First, I will start off with shoes, which are the one thing every run requires. I also incorporated a mileage to cost score. Basically, I've bought shoes for $120 that only lasted 300 miles which is 2.5 miles per dollar. Think of it like a miles per gallon score for shoes. A poor score would be 0-3, 4-6 is average, 7-8 very good, and 9+ exceptional. For trail shoes, expect to get at least 100-200 fewer miles per shoe depending on how technical the terrain is you use them on.
Hoka One One Clifton 1: When I bought my first pair of Cliftons in the fall of 2014, I was uncertain how a maximal cushion shoe could function as a lightweight racer. Those doubts were put to rest in 2015 as I not only ran a 100k personal best in the Clifton, but also a marathon PR. While a weight of 8.1 ounces for a men's size 9, advertised as 7.6 oz, is still a bit heavier than most racing flats, the range of comfort made it suitable from anything to a quick 5k to possibly a 100 mile ultra. I was also skeptical that the lightweight EVA midsole would not hold up over time. However, I was pleasantly surprised to put 500 miles on them before retiring them as a recovery, easy mileage back up shoe. My Cliftons currently have 600 miles on them and the only major wear issues are the upper getting stretched out and some of the light green outsole being worn through on the outer heel. Basically, they have stretched to about a half size larger, but still have enough intact sole material where it doesn't effect mechanics. The 7.5mm offset made each stride effortless and bouncy. I will probably get 700 miles out of them before donating them, which is good because I just bought 2 more pairs. It should also be noted that 100% of my mileage has been on flat roads. Any kind of trails or gravel could cut the shoe's life in half. The Cliftons retail at $130, but can easily be found for under $100 on ebay. I paid anywhere from $75-85 for each of my 3 pairs.
Mileage to cost score: 700/$75 = 9.3
Adidas Energy Boost 2: In an effort to ween myself off of maximal shoes like the bulkier Hoka One One, but also retain cushion for higher mileage road running, I sought the Energy Boost. The 10.4mm heel to toe drop seemed quite noticeable right off the bat, but also noticeable was how the "boost" material seem to make the toe off transition seemless. The one piece mesh upper does a wonderful job hugging the foot, though can get a bit heavy when wet. At 10.0 ounces it is a good high mileage shoe, but a bit too heavy and high off the ground to be suitable for racing. That said, I was still able to get in quite a few solid tempo runs faster than my marathon pace in the Energy Boosts, so you can definitely run faster in them if you wanted to. Plus, after 600 miles, I am very pleased that the Boost material feels the same as it did the first day I wore the shoes, and the outsole has also held up nicely. Though the original $160 sticker price is way too high, it should't be hard to get them cheaper online. My two pairs were both $55, which is amazing considering the mileage I have gotten out of them.
Mileage to cost score: 600/$55 = 10.9
Adidas Adios Boost: These are basically a stripped down version of the Energy Boost. The soft single piece upper is replaced with lighter weight material and tongue. The shoes have a significantly lower stack height, which gives them a good ground feel, as well as the fact they come in at 8.3 ounces for a men's size 9. The Adios Boost felt comfortable and fast out of the box, but also felt a bit long and narrow. I could definitely see these being used as a racing flat up to a marathon, and possibly some ultra distances on flat terrain. The Boost material is still present, but much more subtle than in the Energy Boost. While I don't expect to get the same life out of them as I did the Energy Boost, I suspect 400+ miles to be a strong possibility. Retail is $120+, but I got mine in ebay for $40, which was a ridiculously good bargain.
Nike Terra Kiger 2: I bought these last year for $50 on sale (retail $100-120) so I figured I'd give them a try. Right away I noticed how light they were (8.1 ounces) and how small the heel drop was (4mm), yet without sacrificing foot protection like some lighter models do. The lugs provided great traction on rugged trails, as well as on snow, but the light heel cup material means the potential for a loose fit. I also found that the Terra Kiger was a bit too tight around the top of the foot, despite providing ample room in the toe box. The gusseted "burrito" tongue was a great bonus, and while comfortable for quick trail runs up to 10-15 miles, I have my doubts how comfortable the cramped upper foot space would be for an ultra. Maybe I just have weird shaped feet, or maybe the Terra Kiger is a bit off. Either way, if you run lots of trails and see these on sale, they're worth a shot. I don't live near trails, so my pair only has about 50 miles on them, which isn't enough to say how well they will hold up. So far so good though.
Montrail Rogue Fly: I am on my second pair of Rogue Flies and these are by far my favorite trail shoe. At 7.8 ounces they feel like a racing flat, but have also held up at races like the Hellgate 100k. An added bonus is that they feel good on roads too, which is great when a race has both road and trail sections. The 10mm drop doesn't really feel like 10mm, and the upper is made of a very lightweight and comfy mesh. The only real downside to the Rogue Fly is that it is not meant for really rocky and technical races, and the upper does nothing to protect your foot from kicking roots and stones. I got about 300 miles of hard trail running out of my first pair of Rogue Flies before they started to rip near the top of the foot. Still a great shoe considering you can usually find them on sale for under $60 online.
Mileage to cost score: 300/$40 = 7.5 (not bad for trail shoes)
Saucony Triumph ISO: These are my newest, and yet heaviest pair of shoes I own at 10.3 ounces for a men's size 9. Out of the box they felt lighter than expected and required no break in time. My first run was actually a track work out, which these shoes probably aren't ideal for, but they worked better than expected. The ISO fit reminded me a lot of the Energy Boost and also provided the same nice foot hugging fit. I intend to use these as a high mileage trainer to give my legs and feet a bit of a rest. The heel height is only a few mm less than the Clifton's, yet doesn't feel super high off the ground with it's 8mm drop. While, I wouldn't use this shoe for faster paced runs, it didn't feel terribly awkward running sub 7 minute pace either. However, given the solid foot protection and support, I would consider the Triumph ISO a better option for a road ultra. Retail on these can be a bit steep at $140+, but I got mine at a post Christmas sale for $69 at a running store, so cheaper options are out there.
Now, onto to the rest f the stuff I used a lot this year.
Asics Storm Shelter Jacket: This has been an awesome waterproof jacket with 360 degree reflective paneling. While not super lightweight, it still makes for a great option for hiking and running in the rain, or snow. The layer of mesh on the interior along with the arm pit zippers offers good breathability and also helps ward off some of the sweat and moisture build up that frequently occured in my other rain coat, the North Face Venture jacket. Other great features of the Storm Shelter include a detachable hood, a nice fitted collar with draw chords, draw chords on the waist area, a cell phone pocket, sealed zippers, and also built in thumb holes so you can wear the arm liner like a pair of gloves. Having been caught in massive multi hour downpours in both my Storm Shelter and North Face Venture, I can honestly say it was no contest. The Venture jacket had no draw strings for the neck area, which allowed rain into my collar and rain also leaked through the cuffs. The plastic feeling material of the Venture also means that even when rain is kept out, you will still get wet from sweat and condensation, especially if the weather is very muggy and there is't even rain. While the North Face Venture is still an okay option in case of rain, I now reach for the Storm Shelter when I know there is rain.
Patagonia Houdini: The Houdini is probably the jacket I have traveled with the most. It has served me as a light wind breaker, summer bug shield, and winter running coat. The only negative thing I can say about it is that the water repellent finish (DWR) which kept me dry in quick downpours when I first bought the jacket no longer does anything. Despite using every method possible to restore the DWR, the Houdini lost it's ability to repel water after only a a couple years. Thankfully, it does dry out very quickly, and even when wet it does a decent job blocking wind. The Houdini still makes for a great jacket in cool weather and at just 3 ounces, is wonderfully easy and light to carry as it packs into its own pocket.
Marmot Stride: Another light weight jacket for cold weather running or hiking in temps of 45-65 degrees. The Stride is windproof, but also has mesh side paneling to allow for breathability. The jacket is lined with a nice soft interior which helps absorb sweat and also adds a bonus layer for warmth. The cons of the Stride are that the jacket can get a bit heavy when it starts getting wet and easily stains from things as simple as water. It does not dry out quick. However, it does have a nice draw chord around the neck, as well as waist, to help prevent heat loss. The third cell phone pocket is a nice bonus.
Arc'teryx Atom LT: The Atom LT is one of my go to winter jackets. It is windproof and the water repellent finish has kept me surprisingly dry during the few rain storms I've been caught in. The Atom also has mesh side panels that allow for ventilation, which is a particular nice option when using the jacket during rigorous physical activity. Though lacking a draw string, the hood fits well, despite being sized so that you could wear a helmet under it. The Atom LT has been a fantastic coat for winter hikes in 25-45 degree weather as well as running in sub freezing temperatures with just a single layer underneath. The bottom line is that the Atom LT is incredibly comfortable, functional and lightweight. You can't ask for much more out of a jacket.
North Face Thermoball: I have to admit, when I first saw the Thermoball two years ago, I thought it was a silly attempt by North Face to create a gimmicky fashion statement. A few years later, the Thermoball has become one of my favorite everyday use jackets. The Thermoball material, as advertised, does a surprisingly amazing job at retaining warmth without the added bulk. While it doesn't quite have the warmth of 600-800 fill down, the Thermoball also doesn't take up as much weight and doesn't overheat you as soon as you go inside, or the temperature rises a little. The dozens of small square shaped compartments all over the jacket also means that the material doesn't clump up like down, or even primaloft. This is an especially nice thing to not have to worry about when taking your jacket out of the wash. Hence, the fill always stays equally distributed and warm, and there are no random cold spots whee the fill has gone missing. I will also add that the Thermoball also does a good job blocking out wind and even staying warm in the rain, even though not necessarily advertised as an all weather jacket. My only wish is that the Thermoball had a draw chord for the neck. This is an ideal, and very lightweight, coat for active sports in sub 40 degree weather or casual wear in 40-60 degrees.
GoLite Men's Roan Plateau: This is the warmest jacket I own and it replaced my Mountain Hardware Sub Zero jacket (which I still use). GoLite's 800 fill down is the lightest down jacket I have seen in quite some time. Everything about the Roan Plateau is pretty amazing. The down is well distributed through the compartments and has no cold spots. The lined collar is snug, comfortable, and does an incredible job preventing heat from escaping through the neck area. The down is very windproof, but also about what you would expect as far as when it's wet. Great for temps under 32 degrees and it's even been warm in windy 20 degree weather while only wearing a single layer underneath. Definitely a great purchase for the price if you can still find one.
Hydration
Nathan Trail Mix: This replaced my Amphipod RunLite belt which I got sick and tired of due to the bottles always sliding around. The Trail Mix offers a nice wide elastic belt that actually stays in place. A extra perk is that the belt stays in place even when wearing wind breaker type material which my Amphipod belt would slide around non stop. The Trail Mix is also relatively light at 10 ounces and the rubber capped soft 10 ounce bottles are much better than the hard plastic tipped Amphiopd bottles. My teeth thank you. Otherwise, the Trail Mix has a large rear pocket for storage as well as two elastic band that you can strap clothing to. Price is slightly high at $45, but I got mine for $25.
Ultraspire Kinetic: This replaced my Nathan packs which had more rear storage, but less front pocket space. As a big fan of NOT having to constantly take my pack off to get things or refill water, the Kinetic was the perfect option. The Kinetic weighs in at 21.8 ounces, which sounds heavy, but feels relatively light, yet made from sturdy materials. The clipless belt system is much better than having a large plastic clip sitting on your belly. However, my favorite thing is the four front pockets that have a wide range of what they can carry. They are strong enough to carry something heavier like a camera or phone, and light and stretchy enough to not squish food and gels. The 26 ounce bottles and their placement take a little getting used to, but after some practice you can get pretty good at grabbing them on the run and putting them back. I also found that you can turn the bottles so our arms don't hit them on the back swing, which was one of my concerns early on. The only real downside of the Kinetic,as stated earlier, is a lack of rear storage for something like a jacket, but then again it's not that big of a deal either.
Raidlight Olmo 20: I finally decided to test out the French designed Raidlight brand. While Salomon and Ultimate Direction have already had front bottle packs on the market for a few years now, I really wanted to try something different. The Olmo 20 is not really a running pack, so much as a hiking pack you can run in. It has the front storage I was used to having with the Ultraspire Kinetic, but also had the rear storage I had with other larger packs. However, at 21 ounces, the Olmo 20 is lighter than my Kinetic while also having 20 liters of capacity. I will admit that finding the correct fit took a bit of time, and I was initially displeased with how much the front bottles bounced around. However, once the fit was secured, the bottles felt snug and running in the pack was quite enjoyable. Speaking of the bottles, they are 25 ounces each with an insulated a pipette so you can drink without having to even remove the bottles. The thing that separates the Olmo from many of the American brand hydration packs is the amount of functionality that decades of European fell running and mountain running have been able to put into its design. There are pockets everywhere and room to carry just about anything you could think of having in the mountains. Even if you don't need to carry much, the light weight material means you aren't lugging around pounds of dead weight to potentially carry things you don't need. Basically, the Olmo 20 is just as good for carrying one 20 ounce bottle and some granola bars as it is carrying 100 ounces of water and a days worth of food and clothing. The pack is retails for about $130-150, but usually can't be purchased in the US.
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