ATRA president Adam Chase shares seven of his holiday favorites in the following gear guide.
ATRA gear wrangler Sarah Barber and I were discussing gift guides when we attended the US Trail Running Conference in Knoxville last month. She suggested I add to her excellent list. Voila!
NEMO Double Haul Convertible Duffel & Tote
30L-100L, $170-220, depending on size
[55L, $180, reviewed, as it is the maximum carry on luggage size.]
Chosen for its versatility, this bag triples as a pack, tote and duffel. NEMO is all about minimizing its footprint on the planet and uses recycled materials so you can feel good about this purchase. It is urethane coated, built to withstand plenty of abuse and promises to last well into the future. What really stands out about the Convertible Duffel and Tote is that it can be easily expanded so if you fly with it to a trail race, taking it as an overhead bag, you can accumulate plenty of prizes and/or swag and return with all your memorabilia packed in what morphs to larger checked baggage.
Saax Vibe Xtra or Bearbottom Active Boxer Brief
MSRP Saaax $34 and Bearbottom $18
As a child, my little brother sang along to an old record that featured a song about a little kid who received underwear for a present. While the child on the record wasn’t pleased, he respectfully thanked the gift giver and so the song droned on “…thank you very much for the … underwear.” But with either Saax or Bearbottom, the gift recipient will honestly sing for joy. The Vibe Xtra employs Saax’s “Ballpark Pouch” in a fitted construction with strategic soft mesh side panels. And the Active Boxer Brief from Bearbottom uses wicking, antimicrobial four-way stretch fabric in offering plenty of support for use when running or lounging.
Oofos Oofclog Clog
MSRP $80
If you haven’t tried any of Oofos’ footwear, you might want to give yourself that gift; and, if you have, then you know giving it to a loved one is a gift that keeps giving. Employing a closed-cell foam — one that is conveniently machine washable — in the clogs’ construction makes them great for both absorbing impact and not getting smelly. And the fact that the foam is molded into a footbed with a relatively high arch translates to reduced stress on your worked running joints for stress release and expedited recovery.
Roll Recovery Superplush Recovery Classic
MSRP $110
Roll Recovery has moved into a new space of post-run rehab: footwear. These shoes feature a support arch, a firm and structured midsole, and are made of eco-friendly materials such as sustainable Bloom Foam, consisting of algae and EVA, and an upper made of recycled PET-sourced ocean plastics that have been worked into high-stretch yarn.
Arms of Andes Alpaca Wool Jogging Bottoms
normally $110, on sale for $88
It was hard to believe that Alpaca wool could improve upon trail runners’ favorite, merino wool; but it is! Soft to the skin, the 250 lightweight wool is plush and temperature regulating. Using semi-hollow fibers in this lightweight weave, these are sweatpant-styled and are non-felting and moisture wicking.
OS1st Plantar Fasciitis Socks
MSRP 1/4 Crew – Merino Wool $25
Can a sock halt painful plantar fasciitis? I don’t know. But what I do know is that the stirrup-like built-in underfoot support was enough to provide a consistent reminder of my running form and that could have positive effects on the plantar fascia. But, regardless, the merino wool, which happens to be 100% recycled, and foot-conforming nylon made for an outstanding sock with the usual benefits of being thermo-regulating, moisture wicking, durable, odor-fighting, machine-washable and soft to the skin.
Editor’s Note: For trail running book lovers on your holiday list, consider The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running by Adam W. Chase and Nancy Hobbs. For ATRA-branded socks, stickers and more…shop here.
