New to trail running?

We’ve all gotta start somewhere right!? So if you’re completely green to the trails or in the early days of trail running and are wondering what gear you need to get started, and what gear is right for you, then we are about to walk you through it all in this quick guide.

Shoes

Probably the most important aspect to trail running. 

You want shoes that are comfy enough that you don’t want to throw them in a bush after 30 minutes, ones that don’t make you feel like you’re ice skating, and then ones that will stand up against the rough terrain. 

So how do you get the perfect pair (well as perfect as you're gonna get)? You read this article from our mates at Further Faster if you want some proper in-depth info from shoe specialists, or just follow these general rules:

• Try on as many different shoes as possible - jump, skip, jog, squat in them.
• Choose the ones that are most comfy and fit your budget.
• Purchase.
• Go running.

Knowing how much gear is too much gear

Let’s face it, if you’re just starting out you don’t want to spend a shed load on all the bells and whistles. So we reckon this is what you need on a basic level.

Running Clothing - Very much dependent on weather (obviously) but generally speaking you want to protect yourself from the elements. Long sleeve thermals and shorts/tights are a great place to start. Check out our range of trail running clothing and read about our love affair with the T8 Sherpa Shorts and undies. Having a windproof/rainproof jacket is also up there on the priority list (so you can be ready for all weathers on your run) and ideally one that folds up super small for taking on and off and fitting in your pack.

Hydration pack - these come in all shapes and sizes so get one that fits. It’ll have front pouches for flasks (ideal for shorter runs) and a space in the back for a bladder (perfect for your longer runs). You also need room for a mini first aid kit, a spare thermal, and some food. For an idea of what’s out there check out our range of running packs.

Running watch - A GPS watch is definitely not essential (considering its expense) in the very beginning of your running career however the more remote and longer you go the more it will come in handy. The ability to see how far you’ve run and how far you’ve got to go is a great tool for not only your mindset but for safety too as you’ll know roughly where you are. So yup, a GPS watch can be a painfully expensive piece of kit, but you can make it slightly less painful with our VIP Reward with Fitness NZ.

Safety

Okay, so you’ve been trail running for a few months now, you love it and you want to step it up a notch, EPIC! That's what we love to hear BUT do it safely and sensibly. Here are a few things to consider before heading out into the unknown.

• Running buddies - in an ideal world take someone with you.
• Know where you’re going - check our trail directory, learn your route, read the description of the trail so you know what to expect and, VIP members, grab the GPX file. (FYI a GPX file is the geographic information of the trail, super handy to have on your watch or phone if the trail map is tricky.)
• Tell someone where you’re going - leave a note or send a message to a family member or mate and tell them where you’re going and the rough times.
• Always take first aid - no need to explain that one is there.
• Always take plenty of food and water.

Walking is 100% acceptable

One of the beauties of trail running, unlike road running, is that walking can be faster and more efficient than running. So depending on the gradient of the hill, or the technical terrain make sure you get your power hike on to conserve energy and avoid injury.

Recovery

There’s a common mistake that happens here, we start out on some nice trail runs, we then start wanting to run all.the.time (yep, we get that) but we forget we’re not robots and that our bodies need to recover. The way to build a strong running base and avoid nasty injuries is to start slow, build slow, and let our bodies adjust to extra load.

Our bodies also need extra, specific nutrition (that’s a whole other topic in itself, maybe our next blog topic) but in the meantime, see our selection of running nutrition for a good place to start.

Running buddies

You might be one of those people who like to take to the trail by themselves for that ultimate peace and quiet, that’s cool, you do you! But for those wanting the social aspect, seeking out a few running buddies can make your run go from ‘that was a fun run’ to ‘I f*#king loved that run let’s go again next weekend’. Not to mention running with others provides extra safety, extra motivation, and extra accountability.

So now you’re asking yourself is there a ‘Tinder’ for running mates? Afraid not, but there’s this whopping great big Wild Things Facebook community group that are runners of all abilities, spread over the country, with the intel of local running groups. 

Got more questions?

You’re in luck because you know that Facebook group we mentioned above, well it’s also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things trail running. It’s the kind of group that you can fire questions at and you’ll get some wonderful, helpful information in return. And remember there’s no such thing as a silly question.

Happy trails!