Winter can still be a great time to hit the trails. But when the temperatures drop
and the snow begins to fall in the mountains the gear that we use needs to change as well. In this
video I'm going to talk about some of the winter trail running gear that I rely on along with a few
tips for staying safe in the snow. So let's start with clothing. Now in the summer it's pretty easy
to dress for trail running. I get pretty warm so I typically just wear shorts and a t-shirt
along with maybe some arm warmers and a hardshell in my pack in case it rains. But in the winter,
I'll typically wear or at least carry pants instead of just shorts, and I've found that
there are a couple good options to choose from. The first is a good pair of waterproof pants
like the Salomon Bonatti's. These can be worn on their own or you can carry them along and put them
on over your shorts. What I like about these is that they are light and breathable enough
to be worn on those days where temperatures are just hovering above freezing and you're kind of
dealing more with cold rain instead of snow, and they can be packed away really easily if you want
to carry them as a backup just in case. But for colder temperatures, I'll usually wear a pair
of insulated pants like these nordic pants. This is an older model that has wind protection on the
front but they're very similar to the soft shell pants that are currently available from Salomon.
I prefer these kind of nordic types over regular running tights because they're not
only a little bit warmer given that they're insulated but they're also just a little bit
less revealing and more comfortable overall. On top, I like to layer so I'll usually wear either
a t-shirt with arm warmers or just a long sleeve shirt. On top of this I'll then wear
either a softshell jacket or more often than not a waterproof hardshell. A hardshell is going to
be obviously great protection in case it rains but it's also warmer than a windbreaker so you
can count on it as an additional insulating layer as well. But when it gets really cold I'll again
turn to Salomon's nordic skiing line and something like this insulated jacket with wind protection.
And for even more warmth, I might layer this over a thin merino wool base layer. But as a
backup I like to carry a lightweight compressible down jacket like this one from Arc'teryx. This is
something I'll often pull out once I've reached a summit to take some photos or have a snack
but it can also act as a critical piece of safety equipment should I find myself having to slow down
or to stop for a significant amount of time. Just remember to keep it in a ziploc freezer
bag to keep it dry. My ears get cold pretty easily so I'll usually wear either a lightweight toque or
just a buff wrapped around my head. That way if I start to overheat I can pull it off and just wrap
it around my wrist. And carrying a spare one of these never hurts as well so you can maybe put it
around your neck and pull it up around your face like a balaclava in case of cold winds. Now my
hands get cold really easily as well so gloves are a must for me, even in the fall and early spring.
I'll usually start with a lighter weight pair and then I'll pack along a heavier pair just in case.
And even the best waterproof gloves are going to soak through eventually so it's a good idea
on longer days to carry along a spare pair of gloves in a ziplock bag. And a set of chemical
hand warmers like these never hurt just in case. Now a lot of people like to wear gore-tex shoes in
the winter to try to keep their feet dry, but here's the thing - the snow is still going to
get in from the top and then it's going to have nowhere to go. Plus, they're less breathable so
they can be too warm at other times of the year. So instead, I like my shoes to be quick draining
and breathable. When running in deeper snow, I'll then pair them with some gore-tex socks
like these from a brand called Rocky. These aren't cheap but I've had this pair for years
and they have been worth every penny. Just wear some regular socks underneath to keep your feet
not only dry but nice and warm. But I am becoming a fan of trail running shoes with built-in gaiters
like the Salomon Soft Grounds or the new S-lab Cross that I've been testing out for a few weeks.
This can help to keep out not only dirt and debris but of course snow as well. And you can also find
trail running shoes with built-in spikes like the Salomon Spikecross which allow you to run
more safely in icier conditions. But I find that conditions are just too variable in the winter,
including a mix of snow, ice, rock and maybe even some pavement. So instead, I'll carry along
a traction device that I can put on only when necessary. My favorites are the Hillsound Trail
Crampon Ultra. I've found these to be not only the most durable but they have this strap across the
top that holds them more firmly in place than the competitors, especially on the downhills. There
are a few models available but the Ultras are the lightest and are designed specifically for trail
running. But if black ice is more of your concern then check out the less aggressive Hillsound
Flexsteps which are chain free ice cleats designed for urban environments like icy sidewalks and
roads. I've got another video that I'll link to below that covers all of the usual trail running
essentials that I would rely on in warmer months and the winter is no different. But keep in mind
that the days are shorter making the need for a headlamp or possibly a backup or a spare battery
more important than ever. I'll always carry one of these emergency bivvy sacks as well
instead of just the small emergency blanket that I might be able to get away with in the summer.
And remember to stay on top of your hydration. I find that I just really have to force myself
to drink in the winter because I'm not sweating and I just don't feel the need. But if I don't,
I end up feeling really dehydrated. And don't underestimate the power of the sun.
In the winter, the snow can reflect up to 90% of UV radiation,
meaning that you're getting a double dose - both from the sun and reflected off the snow.
And this can very quickly lead to snow blindness as well as burning of the eyelids and other places
that don't normally see direct sunlight. And trust me, forgetting to wear sunglasses and sunscreen on
a bluebird day running in the snow in the alpine is a mistake you are only going to make once. So
that about covers it for me but is there anything I missed that you would consider essential in the
winter? Tell me about it in the comments below and be sure to subscribe for more videos like this.
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