What to Consider Before Your Next Trail or Lakeside Run
Maybe you live somewhere the trails start at your back door, like the Pacific Northwest or the Rockies. Maybe you’re visiting family for a long weekend and want to fit in a run before breakfast, or a vacation itinerary has you eyeing a lakeside path you’ve never tried before. Whatever brings you outside, running near water, in the foothills, or through a wooded area asks more of your gear than a neighborhood loop. A lightweight sneaker with a wide toe box fit gives your feet room to move naturally over uneven ground, but the right shoe is only part of the equation. Here are a few things to pack and keep in mind before any mountainous or lakeside run. Wear Shoes Fit for the Area Zero drop shoes keep your heel and forefoot at the same level, so your foot lands more naturally in a midfoot strike. On trails, this helps you feel the ground and adjust your stride around roots, rocks, and mud. Zero drop hiking shoes carry that same philosophy into rougher terrain, pairing a ...