2024 Trail Running Gear Guide

Trail Running Essentials

Shoes, apparel, hydration packs, and more Gearhead® top picks.

Finding the perfect running gear for your body can feel as exhausting as the run itself. We’ve logged this rundown on the products that impressed us most as well as what we look for in our own gear, so whether you're crushing trail FKTs or just jogging in, you can experience happiness in motion at every step.

Trail Running Shoes

Rooted in nature, trail runners live at the intersection of exploration and exercise. Moving through the elements means we’re often faced with a path that fights back—but trail running is rewarded with breathtaking views and a serious endorphin boost. We look for shoes with lugs for grip, the just-right stack and drop for our feet, and solid construction to stay striding with poise and heading towards great feelings in these demanding environments.

Keep scrolling for a trail running shoe spec rundown and our top picks. Or, if you’re looking for a deep dive on shoe anatomy, check out the article below.

Moderate Cushion Trail Running Shoes

Moderate cushion trail shoes are the most common type; we think of them as all-rounders or daily-drivers. Featuring a stack range of about 17–32mm, they’re a good bet for beginners and best for people who pace with a neutral gait. They aim to provide enough cushion to take some strain off your body without providing so much “float” that you can’t feel the trail.

Best Men’s Moderate Cushion Shoes

Gearhead® Top Picks

Men’s shoes that balance ground feel and response.

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Best Women’s Moderate Cushion Shoes

Gearhead® Top Picks

Women’s shoes that balance ground feel and response.

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Maximal Cushion Trail Running Shoes

Maximal cushion shoes' high EVA stack increases plushness to lessen the repetitive impact our feet take. Their stack heights are usually greater than 32mm, making them a great option for long distance runners to lock in their flow with comfort, or trainers looking for a softer option than what they’ll be racing in. The best shoes in this category deliver fantastic levels of comfort without sacrificing prowess on technical terrain. Picks that keep our feet locked down over a pillow of cush, yet drive over tricky, undulating sections of trail without hesitation impress us Gearheads most.

Best Men’s & Women's Maximal Cushion Shoes

Salomon Thundercross GTX

If the trails near you tend to squish and plop more often than not, the Thundercross should be on your radar. Its lug size and pattern make it a reliable choice for great traction in wet weather or on loose and dry land.

Plush but lively, they land with a 4mm drop to help keep our feet pacing naturally with a midfoot strike. It’s durable, breathable, and a sensible choice for frequent flyers who like extra cushion, low weight, and reliable waterproof performance coming from a GORE-TEX membrane.

Get The Men’s Thundercross GTX

Get The Women’s Thundercross GTX

Gearhead® Top Picks

Shock-absorbing picks we’re running with.

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Minimal Cushion Trail Running Shoes

Minimalist running shoes have the least amount of foam cushion, and the most amount of ground feel. Running in these shoes allows your kinetic chain (muscle network) to act more naturally, but they’ll put a lot more stress on your feet, ankles, and calves. If you’re buying your first pair of minimalist shoes, acclimate slowly to prevent injury. The best minimalist trail running shoes offer that near-barefoot feeling but still integrate some tip-of-the-toe protection. An aggressive tread pattern, a fit that promotes natural toe dexterity, and durable fabrics were other key considerations in our selections below.

Best Men’s Minimal Cushion Shoes

Gearhead® Top Picks

Men’s shoes that stay in touch with the terrain.

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Best Women’s Minimal Cushion Shoes

Gearhead® Top Picks

Women’s shoes that stay in touch with the terrain.

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Spiked Shoes

Changing seasons means changing conditions. Which means our shoes might need a reboot, too. We shift towards shoes with spiked soles to add traction to slick, snow-laden terrain to stay on top of our training even when the weather tries to make our miles harder.

Best Men’s & Women’s Spiked Shoes

Norda 001 G+ Spike Shoe

With no shortage of built-in features, the 001 G+ shoe is a game-changer for tricky trail conditions. Ultra-durable and lightweight bio-based Dyneema uppers paired with a graphene membrane create a dependable waterproof shoe that breathes well, too (without using chemicals).

Enhanced grip on its sole, coming from 20 carbide-tipped steel spikes and deep-lugged outsoles, invites challenging terrain to try and slip us up. Norda’s high-performing, thoughtful design stands out as a top pick in a class of its own.

Get The Men’s 001 G+

Get The Women’s 001 G+

Gearhead® Top Picks

More styles with extra secure soles.

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Best Men’s Trail Running Kit

Roark Mathis Long-Sleeve Shirt & Ten Thousand Interval Pant

Roark’s Mathis Long-Sleeve Shirt is a Gearhead favorite due to its ultra-soft feel and sweat-wicking power. The fabric is ideal for high-output activities in warm to cool weather, while its full range of movement gives us room to breathe, freeing us up to let the air help regulate our temperature.

The Ten Thousand Interval Pant matches the pace with similarly lightweight, stretchy, breathable materials that offer comfort while moving and lounging alike. Easy adjustments at the waist and ankle only amplify comfort wherever we decide to wear them. And with the Salomon Sense Pro 5L vest to complete our trail kit, we’re prepared with all the added essentials that keep us moving, comfortably.

Get The Roark Mathis Long-Sleeve Shirt

Get The Ten Thousand Interval Pant

Complete Your Kit

More breathable, sweat-wicking styles to move freely.

Shop Men’s

Best Women’s Trail Running Kit

Backcountry Destination Crew Top & District Vision Half-Tight

Our Destination Crew Top was designed with those look good, run good moments in mind. Its design begins with the softest performance material our Gearheads could find, and its cropped fit, run-ready styling, and lightweight, wicking fabric round it out as a top pick for the runners in our realm.

To complement our Crew Top, we wear the District Vision Half-Tight to keep all the same moisture-wicking, breathable feelings going throughout. It features four-way stretch compression fabric that locks in the perfect fit, plus zippered stash pockets to keep our essentials close by without it feeling cumbersome. And depending on the weather, we might opt to bring the Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves to stay cool but covered, or District Vision’s Full-Length Tight to keep our muscles warmed up.

Get The Destination Crew Top

Get The District Vision Half-Tight

Complete Your Kit

More mix and matchable running expressions.

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