In the greater outdoorsy-northeastern dialect, shoulder season is roughly translated to we have no idea what the weather is going to be like at any given time. When running one of the region’s many beautiful trails during this time of year, you can expect to find yourself mired in any—or all—of the season’s characteristic conditions. A run that opens on dry singletrack may well have you post-holing through a melting snowpack, skidding on ice, or wading through calf-deep mud before all is said and done—and you need to be prepared for all of it. Here’s a quick look at the kit you need for spring trail running.
Footwear
Keeping your feet as comfortable and dry as possible is job number one for any trail runner’s kit, regardless of the season. Spring, and its “anything goes” attitude toward weather and terrain conditions, means you might need a little more for your feet than just your running shoes. A pair of Kahtoola Microspikes will keep you upright on that higher-elevation ice and a pair of Outdoor Research Bugout Ferrosi Thru Gaiters will keep your feet nice and dry through mud and swollen creeks. Neither weigh a ton nor do they take up a lot of space in your pack.
Throw in an extra pair of socks like the Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion Stripe Low Ankle Socks (men’s|women’s) for good measure—you never regret having a pair of clean, dry socks.
Clothing
As with any wilderness romp, layers are the beginning and the end of your clothing system. For the trail runner, they should be lightweight, packable, and synthetic—quick-drying and moisture-wicking are what you’re looking for. Start simple with a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. The Eastern Mountain Sports Vital Peak Short-sleeve Tee (men’s|women’s) and Brooks Running Shorts (men’s|women’s) are a good bet. Round it out with an insulating layer like the EMS Equinox Stretch Ascent Full-zip Hoodie (men’s|women’s) and a water-resistant shell jacket.
A simple hat with a visor (men’s|women’s) will keep the sun and rain out of your eyes and the Buff Original Neck Gaiter is a versatile, all-season, no-brainer of a piece to keep in your pack.
Gear
Compared to other outdoor disciplines, trail running is pretty light on gear, but cool accouterments still exist. Lightweight and handy, the Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles, with their quick-deploying, three-section, foldable “Z” design are exactly what the doctor ordered for negotiating everything from steep to slippery terrain.
On the techy side of things, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Watch is a great training companion, perfect for the data nerds among us who value tracking things like heart rate, altitude, distance, and duration—the works.
Essentials
Of all the fun stuff above, only the layers count toward your 10 essentials, the things you really should carry on every outing. The rest includes navigation (meaning analog navigation, like the SOL Deluxe Map Compass and a map), a headlamp (like the Petzl Actik Core), a first-aid kit (AMK Ultralight/Watertight 0.3), a lighter and a knife, sun and bug protection, shelter (AMK Sol 2-Person Survival Blanket), and extra food and water.
None of the 10 essentials are incredibly bulky or heavy, so there’s no excuse not to have them in your pack or running vest.
Pack
Now, something to carry it all: take a look at the Osprey Duro 6 Hydration Pack. It’s sleek, comfortable, and can carry what you need for everything from a short jaunt in a local park to a 50k trail race. Built-in hydration capabilities—up to 2.5 liters—make drinking on the go a breeze and, what’s more, well-placed tie-in points allow for easy stowage of trekking poles and even a helmet should the route get extra spicy.
The Right Running Gear
Sloppy trails and drizzly weather are a hallmark of spring trail running in the Northeast, however, the right gear can help turn bad conditions into great runs.
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