As runners, we also spend an awful lot of time walking or on the trails we lovingly call it hiking to make it all sound much more intense. Because our team has been testing all kinds of gear this year, we wanted to highlight a few things hiking gear pieces that we loved and you need to know about!
From head-to-toe apparel to hydration and snacks to keep you going, this list has a little bit of everything for your next hike. You can thank us later.
AND let us know in the comments if there’s something you love that more people need to know about.
IBEX Springbok Sun Hoodie – Lightweight Protection
David has long been in to the sun hoodie, but it took me a bit longer. Why? Because I assumed I’d be hot!
IBEX of course has proven to be a stellar wool choice in my training time and time again, so their new Sun Hoodie caught my eye. And it turns out this will now be on my list of go to gear for our big days on the trails. Listen we gotta start learning to better protect our skin!
I already lather on face sunscreen every 90 minutes, but now I’m giving my arms a little extra love with something that’s still supremely light and breathable.
We are also testing out the Ibex men’s springbok short also designed for summer, so watch for that in our July running gear round up!! That’s right we’ve got gear reviews galore.
- Available in 3 colors
- XS through XXL sizing available
- Check it out from Ibex.com for $145
-Coach Amanda
Smartwool Hiking Shorts – Light and Cute
This one snuck up on me. They don’t feel like wool. Are we sure they’re wool?
What kind of magic has Smartwool done to make these feel slick and soft and have like a metallic shine?? I don’t know but the loose fit and truly breathable nature have made them a winner. In fact, besides a hike I wore them to sit on some hot metal bleachers to watch the rodeo and it kept things from getting shall we say…swampy???
Definitely a winner combined with our favorite running underwear. You’ll be dry and breezy and looking cute. The looser fit around the thighs is also more accommodating for us active ladies.
- Available in 3 colors
- XS through XL sizing available
- Check it out from Smartwool.com for $70
-Coach Amanda
Katadyn BeFree Flask – Clean Water on the Go
I first read through the directions and prepared the system for its first use. I rinsed by running 1L of water through it to wash out any dust or particles. After doing this, I unscrewed the mouthpiece and placed the activated carbon in its holder and rinsed the system again. The first liters that are filtered are to be discarded and not consumed. (I
watered my potted plants…I live in a desert so can’t just discard it!)
I had to run pretty far up into the mountains to find some water to filter since we have not had much rain or snow recently. It’s nice that the flasks are so portable and don’t take up much room in the pack! The flask also has a plastic loop near the mouthpiece which makes it easy to handle or attach to a pack with a carabiner or rope.
I filled them up once I came across a flowing creek and was careful not to get the
untreated water on any of the surfaces that I would be handling or drinking from. You can always use another bottle that you don’t plan on drinking from to scoop the water and pour it into the flask. The best part is how fast the flow rate it is! Up to 2 liters per minute which means you don’t have to wait long to get clean water! Also, you don’t have to squeeze super hard to get the water to filter!
The water flowed and tasted great! A treat as the temps rise and you go through water faster!
A bonus is that both flasks fit into the front of my hydration vest. The hard plastic around the mouth piece makes it easy to hold, handle and carry! The silicone mouth piece felt nice to drink from, is easy on the teeth and does not leak. There is also a nice flip cap to cover the mouth piece to keep it clean and to keep the bottle from leaking which is a really nice feature!
– RTTF Coach Laura Swenson
Bombas Socks – Comfort for Long Miles
Whoop whooppp we gotta talk socks!! I’m not sure when they went from boring to terribly exciting, but here we are and of course we’re always stoked to offer up a discount too.
In terms of fit, one of the things that sets Bombas apart is their honey comb arch. It’s a nice fit and a little support. These socks are also generally cushioned which can help so much with preventing hot spots when walking downhill after the big climb.
Bonus points for supporting a brand that donates a pair for every pair purchased.
- Variety of lengths and colors
- Bombas Discount Code: AMANDA21 for 21% off your purchase
- Check them out from Bombas.com
-Coach Amanda
La Sportiva Trail Vest 5L – Lightweight for Hydration
Carrying hydration and fuel on trail runs is a must. Unfortunately, some hydration packs feel a bit too thick, trapping in heat and sweat.
The La Sportiva 5L Trail Vest is a great option for summer outings. The vest is lightweight and features a mesh back, making it feel very breathable.
The vest comes with two 17 oz Hydroflasks that tuck neatly into the front pockets and stay secure thanks to an elastic loop designed to hold them in place. The hydration pockets also feature a bit of foam padding where the bottle cap sits to prevent any rubbing or discomfort.
It was easy to get a secure bounce-free fit even with two full flasks thanks to the elastic bungee style hook closures on the front. This vest does not come with a bladder, but it does have a pocket on the back and snap closure to hold it in place should you want to bring one along.
I found the storage pockets to be thoughtfully designed. Two zipper pockets on the front were the perfect place to stash my phone and keys, and the smaller pocket near the shoulder featured a built-in whistle.
A passthrough pocket on the back and two additional stretch pockets on the front make it easy to store fuel or other run necessities. The vest also features two bungees on the back that could be used to secure poles or additional clothing items.
- Available in 3 colors
- S, M, L sizing
- Check it out from Lasportivausa.com for $129
-Stephanie, Gear Tester and RTTF Runner
Nathan Run Cooling Stash Hat – AHHHHH Ice
The Nathan Run Cool Stash Hat is a great running hat to add to your collection if you’re looking for something lightweight with the added bonus of some unexpected features.
The Run Cool Stash hat is an ultralight running hat, made ideally for day time runs in the summer heat. It has mesh panels on each side for breathability, and it’s made of a light, moisture wicking material to keep you cool on your run.
There’s also a great sweat-wicking badn on the inside to keep sweat out of your eyes. In addition to being a decent looking, classic running hat, this hat features a side pocket for storage – yes, pockets in a hat!
As someone who loves a good dress with pockets, imagine my surprise when the simple looking running hat arrived at my door and I realized I could store my running essentials right inside of it. The side pocket on the Run Cool Stash Hat is not large by any means, but it is a great place to either throw in some ice on a hot day, clip a reflector or light for early morning runs, or tuck in a key or other small items on the go.
I love that you can fill the side pocket with ice to cool you down on those hot summer runs, something I think will carry me a bit longer as we head into hotter months.
- Available in 2 colors
- One sit fits most
- Check it out from Nathan.com for $40
-Coral, Gear Tester
Outdoor Research Ferrosi DuraPrint Hoodie – Smart Layering
Okay, we know we promised warm weather trail gear, but for those hiking up in the mountains, layers are important even during the summer months!
I tried the Ferrosi DuraPrint Hoodie over the last couple of months, and it’s been a great layering option.
The lightweight, stretchy fabric offers incredible breathability and light weather protection, perfect for running on those slightly chilly days. I even use it as my outer layer when skate skiing or skinning up the mountain. 
It has DuraPrint® technology in high-wear areas like the shoulders, which adds extra durability when wearing my vest for longer training days. The elastic cuffs and hood cinches down to keep the elements out, and the three zippered pockets securely hold essentials.
It’s wind, water-resistant, and breathable, making it a great option for high-output days when the weather is mixed. The one major downfall is that it retains smell. It is one item that will need to be washed often.
If you’re looking for a jacket to throw in your hiking gear for extra layers, this is going to be a great option!
- Available in 4 colors
- S-XXXL Sizing
- Check it out from Outdoorresearch.com for $149
-John, Gear Tester
Is there a piece of trail running gear you’d like us to test, let us know below!
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