Dirtbag Duffel: Our Favorite Trail Gear for Spring 2025

What You Need To Know

Welcome to the Dirtbag’s Duffel

TAYLOR: Somewhere deep in the cavern of the backseat of my car, underneath the snack wrappers, the empty coffee cups, and Lord knows what else, is another cavern of its own. It’s a bag of jewels. A carrier of gear. It’s my dirtbag’s duffel.

Many keep an emergency bag in case of a random night stay. There’s a certain level of Dirt Digger who would rather keep a sack of necessities for outdoor adventures. In this carrier, depending on the season, you could find anything from a full set of running essentials (mandatory) to a pair of versatile road-to-trail shoes (also essential) and a myriad of other items that have specific uses.

At the end of the day, I have everything needed to hit the trails and turn any hatchback into a 2.5-star hotel. Here are a few items that have rotated through there recently.

TAYLOR: How often does it happen that a busy day turns into a really busy day? You’re on the drive home and find a magical amount of time between when the family gets home from doing daily life, and you have the thought, “I could squeeze out a short run.” Or maybe you stay at work a little later to then catch an evening run with the local run club. If you only had brought a headlamp to bridge the waning sun to darkness.

That’s where the Nitecore NU27 600 Lumen Headlamp is a powerful tool. At 600 lumens of crisp LED power, this light is easily bright enough to be a trail running companion for short periods of time or an assistive candle in the group. It’s also my number one choice as a backup headlamp on race day and fastpack excursions.

What I love about this design is that the Nitecore NU27 has it all. I don’t know any headlamp that is this light (1.98 oz/ 56 g) that boasts the same features. I mean, 600 lumens is one thing, but to have three different main beam color options (cool white, neutral white, and warm light) plus a red light option is amazing. Each of these color options has an ideal use, and even better, each color has five levels of output (red has three).

As for burn time, at 400 lumens, the battery can last up to 3 hours (with diminishing light). At its lowest setting of 6 lumens, which I find very helpful for camp settings, aid stations, or rolling with a group, it can last for up to 57 hours.

The Nitecore NU27 600 Lumen Headlamp also has a rechargeable battery via USB-C, a short (1m) drop rating, and a water-resistant shell. Again, getting all of this out of a featherweight build for only 45 bucks is pretty much unheard of these days.

PRICE: $45

TAYLOR: I’ve done it so many times. I get excited about a big day out, get all of my essentials ready (or so I thought), and have the time of my life until I get back to the car and want to shed the shoes for something a lot less aggressive. That only led to disappointment and many a drive home from the trailhead barefoot because I forgot to grab a pair of easy-to-slip-on comfortable shoes.

Roll Recovery, a brand we have adored for its recovery tools like the R8 Plus Deep Tissue Massager and R1 Percussion Massager, now has runners covered with the addition of a recovery footwear department. There are a few different options, but I had the privilege of testing out the Superplush Classic. It’s a slip-on shoe that is light on the foot, very comfortable, and looks good, too.

Honestly, this is one of the shoes I wear all day as a teacher because of the underfoot comfort the Roll Recovery Superplush Classic provides. The Bloom Foam (Algae and EVA) midsole is soft upon step-in but, because of the lower stature, is not a cloud of foam sensation. It gives a grounded feel, too. As I broke in the shoe, the footbed subtly molded to my foot while the Orthofit midfoot arch continued to provide light medial support.

As for fit, the Superplush Classic was very average in terms of width. The Cradle Design ensured that the shoe was close to the foot. Since the materials used are so light and flexible, the Classic did feel more accommodating.

A light Airyarn upper is really the icing on the cake here, as it maintains the lightly structured feeling of the Superplush Classic and makes it look casual enough for wear anywhere.

PRICE: $110

TAYLOR: Bob & Brad massage guns have been my go-to recovery product for years now. A percussion massager needs to be a mix of quality, function, and the right amount of variety. When they sent me the Bob & Brand Q2 Mini Massage Gun in its compact size (weighing less than a pound), I was happier than a turtle on a slip-and-slide to test it out.

Performance was on par with what I expected from our review of the T2 Massage gun, but it is half the size.

Here’s what matters most: the Q2 Mini Massage Gun has a highly efficient and strong brushless motor that allows for 3000 rpm on its highest setting, and no matter how deep I pushed into my aching muscles, the motor retained its depth and revolutions to give a true massage.

Multiple interchangeable heads gave me a variety of massage sensations, but I found myself utilizing two of them most often. One was the tuning fork-like head that could dig deep into my calves and around my Achilles.

The other favorite head was the heated/cooled head. Initially, I thought it was a gimmick, but that’s why we test these things. I found myself using the heat setting prerun to warm up surface areas before digging deeper with other heads. The cooling setting came in handy postworkout or simply when I needed some work in swollen areas. It obviously can’t replace icing, but I did find comfort with the cooled massage.

Bob & Brad’s Q2 Mini Massage Gun is a go-to recovery tool whether I’m at home or on the go. Its packable size and mighty performance secure its spot in the duffel.

PRICE: $130

TAYLOR:  Running with a pup can be an immensely enjoyable experience or an all-out death march. Of course, there’s a lot to this. So why not settle one of the many variables with solid gear?

Stunt Puppy offers a ton of thoughtfully designed dog gear, but a tried-and-true favorite that I use every day with my husky is the Stunt Puppy Go Dog Slo Stunt Runner hands-free leash. It’s not that it has a completely unique design compared to many other hands-free leashes, but it does have quality and a few thoughtful additions that make it stand out.

Firstly, it’s comfortable. A simple polyester waist strap was easily adjustable and comfortable when worn over an outer garment. However, when I wore it next to my skin, the seam caused a little irritation. The actual leash composition is pretty sweet, though. On the distal end, there is a run-of-the-mill bungee leash. I really liked the subtle stretch it provided. It acted as a buffer from sudden jolts and changes in speed between my dog and me.

My absolute favorite part of the leash is that the half closest to the body, the end that connects to the waist strap, is adjustable. I loved that I could shorten it up considerably when running on the roads and/or where more people would be. More frequently, on my rural roads and trails, I could give my dog the extra leeway that we both needed. It was easy for both of us to maintain our natural stride even when the terrain changed. Other hands-free systems do not have that capability.

Lightweight carabiners with a simple locking mechanism sealed the deal for me, too. We’ve had a couple of incidents this winter where the traditional attachment froze open and popped off, but that is not a possibility here. Timber didn’t initially like the carabiner on her vest (Ruffwear), but I think that was more because of the metal-on-metal clanking. She got used to it quickly, though.

The whole package is uber light, too. It was noticeably lighter than another similar hands-free setup that I was using. The lighter the better for all of us to move naturally.

PRICE: $58

TAYLOR: A key to being a true dirtbag is to always be three simple steps away from setting up camp. For trail runners, this also means being able to produce a farmer’s market quality aid station at any point. In either case, I believe having some sort of sleeping device is essential. The Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Downquilt is easily one of the best options for the job whether you’re fastpacking, need a warm layer draped over you while in the aid station at 2 AM, or for the long night of sleep in the back of your Subaru.

This past fall, I got the crud — I felt absolutely terrible. I took a sick day (which happens once every few years) and felt the need for some fresh air. It was a cool, windy day with some snow flurries… not the best conditions to be out when I already had the chills from within. I strung up the hammock anyway, grabbed the Stormloft Down Topquilt, and hopped in.

Let me tell you, the combination of warmth and comfort lulled me right to sleep amidst the blustery conditions. I say all this because I’ve also felt similarly cruddy on some long trail running adventures where all I wanted was a warm embrace. These are the conditions when this down quilt will be my go-to option.

Outdoor Vitals is a decorated backpacking company, so it will be easy to note the bits and pieces of design that will also shine for trail running adventures. For starters, it packs a powerful punch even though it’s literally a fraction of the weight of most sleeping bags. I received the 15-degree top quilt, which only weighs 1.83 pounds. That’s insane for the 800+ fill down warmth it provides.

The other perk is that this is a truly packable option, too. It bunches down into a small stuff sack, which makes it much easier to manage while packing for fast-packing trips. It almost felt like I was leaving something at home. The dirtbag’s duffel case is also a manageable size to always have along in the car.

The third reason why this is a phenomenal choice for trail travelers is gold, baby. It’s the only piece of gear that I have heard of that harnesses the properties of gold within a soft good. Outdoor Vitals’ Expedry Down is infused with gold as a “permanent and chemical-free” way of drying down — the gold within the down is a master at expelling moisture. Dry down is warm down. You get the gist. It’s amazing.

Even during my sickly winter nap in the hammock, I stayed dry and warm. This will be my go-to for any adventure that requires warmth and/or an overnight stay.

PRICE: $395

TAYLOR: There are days of past
and days ahead
when snowin’ and blowin’ will fill you with dread.
Don the gear
that gets you out
Shady Rays’ Frontier is what I’ll tout

For some reason, full-on wintery conditions make me feel poetic. The faucet is turned on outside as I type this. What we all need, in times like this, is a treadmill… I’m 99% kidding, my treadmill only gets a belt massage a handful of times per year. What we need to get out in conditions like this is the right gear.

Covering my face appropriately is always the hardest part, especially the eyes! Even my best glasses fog up and freeze when the temperature is 3 degrees Fahrenheit. A good pair of goggles is really the only way to solve this problem. Having a couple of pairs of goggles is the better way: one for low-light conditions and another for bluebird blowy days.

An even better way to solve this issue is to have one pair of goggles (at an affordable price) with easily interchangeable lenses. Say hello to the Shady Rays Frontier Snow Goggles. The aforementioned description is exactly what these are — an easily adjustable, high-quality eyeball saver.

I think the anti-fog technology with eye protection will be the major draw for athletes. As mentioned before, I routinely have issues with even high-quality glasses fogging and freezing in the bitter cold, at which point they’re of zero use for the remainder of the run. Shady Rays’ Frontier Goggle lenses are quality enough to resist moisture. I had zero issues, even when huffing and puffing uphill at a slower pace (typically when my glasses take a turn for the worse).

Shady Rays’ adjustable lenses will be the secondary pull for most. The Frontier Goggle frame has a series of magnetic clips around the rim, so all you have to do is bring the desired lens to the frame. That’s it! It snaps in, and you’re good to go. Need to switch out a lens for a low-light (or no-light) morning? Even though the magnets are strong, it was a simple pull of the lens and a pop on the desired one.

The fit of these goggles is pretty standard for what the industry uses, with a singular adjustable elastic band. These have full coverage from temple to temple. My only complaint is that they pressed a little bit on the bridge of my nose, but that only took slight adjustments of the band and where the goggles sat on my face.

Lastly, getting a quality pair of winter goggles for under $150 is pretty much unheard of. The Shady Ray’s Frontier goggles start around a Benjamin. Then, depending on what you add to the frames, the cost goes up. I did a little bit of shopping. I could pull together a sweet-looking set with two styles of lenses for less than $140 or go for a single lens and no protective bag for $98. I like the ability to choose.

PRICE: Starting at $98

TAYLOR: I have two hoodies that I wear on a darn-near-religious basis. One of those is an oldie that I wear multiple times per week in a variety of settings. I love my Melanzana.

The other sweatshirt is new to my closet, but it doesn’t happen to see the closet very often. The Hoka Essential Hoody has taken up quite a bit of wear time as of late. It’s a simple oversized design that’s thick and cozy.

I wore it up to the top of the Escarpment at Western States while spectating. How’d I feel? Cozy. I frequently wear it on cold winter mornings while I sip coffee. Cozy. It’s on my body as I run errands to get water at the local spring. Flippin’ cozy. It is the cloud of cottony, fleecy comfort that Hoka describes.

That Hoka Essential Hoody will undoubtedly become one of my oldies because it defines a new realm of comfort. I ain’t lettin’ this one go! It might be slightly on the spendy side for a sweatshirt, but the comfort is definitely worth the price.

PRICE: $98-118

TAYLOR: Since throwing on a pair of sandals pre/post run isn’t all that realistic for five or six months here in the Rockies, I have gravitated towards keeping a pair of something dry and comfortable in my car. The sloppy season’s runs almost always end with cold and wet feet.

This winter, my answer to that problem is the Teva Auroris boot. It saved my feet multiple times this winter with its waterproof outer, toasty inner, and plushness on step-in. I expected the first two descriptors from the Auroris, but the whole package surprised me with its performance and comfort. The Teva Auroris boot was like a little oasis for my feet in wintery conditions. For starters, they are fairly light for a fully waterproof boot, which set the stage for me to come back for more. Bulky footwear is not my thing.

Then, the practicality of the Auroris took it from there. Many performance footwear brands utilize the word “waterproof” with the understanding that it is only waterproof to an extent. Well, the Auroris is waterproof in its true meaning. From kickin’ around in slushy puddles to stomping around in the snow, my feet stayed dry because of the Rapid Proof combination of materials and a waterproof inner booty.

Staying dry is the first step in staying warm, followed by insulation. The 200 g Thinsulate liner kept my feet warm into sub-zero temperatures. Again, even though this boot is fairly light, the thoughtful layering of quality ingredients made the Teva Auroris boot a big performer in inclement conditions.

I know many quality boots will start pumping the brakes when they get past those first two problems. Teva kept going by adding its Max-Comf insole. This was the biggest surprise to me, as most boots, even hikers, have a very low bar when it comes to underfoot comfort. This insert was actually plush and made for enjoyable hours in the boot. I think this very aspect makes the Teva Auroris boot a viable option for all-day winter play rather than just a pair of boots to get from point A to point B.

The outsole was satisfactory, too. The lugs did not have the clawing power we are used to with trail-oriented shoes; however, the broad, low-profile lugs with White Spider Rubber were certainly tacky in snowy/ slippery conditions. Overall durability will not be an issue with this one.

My one caution with these boots is that the forefoot does feel snug once a pair of thicker socks is added. The forefoot relaxed slightly after a few wears, but only a little bit. Even after a winter’s worth of wear, my Teva Auroris boots still feel and look new. $160 is a fine price for the quality, performance, and comfort that will last many winters.

PRICE: $160

TAYLOR: I have a new routine: Slam a wintery long run, heat up the kettle, and mix up some hot chocolate Skratch Recovery Sports Drink. I’m not typically a hot chocolate drinker, and I do not get overly excited about recovery drinks, but this one hooked me for some reason.

The warm, creamy, and legitimately tasty combination has made it easier to start recovery during these winter months. This mix has the carbs necessary to replenish, and it has an extra kick of protein (8g per serving) to further initiate the recovery/muscle-building process. It’s enough for me to get through the initial 30-60 minutes of family responsibilities upon returning home from a long run before I can grab a more substantial recovery meal.

So, what I’m saying is that the chocolate Skratch Recovery Sports Drink is simple, tasty, and works with my schedule. It allows me to be proactive about my recovery as a busy, family-oriented runner. Cheers to that!

PRICE: $34 for 12 servings