Whoever said running was a cheap sport obviously hasn’t been to an Amer outlet, Running Warehouse or Wildearth sale. All you need is a pair of shoes they said. They failed to mention the trigger gloves with your hiking poles or a quiver or a jet boil for fastpacking…… or terrain specific trail shoes. I am a true trail gear nut and tragic. I love trying gear and seeing what works for us, what doesn’t and how equipment is improved. Amongst all the exciting trail goodies we try, there are a few items I find making their way out of my running activities and into my every day urban rotation. I’m not yet at a point where I’m walking 1.7km to work with a 2 litre bladder in my backpack whilst eagerly chomping down cliff bars, but I’m pretty close to it. In this article I list my top 5 trail toys that get used off the trails and are actually really practical. I’d love to hear from what you guys use so drop a comment below.

1. Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Gortex in black. Use: Work, travel and impromptu running on and off the roads. Super comfy as a walking shoe, easy to clean being goretex and black (just wipe it down with some damp toilet paper in the airplane dunnie) and the black unassuming colour doesn’t raise any eyebrows at work. These are great day to day shoes when their is a slight chance that you may encounter a trail and you’ll find it too irresistible. Latest model $230 nike.com/au

2. Patagonia 2 in 1 strider shorts. Use: Travel, swimming and impromptu running. How can Patagonia gear not get an mention with announcement that it is giving the entire company to a uniquely structured trust and nonprofit, designed to pump all of the company’s profits into saving the planet. These shorts are 2 in 1, plenty of pockets, quick dry and made from recycled materials. A great daily wearer and travel companion for dunking under waterfalls or a last minute trail bus tour sign up. $99 patagonia.com.au

3. Sea to Summit Ultra sil backpack. Use: City, work, shopping. This extremely small and light backpack comes its own carbineer and packs down into itself small enough that it can be attached to a belt loop or pocket ready to be filled with whatever DFO bargains you accidently stumble across…. whoops new trail shoes $34.90 snowys.com.au

4. Sea to Summit pocket towel. Use: Gym, swimming, air travel, post run clean up and swimming. It’s a towel which fits in your pocket or in the above new back pack. It’s got its own case that prevents getting anything else it’s packed with wet. Make sure you get the large size as it’s big enough to wrap around your waist so you can get changed in it. The sense of reward you get when you have this thing is and need it is extreme. I love my pocket towel. $26.99 anacondastores.com

5. Salomon XA 25 Backpack/fastpack. Use: Day trips, air travel, work commuting. If you use salomon vests then you’ll love this backpack. Originally I purchased this for fastpacking (which it is ideal and designed for), but slowly and surely the wilderness and adventure crept into my trips to IGA express. I like this pack for the same reasons I like my salomon vests. The front loading and access capabilities are fantastic. I have my phone and keys separate so they don’t scratch. I can chuck a soft bottle in it. I can tighten it up to minimise bounce and if I need to do the Johnny bolt to a tram on St Kilda Rd then this pack is designed for that. What better way to spruik that I’m an outdoorsy type to the masses on the 109. $248.35 www.wildearth.com.au

We would love to have fellow gear nuts join us out on the trails with us. Whether its talking trail running clothes, emergency gear, tech or shoes these are some of our favourite topics. Until then…

Happy and safe trails. Chris Wright. Trail Bus Tour Operator and guide.