The Best Sustainable Trail Running Gear of 2026!

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Trail running. It’s what makes running bearable, in our opinion. 😅 Seriously, though, it wasn’t until I ran on dirt (as opposed to cement sidewalks or asphalt streets) that I realized running could be fun. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the scenery, the distraction that comes with moving fast (or at least semi-fast) over uneven terrain (not to mention the trail running gear) make an activity I always thought I hated…fun! Now I look forward to lacing up my shoes and hitting the trails to see how much elevation I can gain in an hour and how the mountains outside my window change from season to season (and sometimes week to week).

But the thrill of moving fast outside and leaping over rocks and roots and occasionally stopping to smell the flowers or take photos of big views aren’t all that make trail running so great; it’s also extremely accessible. By which I mean you don’t have to have special training or expensive gear to do it. All that’s required is a pair of running shoes (just about any will do on most surfaces) and the urge to move. And on the upside, if you have to stop and walk, there’s no need to feel ashamed. That’s called hiking! 😝

That said, if trail running is more than occasional hobby, if it’s your passion, the right clothing and gear can make a big difference. So if you’re ready to level up your trail running wardrobe and tech game, these are some of our favorite pieces of sustainable trail running gear to get you pumped to head outdoors.

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Looking for more trail running recs? These are our fave barefoot trail running shoes and the best sustainable trail running vests.

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The Best Sustainable Trail Running Clothing

REI Flash Shade Hoodie: Ultralight UPF 50 Protection

We love the REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie for trail running. It’s fitted, so it works under a trail running vest, there are thumbholes to help protect the backs of your hands, and the women’s AND men’s versions have a ponytail port in the back of the hood (huzzah for long hair equality!). The hood is snug and always stayed put on windy days, plus the scuba-style neck protect better and more completely than most other sun hoodies we’ve tested!

The UPF 50 material features a micro-perforated grid pattern for better breathability and feels like it will hold up tolerably well to seasons of use and abuse. It can feel a bit clingy on really hot or humid days, but we’re more likely to don this one than plenty of other shirts simply for the protection, light weight, fit and functionality.

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Outdoor Research Swift Lite Shorts 5″

Our tester–an avid runner and marathoner–couldn’t have been more thrilled with these shorts. In fact, he declared them his new racing shorts. The fit was great and he loved how lightweight they were, especially on warm, humid runs. The medium size fit a 31″ waist well and the 5″ inseam was a hit–not too long or too short. There’s also a welcome zippered pocket in the back that can hold at least 2 gel packs. His only complaint: the drawstring on the outside of the waistband, which is more related to his personal preference than actual functionality, but is easily removable. That said, these tend to be best suited for average-sized legs. A tester with more muscular thighs had trouble with them creeping up, which led to chafing (and looked kinda ridiculous). They’re also available for women in a 2.5″ inseam.

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Injinji Socks

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: toe socks are the bees knees whether or not you run in barefoot shoes or sandals like I do. They protect your toesies from blisters, help spread them apart (which may help with better balance), and can even be worn with sandals. And the new Lightweight No-Show Run socks in particular are my favorite. They’re thick enough to offer protection, but not so thick your feet will overheat. Plus they’re super comfy and made of partially recycled materials! But watch out, because once you go toe socks, you might find it pretty dang hard to go back.

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Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Flow

My new favorite barefoot trail runners are the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Flow. They look fast, feel fast, and are super duper light, so they won’t weigh you down or slow you down. Plus they’re incredibly breathable, which makes them great for warm temps, and the soles are ultra flexible but still protective thanks to a denser sole where you need it most (I wasn’t bothered by running on gravel). Plus, the tread was aggressive enough to keep me stable on even steep and loose hikes and trail runs.

The toe box does slope off more aggressively than some of the brand’s other shoes, so if your toes are on the wide side or your second toe is significantly longer than your first, these may not be the best fit for you. But for everybody else, if you love your shoes to feel as much like being barefoot as possible, these are sure to please. That said, wide and high-volume feet will likely find these too restrictive.

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Ciele Athletics FST Cap

We’ve tested lots of hats. But the FST Cap is lightweight, stretchy, highly breathable thanks to large mesh panels on the side, and the bill is soft and flexible. The cap is low profile so fits just about any sized head perfectly, plus they come in two sizes for a better fit and an adjustable bungee in the back lets you customize the fit even more. Bonus: the bungee and logo on front have reflective details for extra safety during evening adventures. It didn’t leave our heads feeling hot and sweaty on warm runs and it’s so light, soft, flexible and packable that we could easily pack it for travel without it getting bent out of shape. Honestly, this might be our favorite new cap for all manner of outdoor adventures. Bonus: it’s made of 100% recycled polyester.

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Mammut Zinal Hybrid Tights

We’ve featured these durable leggings before, but they deserve another mention because in cooler weather, they’ve become my favorite trail running leggings. They fit well and stay put, have extra durable material on the butt and knees where you need it most, and have two secure pockets, one on each leg. One is zippered and the other secured with a flap. Both are big enough to hold an iPhone Max, your keys, a snack, or whatever else you need to take with you on your run. And they’re Bluesign approved, made partially of recycled materials, and PFAS-free.

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Patagonia Houdini Stash Half-Zip Windbreaker

When trail running in cooler weather, a windbreaker is a necessity. Bonus points if it’s light enough not to weigh you down, small enough that it fits in your running vest or belt, and breathable enough to keep it from turning into your own personal portable sauna. The Patagonia Houdini Windbreaker is all of that and more (with the added benefit in coming in some wild and high-vis colors)! We love that it easily packs into its own zippered chest pocket for portability, has a quarter-zip at the neck for easy on and off, and has an extra pocket on the side for things like a bandana or energy chews. Plus those vents on the back keep it airy.

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The Best Sustainable Trail Running Accessories

On Ultra Vest Pro

If there’s a brand that knows that running and sustainability can (and should) go hand-in-hand, it’s On. So we weren’t surprised to find such a well-designed, sustainable running vest from the brand. We were just as unsurprised to discover we loved it. Especially since it’s designed to function for runs of any length. Plus it’s comfortable, easy to use, and was a pleasure to run in. There were plenty of pockets for energy gummies, sunscreen, a phone, the included soft flasks and even a hydration reservoir. It breathed well, dried fast, and feels durable, to boot.

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Ombraz Refugio Armless Sunglasses

We dig the armless glasses from Ombraz, which stay put no matter what while running, are polarized, and are available in several styles and colors. We’ve rocked plenty of shades from the brand over the years, but the absolute best sunglasses for trail running are the Ombraz Refugio: wrap-around style shades with two different lens options–brown and grey.

Because they don’t have traditional arms (just an adjustable strap that goes around the back of your head), they don’t cause pressure points and fit under any hat without discomfort. When taking a break in the shade, they’re easy to dangle around your neck, meaning you don’t have to try to finagle sunnies into a pocket or into a protective case just because you’re taking a break. Bonus: They’re carbon negative. Ombraz plants 20 mangrove trees for every pair sold AND the cords are made of recycled nylon.

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Suunto Sonic Bone Conducting Headphones

Be still my fast-beating heart, because we just found the best new headphones for trail running: the Suunto Sonic bone conducting headphones. What makes them so much better than traditional earbuds? 1.) They don’t go in your ear holes, so your auditory pathway is not only fully open, but your ears won’t get sore on long runs, and 2.) since they’re bone conducting, they don’t block out or muffle or in any way mute sounds around you. Why is that such a big deal? Because not only is our sense of hearing important when it comes to keeping us safe on trails (it’s much harder to hear a bear or moose around the corner with earbuds in), but on multi-use trails, we were still able to clearly hear mountain bikers coming up the trail behind us so we could kindly step out of the way. Plus, audio is clear and high quality, they’re comfortable and easy to use. We’re takin’ these babies everywhere.

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Polar Grit X2 Pro

Looking for the mother of all GPS watches that can do everything from take an EKG to automatically share your run to Strava to wake you up in the morning to tell you whether your legs are ready for another long run? Allow me to introduce you to the Polar Grit X2 Pro, which can do all that and so much more. But some of our favorite features include customizable watch faces and menus, the ability to navigate using offline maps and measure VO2 max, training tools like route tracking and pace analysis, and the option to control your tunes right from your watch. It feels like there’s nothing this watch can’t do, honestly. And the battery easily lasts a week without needing charged, even when constantly connected and frequently used to track mileage. Love.

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Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel

If you’re a distance runner (or other endurance athlete), then you’re likely all about fuel. As in, the best way to fuel your long runs. Enter Tailwind Nutrition. Available in bulk bags or single-serve packets, this fuel is packed with simple carbs and 200 calories, plus uses real sugar, not “natural” substitutes or synthetic stuff, so it’s easier on your digestive system. We know because we had someone who runs longer distances than us with frequent tummy issues test it out and she gave the flavors (especially the cola) and the fueling ability two thumbs up. Plus it dissolves quickly in water and doesn’t leave grit in the bottom of your bottle. Single serve packets are better for those on the move while bulk bags offer the option to mix less for less intense activities.

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Bottom Line

Trail running rocks. And while you can absolutely hit the trails in your old gym shorts, a cotton t-shirt, and the trusty Walkman you refuse to get rid of, if you’re committed to the sport, it might just be worth it to invest in a few high quality pieces of trail running gear and clothing that will make every run more comfortable, safer, and enjoyable. Heck, you might even be able to find some of this stuff used! But if not, take care of your gear, repair it instead of trashing it when it starts to wear, and have fun out there. Wander on.