Foto: ©Bastien Seon

With the boom in trail running, the industry has also stepped up a gear and developed products aimed especially at runners who enjoy heading off-road. But what do you really need, what’s simply nice to have – and what’s unnecessary?

The most important thing: trail running shoes

Trail running starts from the ground up – with your shoes. The huge variety of trail running situations is reflected in the extensive range of trail shoes available in specialist shops. Above all, the terrain determines the shoe design. In principle, trail running is similar to cycling: you can’t ride a time-trial bike off-road and you won’t win a road race on a downhill bike.

Trail running shoes are therefore built for the specific demands of challenging terrain – and that doesn’t mean gravel or forest paths. It also makes a big difference whether you’re targeting a specific trail event. A trail race with constant ups and downs requires a completely different shoe from a classic mountain race that only goes uphill, such as the Jungfrau Marathon or the Aletsch Half Marathon.

Classic trail running shoes feature a more stable sole with deeper tread than standard training shoes, as well as a more robust upper material. The sole is often slightly wider for better stability and a secure footing, while a reinforced toe cap protects against impacts with rocks. The more protected the heel and toe areas are, the safer the shoe is in rocky terrain. That said, the more protective features a shoe has (raised toe boxes, support elements, waterproof membranes such as Gore-Tex and durable outer materials) the heavier and bulkier it becomes.

Bad weather adds another layer of complexity. In such conditions, a very aggressive tread pattern with excellent grip becomes essential for safe running. Distance also changes what you need from a shoe. The longer the distance and the greater the downhill sections, the more important comfort becomes, meaning well-cushioned shoes increasingly come into play. For frequent trail runners, it therefore makes sense to have two or three different trail shoe models available, depending on conditions and intended use.

Clothing adapted to the weather

Trail running involves elevation gain, and whenever you’re moving uphill, weight matters – including clothing weight. For garments such as shorts, tops and running jackets, key qualities are durability, weather resistance, lightness and packability.

The selection is enormous, although requirements are highly individual and not fundamentally different from road running – except that trail runners are more likely to encounter difficult weather conditions (or be caught out by them) and usually need more storage space. That’s why there are specialist shorts with side phone pockets, others with pockets built into a wide waistband, as well as slim running belts in various sizes for carrying keys, phones and energy bars.

In rapidly changing mountain temperatures, the layering principle remains the most practical approach. Gilets, ultra-light running jackets, arm warmers and leg warmers can all prove extremely useful. A hat or neck tube should always be part of your kit, and in cooler conditions gloves are essential. Depending on the terrain and weather, gaiters or compression socks can also be helpful.

Especially in the mountains: backpack or vest

The requirement for storage space is simple: during long runs far from civilisation, a vest or trail running backpack must carry all the essential equipment. This includes drinks, nutrition, extra clothing, possibly poles, mandatory race safety equipment, a phone and keys. To put it another way: if you’re not running in the mountains or remote regions abroad and your run lasts less than an hour, you don’t need any more equipment than an ordinary jogger – apart from good shoes and suitable clothing.

Once your run exceeds an hour, hydration becomes essential and, in the mountains, additional clothing for protection against sudden weather changes is equally important. Depending on the route, you may also need food, sun cream, head protection and poles.

Specialist running vests are particularly practical for carrying fluids in soft bottles (known as flasks) and for storing essential items. Depending on their capacity, the vests are designed to be either smaller or larger. For short trail races, a capacity of around two litres is usually sufficient, or even just a waist belt with a phone pocket and bottle holder. For long-distance and ultra-trail races, more storage space is required, moving towards running backpacks with capacities of 10 to 15 litres to accommodate a heavier waterproof jacket, fleece or emergency blanket.

The key point is that the vest or backpack should fit snugly, securely and high on the back – without slipping or rubbing. Higher-quality models usually offer easy pole attachment systems and include an emergency whistle on the chest strap.