The Trail Gear We Swear By and What We Skip
Trail Notes | Adventure
carry what earns its place
The Gear We Swear By
and What We Skip
Good gear should make adventure simpler, safer and more comfortable. It should not make you feel that you need to buy your way into belonging outdoors.
Trail running and hiking can quickly become an equipment spiral. There is always a newer watch, lighter jacket, larger vest or more technical shoe promising to make the next adventure better.
Some equipment genuinely changes what is possible. Some provides comfort or convenience. Some solves a problem you may never have.
After years of training, racing, facilitating and moving through remote environments, this is how we decide what earns a place in our packs and what stays at home.
The best gear is not the lightest, newest or most expensive.
It is the gear that fits, works in the conditions and is familiar enough that you can use it without thinking.
Trail Note · 01
Start with the adventure, not the shopping list
There is no single kit list that works for every trail. What you need depends on where you are going, how long you expect to be out and how easily you could get help if something changed.
Before packing, ask
How long will I realistically be outside?
How technical, exposed or remote is the route?
What weather could arrive, not only what is forecast?
Is there reliable drinking water or mobile reception?
What would I need if I had to stop moving for thirty minutes?
Packing for a local ninety-minute group run is different from packing for an exposed mountain route. Good preparation is specific, not maximal.
Trail Note · 02
The gear that earns its place
Shoes that fit your feet and the terrain
Grip matters, but fit matters more. A trail shoe should hold your foot securely without crushing your toes, particularly on descents. Choose the tread for the terrain you actually use. A highly aggressive shoe can be unnecessary on smooth, dry tracks.
A vest that does not move
The right vest lets you carry water, food and safety equipment without bouncing, rubbing or changing how you run. Buy for fit and access rather than storage alone. Bigger is not automatically better.
A reliable waterproof layer
A good jacket is worth considering when you begin spending longer periods outside. Look for suitable waterproof protection, breathability, a functional hood and enough room to move comfortably. Race requirements may specify particular standards, so check before purchasing.
A headlamp you have tested
Carry a headlamp whenever there is a chance you will finish near darkness, even if darkness is not part of the original plan. Know how to change its settings, lock it and check its battery. For longer night outings, carry backup power or a second light.
Navigation that works offline
Download the route before leaving reception and know how to recognise when you have moved off course. A GPS watch can help, but it does not replace understanding the route. On remote adventures, carry backup navigation and emergency communication appropriate to the environment.
Trail Note · 03
The small things we keep reaching for
The most useful equipment is not always the most exciting. These smaller items repeatedly prove their value.
Soft flasks: easy to drink from, refill and carry in the front of a vest.
A cap or visor: useful for sun, light rain and keeping sweat out of your eyes.
Anti-chafe product: apply it before you need it, particularly around bra lines, pack contact points, thighs and feet.
A reusable bag: for wrappers, wet clothing or anything you do not want loose inside the pack.
A simple first aid kit: matched to the route and accompanied by the knowledge to use it.
An emergency layer: light enough to carry and protective enough to help if the temperature changes or you have to stop.
The gear we trust most is usually the gear we barely notice while using.
Trail Note · 04
The safety gear that is never wasted weight
Safety equipment should reflect the consequences of something going wrong. A short run through a busy urban park and a remote mountain route do not carry the same risk.
For longer or remote adventures, consider
A personal locator beacon or suitable satellite communication device.
Offline navigation and a suitable backup.
A waterproof jacket and warm emergency layer.
A headlamp, even when you expect to finish in daylight.
A first aid kit, emergency blanket and whistle.
More water, food and medication than the best-case version of the day requires.
A phone is useful, but mobile reception is not guaranteed. For remote environments, it should not be your only way to request help.
Trail Note · 05
What we do not overcomplicate
Food: sports products are convenient, but familiar supermarket food can work just as well. Choose something you tolerate and will actually eat.
Clothing: comfortable layers you already own may be enough for a short local outing in settled weather.
Watch data: time, route and basic effort can be more useful than tracking every available metric.
Recovery gadgets: sleep, food, gradual training and genuine rest still do most of the work.
Trail Note · 06
What we usually skip
Buying for a future version of ourselves
Buy for the adventures you are doing now. Equipment for a hypothetical hundred-mile race does not need to shape what you purchase for a local group run.
The lightest option at any cost
A few saved grams rarely compensate for poor fit, reduced durability or equipment that is unpleasant to use.
Packing through fear
Carrying every possible item can create a heavy, disorganised pack without addressing the most likely risks. Pack from a considered plan rather than a pile of what-if scenarios.
Anything untested on an important day
A race, retreat or remote adventure is not the place to discover that your new shoes rub, your vest leaks or your jacket restricts movement. Test equipment close to home first.
Trail Note · 07
Borrow before you buy
Equipment is personal. What works beautifully for one person can move, rub or feel completely wrong on another.
Borrowing a vest, poles, headlamp or larger pack can help you understand what features matter before committing. Buying second-hand can also be practical for equipment that remains safe and functional.
Shoes, fitted clothing and critical safety equipment deserve more individual consideration. Some safety items also have expiry dates, registration requirements or a service history that should be checked before reuse.
Her Trails coaching cue
Before buying something new, ask what specific problem it will solve. If you cannot name the problem, you probably do not need the gear yet.
Trail Note · 08
Know where everything lives
Equipment is only useful if you can reach it when you need it. Pack frequently used items where they are easy to access and keep safety equipment in a consistent location.
Front pockets: water, food, phone and anything needed regularly.
Easy-access pocket: gloves, headlamp or a light layer when conditions are changing.
Protected inner section: first aid, emergency blanket, medication and dry items.
Outside storage: rubbish or wet equipment kept separate from dry layers.
Pack the same categories in the same places each time. Familiarity matters when you are tired, cold or trying to help someone else.
The aim is confidence, not consumption
The right equipment can open access to longer days, harder weather and more remote places. It can reduce discomfort and provide options when plans change.
But gear does not create judgement, skill or experience. Those come from using what you have, paying attention and learning what different environments require.
Start with the essentials. Borrow when you can. Buy slowly. Test everything. Let your adventures show you what is missing.
You do not need all the gear. You need the right gear for this day, in this place, under these conditions.
Everything else can wait until the trail gives you a reason.
carry what earns its place
Written by the Her Trails coaching team
Practical guidance shaped by years of training, racing, facilitating and moving through trail environments.
A note on safety
Always check official park information, weather, fire conditions and route requirements. Tell someone your plans and expected return time. For remote adventures, carry emergency communication appropriate to the environment.
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