Best Trail Running Gear 2020

Go fast, go long, or just get out for a few miles of exercise and escape with this season’s latest and greatest running packs, trail running shoes, hydration solutions, and performance-oriented apparel. Here are our top trail running picks for Spring/Summer 2020:

Arc’teryx NORVAN LD 2

The Norvan LD 2 trail running shoe offers a fantastic balance of weight, durability, and responsiveness. Despite the sleek and lightweight design, the shoe has impact-reducing EVA cushioning for all-day runs and extended mileage. It has a…

Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 5 Set

When you toe the line for an ultra, knowing you’re going to be pushing hard for hours on end, performance matters, and the S/Lab Sense Ultra 5 Set delivers. We love the way the vest pack…

MSR Thru-Link Inline Microfilter

Hikers, backpackers, and travelers have long benefitted from the safe water treatment made available by the engineers at MSR. Their new Thru-Link Inline Water Filter is an ultra-lightweight solution that enables you to filter water as…

Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody

Talk about versatile! The Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody is a fabulous warm-weather outerwear piece, but it also serves as an uber-comfy lightweight baselayer in any and every season. The Fair Trade Certified sewn and recycled polyester…

Black Diamond Sprint 225 Headlamp

Delivering up to 225 Lumens of bright illumination, the rechargeable Sprint 225 is perfect for nighttime running. It’s compact and lightweight enough to also be a great back-up option for backpacking or hiking. A dimming function…

Hoka One One Speedgoat 4

Ultrarunner Karl Meltzer has won more 100-mile footraces than anyone in history and at one time he held the fastest known time on the Appalachian trail. Not surprisingly, a shoe that bears his nickname needs deep cushioning…

Nathan RunAway Ultimate Marathon Pack

It’s our tendency to plan and daydream about how things will go on race day, but sometimes just getting to your race can be an adventure. Nathan is always working on solutions for runners and the…

Nathan SaferRun Ripcord Siren

The SaferRun Ripcord Siren Alarm is one of those accessories that you hope you never need but are so glad you have if and when you do. In the unfortunate case that you find yourself in a…

Nathan RunCool Ice Gaiter

Summer heat and humidity can put your race or long run in jeopardy and the RunCool Ice Convertible Gaiter is an ultra-lightweight, simple, and effective way to help beat the heat. The versatile gaiter can be…

Outdoor Research Optimist & Astroman

We’ve been huge fans of the Outdoor Research Astroman S/S Sun Shirt for years and have worn it for everything from hiking and climbing, to trail running, and even to business casual meetings. The sun-protective, breathable,…

Salomon Cross/Pro

We’re always a bit skeptical about “hybrid” products as there’s always some risk that what you end up with is something that can be used for multiple purposes but is only so-so at any of them.…

Topo Athletic Runventure 3

In the Runventure 3, runners get lightweight construction, a platform that promotes a natural stride, and excellent underfoot protection and all at an affordable price. As with all Topo Athletic shoes, your heel and midfoot are held…

Ultimate Direction Dog Vest

We won’t claim to speak “dog”, but we are comfortable saying that your four-legged pal would probably prefer to tag along on your adventures than stay at home while you have all the fun. The Ultimate…

Ultimate Direction Women’s Mountain Vesta & Mountain Vest

The Ultimate Direction Mountain Vest is a minimalist-minded pack that resists being pigeon-holed as just a running pack. It’s certainly a capable running or ultra-racing pack, but it has a taste for mixed endeavors that call…

UltrAspire Magda XT

Whether you think of Magdalena Boulet as an elite marathoner and a member of the 2008 US Olympic team or as an ultrarunning champion, you’re 100% correct. An incredibly versatile runner, she worked with UltrAspire to…

UltrAspire Lumen 600 3.0

Headlamps are great and continue to be our first thought for running after dark, but the Lumen 600 3.0 is a high-performance hands-free alternative. Mounted on an ergonomic, adjustable waistbelt, the rechargeable light delivers 600 Lumens…

Petzl Swift RL

Innovative Reactive Lighting technology empowers the high-performance Swift RL headlamp to adjust its brightness and beam pattern to optimize battery use while providing the exact illumination you need based on the trail ahead. You can toggle…

Ultimate Direction FK Ultra Poles

The beloved running packs made by Ultimate Direction have built-in efficient carrying systems for foldable trekking poles and now they’ve got the perfect poles to match. Built for ultra running, alpine adventures, or thru-hiking, FK Ultra Poles…