If you’ve ever spent an afternoon swapping trail stories with me, you probably already know how much I love geeking out over gear. Over the years, friends and fellow trail enthusiasts have asked me countless times what I wear, pack, and run in. Because I love figuring out what makes my body tick, and keeping myself as comfortable as possible out on the trail, I’ve tested, hoarded, and cycled through quite a collection.
Today, I’m taking a deep dive down memory lane to share my journey through running and hiking gear: what I used to love, what I swear by now, and what’s currently sitting at the top of my wish list.
How I Got Started Running
My running career started about 20 years ago back in middle school. Truth be told, I initially signed up for cross-country just to improve my swimming. At the time, I certainly didn't think I’d fall in love with the sport.
In those very early days, I didn't know anything about specialized running tech; I just laced up whatever generic shoes I could grab off a shelf at a department store like DSW or Walmart. My first pair was an Asics model—a reputable brand that actually treated my feet pretty well for that first season. But as the mileage ticked up, I started feeling pain in my feet. That’s when my parents took me to a local running store to get my feet properly sized and fitted.
Looking back, it’s wild to remember that by the time I hit high school, I was running in Brooks Adrenaline models paired with custom orthotics because of how much I pronated. I swore by that setup all the way through high school and college. But once I graduated college and needed a fresh pair, I actually found I could step down in support.
Since then, I’ve tried a plethora of shoes. And as I’ve spent more time on the trails, I’ve realized something important: my road running shoes, trail running shoes, and hiking footwear serve very different purposes. Growing up, I’d simply shove my previous season's running shoes into rotation as hiking boots. But modern trails require a little more intentionality!
Why I Enjoy Trying and Using Different Gear
A big reason I wanted to write this post is simply because trial and error is half the fun. I love exploring how my body responds to different setups. Figuring out what works so I can have the best possible runs and hikes—and fall more and more in love with the outdoors—is basically a game to me.
Because of that curiosity, I’ve gone through an enormous amount of gear over the years (my spare gear closet is practically overflowing!). I want to share a transparent look at what I’ve tried, what worked, and what flopped.
Please note: This is just my opinion based on my own body. Everyone is built differently! I encourage you to try gear with an open mind, even if it didn't work for me. My goal is simply to share why certain things did or didn't work for my body so you know what sensations to look out for on your own outdoor journey.
How My Gear Choices Have Changed Over Time
The biggest shift? As I’ve gotten into my 30s, I’ve started to value pure, unadulterated comfort a whole lot more. My body simply doesn't have the patience for stiff, ill-fitting gear anymore, and I've learned to listen to those physical cues much faster.
The past
My First Hiking Shoes & Boots
Merrell Boots: These were sturdy, incredibly supportive, and built like tanks.
Why they ultimately didn't work for me: They were almost too sturdy. I felt like my toes were cramped and I lacked the nimble mobility I needed on uneven terrain. That said, if your feet crave heavy-duty ankle support and structure, these are fantastic, it wasn't a product flaw, just a mismatch for my feet.
My First Running Shoes
Asics in middle school.
Brooks Adrenaline (with custom orthotics) all through high school and college.
Altra models post-college. While I’ve tried various Altra road shoes that didn't quite agree with my feet for pavement pounding, I still adore them for hiking.
Favorite Backpacks & Hydration Packs
I didn't use hydration packs for road running back in the day.
When I started trail running, upgrading to a hydration pack completely changed the game. I started with Nathan, then experimented with random brands I spotted on TikTok or Amazon.
For hiking, I started with random backpacks, graduated to my mom’s old vintage CamelBak (which she’d had since I was young), bought a starter Nathan pack, and looped through a few other budget options.
Through all of it, I firmly loved using classic Nalgene bottles.
Favorite Clothing & Accessories
Clothing: I started out in basic long shorts and cotton t-shirts, eventually moving toward cuter, more coordinated trail outfits.
Tech: I relied on a basic digital timing watch from Walmart all through middle and high school before finally upgrading to a Garmin in college.
Gear I No Longer Use
Brooks Adrenaline
Asics
Merrell boots
Certain low-volume Altra models
What I Learned From My Early Gear Choices
I've learned that you have to pay attention to what actually makes movement feel good and supports your unique biomechanics. By mile 10 of a half marathon, your feet are going to hurt regardless—you certainly don't need poorly fitted shoes making it worse. I also learned that hydration vests need to stay secure without bouncing, and running clothes need to aggressively fight against chafing.
The Present:
Footwear & Apparel
Favorite Hiking Shoes:Altra Lone Peaks. The wide toe box is unmatched for trail comfort.
Favorite Running Shoes:Topo Athletic Phantom 4s. I rotated through many Altra models for walking and biking, but found they didn't always provide the exact road feel I needed. I’d heard amazing things about Topo and decided to give them a try, now I'm completely hooked! I love that they maintain a modest heel drop without being overly aggressive or dropping straight down to zero. After experimenting, I’ve realized my road running legs need a little bit of drop so I don't feel like I'm up on my toes the entire stride.
Favorite Clothing:
Compression shorts and leggings from Fabletics.
Sweat-wicking, loose-fitting tech long-sleeve shirts for colder weather (I hate anything skin-tight when I'm working up a sweat).
Gloves and ear-warmer headbands. I generally dislike full winter hats unless temperatures plummet, but a good headband is non-negotiable.
Technology & Accessories
Garmin Forerunner 965: I’ve used Garmin sports watches for years, and the 965 is by far my favorite model yet. I love how there are so many features that I can utilize on runs and hikes. I love that there is the feature that when I get myself turned around on trail I can have it point me back to where I started. It really nice. I can also upload a map to it and follow it.
Shokz Wireless Earbuds: Absolute holy grail item. I love listening to music or podcasts while keeping my ears entirely open to my surroundings on trails and roads. I used to run and not listen to anything and I sometimes wished that I had headphones to listen to something. I would try to just ply music from the phone speaker, but I could rarely hear it well enough to get any benefit from it.
Ruffwear Waist Belt: Perfect for tethering my dogs safely to me on the run. I need to run hands free for my balance and having a waist belt has really been a game changer when running with my dogs.
Goodr Sunglasses: I used to be terrible at wearing sunglasses. They always gave me headaches and hurt my ears and nose. So I would just squint through it and deal. But that was truly until I tried Goodr. Lately, I've had to be extra vigilant about eye protection, so keeping a pair handy is a must. And goodr glasses have proven to be super comfortable.
Hydration & Nutrition: I have used a plethera of running hydration packs and nutrition through out my running career and these are some of the tested and true brands that I have really come to love and are always my go to.
Osprey running vest: Incredibly comfortable, with the bladder neatly integrated into the main pack cut.
Nathan soft flasks: Great for separating electrolytes from plain water in the bladder.
Nuun: My absolute favorite electrolyte tablets.
Honey Stinger Chews & stroop waffles
KIND Bars (Caramel Sea Salt is top tier!)
Race-day & trail nutrition: Always backed up by homemade trail mix and granola.
Safety & First Aid: Being safe on trail has always been something that I have always been very aware of, and has become much more cognisant of now that i am getting older and thinking about kids and wanting to bring them on hikes with me once they do come around. And below is some things that I try and make sure that I have with me.
Sandwich baggies (my trusty, ultra-lightweight waterproof phone pouches).
Headlamps featuring a red-light mode.
Generic clip-on safety running lights.
Compact first-aid kits and emergency blankets.
Buffs: The ultimate multi-use accessory (neck warmer, face cover, ear band).
Recovery & Maintenance:
Vaseline for anti-chafing (I have tons of it around, and it works like a charm).
A generic foam roller I’ve owned since 8th grade (though I'm trying to be better about actually using it!).
Rubz Massage Ball (a fantastic little tool for rolling out tight foot arches).
Off-brand recovery boots (cost-effective Normatech alternatives from Costco that I adore).
DIY ice packs (frozen water bottles, juice bags, or ice in sandwich baggies).
Yoga mat strap repurposed as a stretching strap.
Hiking-Specific Gear
Gregory Backpacking Pack & Daypack: Supremely comfortable with cavernous storage.
Hydration Bladder & Bottles: A generic 2L Amazon bladder for hikes with the dogs, backed up by an extra indestructible Nalgene.
Water Filtration: I keep a gravity filter, a handheld squeeze filter, and a bottle-style filter in rotation.
Navigation & Electronics: Garmin’s built-in hike tracking features, a physical compass (though I'm dying to take a formal navigation course soon!), a reliable power bank, and phone navigation apps.
Camp & Trail Comforts:
Trekking poles.
Bug spray and SPF lip balm/sunscreen (trying to get much better at consistent application!).
Hand warmers and a cooling towel (essential for extreme Colorado weather shifts).
Bear-resistant food containers.
Klean Kanteen Mug/Cup: Keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours on end.
The future:
Even with a closet full of gear, there’s always something new catching my eye.
Running Trekking Poles: I’m very curious about lightweight trekking poles specifically engineered for fast-and-light trail running. I have come to like and appreciate my hiking trekking poles, especially on days or trails where my balance feels off.
Upgraded Shelter: While my 3-to-4 person Walmart tents have served me loyally and work wonderfully, I sometimes daydream about having the budget to invest in a sleek, lightweight backpacking tent from REI.
What Is Worth Spending Money On
Shoes: Do not skimp here. Buying random, unvetted fashion sneakers will leave your feet utterly trashed.
Packs & Vests: Skip the mystery-brand shelf items at general department stores. Invest in a proper, body-mapped running vest or hiking backpack (like Osprey or Gregory) that distributes weight properly. Your shoulders and back will thank you.
Quality Nutrition & Tents: Good fuel keeps you moving, and a reliable shelter keeps you safe when mountain weather turns sour.
What Isn't Worth the Money
Buying random, unsupportive lifestyle tennis shoes for high-impact training. I used to do this, I even used my old warn out running shoes as my hiking shoes once they were shelved. I have come to learn that I need to make sure that I have a goo pair of hiking and running shoes.
Assuming that just because a piece of gear has an astronomical price tag, it's automatically right for you. Ironically, some of my favorite functional items over the years have been simple, budget-friendly finds from places like Walmart or Sierra Trading Post.
What I Wish I Had Known When I Started
I wish I had known that the golden rule of gear is listening to your own body. Stop getting swept up by what everyone else around you is wearing or hyping up. Find what makes your specific miles feel joyful and pain-free.
My gear setup has come a long way from generic department-store shoes and heavy metal-frame backpacks. I am so excited to get back out there, log more miles, tackle bigger hikes, and continue fine-tuning what works best for my body.
At the end of the day, remember that the absolute best gear is simply the gear that gets you outside and helps you enjoy the adventure. See you on the trail!
