Summer Trail Running.
Gear to help you stay cool and on the trail all summer long.
Damn, it is hot out there! But you’ll still find Jacob and Jen out there, on those trails. How do they keep running when temps are pushing 30°+ degrees? They give us their top tips, and we talk gear!
How to stay hydrated when you’re trail running in summer?
When you’re hitting the trails in the heat, you’re gonna get sweaty, so keeping hydrated is high on the priority list!
Make sure you have enough water for the length of your run. There is a range of running vests and belts that have enough space for water bottles, soft flasks and even bladders for those longer runs, too!
If you’re running in super hot or muggy weather and sweating more than usual, adding electrolytes to your water can help replenish any minerals you lose through sweating - they also taste really great and feel refreshing mid-run!
What to wear when trail running in summer?
As kids, we all learnt the “Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap”, and as adults this is still something to keep in mind!
“Slip” on a long shirt to keep as much of your skin out of the sun as possible. There are some great options, like the Montane Dart Range, that are moisture-wicking, breathable and come in varying weights - perfect for trail running. And if you’re like “No-way” to wearing a long-sleeve, we get it! It’s hot! A T-shirt, at least, covers your shoulders!
“Slop” on that sunscreen! Make sure it’s waterproof so it’ll last longer when you’re sweating in the heat, and be careful putting it on your forehead, just in case sweaty sunscreen drips in your eyes… (You could even wear and old school sweat band to keep sweat out of your eyes!)
“Slap” & “Wrap” on a hat and sunglasses! A wide-brim hat like a bucket hat gives you better sun protection because it covers your whole head and ears, but a breathable running cap keeps the sun off your face, and a pair of sunnies keeps the sun out of your eyes too!
How to keep yourself cool when trail running in summer?
There are so many ideas and strategies for keeping yourself cool on the trail, but here are some that Jen and Jacob use:
- Choosing your running times wisely is key when keeping cool. Beat the heat and hit the trails before it really heats up, or run after sunset if you’re not an early bird.
- Pick a trail that has shade or water. This could be a river, lake or the sea. If it’s a river or lake, you may run through it mid-mission, or finish it with a lake or sea dip to cool off!
- Speaking of water, filling your hat with cool water and then putting it on your hot head is a great tip to help cool down!
- Put ice in your water bottle or bladder to keep your water cold!
- Drink a slushy (or something similar) to lower your core temperature before running! Also, the sugar in the slushie will give you energy for the run!
What tips are you using on your next hot day trail run!?
Jacob & Jen's Top 5 Tips for Summer Trail Running:
- Go early in the morning, or late in the evening to avoid the heat of the day.
- Make sure you stay hydrated!
- Slip, Slap, Slap & Wrap. And a bonus: fill your hat with cold water before you put it on; it's epic!
- Drink a Slushy (or something similar) before your run to cool down your body temp.
- Find a trail with shade or a river you can run through!
If this blog was right up your street, I think you should check out this one too: How to Clean Your Trail Running Shoes.
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