Gear



New to the area, or new to trail running altogether? Trying to decide what gear you'll need in the Gorge? The following is a list of gear I have personally used and would recommend, along with links to the manufacturers' websites and product MSRP, as well as I could find them. Most of these things you probably won't end up paying full-price for, and a lot of them you can also find at Waterstone.



  • Trail running shoes
    • This may sound like a no-brainer, but it needs to be said: Road running shoes are not trail running shoes. Road running shoes are not built for the ruggedness and unpredictability of terrain to which trail running subjects footwear. You may get by for a little while with a pair of road runners, but if you are seriously interested in trail running, especially on technical trails, invest in a shoe that's built for the demands of twisting, planting, jumping, and skidding down and up mountainsides. Having said that, some trail running shoes are a little more versatile than others and can still be used for the occasional road jog. The more aggressively the soles are built, the less wise it is to take them on the asphalt. You can ruin a pair of road runners (and your ankles) on a technical trail, and you can also ruin a pair of trail runners on the sidewalk (I'm mainly thinking of shoes like the La Sportiva Raptor, whose soles are made out of a super-sticky climbing-shoe rubber that wears down quickly when used persistently as a road shoe).
    • Recommended products:
      • Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2 ~ $120.00 ~ Although I've never used the current model, I still own an old, beat-up pair of XA Pro 3D Ultras, which are the daddies to the Ultra 2 (for those of you out there who don't understand how numbers work). It's a tedious name, but this shoe is definitely one of the most versatile and bomber shoes I've seen. I've used these shoes for about anything--trail running, road running, hiking, paintball; I've even take them rafting when it's too cold for Chacos. Since I owned the Ultra and not the Ultra 2, I can't firsthand say if these shoes are what they used to be, but, if they are, they're worth the money.
      • La Sportiva Raptor ~ $110.00 ~ My current shoe of choice and ownership, although I'm past due for a new pair. These bad boys have super durable uppers and an aggressively lugged sole made with the same sticky rubber that La Sportiva puts in many of their rock climbing shoes. Amazing on technical trails, and I've put the more miles on these than any other shoe. Some people dislike them for their weight, and they're not close enough to the ground for some. Also, the stickier your sole, the softer it is, which means that the lugs will wear down too quickly if you use them on anything but trails. Still, these are so far my favorite shoes for their durability and technical performance. I have actually dreamed about these shoes.
      • Montrail Mountain Masochist ~ $95.00 ~ My girlfriend bought these (except she got the women's version, naturally), and she likes them. I've never tried them out, since her feet are smaller than mine. She bought them because they have a cool name, but they seem to be handling well. They won a 2009 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year award, for whatever that's worth.
  • Wool performance running socks
    • This is more of an optional piece of gear (I actually mostly run with cheap Wal-Mart polyester socks, since I'm poor), but I promise you, there's nothing like merino wool. You'd be surprised how addicted you'll get to your wool running socks when you compare them to any other kind. By the way--even if you don't have the money for wool running socks, stay away from cotton socks.
    • Recommended products:
      • Smartwool Phd Outdoor Light Mini ~ $16.95 ~ These were my favorite pair of socks, until somebody stole them or the drier ate them. One way or another, I miss these things. Keep them close to your heart, and don't ever dry them in a community laundry area. You might never see them again.
      • Injinji Outdoor Series Trail Toesock ~ $16.00 ~ Made with their moisture-wicking NuWool blend. Great for FiveFingers. Or for wearing with sandals and weirding out people at Starbucks. 
  • Trail maps/compass
    • Don't hit the trails without at least a general idea of how the trail systems work and what trails you expect to be running. Some of them can get a little confusing, and a few are actually a little challenging to keep track of the first time you run it (maybe I shouldn't admit this, but I had to stop and do a little map and compass work the first time I ran Kates Plateau Trail). A compass is also a good idea.
    • Recommended products:
      • NatGeo Trails Illustrated: 252 New River Gorge National Recreation Area Trail Map ~ $11.95 ~ I promise you won't be disappointed in this topo map. It includes trail descriptions, difficulty ratings, accurate topographical information, and is waterproof and tearproof. And you automatically become anyone's best friend who is looking for a good trail to hike or run over the weekend but doesn't know the area.
      • NPS: New River Gorge National River Trails Guide ~ free ~ Not as detailed map information as the NatGeo map, and not as durable--unless you have some waterproof material hanging around to print the maps on--but this free downloadable pdf is full of pretty pictures and maps good enough to get you around. The real advantage to this guide is the driving directions and trail descriptions. You can also pick up a paper copy out at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, last time I checked.
      • Suunto A-30 L IN orienteering compass ~ $21.95 ~ Nothing fancy, just a good quality, accurate orienteering compass. 
  • Hydration pack
    • Depending on how hot the weather and how far your run is, you'll likely eventually wish you had a hydration pack with you. I've never actually bought the big names, since I haven't really ever been able to afford it, and the Wal-Mart version has worked okay for me so far. If you're planning on getting a hydration pack, I would recommend something with storage with room for items like a map, compass, emergency blanket, cell phone, car keys, and a few energy gels.
    • Recommended products:
      • Outdoor Products Mist ~ $25.00 ~ Like I said, I haven't bothered with the fancy brands. This does the job I need it to do for now. 
  • Emergency space blanket
    • These things are cheap and a lifesaver. They weigh next to nothing, and you wouldn't want to be without one in a potential emergency.
    • Recommended products:
      • I don't think it really matters what brand you buy; if you know what you're looking for, you should have no problem finding them for under 2 bucks a piece and working fine. I think everyone knows what I'm talking about here. If not, click here.
  • Emergency Whistle
  • Performance clothing
    • Trust me, especially for underwear and baselayers, you'll want to stay away from wearing a lot of cotton. Go for moisture-wicking materials like polyester or merino wool. When cotton gets wet, it stays wet and it stays cold. You don't always have to find the name brands, although if I can get a deal on Under Armour or SmartWool, I'll take it.
  • Energy gels or emergency food for longer runs
    • Running up and down the Gorge burns calories like crazy. If you're going to be on a longer run or you're not sure how long you'll be out, why not take a Clif Bar or some energy gels? 


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