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Trail Gear |  |
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See the Index for more topics, information, hints and tips.
Check out other trail running topics at Trail Running.
You might have to carry Water (either in a bottle or pack, see Gear) and Nutrition.
Consider using insect repellant.
If you may be out when it gets dark, carry a good Flashlight or two. Clouds near the horizon will make it get dark sooner. You'll want a very powerful light to help you spot the trail and landmarks from a distance.
I like to use a handheld Lux-Pro Focus 630, model LP630C. It has 290 lumens and is water and impact resistant. It uses 4 AAA batteries and has 3 modes (High, Low, Strobe) - runs 7 hours on high. The focus is adjustable with one hand by sliding the head in or out. I usually adjust it so that it illuminates the width of the trail but can quickly adjust it to look in the distance or close up.
They make special shoes for trails with a little more tread for better traction. Consider getting them a size larger. On downhills, your toes are jammed into the front of your shoes and this can be painful and cause you to lose toenails. See Shoe Strings for more information. If the surface has sharp rocks, the last thing you want is to be wearing a pair of minimalist shoes that offer little protection to the soles of your feet. This would slow you down significantly because you are having to carefully place every foot and tire you out physically and mentally. The soles of your feet would be extremely uncomfortable.
Gaiters are like small skirts that you wear around your ankle or calf. the short ones keep rocks and stuff from getting into your shoes. The taller ones keep grass and brush from scratching you.
Safety glasses are great for protecting your eyes from bugs or vines or branches. I would not recommend sunglasses because if you are in trees it will already be darker.
Consider taking some survival gear especially if you are really going to be out in the wilderness. A whistle, pepper spray, Emergency Coat and emergency bivy sack might be good to consider. See Trail Safety for more ideas.
