Gear & Apparel
What’s on your feet matters. Trailhead’s Gear & Apparel section covers the kit that keeps trail and ultrarunners moving — long-term trail shoe reviews, hydration vest testing, jacket and layering guides, sock and headlamp roundups, and brand-new product launches as they hit the trail. From entry-level trail shoes to 100-mile race-day kit, expect honest takes from runners who actually go long. Brought to you by UltraSignup, the world’s leading trail running registration platform.
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Trail Tested: The North Face Offtrail Ultra
The North Face Offtrail Ultra is built for tackling technical trails but also offers surprising versatility.
Brian Metzler
August 19, 2026
Breathable Trail Shoes for Hot Weather Running
Here are 12 breathable trail shoes with well-ventilated mesh uppers that can help keep your feet as cool and dry as possible on hot summer runs.
UltraSignup
August 11, 2026
Trail Tested: Mount to Coast M1
The new Mount to Coast M1 serves up a solid blend of traction, shock-absorption, durability, protection and energy return on rugged mountain trails.
Brian Metzler
August 9, 2026
Trail Tested: Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2
Salomon's S/Lab Genesis 2 is a versatile, moderately cushioned shoe that excels on smooth dirt and technical trail terrain.
Brian Metzler
August 3, 2026
Trail Tested: The North Face Altamesa 500 V2
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 is a cushy and versatile daily trainer for the trails with road running shoe comfort and performance.
Ashley Arnold
July 22, 2026
Your Questions about Trail Shoes are Answered
We answer all of your questions about trail shoes from our recent UltraSignup Live webinar.
UltraSignup
July 21, 2026
Everything You Need to Know About Trail Running Shoes
We set out to answer all of your questions about trail running shoes during our recent UltraSignup Live webinar.
UltraSignup
July 14, 2026
Trail Tested: Norda 055
The new Norda 055 trail shoe continues this small Canadian brand's legacy of using top-tier materials and innovative designs.
Brian Metzler
July 7, 2026
Trail Tested: Kiprun Kipsummit Max
Kiprun's KipSummit Max is a high-quality max-cushioned built for long-distance cruising on all sorts of trail terrain.
Brian Metzler
June 30, 2026
7 Great Trail Shoes for Technical Mountain Running Races
These 7 shoes can serve up speed and agility on the rugged terrain of technical mountain running races.
Brian Metzler
June 15, 2026