Into The Wild: Checking Out Tracksmith’s Overland Collection

What You Need To Know

New England, but make it wild

REESE: There’s something undeniably nostalgic about Tracksmith. For me, it’s not just about the gear; it’s the brand’s unwavering commitment to a sense of place. With the new Overland Collection, Tracksmith once again proves it’s not chasing trends; it’s charting its own, thoughtful course, this time deep into the terrain of trail running.

Inspired by the storied Overland race and grounded in the ethos of New England grit and grace, this fully redesigned, permanent line includes head-to-toe apparel, a running vest, and, for the first time, trail shoes. Like everything Tracksmith does, the Overland Collection carries its narrative with intention. The textures, colors, and details feel like they belong to the land they were designed to explore — technical without being flashy, refined without losing touch with the dirt underfoot.

The Overland Collection is not trying to be loud or chase clout. It isn’t trying to win UTMB or Western States. It’s not built for the podium, though I’m sure it will find its way there; it’s built for the experience. For the long days, the solo efforts, the quiet rituals of moving through terrain that asks something of you. It’s gear for runners who care as much about how they do something as what they’re doing.

The Overland collection is not trying to be loud or chase clout. The collection isn’t trying to win UTMB or Western States. It’s not built for the podium, though I’m sure it will find its way there; it’s built for the experience. For the long days, the solo efforts, the quiet rituals of moving through terrain that asks something of you. It’s gear for runners who care as much about how they do something as what they’re doing.

I grew up on the East Coast, so maybe I’m biased, or perhaps it’s just the kind of place that never stops feeling like home. Tracksmith has always tapped into that feeling for me. It brings me back to the cross-country running camp I went to at Princeton, where I pretended like I was an Ivy League kid, even though I was so far from it. Or the cool crisp mornings of a cross-country start line. I was more of a wild child who also wore horse shirts unironically than a prep school standout, but I always admired that polished, old-school aesthetic from the sidelines. I wasn’t that kid, but I wanted some part of that confidence, that timeless style.

The Overland Collection perfectly captures that. It’s rugged, refined, and rooted. It’s trail gear with a sense of place and purpose, quietly confident, deeply considered. It’s Classic Tracksmith, just dirtier.

The Overland Windbreaker is one of those “you don’t know you need it until you do” pieces. Again, this isn’t going to win the lightest jacket of the year award, but Tracksmith isn’t trying to win that. They aim to create a well-rounded jacket that looks great while running, wearing around town, has natural fibers, and reflects their brand. The main body fabric features a C0 (PFC-Free) DWR coating, a vintage finish, and 4-way stretch that moves with you on technical terrain. Underarm panels and an internal collar lined with merino mesh keep it breathable and comfortable, even when you’re working hard, and the modern cut gives it a flattering, non-boxy fit. I found the size Small I was sent loose, but comfortable. I didn’t feel like I was swimming in a sea of jacket. It’s a little heavier-duty than a lot of the ultra-lightweight packable jackets I’ve been testing this summer, but I loved the extra warmth when I wore it post-run. Come fall, I know I’ll be wearing this all the time.

The one-way separating zipper uses Tracksmith’s lightest tape yet, with a bonded chin guard for comfort, and the zippered chest pocket doubles as its own stuff sack. Once packed, a racing-stripe elastic strap lets you carry it in your hand without it bouncing. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a bit larger than other packable jackets, so if you’re looking for a race-ready, minimal piece, this might not be for you. But it’s light enough to forget you’re wearing it, but the moment the wind picks up or drizzle sets in, you’ll be glad it’s there. It offers way more protection and versatility than ultra-light wind jackets that weigh 3.5 ounces.

The Overland Short Sleeve Tee is the kind of shirt you could wear for hours without noticing, and that’s exactly the point. Made from lightweight merino mesh with 37.5 technology, it’s odor-resistant, thermoregulating, and soft enough to wear directly against your skin. I won’t lie, I typically dislike merino wool — I find it really itchy. But the merino blended mesh is so far from itchy. It’s soft and buttery. It feels luxurious. I honestly felt like this shirt was too nice for a running shirt. But alas, I did run in it. Like the long sleeve, it’s finished with the same C0 DWR coating and 4-way stretch, making it hydration-vest compatible and minimizing wear and tear from straps, which means the shirt will last far longer than your average baselayer. The underarm gusset with merrowed seams reduces chafing so effectively that I never had to think about it, even on multi-hour runs. This top feels like it’s perfect for cool, crisp mornings rather than scorching hot summer days.

The Overland Long Sleeve takes everything great about the short sleeve and adds coverage for cooler starts or high-alpine runs. It’s breathable, thermoregulating, and just as durable under a pack, but I found myself wearing it just as often with joggers as on the trail. That’s part of Tracksmith’s magic. The gear works as well in the mountains as it does at the coffee shop afterward.

The Overland Half Tights became my MVP during the Trans Rockies Run. They didn’t ride up, sag, or pinch, and the internal drawstring kept the Hollywood waistband perfectly in place. The Brugnoli Explosive fabric (62% nylon / 38% elastane) strikes the ideal balance between compression and comfort, and the woven pocket overlays, finished with the same DWR as the windbreaker, add durability. You get a large zippered center-back pocket with drainage, two drop-in mesh pockets at the back, and two side panel pockets. Tracksmith isn’t trying to win the award for “most pockets ever,” but they’ve given you options. Choose whichever works best for your storage needs, or go full ultra mode and stuff them all. Twenty gels? Why not. To each their own.

I didn’t test the Overland Shorts since I only wore the women’s line, but they’re clearly built with the same “carry everything you need” mindset as the rest of the collection. Designed for men, these trail shorts pack in nine total pockets, enough storage for fuel, gear, and then some, without sacrificing movement. Like the other pieces in this collection, these shorts sport a 4-way stretch shell with DWR coating for weather resistance, and the lightweight brief liner even adds extra storage with four drop-in pockets.

Details like a Hollywood waistband with internal elastic, an external drawstring, rear hem vents, and a cord loop for a carabiner show that Tracksmith is thinking about comfort and versatility on the run. Judging by the rest of the Overland lineup, I’d expect these to perform just as well as they’re built. Side note, while running with the Tracksmith crew, a bunch of the men testing these jumped into a lake, and the shell did dry out shockingly quickly. The liner took a little longer to dry, though. This seems like a non-issue unless you happen to sweat the amount of an alpine lake or find yourself in alpine lakes during most runs.

The Overland Hydration Vest is built more like a top than a traditional pack. It zips up the front and fits almost like a sports bra. I was skeptical at first, especially since most XS running vests still don’t fit me well, but the side cinch system snugged it down perfectly. The bias tape edging is incredibly soft against the skin, and even running in just a sports bra, I had zero chafing, something I can’t say for most packs, which usually rub around my ribs or collarbone.

Another surprise for me was the minimal bottle bouncing. I loathe when hydration flasks bounce about. I didn’t experience that with this vest. With 10 pockets (six up front, including two drop-ins for the included 500ml flasks, plus four in the back for everything from gels to a jacket), it’s got plenty of room for long runs. That said, it’s not the most breathable or minimal vest I’ve used, so I’d skip it for hot-weather racing. But for cooler temps or when comfort and secure fit matter more than airflow, it’s a solid choice.