltos, which have polarized and non-polarized options. The Saltos are a square-style aviator, so I’ve sported them even when not hitting the trails. While running, I loved the grippy nose pads because I never had to push the frames back into place. I also appreciated the shatterproof lenses, which made me feel confident in getting zero scratches as I dodged low branches. The shades are made from a lightweight, zero-bounce frame made from plant-based materials.?

The Buff Five-Panel Go Cap is similar to the Speed Cap with a small brim, a nice sliding adjuster for the fit and a breathable and sweat-wicking material. The Go Cap is heavier than the Speed Cap but has UPF 50 protection. After a long run on the trails, I found no sweat stains on the Go Cap in the solid mist color.

Supergood offers a wide range of sunscreen for your body and face, but its Play line is water- and sweat-resistant. When testing, I noticed that the refreshing, non-aerosol Play Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50 absorbed quickly, so I wasn’t sticky as I started my runs. You can even apply it to wet skin so you don’t have to towel off your sweat during a long run. For mid-run refreshes when you are chugging along (remember, you are supposed to reapply every two hours), you can also carry the Glow Stick SPF 50 ($30). The stick is 3 inches tall and 1.5 inches in diameter. For your lips, slide on the Play Lip Shield SPF 30 in mint, coconut or strawberry ($30 for a three-pack).

The Suunto Vertical watch is Wacker’s favorite for wearing on long runs. The average battery life is 60 hours, and as Wacker says, it’s a tough watch that can handle a few falls or scrapes. Solar options are also available, which means the watch can recharge via the sun, and titanium options are available for an even lighter, more durable watch.

Kowalczyk is a self-proclaimed Garmin wearer and loves the Garmin Fenix 7. “I appreciate that they offer a smaller watch face for women and people with smaller wrists,” she says. Although pricey, it is a supercomputer when it comes to training. It has all the features you want in a smart watch: GPS tracking, touchscreen, heart rate monitoring, ability to read text messages, activity tracking and more. It also has some top features to fine-tune your training. With the Garmin Fenix 7, you can get info on real-time stamina and grade-adjust pace to tailor your pace and energy output in conjunction with what hills are coming up. It also has a recovery time advisor to keep you on track after a super-hard day on the trails. The watch comes in a few iterations — standard, solar, and Pro solar — and sizes of 42-, 47-, and 51-millimeter faces. If you run ultras, Powell recommends going with the solar options. “After 30 hours of running,” says the ultra-runner, “the last thing you want is your watch to die."

For a Garmin watch that's more affordable but still worth the investment for training, opt for the Garmin Forerunner 265S. It doesn’t have built-in maps like some of Garmin’s other watches but it does have GPS mode to track your run. The watch uses a bright display so you can still read your stats with a glance and it uses a combo of a touchscreen and buttons. After a few weeks with this watch, I am still learning some of its main features, as there are a lot. The training plan, morning readiness score (based on workouts and sleep) and the Pacepro feature are the most helpful as I train for a fall trail race. The Forerunner 265S can also track your stress, steps, sleep and more.

When running on trails where mountain bikers, other hikers and animals could be around, I only wear open-ear headphones so I can listen to my podcasts while still being aware of my surroundings. The OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones by Shokz slip over your ears and behind your neck. The bone conduction tech rests in front of your ear canal, so hearing is not hindered. Instead, you can listen to your tunes or podcasts and completely hear everything around you.

The Suunto Wing headphones are another open-ear, bone-conduction option. They have red LED lights on each side in case you end up in dark conditions, and runners can use them hands-free instead of pushing the small buttons on each side. In the app, toggle the head-movement option on, and then you can shake your head to change songs or answer a phone call with a nod. Admittedly, this feature was very cool and helpful when I was zoned in on a run and didn’t want to change songs via my watch or phone.

“I love the Salomon ADV Skin 5 with unisex sizing,” says Valerio. “This is perhaps the most comfortable and versatile vest I've ever worn, and it is particularly great for long runs in the heat. It weighs almost nothing but can hold many things, including two liters of hydration, gel packs, other food items, and a waterproof layer.” There is also a 12L vest and a women’s-specific vest.

“I also love the Nathan Sports Trail Mix 2.0 12L,” says Valerio, “especially since some thought has been put into resizing the pack and allowing it to adapt to different body shapes and sizes.” Valerio’s favorite features are the adjustable straps on the side that give folks with breasts room to be comfortable and run without the sides of the pack digging into their flesh.

The Duro/Dyna Belt from Osprey is a great alternative to a handheld water bottle or a hydration vest. There is padding on the inside of the belt near the hips, and the entire thing is slim and fits close to your body, so I found bouncing wasn't an issue when I was going on slow- to medium-paced runs. Its two included soft flasks can carry up to 720 milliliters of liquid, and the belt has a zippered pocket for keys or extra fuel. There are also two stretchy mesh hip pockets and two large loops to stuff extra layers. This belt also comes in an extended fit version with the Duro Dyna LT Belt Extended Fit for $30.

Unless you run along a creek most of the time, you’ll want to pack water for your pup. The Quencher Packable Dog Bowl by Ruffwear is lightweight and small, so you can easily squeeze it into your hydration vest or a side pocket on your shorts. This bowl is a must for Molly Avrin, an avid trail runner and founder and head dog trainer for Pete’s Adventure Pack.?

“This is my all-time favorite leash for running with a dog,” says Kowalczyk, who runs weekly with her German short-haired pointer in Boulder, Colorado. The retractable leash comes in a small size (for dogs up to 80 pounds) and a large size (for dogs up to 130 pounds) and is only 45 inches long, so your dog can stay close to you. The whole thing is about 11 inches, so it’s small enough to fit into a pocket or stash in your vest when your dog is running free, but easy to get out when you are crossing streets.?

Another favorite from Nite Ize is the RadDog All-In-One Collar and Leash, which Wacker prefers when running with his dog, a six-year-old Italian greyhound named Fig. The thin yet strong 36-inch leash retracts into the dog’s collar, so you don’t have to carry anything but can still control your dog.

Ideally, your dog can run free for most of a trail run, but when they need to be leashed, the Ruffwear Trail Runner Running Belt and matching dog leash make the whole trot much easier.?Wearing this has been a game changer when trying to run with our 70-pound German short-haired pointer on a leash; the padded belt frees up my hands and makes it so that the dog is leading from around my whole waist rather than just my arms or shoulders. It also has two zippered pockets for poop bags and keys, and can even fit a small water bottle. The leash (sold separately) can move around on the frontmost loop of the belt in case your dog likes to bob and weave. The leash is also an excellent short length with just a little bit of stretch.

When heading deep into the wilderness for a long trail run, I always take my satellite messenger, like the Garmin inReach Mini 2, especially when running alone. The inReach Mini 2 is a very small (smaller than a deck of cards) satellite communicator that allows you to send text messages, track your route and even send an SOS to a response center if there is an emergency, all without cell service.?

The Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze bottle has a built-in filter, so you don’t have to carry all your water on a long trail run — at least, as long as a creek is nearby. The 650-milliliter squeeze bottle is flexible enough to fit in most vests or packs, but it is made of thicker, more durable material, so it won’t pop or get punctured. The filter protects against bacteria, parasites, microplastics, silt, sand and cloudiness.

“My favorite hydration powders are both Skratch Labs products,” says Valerio, who recommends the Hydration Sport Drink Mix. “The flavors are incredible, they mix well and they do the job! If I’m on a longer run, like when I recently did the Lululemon Further project, I use a combination of that and the Super High-Carb Hydration Drink Mix for hours and hours of running.” Another option for days where you run just a few miles or a mid-length trail run is to use the Hydration Everyday Drink Mix, a no-sugar, low-calorie powder that still provides some electrolytes. And if you need a recovery drink, opt for the Horchata Recovery Mix, highly recommended by professional runner Krissy Moehl. “As a coach, I harp on fueling during the run and using a recovery drink in the first 30 minutes post-run longer than 90 minutes,” she says.

Gnarly’s Fuel20 is another option for hydration during long runs. The fuel powder comes in two caffeine-free flavors and one with caffeine for that added boost. It is a vegan mixture with 100 calories per serving and plenty of sodium to keep you hydrated. If you want a powder more for everyday hydration or shorter runs, choose the Gnarly Hydrate packs in three delicious yet light flavors (and 4 grams of added sugar) — Salted Margarita, Lemonade and Pi?a Colada. Although the flavors from the Hydrate line were tasty, they did not mix well, even with some rigorous shaking.

The Vilde Air Tee by Kari Traa is a lightweight, breathable T-shirt ideal for summer runs where you might be in the shade for some of the trail. The tee is made from a soft, quick-drying fabric, so I didn’t feel bogged down during sweaty runs while testing. The fit is looser, which I found to be a nice change from some tighter tanks, and the tee has cute, patterned details in case you head to brunch post-run and don’t feel like changing.

The Lululemon Sculpt Cropped Tank is a favorite of Valerio. She loves the cropped top because it is lightweight, sweat wicking and looks great on all body types. I stayed cool and comfortable on many hot runs with this top.?

This top is featherlight and super soft, so I found this to be a great layer to pop on for early morning trail runs when the sun hasn’t quite reached the trail yet. It’s quick drying and can easily be stuffed into a pocket when temperatures warm up. A men’s version, short-sleeve option and tank are also available.

Because of chaffing, I can’t run in the style of lined, loose shorts, so I opt for the Fj?llr?ven Abisko Short Tights. The inseam is 9 inches and the waist is high, so you get good coverage for long runs without discomfort. Plus, there are two pockets: one open to slide your phone into easily and one closed via overlapping fabric so you can safely stash your keys. The fabric is moisture wicking and durable in case you have any falls or need to rest on a stump.

The Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight shirt is a solid all-around shirt for trail running. It’s incredibly soft and airy, moving with you as you maneuver switchbacks. It’s moisture wicking and quick drying and has built-in odor control for those post-trail brunches. A men’s version is also available.

I only run and hike in biker-style shorts, so when I put on Patagonia’s Maipo 8-inch shorts, I knew these would be my new favorites. They are from a very soft post-consumer recycled nylon and have a perfect inseam and feel around my legs. The hems of other similar shorts always dig into my thighs, even if they are the right size; with these, there is no discomfort whatsoever, yet they also don’t ride up. There are two drop-in pockets, and the material is moisture wicking and odor controlling.

For a pair of loose and short classic running bottoms, the REI Co-Op Swiftland running shorts have a 3-inch inseam, a breathable liner and a wide waistband for comfort no matter the miles or terrain. These shorts stand out with two waistband pockets and a zippered lumbar pocket. For a longer option, there is also a 5-inch inseam version.

The Lululemon Fast and Free Trail Running Shorts have a 6-inch inseam for low hindrance of movement, and they are made from durable fabric, so the bottoms won’t get snagged on branches as you cruise through the woods. The best part is the features: an inner mesh liner with a built-in pocket that carried a phone securely, drop-in pockets on the back waistband that held fuel, a small zippered pocket, and a tunnel on the back where we could stash a shirt. It sounds like a lot to put into one pair of tiny shorts, but you’ll never notice.

The men’s Patagonia Ridge Flow Shirt comes in four colors and features a breezy and light fabric. It’s quickdrying and moisture wicking, so staying cool on humid trail runs will not be a problem.

Check out the Patagonia Trailfarer shorts with a 6-inch inseam. These lightweight running shorts don’t have a liner (liners are said to help with support and reduce chaffing) but are made from a breathable and stretchy fabric, so you won’t feel any hindrance as you stride uphill. The waist has a drawstring, and the back has one small snap pocket.

The Kari Traa Vilde Running jacket is a near-perfect jacket for runs where you need wind protection or an extra layer. It’s exceptionally lightweight and packable, and easily shoved into my vest or belt. There is one chest zipper pocket for keys or a phone, it has a hood with a brim, and the jacket is water-repellent (though I definitely would not wear this during a rainy run). Plus, the patterns are extremely cute with a flattering cut.

Wacker recommends the Ciele VNTJacket, stating that it’s great for spring and cooler summer temperatures and is both breathable and packable. “I’ve been wearing it every day,” he says. The wind-resistant jacket has back and side vents and a zippered chest pocket, and it stuffs into its own pocket for when the temps warm up and the sun hits the trail.