‘I ran 1,830 miles in these, and they’re still going strong’: trail running essentials (and what to skip)

From hydration vests to anti-chafe cream, here’s the trail running kit that’s actually worth buying, according to our expert

• The best running shoes, tried and tested by runners

Pounding the asphalt has plenty of benefits: improving fitness, creating headspace and providing a huge sense of achievement as you stumble back through the door and spill on to the sofa. Trail running is a different beast, offering all the same positives with different challenges and potentially even more rewards.

I’ve been running trails for almost two decades, from the runnable tracks of the New Forest to the steep, technical trails around Mont Blanc, running everything from trail 10kms to 100-mile ultras. It allows me to unplug completely, tap into the mental health benefits of spending time in nature and get a double dose of strength and cardio.