What We’re Getting Dirty With This Week

I’m Zoë Rom, gear editor at Trail Runner. Each week, I hit the trails with a bunch of new products, everything from shoes to trail snacks. Here are some of the standout pieces that I took on the trail this week.

Junk Big Bang Headband

Junk headbands are made out of technical t-shirt material for a snug fit that wicks away sweat. I like the Big Bang model because it works as a sweatband on warm days, and keeps my ears warm on chilly days. Junk’s headbands come in a ton of fun patterns, including pepperoni pizza and rainbow unicorns.

Title Nine Grace Long Sleeve Top

This top from Title Nine is made from a soft heathered fabric that’s thick enough for cooler shoulder-season efforts. The cut is generous enough to allow for movement and still fit under a shell. Thumbholes are a must.

Ruhn Compression Shorts

Ruhn’s seamless shorts are comfortable and flattering with just enough squeeze to feel secure without riding up. A pocket on each side can carry a couple of gels or a phone.

Injinji Socks + Liner

It’s mud season! Which means I’m taking extra good care of my feet by swaddling them in two layers of sweat-wicking wool. The inner liner is a toe-sock that prevents pesky intra-toe hot spots and the outer layer is a thick and squishy sock.

Trail Butter

This new spiced-chai nut butter blend is the perfect post-run snack on apples, fresh bread or by the spoonful. It also makes a delicious add-on to cinnamon oatmeal.

Other recommendations

Dolly Parton’s America is an excellent podcast from WNYC about the country music legend’s influence on American culture that is great fuel for a long run or a rest day. This op-ed in the New York Times is a great read about a minimalist approach to running in a world of boutique fitness and carbon fiber shoes. Also recommended: following Kara Goucher on twitter.

Zoë Rom is Assistant Editor at Trail Runner Magazine. She likes pizza, podcasts and ultramarathons.