Winter Trail Running

Winter is here. Its cold, wet and windy...  Can make winter training tough physically but mostly mentally. If you are a keen trail runner no doubt you want to  keep up your training through winter so you are fit and ready for some of the bigger events in spring and summer. So what to wear for Winter Trail running, to keep your body and mind warm and committed? FurtherFaster are the NZ distributers of British brand, Montane who's trail running range, Via Trail Series is lightweight with out compromise on performance. Lets take a look at some of the garments within the range starting with Shells.

Minimus 777 Jacket

The newest jacket from Montane. It is cutting edge- weighing in about 140grams for a fully taped 3 layer jacket. The attention to detail on this jacket is great,  starting from the use of the Pertex Shield+ fabric which has a 20,000 mm hydrostatic head and has exceptional breathability, with an MVTR rating of over 30,000g/m2/24hrs. The construction is second to none with a stitch count of about 12-13 on all seams, way  above the industry average of about 8, which makes for a strong seam design. The zip on the pocket is a YKK Aquaguard and the pockets been designed in a way that a phone or GPS wont move around when moving fast. This is pretty much top of the range as a super light-weight 3 layer shell goes.  It also available in a pull on smock.

Minimus Smock

This is the original jacket that Montane created for trail running about 7 years ago. It is a tried and tested design that has been on countless runners backs in bad weather. Weighing in at 150 grams and using Pertex Shield+ fabric it has a waterproof rating of 20,000 and a 20,000 mvtr rating for breathability. It's constructed with the use of micro seams throughout the jacket. There is also a matching Minimus over trouser weighing in at about 150grams .

Mid Layer

Depending on the temps you are running at and if its a wet or dry day you may want to run with some light insulation over a base layer to keep the wind off. Montane created the Fireball Verso Pull On, a clever garment that works in two ways. Its a wind shirt thats been designed to be worn two ways. The insulation can be on the inside with the windproof layer on the outer if its cold- trapping your body heat to keep you warm. See pic below.

 Or if you want to use it just as a wind shirt with out the added insulation working you turn it inside out with the insulation on the outer and the windproof layer over your base layer. Genius!

Base Layer

I use the Montane Allez hoodie for winter running and also as a backcountry ski base layer. Its made using Polartec Power Grid Fabric and is super fast drying and wicks moisture away well when moving fast 

Gloves 

New for this winter is the Via Trail glove which uses a super light water resistant soft-shell to keep the wind out and repel rain.

This is only a small part of the Via range you can see the whole range here . If you are a keen winter trail runner you wont be disappointed with Montane .