Trail

SPORTS: TRAIL RUNNING

In this section we have three sections:

Trail Running Shoes
Trail Running Clothing
Trail Running Accessories

All of them have one thing in common: they are technical items for use in Trail Running.

- Wearing the right shoes and clothing when running to avoid injuries - and to prevent them from getting injured.

What are the characteristics of a technical item?

These are shoes, clothing and accessories specially designed and made for running in the mountains or on forest trails.

To find out, we need to look at the composition of the article and its design.

The design

Technical trail articles are footwear, clothing and accessories designed for running, and in some cases (the more technical articles for professional athletes) for running very fast.

They are also designed to allow total freedom of movement.  Especially in technical mountain terrain.

The fabrics

In principle, they will be made with fabrics based on nylon or polyester fibres, avoiding cotton whenever possible.

As in Running, Trail Running technical articles are made of artificial fibres.  Because they have a series of characteristics that are essential for sports practice.

We are talking about nylon, polyester, elastane, lycra...

The Trail Running articles that incorporate these fabrics are:

1.    The upper part of the running shoes (the upper).
2.    The Trail Running clothing
3.    Accessories such as headbands, thigh straps, hydration packs...

All of them, when manufactured with these fabrics, will have these characteristics:

They are light.
They are very breathable.
They are elastic fabrics, some more than others.
They do not chafe the skin.
They do not stick to the skin.
They are quick-drying after getting wet.
In some cases they are anti-odour and anti-fungal.
When they incorporate Gore Tex they are more waterproof, while allowing perspiration.

- Running with technical clothing and shoes can be decisive for a better result.  

Cotton is a natural fibre.  

Yes, it is possibly the most recommendable and healthy fibre as long as you are not going to do sports activities.  However, it is ideal for dressing before and after a competition and training if the temperatures are not too cold.

Cotton retains and accumulates the sweat you generate when running or practising any other sport.  And it can accumulate up to 80% of its weight in water.

This accumulation of sweat will make the cotton garment stick to your body, causing chafing of the skin (especially on the nipples, armpits and groin).  If they are 100% cotton socks, they can cause blisters on the soles of your feet.  

With the accumulation of sweat, you will also feel the increased weight of your T-shirt, making it more uncomfortable to run in.

1.- TRAIL RUNNING SHOES

We can establish several categories depending on their characteristics.

Technical shoes
More versatile shoes
Training, mixed and competition shoes

The characteristics of technical trail running shoes are very different from those of running shoes.

Here a heavier shoe can be a good feature if you are going to run on terrain with a lot of loose stones.  Because that heavier weight comes from giving more protection to the foot.

They are also shoes that will have a better grip or with which you can run better on muddy terrain.

They usually have a higher price than the average price of a Trail Running shoe.  

We say again that they are shoes that are not suitable for everyone.  Or in other words, some of their qualities may not be beneficial for certain runners.

- When you go out to train and compete do it with technical socks -

Versatile shoes

They are those with which you can run on paths and mountain trails.  They are more affordable than more technical shoes.  And they will suit many trail runners, especially those who are just starting to run in the mountains.

An ideal example of versatility is the Brooks Cascadia.

They are not worse because they are more versatile, on the contrary.  Depending on your characteristics and where you are going to use them, they will be even better than technical shoes.

Sometimes you will even need trail running shoes, but that can also withstand a bit of asphalt.  Because to get to the mountain or park you have to go through an urban area.

Training shoes
Mixed running shoes
Racing shoes

In the case of trail running you usually have the same shoes for training and racing.  So it is as if they were all mixed.

As pure competition shoes are the Salomon Speedcross.  A very technical shoe that will last for 5 ultramarathons.
 
Shoes for pronator or neutral runners

Trail running shoes are usually more stable than running shoes, their soles are somewhat wider, especially at the rear.

There is only one model of Trail Running shoes with stability control: Asics Trabuco.

- The best shoes are the ones that are right for you.

2.- TRAIL RUNNING CLOTHING

If we think about the clothes to run, there are three to start with, but all of them would be these:

Trail Running T-shirts
Trail Running Trousers or Shorts
Trail Running Socks
Trail Running Wind Jacket
Trail Running Waterproof Jacket
Trail Running Tights

For trail running, if you are going to run with a hydration pack, you will need to take this into account when choosing a T-shirt.  They are usually a little more consistent to be able to "suffer" the chafing of the vegetation and the friction of the backpack.

The same applies to the trousers: they have to be more durable than running trousers, because branches and bushes get in the way.

And in many competitions it is mandatory to wear a windproof and waterproof trail jacket.

3.- TRAIL RUNNING ACCESSORIES

We are talking about:

Waistcoats and hydration belts
Calf pads
Gloves
Belts for backpacks
Headbands
Caps
Neck scarves

Here it is also important to know when and how to use these items.  And here it is clearer than ever, the more technical they are the better, and for everyone.

Belts are usually used on runs of less than 25 km.  And hydration waistcoats in training or competitions of more than that distance.