Fly Down the Path with These 5 Pieces of Trail Running Gear
Pick up the pace and cover more distance with this gear designed for speed.
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HOKA ONE ONE EVO Speedgoat
When cruising around and over trail obstacles, you want a shoe that will cushion your feet without negating precision. The EVO Speedgoat is both pillowy—it has a 38-millimeter heel stack height, and a 4-millimeter drop—and responsive. Its Kevlar-nylon upper is stiff at first but softens over time and drains quickly after creek crossings, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5-millimeter-deep lugs kept us in control as we sped downhill on Colorado’s North Arapaho Peak. The EVA midsole is less springy after more than 400 miles, but still plenty cushioned, and the upper has only a few cosmetic scrapes. Buy Now
$160 | 7.9 oz. (m’s 9)
Swiftwick Vision Six Impression National Park Socks
Too thin of a sock, and our feet slip and slide around inside our shoes. Too thick, we develop blisters and overheat. This medium-cushion sock strikes the perfect balance between the two, providing both support and airflow. Made of nylon, polyester, and spandex, the Vision Six Impression has a Y-shape heel pattern that contours to the foot to prevent bunching or slipping, medium compression, and a seamless toe box to ward off blisters. A six- inch crew cuff keeps debris from sneaking in, and airflow channels on top of the sock provide great temperature control up to 90°F. Bonus: Choose from 10 colorful national park-themed designs. Buy Now
$20 | 1.3 oz. (M)
Norrona Bitihorn Tech T-Shirt
Dashing through a trail run results in a lot more sweat than ambling on a hike, and you overheat more quickly, too. The answer: this featherlight shirt. The Bitihorn’s fabric kept us from feeling hot and sticky, and one tester reports that the soft, 100-percent recycled polyester dried within 10 minutes after a midday 80°F run near Mammoth Lakes, California. A Polygiene anti-odor treatment means you can wear this shirt on multiple trail runs without stinking, and UPF 30+ provides some sun protection on bright days or while you run at altitude. Drawback: This shirt is on the expensive side. Buy Now
$69 | 2.8 oz. (m’s M)
Knockaround Premiums Sport
Let this pair of sunglasses be a reminder that price isn’t always an indicator of quality. At an unbeatable cost, these polarized sunnies block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays and will keep your eyes as protected as a $100 pair. One tester has been wearing the same pair for four years on trail runs across the West, and has found that the impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses are only mildly inferior in sharpness to more expensive styles. Flexy plastic frames fit most face sizes while offering full coverage and a clear view of the path ahead. A nose grip cuts down on slippage as you move. Buy Now
$25 | .8 oz
Nathan Pinnacle 4-Liter Hydration Race Vest
A good running vest stores all the items you need without making you feel like you’re wearing a fully loaded pack, and the 4-liter Pinnacle is the best of the bunch. Twelve thoughtfully placed pockets hold your belongings, such as two 20-ounce soft flasks (included), energy gels, a phone, and headphones, while a large compartment at the back stores an extra hydration bladder or a light layer. The cut sits long on your back to distribute weight evenly, and the polyester backpanel vented heat and moisture on a 10-mile run in 80°F heat outside Flagstaff, Arizona. Buy Now
$175 | 5 oz. (w’s S)