Starting out as a trail runner can be daunting. Moving from the roads to the trails means coping with completely different terrain. More often than not it means going further afield to find a trail to run. And then there is the gear - so much gear!

The good news is, you don’t need to break the bank to get started in the sport. But there are some essentials you’d be well advised to invest in at the outset and below I’ve listed my top five for you to consider.

Hopefully this list gives you an idea about what you might need to get out and hit the trails.

1. Shoes

If you’re “trail curious” and you just want to have a run on an easy, local trail, then you can probably do that in your normal road shoes. But if you’re intending to spend any significant time on trails, especially the trickier, hillier variety, then investing in a pair of trail shoes is a must.

Trail shoes have a number of characteristics that set them apart from road shoes. The most noticeable, and consequential in my opinion, is the “outsole” - where the rubber literally hits the trail.

Road shoes have very little tread. In contrast, trail shoes have “lugs”, chunks of rubber on the sole of the shoe. The size and pattern of the lugs varies from shoe to shoe. Essentially, the taller the lugs, the more slippery the surface the shoe is optimised for.

The further apart the lugs, the better the shoe will shed water, mud and other trail detritus. Some trail shoes have shorter lugs of varying shapes. These shoes are designed for rocky trails where multidirectional grip is required. The outsoles on trail shoes also tend to be “sticky”, again to aid grip.

Because you are literally likely to take trail shoes bush-bashing, they tend to be more durable. This means they are often slightly heavier than road shoes. However, it’s important that they remain breathable and that they will drain water after you’ve splashed through a creek crossing or two.

Other important considerations are size and roominess in the shoe’s toe box. If you run for an extended period, your feet are likely to swell. So shoes that feel snug on the start line might be uncomfortable in the closing stages of a run.

And because there’s likely to be some downhill in every trail you run, your foot will be pushing towards the front of your shoe with every downhill footfall. So think about favouring shoes with more rather than less room up front.

You can definitely run on the road in your trail shoes, but the taller the lugs the more uncomfortable the ride is going to be. If you are starting out on the trails, a shoe that’s designed for a wide variety of trail surfaces is probably the way to go.

All-in-all this is the most important purchase you will make as an aspiring trail runner, so my strong advice would be to visit a trail running specialist for help. The shoes are not cheap - at full price you’ll be paying the same as for a good pair of road shoes, somewhere between $200 and $300.

2. Socks

If you’re taking your first steps on the trails, you probably don’t need to invest in socks custom made for the task. The exception would be if you are prone to blisters. When you are out on the trails, your feet are going to get wet - from rain, puddles, creek crossings or just from sweating.

I am blessed with blister-resistant feet so sock choice is pretty low on the priority list for me. I ran my first 100km race, which took me almost 18 hours, in the first pair of socks I pulled out of my sock drawer.

But if just walking past a wet shoe gives you blisters, you might want to invest in socks made from technical fabrics designed to keep your feet comfortable. You may also like “toe socks”, which have a little pocket for each toe - like gloves for your feet. These reduce the friction caused by toes rubbing together. Injinji is probably the leading brand of toe socks designed specifically for trail runners.

3. Clothing

There is a dizzying array of run-specific clothing on the market. The main thing to look for, apart from aesthetics, are items made from fabrics that are moisture wicking and quick drying.

Moisture wicking fabrics will move sweat away from your skin, which will aid in keeping you cool and help reduce the risk of chafing. You’ll also need to think about sun protection - singlet, short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts all perform differently on this front.

If you’re running in the cold you may opt for a base layer. But remember - as soon as you start running you will warm up, so the aim is not to have too many layers on when you set off.

And above all else, whatever you wear needs to be comfortable. To this end, running gear company Brooks sums it up pretty well:

4. Water bottles

When you’re out on the trails you need to be more self-sufficient than if you’re on the roads, and that means carrying your own water. It’s important to stay hydrated when you are running and obviously the hotter the conditions - and the more prone you are to sweating - the more important this becomes.

The good news is that unless you intend running for hours, you don’t need a hydration vest because they are hot and uncomfortable. There are plenty of handheld water bottle options.

You can choose from soft or hard flasks, many of which come with handles to make them easier to carry. Another option is a hydration belt, which has a pocket to hold a water bottle.

It can feel odd to run with a water bottle in your hand, but you quickly get used to it, especially if the bottle has a handle or slips inside a case with a handle.

5. Phone

It may seem odd to recommend a phone as a trail running essential, but if something goes wrong while you’re on the trail, you’re going to need to contact someone to come to the rescue.

There are also all manner of apps that can help you with guidance when you are running to reduce the chances of getting lost. Many runners also like listening to music, podcasts or audio books while running, and your phone can supply this - but you’ll likely want headphones as well. And then there’s Strava…

Because you are taking your phone with you, you will need somewhere to store it while you’re running. You could carry it, but that quickly gets tiresome, or put it in your pocket, but unless you have a pocket specifically designed to hold a phone, this can be really uncomfortable.

Better options include armbands, lightweight vests or run belts. A key consideration is how easily you can get access to the phone, for example to take a quick photo. You don’t want to be spending five minutes wrestling with an armband while the red bellied black you’ve encountered on the trail slithers off, leaving you with no pictorial evidence.

Other options…

There are plenty of other things that could be on this list - a hat, sunnies, a watch, lube, nutrition … the options are almost endless. But I think if you’re equipped with these five, it will give you a great start in the sport.

For more on trail running gear for beginners, you can watch this video by British runner Mark Lewis… I think it’s fair to say the climate he’s running in is nothing like what I enjoy in South East Queensland.

My Favourite Run

This part of Trail Runner Australia belongs to you. I want to hear all about your favourite run. Doesn’t have to be a race, doesn’t have to be on trails. Could be your first Parkrun, or your 500th. Might be your first run on the trails or your first “miler” (for the uninitiated, that’s a 100 mile race). Tell me where and when it took place and, of course, why it was special. I’ll print a selection of your stories here. And if you have a pic, send that and I’ll run it too.

Upcoming Events

There are way too many events for me to list everything that’s happening around the country, but here is a selection of upcoming races (with a bias towards South East Queensland).

The Running Calendar website is a great source if you want a comprehensive understanding of what’s available around Australia.

Well that’s all I have for you this week. Until next time, see you on the trails!