Welcome to the second week of Train for the Trails.
When you’re in it for the long run, you need a way to carry your water, fuel and essentials. From run length and access to water to how much safety gear you need to bring, there's a lot to consider when choosing your trail running setup. Salomon ambassador and MEC member Sarah Korpach breaks it down:
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Myth: You need a completely new kit for trail running.
What you really need are a few key basics to keep you sturdy and moving on trail.
As your runs get longer, carrying the right things becomes part of your training. For shorter runs, you may only need your phone and fluids. For these short runs, a running belt works great.
For longer trail days, you definitely will need room for water, food, a jacket/windbreaker, extra layers, first-aid essentials, and potentially mandatory race gear.
A running vest should feel snug and secure without bouncing around. The more snug, the better for your run. The Salomon running vests (ADV Skin & Active Skin) are currently some of the best options on the market. The fabrics are light and comfortable, the elastic cord system keeps things secure, and they come in a variety of sizes to match your adventures.
We worked with trail running coach, Jeremy Rolle (Coach Jer), and Registered Sports Dietitian, Carol-Ann Rolle, to develop our free 4-week training plan for trail runners of all levels.
What to consider when choosing a pack:
- Does it bounce when you run?
- Can you easily reach your water?
- Can you access your food without stopping?
- Does it have enough room for your required gear?
- Can you adjust it easily while wearing it?
- Does the vest fit with the different layers you’ll wear while running (T-shirt, windbreaker, jacket, etc)?
“Pro tip: If you have to stop your run every 10 minutes to fix your gear, change it!” - Coach Jer
Download the free training guide
We worked with trail running coach, Jeremy Rolle (Coach Jer), and Registered Sports Dietitian, Carol-Ann Rolle, to develop a free 4-week training plan for trail runners of all levels.
Download our free training guide with training loads, fuelling tips, gear recommendations and more specialized by distance for 10km runs to ultra-distances.
