Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with new picks for 2018. Last year’s picks can still be found on page two, but some older styles may not be available currently.
So your cardio regimen has gone stale. The local loop is no longer interesting, motivation is low and split times are high. Maybe those aching knees and swollen ankles need a break from all those man-made surfaces. Maybe it’s time you ditched the sidewalks and asphalt in favor of some dirt and roots; maybe it’s time you hit the trail.
Sure, trail running has its critics — they’ll say it’s a poor way to train, or that the variable ground and incline make it hard to measure pace and times. We hear you — but we’re not convinced. Trail running can improve your technique, and the softer ground surfaces make you less prone to injury. Plus, the hills you’ll encounter in the wilderness will only make you stronger.
But those things can be studied and debated back and forth ad infinitum. If you only need one reason to lace up your runners and head out to the trail, let it be exploration. Let it be the fresh air, free of car exhaust — or at least the fact that you’ll only pass a handful of other people instead of having to dodge pedestrians every third stride. And once you find that reason, realize that trail running apparel has finally caught up to the style and tech of all high-end activewear.
Additional contributions by Tanner Bowden and Meg Lappe.
The Dual-Purpose Kit
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A tee shirt that’ll go from running on the trails to the gym is ideal because of its versatility. These trail running shoes work just as well on the treadmill as they do on the road, and the Rhone shorts are built to tackle any exercise you want to do, beyond just running.
Cool Runnin’s Tee by Outdoor Voices $45
Clifton 4 by OV x HOKA $140
Hiking Socks by Bombas $18
Swift Short by Rhone $88
GoCap Whitaker Edition by Ciele Athletics $40
S2 Matte Black by 100% $175
