Gear Advisor: Trail Running Accessories
Runners: we've been testing gear! Check out the latest in trail running accessories. You'll be itching to take them out on the trail, and once you do, you'll be stoked, grinning, and exhausted. No matter your skill level, these Active Junky favorites are sure to please. See you out there!
Tested and Reviewed
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
Trail running is perilous in its own right. So it stands to reason that Active Junkies do it in the dark. It's just more of a rush – rocks and roots pop up out of the ground to trip you up, trailside cliff drops yawn into blackness on either side of you, and low-hanging branches threaten to clothesline you at every turn. Needless to say, a good headlamp is key, and our favorite has been Black Diamond’s Storm headlamp. Weighing just 4 ounces, the headlamp cranks out a max of 160 lumens, has IPX 7 water resistant properties (which means it can survive heavy rain and a meter of submersion for half an hour), and houses a QuadPower LED, two SinglePower white LEDs and two SinglePower red LEDs. The headlamp has been slightly revamped for 2014 with a new feature called PowerTap, which allows you to transition from full brightness to dim settings just by tapping the side of the headlamp. We took the headlamp out for a series of terrifying evening runs (there were reported mountain lion sightings in the area), and the Storm provided a soothing amount of light in full-power mode. The trail lit up for a good 20 feet ahead, throwing any potential obstacles into vivid relief. With the 160 lumens blasting, we were able to run with confidence, even when sprinting our way back to the car. The Storm is killer for overnight races, as the 4AAA batteries are easily replaceable on the trail if you burn through the 125 hour burn time (on the brightest setting), and the touch-sensitive PowerTap feature makes it simple to dim the light when you need to read your map.
Best For: Nighttime Adventures
Garmin Fenix 2
It’s scratch-resistant, waterproof to 50 meters, and sports a battery that’ll last for 50 hours in GPS mode and up to five weeks in watch mode. An ANT+ radio pairs with external devices (heart rate monitors, power sensors, etc) and Bluetooth capabilities allow connections to be made with your smartphone or a Garmin Virb camera. The classic features are still there – the altimeter, barometer, compass, mapping/navigation/breadcrumbs, the reliable TracBack system to keep from getting lost, and of course, the requisite pace/time/distance tracking.Garmin has been at the top of our list for GPS watches ever since our editor got his first Forerunner watch. The Fenix was the next huge step forward with its garage of features for running, hiking, and backpacking. The Fenix 2 takes things a step further by keeping the functions that made it a hit, adding a stack of features, and cramming it all into an even slimmer watch.
On top of that, they’ve thrown in a new Ski-Board mode, which tracks your speed, horizontal distance, and vertical drop, automatically stopping when you stand still or ascend a ski lift. Including a bit of simple genius, they’ve added a strap extender so you can wear it outside your jacket sleeve. They’ve also beefed up the multisport capabilities – if you’re swimming outdoors, it can track your stroke count, distance, pace, and time. If you’re indoors, it’ll figure out your pool lengths and automatically figure out what stroke you’re using to compute your strokes per lap. Badass.
As for runners, it can pair with Garmin’s HRM-Run heart rate monitor to estimate your VO2 max, figure out how much recovery you need from your last workout, and predict your race finish time.
It seems baffling, but we’ve been able to use the Fenix 2 to map our trail runs, track our run stats, and even how to get home after heading off-trail for a while – all without using the manual. You’ll have to do some homework to get to the deeper functionality of the watch, but you can charge up and go out of the box without much trouble. We’ve never seen a watch with so many features that performs so effectively.
Best For: Collecting Data
Oakley Chainlink w/ Fire Iridium Lens
Based on their popular Crosslink sunglasses, their Chainlink sport glasses look just at home disc golfing as they do sprinting through some single-track. The frames blend sharp edges with an understated style that is noticeable, but not overaggressive. In other words, they stack style points anywhere and everywhere. The problem with running sunglasses is that they often look ridiculous the second you slow down. For a hundred and fifty bucks, it would be nice to have a pair of shades that’s appropriate for more than one activity. Apparently, Oakley thinks so, too.
The shades are compatible with a variety of lenses, though Oakley recommends the gold-colored Fire Iridium lenses for trail running. The lenses earned their name from the glare-reducing Iridium lens coating, and the glare reduction was noticeable: they eliminated the haze of bright afternoon sun and the contrast made the foliage pop. Bonus: The lenses shed sweat and water more effectively than any other shades we’ve worn. Sweat tends to leave salt trails on our other sunglasses, but every drop rolled right off of the lens’s surface.
The feather-light O Matter® frame and Unobtainium® nose and temple pads addressed another one of our biggest complaints with running sunglasses: after a few hours, running shades often create some brutal pressure points on the ears and temples. The Chainlink never caused that kind of discomfort, even after hours on the trail, and they never slipped down our tester’s nose when the trail got bouncy and his face was slick with sweat. “Yeah, these are my go-to shades now,” he said. “I can rock these all day.”
Best For: Outdoor activities and lifestyle
GU Salted Caramel
The size of this energy kicker makes it great for stashing in pockets for quick boosts on the go or as a treat while taking a break in the shade. The long shelf life allows you to leave them in a pack or jacket for those sudden energy drops out on the trail. The recommended consumption of these gels is 15-20 minutes before a run and then again with water every 45 minutes. While this energy boost is excellent for short-term oomph, don’t expect to sustain on Gu alone during long distance trail runs, since a daylong diet of only energy gels can wreak havoc on the gut.Keeping energy levels up while exercising can be a real challenge. Gu Energy Gels take the lasting power of solid food and pack it into a gel that goes down easy and metabolizes fast for a boost in the field that doesn’t end in a crash. The 100-calorie gel contains amino acid, antioxidants, electrolytes, and a healthy dose of fructose in tasty salted caramel goo that goes down without the bitter aftertaste many energy sources tend to leave behind.
Best For: Nutrition and energy
Jaybird Blubuds X
We took these out in the pouring rain and on sweat-soaked sunny days, and the water-resistant buds never failed. The patented silicone ear cushions kept the buds secure in our ears on jarring terrain. We even put them through a few crossfit workouts that included doubleunders, box jumps, and muscle-ups – nothing could shake them out. Running with music is a great way to stay motivated on a run, but getting your headphone cord snagged on a branch is a better way to do the opposite. Jaybird’s been making some of the best wireless Bluetooth headphones for years now, but they’ve been plagued by minor issues like short battery life and bulky earbuds. Their newest offering, the BlueBuds X headphones, have dialed down any complaints. The earbuds are less cumbersome than previous models: the silicon earpieces provide a very secure fit (the buds never fell out of our ears after dozens of hours on the trail), and most importantly, the batteries generate 8 hours of music on a single charge. That’s a good week’s worth of workouts for most of us.
Best For: Entertainment during solo adventures
New Balance Delightfully Sculpted Sports Bra
For superior comfort and uncompromising support, check out the Delightfully Sculpted Sports Bra by New Balance. This was our California tester’s favorite sports bra. The molded underwire bra provided optimal security and eliminated bounce while remaining virtually unnoticeable. Our tester confessed that it was even comfortable enough to sleep in. While functional and snug, the Delightfully Sculpted doesn’t compromise shape or femininity. The padded cups allow for a natural and feminine shape while adding a layer of compression for support. The hook-and-eye back get away from typical racer style, allowing for increased adjustability. With three hooks for closure and Velcro straps, this bra is truly customizable to each runner’s shape. The company’s sizing chart is accurate, so adjustments should be minimal. Our tester was nervous about the durability of the Velcro straps, but after multiple runs the bra earned her vote of confidence. The Velcro is secure with no give. With no bounce and no chaffing, this bra is perfect for women with larger chests who want to go for long runs and actually enjoy them.
Best For: Athletic support
Recommended
Buff Headband
Buff Headbands are all about one thing: versatility. You can get moisture-wicking bands, bands that block UV rays, thermal-protecting bands, and the list goes on. In fact, we’ve used Buffs as headbands, scarves, scrunchies, beanies, wristbands, facemasks, balaclavas, etc. Pretty much anything you can do with a piece of cloth, we’ve done it with the Buff. It’s the cloth version of a Leatherman. And if that wasn’t enough, they come in a seemingly infinite amount of colors and designs, so you can tailor your Buff to not only your performance needs, but also your style preferences.
Best For: Sun protection
Hilleberg Rajd Adventure Racing Tent
Most adventures don’t stop when the sun goes down, but taking along a shelter can be a real pain. Hilleberg’s Rajd tent is a featherweight 2-person package that weighs in at only 2 lbs, 7 oz. The tent meets the requirements many ultra-runs have for a sewn-in floor, and can be pitched with branches, guy-lines, trekking poles, or traditional poles. Two doors allow for easy access from either side, and will always keep one entrance out of the wind. While the tent won’t stand up against extreme conditions, most summer storms will be shut out for a good night’s sleep in the wild.
Best For: Lightweight/long distance running
Hillsound Trail Micro Crampons
Trail running is a year-round lifestyle. Mud, rain, and snow are all welcome additions to the core runner, but such conditions can always trip up even the most experienced runners. But don't worry. Hillsound’s Micro Crampons carbon steel spikes provide solid footing on the iciest trail runs and quick shoulder ascents. We even bumped into a few runners wearing these while running up Mt. Whitney. At just a pound, the Trail Micro Crampons are lightweight enough to bring with you over mixed terrain on your ultra-long winter runs.
Best For: Winter trail running and hiking
Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles
Sometimes the terrain we run on is a little more technical or steep than our feet prefer. If so, we suggest bringing in a bit of help with the Leki Micro Vario Trekking Pole. We know and love Leki for their quality performance poles, and these are no exception. At just under a pound for the pair, the weight is one of the best features. These Kevlar-reinforced poles have kept our knees happy and healthy over miles of steep, rocky terrain.
Best For: Winter trail running and hiking
Moji Knee Ice Wrap
The tender memories of a run will sometimes stick around long after the end of an adventure. Look after those sore knees with the Moji Knee Ice Wrap. This targeted ice pad is held in place with a comfortable stretchy material that improves compression treatment and won’t cut down on post-run mobility. Wrap-around hook and loop fasteners allow you to customize the pack to your needs. The cold cell stays soft and moldable for about 20 minutes of icy goodness to help ease those aching joints, and the Dri-Lex Fabric wicks away moisture from the skin for a nice dry fit.
Best For: Injury rehabilitation
Salomon Trail Gaiters Low
Few things put a hitch in your stride like a rock in your shoe. If your trail runs take you through scree-covered terrain, throw on a pair of Salomon’s Trail Gaiters Low. These ankle-height neoprene gaiters seal up tight to block out all the needles, leaves, dirt, and rocks you run through as you climb to those alpine lakes. The simple Velcro closure and secure arch loop make them a snap to put on or take off, and they’re light and small enough to fit into the spare pocket of your hydration vest.
Best For: Long distance trail running and hiking
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