Walking into a running shop is to be confronted with a dazzling array of shoe, clothing and kit options – and this applies even more so if they stock trail running kit. We want to make trail running accessible, rather than being something that requires massive amounts of specialist and expensive kit. In this blog we share the key items you need, as well as our recommendations for budget-friendly beginner kit.
Shoes
Check out our full blog on choosing a pair of trail shoes – there’s too much to say to limit it to a paragraph! If you’re not sure about committing to a shoe purchase yet, you could try an easy trail route in your road shoes, especially in dry weather. It’ll give you an idea of whether you like it enough to get specialist shoes.
Vest or bumbag
Trail running takes you places off the beaten track, which is awesome. But when you’re journeying away from shops and transport, it’s a good idea to carry a bit of water and food. For shorter runs, lots of runners choose a bumbag, but vests have become really popular in recent years, and come in a range of sizes suitable for everything from a short run to a multiday expedition. For most people, a vest with 8 to 10 litres capacity is a good balance; big enough for all your essential kit but not so large that you’re tempted to pack the kitchen sink!
Jenny uses this bumbag from OMM - it holds enough kit for a 1-2 hour run, and is really comfortable and stable.
If you’re thinking you might be out for a bit longer, or you’d like to carry more water, a vest is the way to go; most are sold with bottles or bladders with one litre of water capacity. For a first running vest purchase, have a look at the Decathlon range. Decathlon kit is excellent quality but without the price tag of the more well-known brands. There is everything here from minimal 5 litre vests to 15 litre behemoths.
Waterproof coat
Your coat should have an integrated hood, and what are known as ‘taped seams’ – it means that the seams have been sealed so that water can’t get in through the stitching. You can see if the seams are taped by looking – there will be a strip of something along each seam, and this should be mentioned in the description of the jacket if you’re buying online. These two features are important because the jacket will keep you properly dry and warm in a sudden downpour, but also because they are the two requirements of most race organisers – if you end up doing a race at some point in the future, you don’t want to have to buy a new one.
We only have one jacket recommendation because we genuinely believe this is the best entry level jacket out there, and maybe even one of the best jackets full stop! Jenny and Angela both own this one, and have used it continuously for many happy years of running.
When you buy a jacket, check the manufacturer’s instructions for looking after it; kit needs care, and waterproof clothing needs to be washed and re-waterproofed to keep it functional.
Safety kit
The specific safety kit you need depends on the duration and location of the running you’re going to do. In our workshops we introduce you to the full range of kit you might choose to carry, and help you decide what is right for you. The items we carry all year round are:
Hat and gloves – you don’t need to buy these! A hat and a pair of gloves you already own are fine. They are in your bag in the event of an emergency, to keep you warm if you need to stop running for any reason.
Whistle and foil emergency bag - these are small, lightweight items that can live in your running vest, and hopefully never see use!
Emergency food - Jenny keeps a decade-old packet of Kendal Mint Cake in her vest as an emergency ration (it’s one thing she won’t be tempted to eat outside of an emergency!).
We hope that helps you decide what you need to start your trail journey. If you're keen to get a more in-depth understanding of a trail running kit list, we'd love to see you on one of our workshops.
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