what's in our kit?
Editors' Picks Trail Running Kit
Up your trail running game with these handpicked favorites.
It probably won’t surprise you that many folks on Better Trail’s editorial team are dedicated trail runners. There’s simply no better way to weave fitness and time outside into a busy life. Also unsurprising: After countless miles on dirt, we’ve developed some strong opinions about what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to trail running gear. What follows is a peek into what we’re using on our daily runs. There’s certainly no shortage of options to choose from, but we can confidently say you won’t go wrong with any of these picks.
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro ($225)
Terignota Sendero Short ($29)
Rabbit EZ Tee Perf SS ($50)
Patagonia Airshed Pro ($145)
Feetures Elite Light Cushion Mini Crew ($21)
Ciele Athletics GoCap ($45)
Terignota Valhalla Vest ($89)
HydraPak 42mm Filter Cap ($40)
Coros Apex 4 ($479)
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z ($220)
Salomon Custom Quiver ($30)
Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel ($32)
Neversecond C30 Energy Gel ($42)
Compared to La Sportiva's climbing and hiking footwear, the brand's trail running lineup has been underwhelming. Until now, that is. New in 2025, the Prodigio Pro has risen to the top of our list as a capable, lively, and durable trail runner that’s impressively versatile for everything from fast efforts to 100-mile races.
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
We literally can’t imagine our daily runs without this short. Its 360-degree waist pocket carries a phone, earbuds, and snacks (if needed), completely bounce-free. We also love the Sendero’s flowy, quick-drying fabric and roomy, unrestrictive cut. The ridiculously low price is just a cherry on top.
Rabbit represents core trail running at its finest, and the brand’s EZ Tee Perf SS is one heckuva luxury running shirt. The stretch-polyester fabric is incredibly soft and features perforations throughout to keep air flowing.
The Airshed Pro might be the most effective running wind layer ever made, at least in our opinion. It’s more breathable than most windbreakers, yet still cuts gusts well enough for most conditions.
A good pair of running socks fit snugly, deliver just a smidge of extra cushioning, age well, and—most importantly—add a bit of style to our kit. The Feetures Elite check all the boxes, and their lifetime guarantee certainly doesn’t hurt.
The Ciele GoCap is a trail icon. It’s lightweight, breathable, and snug-fitting, with a soft brim that means it can easily pack away into your running vest or shorts pocket.
Terignota is out to do business differently, with a small, one-man team that keeps price points low and innovation churning. Its Valhalla Vest nails the fit, quality, and features trifecta better than any vest we’ve worn—and comes stock with two HydraPak soft flasks.
One of the most refined bottle filters on the market, the Filter Cap threads onto any bottle with a 42-millimeter opening (the standard size for HydraPak soft flasks) and lets you filter water straight into your mouth or another vessel. It’s compact, lightweight, and refreshingly easy to clean.
User Friendliness
Filtering Speed
Weight & Packed Size
Durability
Maintenance
Sustainability
Coros consistently undercuts the sport watch market on price-to-performance, and the Apex 4 is the brand’s trail-running-specific model. It offers great battery life and a host of features you can’t find in any sub-$500 Garmin watch (including full mapping and dual-frequency GPS).
User Experience
Activity Tracking & Training
Health & Recovery
Mapping & Navigation
Quality & Durability
Battery Life
The Distance Carbon Z is a versatile, ultralight trekking pole for both trail and mountain running. It folds away into a compact package and features a simple, comfortable grip that’s perfect for runners who prefer a strap-free setup.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
The Custom Quiver attaches to most modern trail running vests. Its wide mouth makes it easy to stash or retrieve your folding trekking poles without breaking stride or having to fiddle with awkward bungees on a vest or shorts.
One of the original high-carb drink mixes, and still our go-to. Tailwind seems to mix better with cold water than many competitors and comes in a range of tasty flavors, too.
Gels go down smoother than real food, allowing you to stay fueled for the long haul. Neversecond is one of the most premium names in sports nutrition, and its C30 gel is used by some of the best in the game.
How We Built the Editors’ Picks Trail Running Kit
Our Editors’ Picks Trail Running Kit was curated primarily by our co-founder and resident ultrarunner, Jenny Abegg, with plenty of input from the many other runners on our team. Based in Leavenworth, Washington, Jenny (that's me, hi!) logs dozens of trail miles each week and occasionally toes the line at the odd ultramarathon. The selections above reflect years of testing, refining systems, and thousands of miles on dirt, and are her go-to pieces for everything from casual afternoon runs to 100-mile races. Whether you’re just finding your stride or beating Jenny to the finish line, this gear is built to elevate your comfort and performance alike.
Given the nature of my work, I’ve tested a lot of trail running shoes over the years. There are a few clunky or ill-fitting outliers, but the truth is that most modern trail shoes perform quite well. At the moment, I have eight pairs in rotation (for testing purposes), and not a single one that I dread lacing up.
That said, one pair stands head and shoulders above the rest: the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro. Stepping into this shoe was a revelation—a firsthand lesson in what a difference supercritical foam can make. (Quick primer: "Supercritical" is a manufacturing process in which foam is infused with nitrogen, CO2, or other fluid that’s also acting like a gas, resulting in a lighter weight and more responsive finished product.) Initially, the Prodigio Pro felt overly rockered and a bit unstable, but after a few runs, there was no going back. In fact, I recently did a short run in a pair of my once-beloved Hoka Torrents (the shoes I wore for a 100-mile race a few years ago), and they suddenly felt like lifeless bricks. The Prodigio Pro combines an incredibly responsive underfoot feel with a grippy, durable outsole, an abrasion-resistant upper, and a sock-like collar that hugs the foot just right.
But even with my Prodigio Pro love affair, variety still wins. I'll often grab The North Face's Altamesa 500 V2 for road-to-trail and recovery runs, or the La Sportiva Prodigio 2 for scambly, snowy jaunts in the mountains. The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 brings a wider, more stable base we appreciate on long days, while the Hoka Mafate 5 is a tank that shows no signs of faltering in the face of snow and mud. And yes, there are plenty more supercritical options worth exploring, from the On Cloudultra and the Hoka Rocket X Trail to Adidas’s Terrex Agravic Speed. That said, the Prodigio Pro is at the top of its class. It has a significantly more durable outsole than the Cloudultra, fits a variety of foot shapes (unlike the Agravic Speed), and is a lot more stable and capable off-trail than many plated, rockered offerings.
Most of my trail runs are quick afternoon jaunts that clock in around 30 to 90 minutes. In most cases, this isn’t long enough to justify wearing a vest (unless it’s super hot and we want to bring a lot of water), which raises the question: Where do I stash my phone? Thankfully, there’s a growing number of shorts that have pockets that up to the task, including the Patagonia Endless Run, Janji AFO Middle Short, Oiselle Roga, and more.
But no shorts that I've tried offer better bounce-free phone storage than the Terignota Sendero. In fact, I get flustered whenever I go on a run without this short—its 360-degree waist pocket (and secure rear zip pocket), can easily accommodate a phone, snacks, keys, earbuds, and even a wind layer. And it’s not just the Sendero’s pockets—the short’s free-flowing fabric, comfortable fit, and borderline unbelievable price tag justify its coveted place in my closet. Throw on your shoes, a watch, and a breathable top, and you’re out the door.
On longer runs, I almost always wear a vest, primarily to stay on top of fueling and hydration. There is no shortage of vests available, but the Terignota Valhalla has blown me away with a premium construction at a bargain-basement price. (At $89, it undercuts most of the competition by almost 50%.) The Valhalla also offers a dialed fit (it’s available in five size offerings) and has a number of smart design points, including a trash pocket (seriously, why doesn’t every vest have one of these?), zippered front storage, an easily accessible rear pouch (great for a third soft flask or windbreaker), and ample space at the back for full day out. If you want to stray from our editors’ pick, just keep those features in mind, and make sure you prioritize a good fit above all else (other solid options include the Salomon ADV Skin and The North Face Summit Series Run Vest). No one wants a bouncy running vest.
The Valhalla Vest comes standard with two 500mL HydraPak bottles, but for runs exceeding two hours, I recommend adding a third with the HydraPak Filter Cap. That setup gives me 1.5 liters of water capacity and the ability to filter on the go, allowing me to hydrate to my heart’s content (assuming there are ample water sources). HydraPak’s UltraFlask+ Filter is another good option: It’s less versatile for refilling other bottles, but ideal if you prefer drinking straight from the filter without missing a stride.
As a runner, you’ll eventually come to high-carb drink mixes and gels out of necessity. Running long distances without fueling isn’t just unpleasant—it’s risky. Stopping to eat mid-run isn’t practical, especially during races, but modern sports nutrition has made on-the-go sipping and slurping surprisingly easy. I always keep a few open bags of high-carb drink mix in the cupboard; it’s hands-down the simplest way to take in calories on the trail. Most mixes taste pleasant and share a similar nutritional profile, but I favor Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel Drink for its easy mixability (some others clump in cold water and require more shaking or patience). For newcomers, Tailwind is also among the most affordable, alongside Carbs Fuel and The Feed Lab’s high-carb blends. I typically buy it in bulk to save a few bucks and portion what we need for each run into a Ziploc.
I resisted gels for as long as possible, relying instead on high-carb drink mixes and a hodgepodge of chocolate bars and gummy snacks. But here’s the truth: There’s simply no faster or easier way to get calories in than with a gel. You can down one without breaking stride—no chewing, no fuss—and they’re far gentler on the stomach than solid food. If money were no object, I’d always reach for Neversecond C30 Gels, but Precision Fuel and Carbs Fuel gels are excellent, more affordable alternatives. On long runs, I set my watch to vibrate every 30 minutes—when the timer goes off, I take a gel, no questions asked.
If you’re just getting into trail running, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on a capable watch to log your activities. My recommendation is to pick up an entry-level model like the Coros Pace 4 ($249) or the Garmin Forerunner 170 ($250), which you can read about more in our Beginner Trail Running Kit. But if you’re moving on to longer distances or more adventurous routes, you might want better battery life, increased data and tracking accuracy, more durable hardware, and features like mapping and navigation. The Coros Apex 4 ($479) ups the ante for serious runners, but does so at a price that doesn’t make me stop in my tracks (comparable Garmin models will run you $550 to $750). I won’t blame you for sticking within the Garmin ecosystem—their Forerunner series is arguably more user-friendly, offers a more well-rounded set of health metrics, and has advanced features like music and contactless payments—but the Apex 4 is by far the better value.
I might be biased, but I think you can’t go wrong with any of the gear in our Editors’ Picks list. It’s the gear that works for me, for Better Trail's other editors, and for many people in our running communities. That said, one of the best aspects of diving deeper into a sport is discovering your own unique style. You might find you prefer tight shorts over flowy ones, or a more minimalist shoe that lets you feel the trail. Maybe a waistbelt feels better than a vest, or running watch-free just fits your vibe. And maybe you’ll keep fueling with hamburgers, pizza, and the supermarket snack aisle (if so, I tip my sweat-covered hat). This list is a great place to start, but the deeper you go, the more your gear will start to reflect who you are as a runner. That, I think, is pretty cool.
Is the Editors’ Picks Kit for You?
If you want to run like the Better Trail team, start here. The Editors’ Picks Kit pulls straight from our collective gear closets—the shoes, layers, and equipment we actually grab before heading out the door. These are the products we’d recommend to our closest friends, and they represent a sweet spot between performance, comfort, and durability. Whether you’re building your first serious running setup or refining an existing one, this kit has everything you need to run long distances in (relative) comfort. But if you’re looking for something more specific, we might have a better kit for you.
For those just starting out, check out our Beginner Trail Running Kit.
If you need a little motivation to keep logging miles through the colder months, head to our Winter Running Kit.
