Naked Sports Innovations is a small but amazingly forward-thinking gear company perfect for trail runners. Their original product was the Naked Running Band, and I haven’t found a more comfortable running belt out there.

The Running Band is perfect for carrying gels, a headlamp, smartphone, flask, and so much more when you’re out on the trail. It doesn’t bounce or chafe, dries very quickly, has lots of more nuanced options, like trekking-pole and race bib attachments.

It has a very specific fit, so if you’re getting this as a gift, be sure to sneak a measurement of the giftee. But don’t overthink it – Naked Sports has an amazing exchange policy!

Whether you’re in the punishing heat of the Western U.S. or the suffocating humidity of the Atlantic Coast, you’re probably going to want something on your head.

Enter Junk Brands, which makes an awesome array of wicking, breathable, 4-way stretch headwear. Their bands come in countless designs, with categories for entertainment, sports teams, animal prints, state and country flags, and just so many other great looks.

As we explore terrain with lots of loose gravel — and in prepping for sandy ultramarathons — the Kahtoola INSTAgaiter has been a great fast and lightweight gear choice.

These gaiters zip up easily, and the stretch-woven nylon is coated with DWR to seal out dust. I like that the instep strap is adjustable, offering a great fit for just about any shoe size, and has a great 1,000-mile warranty. The cuff cinches well, and there’s a hook at the front to attach to your laces.

Literally, each one of these weighs only an ounce, so you won’t even feel them as they help to protect your feet.

We’re going to say something that’s downright blasphemous: There are LOTS of things that happen, even if they don’t make it onto Strava … lol. Yes, yes, we love Strava, too, but there are many runners for whom running is a more personal and introspective experience rather than a communal or social one. And that’s where having a journal that’s personal to your experiences comes into play. 

There’s substantial evidence that writing things down helps people achieve goals, honor commitments and remember things, and we still love flipping through an old training journal to revisit eating habits leading up to a race or how much faster we’ve become. This particular journal is filled with inspirational prompts, motivational words and uplifting quotes — all with the aim to inspire you to start every morning with a run. It also includes 140 pages of daily log entries to track performance and running conditions, helping you to improve your overall fitness and running ability. It measures 7 inches by 5.5 inches.

It may seem like running with trekking poles would be burdensome, but it’s actually just the opposite. Trekking poles help trail runners conserve energy, keep their balance, and avoid obstacles.

The Distance Z poles are made of 100 percent carbon fiber and are ultra-light, weighing just 9 ounces per pair. They’re also collapsible, rather than telescoping like many other poles. They boast what Black Diamond calls SlideLock technology to improve ease-of-use when locking the pole, as well as a three-section foldable shaft. There is a variety of maximum sizing available, with poles that have a max size of anywhere from 39 to 51 inches and a weight of anywhere from 11.4 ounces to 13.4 ounces, depending which of the four sizing options you choose.

They also have nonslip EVA foam grips with foam extensions deliver excellent grip and handling on steep inclines.

Chafing is one of the only downsides to trail running. It can happen any time and to anyone, no matter what type of shape you’re in or how often you run. It’s like an unwelcome, painful ninja. Squirrel’s Nut Butter includes only all-natural ingredients, so it won’t irritate your skin. It’s also effective on eczema, blisters, and dry or cracked skin. Choose from a tub or deodorant-style stick, which we prefer because we find that it’s easier to apply.

This one’s for all the minimalist runners out there. You know the type: zero-drop shoes, BOA laces, the shortest of split shorts, stretch-mesh vest, maybe a shirt underneath but probably just arm sleeves. No bulk, no problem.

The Petzl Iko Core weighs a mere 79g and sits nearly flat against both the forehead and the back of the head. The battery’s been moved to the back for a much slimmer lamp in front. We’re talking a single centimeter thick. A small button on the top switches between three levels of LED brightness up to 500 lumens. That’s a modest level of brightness, all things considered, but pretty impressive given the weight and space savings.

Instead of your typical stretchy strap, the Iko Core features an AIRFIT headband that mimics the inside of a bike helmet. It felt uncomfortable for the first few runs until I figured out how it was supposed to sit on my head with the back resting securely just under the bone at the base of my skull. The band tightens via a bungee cord.

Remember when you were a kid and you hated getting socks in your Christmas stocking? Well, trail runners have the exact opposite reaction. Like shoes, socks are a fairly personal choice, since people have different needs and preferences in terms of cushioning, compression, height, stretch, etc. If you want to really capture the best in most of those realms, the Smartwool Athlete Edition Run Crew Sock is going to be an epic pick. 

This is literally the sock I wore on my first 50-mile race.

The Merino wool delivers a boost of comfort, managing moisture, odor, and temperature no matter how long the workouts last, and the mesh zones add ventilation and breathability to keep our feet cooler and drier. But Smartwool’s Indestructawool technology truly takes the W with increased strength in high-wear areas for better durability. Plus, targeted cushioning and wear-reducing technology enhance these socks’ usability.

A dry bag is one of those items people don’t realize the value of until they actually need it. In the case of trail runners, that means getting unexpectedly poured on and having valuables get soaked. Having a small dry bag to quickly throw your phone and snacks into when inclement weather rolls in is well worthwhile.

The Sea to Summit sack is made of lightweight 70D nylon with a polyurethane waterproof coating. It measure a bit over 9 inches in length and weighs just 1.3 ounces.

Going a bit off grid with this suggestion, but really, aren’t those the best kinds of gifts?

Vert.run is an online training platform for trail running and ultramarathons. Its unique “smart” training plans allow runners of all levels to train safely and sustainably. You can get personal tips, motivation and a training plan designed by world class athletes, and with the premium membership, you get regular feedback and customization to help you hit your goals. The programs include “Light speed for trail running,” “Train for an ultramarathon while living in the city,” “Build your physical + mental endurance” and so much more. 

The training plan are 12 weeks long, and are designed to build your trail skills safely and correctly. ActionHub’s editor used one of the training plans for his first trail half marathon race and loved the program!