My packing list for a 50-kilometre trail run
27-4-2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
When you do your first ultra trail, everything’s new. But, with the right gear, you’ll be well prepared when you hit the starting line.
If you’re planning a 50-kilometre run, you’re probably in the same boat as me – wondering what gear will help you get through those long hours on the trails. I’ve just finished my first trail ultra. I’ve learned what works and what I can remove from my packing list.
The basics: shoes, socks and vests
Ideally, you should’ve decided which shoes you’ll be running in weeks before a big race. That was my plan, too. I had two clear favourites that had proven themselves during long-distance training.
But then La Sportiva sent me the new Prodigio 2 to test. After a 15-kilometre test run, one thing was clear: I wanted to see how the shoes would hold up on a long and challenging trail. So I found myself lacing them up on the morning of the race. You’ll hear more about this in a separate review. What I will say is, I didn’t regret my decision one bit.
Of course, you should still avoid trying anything completely new on race day. But since I’d already worn the previous model in the range, the risk seemed manageable to me.
When it comes to socks, I go for the colourful running socks from Incylence. I recently met with the founder of the Hamburg-based brand – you can expect a detailed article on that soon.
Things get tricky when it comes to hydration backpacks – aka running vests. I was torn. I wondered if I should run as lightly and minimally as possible. With the sleek 5-litre race vest from Nnormal? Or play it safe and carry a lot of food and drinks, making me heavier and therefore slower? In the end, I decided on the 12-litre backpack from Montane. In hindsight, I’d packed too much of everything – that was a key lesson I learned from my first ultra trail.
Jackets, leggings and things left at home
The leggings and running shirt you wear on race day depend on the weather and are also a matter of personal preference. Many people wear the event T-shirt. I’d rather wear that after the race. For me, the very thin, lightweight Pure T-Shirt from La Sportiva worked well because the forecast called for temperatures around 20 degrees and no rain. If it had been cooler, I would’ve brought a thin, lightweight rain jacket like this one from Odlo. It also helps when it’s windy or when I have to take a break – sweaty and out of breath. The race organisers also recommended wearing a rain jacket. But since the weather forecast looked so good, I decided not to.
When it came to my bottom half, I made a compromise. Weather-wise, shorts would’ve been fine. It was definitely too warm for long running leggings. But for passing bushes and small branches, I wanted a little more protection. That’s why I wore the Odlo Essentials three-quarter-length leggings. It was a similar situation among the men. Instead of wearing short racing shorts, many were wearing knee-length trousers.
If our race had started an hour earlier – at 7 a.m., like the 70-kilometre race taking place that same day – I would’ve worn arm warmers like these from Dynafit. Arm warmers are one of my favourite items for trail running. I can adjust to the temperature in a matter of seconds without having to rummage through my backpack for a jacket.
In the end, though, I was glad I didn’t need the arm warmers this time, and that the 50+ kilometre run didn’t start until the first rays of sunshine were already warming us up. If you want to know how I experienced the entire race, you can read about it here:
Must-haves and safety
For most races, the organisers tell participants to bring a few essential items. For the 50+ kilometre race at Les Courses de Mont Terrible in the Swiss Jura, it was a phone and a drinking cup because there were no cups available at the refreshment stations. I think this is a great idea because it helps reduce waste. I decided to go with the lightweight, foldable cup from Compressport.
In addition to my phone, I packed a small power bank just in case – for finding my way around or getting help, should my phone battery die at the worst possible moment. Since I didn’t know what to expect, the battery gave me a sense of emotional security. In addition to tape and string for dealing with any issues with my shoes or backpack, my kit also includes a survival blanket. The race organisers also recommended this.
Poles, running belts and sunglasses
I’ve rarely been so glad to have my poles with me as I was during this race. On steep or long climbs, they provide welcome relief for my thighs. I really like the Trail Carbon 4 poles from French manufacturer TSL Outdoor here’s the detailed review). The magnetic click mechanism on these carbon folding poles is amazing, because it’s so simple I can use it even without my glasses and when I’m tired. The crossover pads (rubber caps for the tips of the poles) protect the trails and reduce clicking noises.
Where do I put the poles when I’m not using them? In my running belt, of course. Others carry special quivers or attach them to their running backpacks. For me, that requires too much flexibility and concentration. The large loops on the Compressport running belt are perfect for stowing poles in just two quick steps. I can also attach my race number to the straps at the front of the belt. This has two advantages: no holes in the shirt from safety pins, and the race number remains visible at all times, as required by the rules, even when I put on a rain jacket. The strap also has room for everything I want to keep within easy reach, like energy bars.
Sure, not every run is sunny. But I almost always bring a pair of lightweight sports sunglasses with me – in this case, the Invu Omu.
Gels, bars and more
I can’t even remember how many times I’d heard people say beforehand, «Food is the most important thing on long runs.» It’s true! During the Backyard Ultra, I was constantly refuelling. So the plan for the Mont Terrible race was the same: to eat a lot.
Since I have coeliac disease, I didn’t want to rely on the refreshment stations; instead, I planned to run self-supported – except for water (page in German).
Gels are a necessary evil in this context, because they pack a lot of energy into a small space. I get on well with Maurten gels. To avoid faffing with packaging while I’m out and about, and so that I don’t have to squeeze out an entire tube of gel all at once, I transferred the gel into a gel bottle beforehand. This is a massive game-changer for me. I don’t have to fiddle with packaging while running, my hands aren’t sticky, and it gives me the chance to take a quick sip from the bottle whenever the terrain and my pace allow.
«Make sure you bring some solid food too», I’d been told beforehand. For me, that meant a jam and peanut butter sandwich, a few pretzels and various bars from Yfood, Nakd and Be Kind. Oh, and some Haribo Goldbears. Think that’s a bit much? In hindsight, I completely agree. I bought way too much with me; most of my food was still in my backpack when I reached the finish line. Since it was my first long trail run and I had no idea how long I’d be out there, my motto was: better to bring too much than too little. Next time I’ll know better.
For drinks, I relied on the delicious orange flavoured Peak Punk Electrolyte Drink in my hydration pack. I also had 500 millilitres each of water and cold coffee in soft flasks. The cold coffee was a real lifesaver. Taking a sip of something bitter between sweet gels while getting a caffeine boost was a key part of my winning formula.
Ideas for my next run
Almost everything I brought with me worked perfectly and got me safely across the finish line after around 52 kilometres. That’s why I’m totally satisfied with my choice of equipment. The only thing I’ll cut back on significantly is food. After all, it’s a race, not a picnic. Even the small power bank can stay at home on similar trips from now on.
What are your tips for long trail runs? What gear can you do without? What is an absolute essential? Let us know in the comments.
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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