You are thinking of doing your first trail run, you bought some new shoes with grip and you are almost ready, but… how to dress for trail running?
Let’s start with some rules that are always valid, trail running clothing must be comfortable and functional: choose breathable clothing, which preserves body temperature and does not cool the body quickly, with reflective inserts to be visible even in semi-darkness. Trail clothing fabrics are often more durable, with pockets for storing a small flashlight, neck warmer, or hydration gels.
But beyond these general guidelines, how do you dress to run a trail based on the weather and the season? Let’s see it together!
How To Dress For Trail Running In Winter: The Right Clothing
In the colder seasons, the trail runner’s clothing will consist of thermal, waterproof fabrics capable of protecting from wind, rain, and humidity. The advice is to dress in layers so that you can easily remove or wear a layer based on the perceived temperature in a particular stretch of the route.
Here is the must-have clothing for a winter trail:
- Thermal jersey: the first essential layer for any trail in cold temperatures (especially on mountain trails or with competitions or training at night). The thermal fabric is able to isolate the body from the cold but at the same time breathable, able to keep the skin always dry.
- Sports underwear: often underestimated, sports underwear has excellent insulating properties, men’s and women’s tights gently compress the body to keep it warm, improving blood circulation and the supply of oxygen to the muscles. The seamless sports bra offers comfort and freedom of movement, keeping you cool and dry.
- Windproof jacket: for a winter trail, choose a waterproof and breathable windproof jacket. Temperatures and weather can change quickly, especially on mountain routes. We recommend that you bring a lightweight jacket that can be easily folded and placed in your backpack. To protect yourself from sudden rain it is also important that the jacket has a hood, which can protect the eyes and head.
One of the materials to be preferred is Goretex, one of the most loved waterproof fabrics by runners and not only, a breathable fabric capable of maintaining regular body temperature and keeping the body dry even in heavy rains. - Pants: pants can be tight or comfortable, according to personal taste and the type of trail you are going to tackle. For longer trails and long stretches of walking, you can choose more comfortable technical trousers with pockets. On fast trails and shorter trails, many runners prefer tight-fitting, compression pants to help them perform better. The fundamental advice is to choose trousers with a close-fitting bottom, which avoids friction with the shoes and the surrounding ground and reduces the risk of entangling on branches and stones.
For trails with colder temperatures, there are fleece-lined models: they will keep the body warm and promote perspiration. In general, technical fabrics are to be preferred because they guarantee to reduce friction and irritation between skin and fabric and allow the body to move freely.How To Dress For A Trail In The Summer
For summer trails you need to choose clothing that is particularly breathable, able to absorb sweat, guarantees ventilation, and keeps the body dry.
- T-shirts: t-shirts, vests, and tank tops are ideal for the hottest days, favoring air contact with the skin for a better thermoregulation. The advice is to choose hyper-breathable models that dry quickly, so as not to cool the body during stops or in more shady and cooler areas of the trail.
- Technical underwear: even for hot periods you have to opt for the right underwear, shorts, and sports bras with natural and/or synthetic fabrics that ensure breathability, quick drying, and reduce the formation of bacteria and irritation.
- Jacket: especially for mountain routes where 25 degrees are not exceeded, a light windbreaker or a sleeveless jacket must be included in the backpack. In addition, the jacket is very useful to always have at hand some basic objects for running, such as the map, the flashlight, and the smartphone.
Jackets and vests often also have special compartments for water bottles and small bags for hydration, especially handy for hydrating in the summer. - Trousers: short or long, tight or loose, the trousers must respect elastic and anti-friction properties to run for many hours with maximum comfort. Many runners prefer short, baggy shorts to wear over tight-fitting shorts to avoid rubbing their thighs; or they choose trousers with mesh briefs, for excellent breathability and minimum friction.
Rail Running Accessories All Year Round
Now that you know how to best dress to run a trail in hot or cold weather, it’s time to complete the outfit with trail accessories that are useful in every season. Here are our favorites:
- The neck warmer is one of those inevitable accessories all year round. In winter it is very useful to protect the neck and throat from the cold, while in summer it can be worn as a headband to protect the head from direct sunlight.
- Another essential accessory is the hat, preferably waterproof and in light fabric. In summer and winter, the hat is useful to protect the eyes from the sun or rain, always allowing good visibility of the path.
- Another essential accessory for all trail runners is the backpack. It is always useful to carry a light backpack for storing water, bars and gels, the map and the headlamp, and other essential accessories. There are ultralight models with lacing on the front for a firm grip, ergonomically designed with water bottle pockets on the front so you don’t have to stop along the way.
Read Also: What Are The Comfortable Shoes To Wear?