Best of Trail Running Gear 2021

Hopefully 2021 will see the return of races that weren’t able to happen last year, but even if we need to wait a little longer for the return of formal events, the trails are still out there inviting you to run. From shoes to packs to apparel, here are our top trail running picks for Spring/Summer 2021:

Ultimate Direction Ultra Jacket

With its laser focus on running and endurance activities, Ultimate Direction has often used the term “wearable gear” for its apparel and that is certainly fitting for the Ultra Jacket. The ultra-lightweight jacket stows compactly in…

Topo Athletic Ultraventure Pro

The Ultraventure Pro is an even more rugged version of Topo’s award-winning Ultraventure trail running shoe. The moderate-drop shoe has the same super roomy toe box and offsetting secure midfoot and heel you find on all…

Salomon Wildcross

Are you a hiker or are you a runner? Or are you an outdoor enthusiast who isn’t properly classified as one over the other? The Wildcross doesn’t fit neatly in a single descriptive box and isn’t…

Salomon Active Skin 4 Set

Salomon certainly has a knack for unveiling premium pack designs that cater to the wants and needs of their incredible collection of hard-charging endurance athletes and it is awesome that they also make those packs available…

Salomon Men’s XA Training Short

A major drawback of running shorts is that they look like running shorts. To say it another way, if you wear most running shorts for anything other than running, you look a bit like a fish out…

Salewa Dropline

There is more and more gear becoming available to tackle outings that blend running, hiking, and fastpacking into one versatile adventure and the Salewa Dropline shoe slots right into that same category. It is lightweight, well-cushioned,…

Petzl Iko CORE 500

It’s ok if you do a double take upon your first look at the IKO Core 500. We did. Petzl has never been afraid to push the envelope and reimagine outdoor gear and that is exactly…

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters

No one builds a better gaiter than Outdoor Research and the new Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters put the brand’s beloved Ferrosi softshell fabric in play to deliver a close performance-oriented fit that is right up the alley…

LEKI MCT Superlite Carbon

Weight doesn’t matter to everyone, but it sure does to performance-driven trail runners and count-every-ounce thru-hikers. There are stripped down trekking poles out there that focus solely on driving weight to its absolute minimum but beware…

Black Diamond Onsight 375

The high-powered Onsight was purpose-built for climbers venturing out onto big walls even after the sun has set, but its performance features strike us as being ideal for hiking and trail running too. With a hybrid “Dual-Fuel”…

Black Diamond Distance 15

This tough little pack has the feel of a purpose-built tool as much as it does a backpack. It is constructed of the same tough-as-nails fabric that Black Diamond uses in some of its classic climbing…

LEKI Cross Trail 3 TA

Sometimes it feels like every outdoor activity calls for a specific tool and without a full toolbox, you’re behind the curve. Take trekking poles as example and you will see specific models for hiking, for running,…

Adidas Outdoor Terrex Two Ultra PrimeBlue

Over the last few years, Adidas has been leading the charge on sustainability and the use of upcycled and recycled materials and, best of all, they aren’t compromising on performance or long-term durability in doing so.…

Altra Running Lone Peak All-Wthr

When you pull on any Altra shoe, you are guaranteed to notice the FootShape toe box and Balanced Cushioning that together provide room for your foot to naturally splay and cushioning without any unnatural repositioning of…

UltrAspire Plexus

We’re pretty picky when it comes to running waist packs. If you are out for a day hike or sightseeing, that’s one thing, but when you are really moving, a bounce-free ride and the ability to…

Under Armour HOVR Machina Off-Road

Under Armour pulled out all the stops on the technologically-advanced HOVR Machina Off-Road trail running shoe. It has a lightweight, breathable mesh upper with a stabilizing heel counter. A thick, molded foam midsole delivers excellent energy return…