What to Wear for Hill, Trail and Fell Running

Expert Advice on Running Clothing,Trail & Fell Training Advice

In recent years rules in the UK have tightened for safety reasons around the compulsory kit that should be carried with you. Since kit checks began, the term 'full body cover' was the general rule for hill races. This was then applied with common sense by race organisers, depending on the length/height of the hill and the weather conditions on that day.

However, this has now changed with the rules stating full WATERPROOF cover. This means your jacket and trousers must be a waterproof fabric, with taped seams, and your jacket must have a hood. You don't have to wear it, but if it's not in your bag when a kit check takes place then you won't be allowed to race :-(

Best advice if it's a very short summer hill race is to check with the race organiser, as you may be let off with less. But if you are regularly racing in the hills or trails, then it's time to invest in waterproofs, so you can carry on enjoying your amazing sport :-) This isn't driven by running shops trying to sell expensive kit (honest!) it's for everyone's safety and enjoyment.

This article covers clothing; we also have advice on what to carry, the best trail shoes and the best fell shoes.

Tops / Jackets / Bottoms / Hats & Other Essentials

Combining Clothing Layers

Choosing how to combine these layers will vary for different runners, and also can be dependent on how far you are going and at what pace. It's also crucial to remember that the higher you go the colder it gets! If you're going for a longer slower run you will want to dress warmer than if you're racing or doing a faster run.

If you are going into the hills it is generally advisable to take a jacket with you, even if you don't wear it. With a jacket as part of your kit you can then choose your base layer according to the temperature. In summer that would be a T-shirt, the rest of the year you could go for a lightweight long-sleeve or a thermal.

If it's down under 5°C or so, or is very windy, then a warmer thermal top and fleecy tights would be best, as well as carrying waterproof trousers. If you're going for a longer run to higher hills or mountains then it's wise to pack an extra layer – more than you think you'll need – for safety.

Running Tops

In summer you may be fine with a T-shirt, and a windproof jacket that you can layer up in more exposed areas. Generally a long sleeved top will be most versatile across the seasons, and in colder temperatures you'll want a thermal. All our tops are lightweight with wicking properties, so you won't feel weighed down or chilled even when you're sweating.

Merino wool is a great option as it's well suited for temperature regulation. An extra wonderful touch with any merino layers is they're odour-free! If you're away on a trip and need to wear a baselayer back-to-back for more than a day then with a wool top you can hang it up overnight, wear it next day, and not smell like you are doing so ;-) Polygiene gives similar benefits, as an alternative for man-made fibres.

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Men's On Climate Shirt

£105

Men's Janji Run All Day Tech Long Sleeve

£60

Men's Brooks Dash Half Zip Top 3.0

£60

-20% with code

Women's Ronhill Tech Reflect Top

£45

Women's Brooks Dash Half Zip Top 3.0

£60

Women's Janji Rover Merino Hoodie

£105

Save - 20%

Women's Pressio Sustain Long-Sleeve Top

£45 £36

Running Jackets

We stock a range of great lightweight waterproof jackets that will pass a kit check, plus windproof options that you can use for training.

If you want to go super light, have a little more breathability and protect yourself from the wind and only light rain then for training a windproof jacket will do the job. It won't keep you completely dry, so it doesn't suit everyone's comfort levels for the rain.

All of our fully waterproof jackets include a hood and the majority of them offer 20,000 hyd head of waterproofing (10,000 is min requirement for a kit check). They also have taped seams and are very lightweight and packable – all boxes ticked in a jacket to wear / carry in the hills!

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-20% with code

Men's Ronhill Tech Storm Jacket

£185

-20% with code

Men's Ronhill Tech Gore-Tex Mercurial Jacket 2

£300

Men's Janji Zephyrunner Wind Shell Jacket

£110

Men's On Weather Jacket Lumos

£230

-20% with code

Women's Ronhill Tech Storm Jacket

£185

-20% with code

Women's Ronhill Tech Contour Jacket

£68

Women's Janji Zephyrunner Wind Shell Jacket

£110

Women's On Weather Jacket

£220

Running Bottoms

As mentioned above, most hill races will insist on waterproof trousers as a mandatory part of your kit bag. Hopefully they can spend most of their life in your bag, but for wild and wet days you will be glad of them.

As with tops, your choice of base-layer running bottoms will be largly down to weather conditions, as well as personal preference. It will also depend on how long you're going to be out there, and how fast you'll be moving in terms of generating heat.

Shorts may be fine for some situations, while others will demand full-length lycra leggings or looser-fitting trousers. Some options have extra pockets and gel loops, which can be really useful. If you're going for shorts, look out for 2-in-1 versions, with a lycra layer underneath and loose shorts over the top. This not only helps to avoid chafing, but also gives you more options for storage.

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-20% with code

Men's Ronhill Tech Storm Pants

£125

Men's Janji Transit Tech Pants

£80

-20% with code

Men's Ronhill Tech All-Terrain Tracksters

£68

-20% with code

Men's Ronhill Tech Paragon Tights

£65

Women's Janji 7/8 Trail Tights

£90

-20% with code

Women's Ronhill Tech Reflect Tights

£65

Save - 20%

Women's Brooks Spark Tights

£75 £60

Women's Brooks Chaser 5in 2-in-1 Shorts 2.0

£55

Running Hats & Other Essentials

Headgear comes in all manner of choices...

Running caps, especially waterproof versions, are a wonderful alternative to a hood in a downpour, as they shield your eyes and you can still see where you’re going. This is even more useful if you wear glasses!

Buffs or other neck scarves can be used to keep the chill off your neck, but can also be wrapped in various ways to make a hat / headband / sweatband / arm warmer. Their versatility makes them excellent to have a spare stuffed in your bag somewhere.

In winter, hats and gloves are a general must. Again there are varying weights, so how thick to choose will depend on how much you feel the cold. Gloves are like clothing and come in various thickness. Even if you don't get cold that easily, you're likely to feel it in your hands first once the temperature drops. Next step up is a windproof glove, which is a combination of being windproof on the back of your hand and a thicker (often fleece) over the palms.

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