Trendsport Trailrunning: Why clothing and footwear are so important

There are things in life that there is no middle ground with them. When running, for example. Some love it, others can’t do anything with it. The author of this piece, even a not so unnecessary hobby runner, knows both extremes. People who do not understand why other people voluntarily dress running shoes and try to jog five, ten or even more kilometers through the area. Just like that. And he knows those who do that. There are many of them in Germany. According to a 2024, around five and a half million laced up their running shoes several times a week – at least three times as many go jogging every now and then. Most to stay fit for everyday life, keep body and mind going, pour out happiness hormones or earn the beer afterwards. Everything fair and understandable even for outsiders. A significantly smaller part tends to things in which non-runners only shake their heads and without understanding.

Trailrunning is a trend that more and more runners join. Some don’t even notice it. Because Trailrunning means nothing other than running away from paved roads and paths. The routes therefore lead through the terrain on more or less wide paths. Now there are different forms of terrain. By definition, the 5-kilometer round through the park around the corner is also a cross-country run. Races on forest or gravel paths are the moderate form of trail running and are also known as urban trail running. It becomes much more demanding when gradients and gradients come into play. The cross-trail goes through difficult terrain, roots, stick and stone. Only so-called trail adventures can top. The endurance athletes run in the extreme form of trail running in (highly) alpine terrain and sometimes also off marked paths and paths.

By the way: In 2015, the World Athletics Association officially recognized the Traillauf as a discipline. Since 2018, the best trail runners in the world have been fighting around the crown of the Golden Trail Series in a competition series between 22 and 42 kilometers.

We come to the special requirements for trail running clothing. Since the main difference between the street and the area is that there is a completely different coverings, we first focus on the shoes. And here especially on the sole of the running shoes. While the grip on the street or footpaths is not relevant when running, this plays a crucial role in trail running. Good grip is important, especially in moist or even wet conditions – not only on muddy, soft floors crazy. Depending on how varied and demanding the route is, trail running shoes (e.g. the ) have a moderate to strongly pronounced profile and corresponding knobs under the sole. In addition, the sole should be particularly robust, protect the soles of the feet from pointed stones or other sharp -edged obstacles. Compared to road running shoes, shoes for trail running are rather stiff and inflexible. A soft damping that can be helpful on asphalt is also counterproductive in the area. Because trail running shoes have to give the feet in rough terrain above all.

Runners who only plan a few trailla runs a month – mostly on forest floors or dirt roads – take up more moderate and light models when choosing the shoes. Here the comfort should always be the top premise. It is best to get the feet in a lighter all -rounder with a noping length of a maximum of four millimeters like that . The more rocky and tricky the terrain becomes, the higher the knobs should be. In addition, shoes for alpines or even high alpine terrain need protective intermediate soles and protective elements on the excitement. Last but not least, water -repellent upper keeps the feet dry, even if the water comes from above. Gore Tex is the keyword here.

For moderate trail running, you do not have to dress up completely – apart from the exception mentioned with your shoes. Nevertheless, it is worth thinking about optimizing the outfit. Especially if you would like to try somewhat longer runs in more rough terrain. First of all, as with classic running clothing, both the tops and the running shorts should be as light and quick as possible. With trail running, the pants can be a little longer. Combined with a tight -fitting inner short (as with the or the ) the thigh muscles can also be supported. In this case, freedom of movement is only in second place. And there is another special feature of running shorts for trail running. Many models are equipped with a wide waistband made of stretch materials, some of which is also provided with a small bag. Especially on longer distances, the wide cuff prevents painful friction and pressure points in the area of ​​the hip.

What concerns, the same rules apply to trail running as for running in the city. Fast -drying materials are just as important as a convenient, but not too further. Everything else is a matter of taste as so often. The trail running also does not make any special demands on the running socks. In short, medium or half -length – runners are spoiled for choice here. Something stretch is never wrong and the running socks shouldn’t be too small either. If in doubt, always buy one size larger.

We come to a special part that is becoming increasingly popular on longer distances and has been not uncommon in trail running for several years. Or drinking bags have become the standard – especially with trail runs in the mountains. The reason is simple: in the mountains, runners usually have no other option than to take care of themselves. Although drinking vests are now becoming increasingly popular with city marathons. The so -called Soft Flasks are often as accessories or even included. These are light and flexible bottles made of soft plastic that can be stowed away in the breast pockets and are therefore at all times tangible.

Some West models (e.g. the Active Skin from Salomon) can be around a be supplemented. This is particularly interesting for the half marathon. For shorter distances, a girdle in which you can at least stow a small drinking bottle, a key or snacks such as energy bars or gel is sufficient. Read here starPass belt test 2024.