This blog post is all about veering off the beaten path to explore new ground and testing yourself on unpredictable terrain. Here we cover gear, tracks and events to give you an insight into this fast-growing sport and culture.
Gear you need:
Trail running specific shoes
Shoes built for trail running specifically are the way to go if you’re going to be spending a lot of time on variable terrain as they will provide traction with their aggressive grip. Trail running shoes are typically heavier with a thicker sole to help maintain the shape and integrity of the shoe in tougher conditions. A few trail running shoes that have been widely regarded as the best in the industry are:
Men’s:
– The Salomon sense pro 2 is balanced perfectly with having good protection while still being a super light shoe.
https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/SNSSTN6MS/title/salomon-men-s-sense-pro-2-shoes
Women’s:
– Inov-8 put a tonne of emphasis on incorporating anti-bacterial elements to the shoe in additions to all the other well-rounded features.
https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/IVSSTN6WR/title/inov-8-women-s-race-ultra-290-shoes
– Renown for its high performance cushioning the HOKA ONE ONE is an ideal shoe for runners looking for a lightweight, stable and comfortable shoe for any trail.
https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/H2SSTN404/title/hoka-one-one-women-s-stinson-atr-shoes
Remember to find a shoe the fits your foot rather the trying to cram your foot into a shoe that’s not right. If you have the opportunity to make it into one of our stores it is hugely beneficial to have a professional fit which is available in all of our 10 Torpedo7 store nationwide.
Hydration pack
A pack is something you don’t know you need until it’s too late and your mouth is drying up mid run. Ideal trail running packs are waist belts or lightweight 1L as they provide a minimalistic, mobile, effective solution to remaining hydrated.
Possible hydration gear options include:
- Camelbak’s waist pack: https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/CMHYPN5TH/title/camelbak-tahoe-waistpack—1-5l
- Salomon Sensibelt: https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/SNHYBN6SS/title/salomon-sensibelt
- Another option for those after a more versatile pack for longer missions and the smart extra gear approach. Salomon’s bigger pack may the best pick. Sporting a 3L reservoir and an additional 10L capacity for extras (rain jackets, Meals, maps, whatever else you need for the extra distance): https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/SNBGYN5SP/title/salomon-skin-pro-10l—3l-set-hydration-pack
Lightweight clothing
Minimalistic active wear is the way to go as it provides the mobility and breathability needed especially when summer runs are on the cards. Mesh panels are great additions to running clothing as they provide ventilation that will help circulate air to cool you down. Company’s such as Salomon and Marmot design gear that is tailored to the needs of a runner.
Food and Supplements
Snacks and being adequately fueled are essential to enjoying and performing on your run. Some tasty nutritious goods are: Gu chews & gels – Ems power cookies – Pure hydration range
Gu chews & gels, Ems power cookies and Pure hydration range
Where to Run
Here’s a little virtual guide showcasing a taste of what unreal terrain NZ has to offer. The video is a segment running Wharaiki from the film Kiwi Tracks. Which features Ultra-marathon runners Jason Schlarb and Jeremy Wolf travelling NZ exploring the best trails.
When searching for a range of good tracks, online is a good start. Check out: tracks.org.nz, doc.govt.nz
Free Apps in the trail running space that are well worth downloading are Mapmyrun and Strava.
Tracks recommended by the Torpedo7 community:Â Are listed at the bottom of the blog, make sure to have a browse through.
NZ Events
Here’s a few of NZ’s most demanding events to aspire to or put on the calendar.
Tarawera Ultra, Rotorua – 11th February 2017
This beautiful ultra course takes runners around four pristine lakes, through many forests and waterfalls. The event attracts over 1000 participants and draws in a large international field to complete in the world class event.
http://www.taraweraultra.co.nz/
Old ghost ultra, West Coast – 25th February 2017
This legendary run traverses the stunning 85km Old Ghost Road and with more than 2,600 metres of ascent, the Old Ghost Ultra offers competitors the ultimate test in backcountry running.
Routeburn Classic, Queenstown – 21st April 2017
The Routeburn classic is a race manoeuvring through the world renown Routeburn track. This serene location is home to unbelievable terrain ranging from native bush to an exposed alpine environment. If you get the opportunity to become one of the 350 lucky athletes the event allows, you’ll create memories that’ll be remembered for the rest of your life.
http://goodtimesevents.net/events/routeburn/
Motatupa Marathon, Wanaka – 4th March 2017
 
Motatapu’s off road marathon winds from Motatapu station (Wanaka) all the way through the crown range to end up in Arrowtown. This Enduro event tests competitors with numerous river crossing, hill climbs but promises to leave you awestruck with the views of the southern high country.
http://motatapu.com/motatapu-march-4th-2017-new-zealand/
T42, National Park – 6th May 2017
The T42 is an awesome event that includes several different distances to suit a variety of people, set in the picturesque Central Plateau this event is not to be missed.
NZ has some of the best scenery in the world but you already know that… get out there and enjoy. #seeyououtthere
Torpedo7 Community’s favourite trails around NZ, check them out!
Northland
Urquharts Bay to Oceans beach via Mt Lion
Mangawhai cliff top track
Cape Brett
Auckland
Okura Reserve
Mt Donald McLain from Karamatura track
Omanawanui Track
Okura Trails
Mangemangeroa Gorge – Auckland
Orewa to Whangaparaoa Peninsula
Exhibition drive
Beverage trail
Barisal trail
Rotary Walkway Farm Cove
Okura river walk
Cascade Kauri trails
Goldies Bush – Murawai
Okura Bush Walkway – Albany
Waharau Tracks
Coromandel
Broken Hills In Puketui Valley
Pinnacles track
Karangahake Gorge
The old Hikaui mine trails – Pauanui
Waikato
Waikato river trails
Hakarimata’s
Kauri loop
Waitomo walkway and trails
Mt Pirongia
Mount Maungatautari
Wairongomai valley Tracks – Te Aroha
Te Waihou walkway
Kakepuku track
Wairere falls
Pukemokemoke climb
Bay of Plenty
Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa forest
Waipa Trails
Redwoods
Papamoa Hills
The waterfall walk – McLaren Falls park
Tois Track loop – Whakatane
Eastern Okataina walkway
Western Okatina walkway
Waikareao Estuary – Tauranga
Kawa Kawa track – Taupo
Waihaha link track – Taupo
Waihi Beach to Orokawa Bay
Whakatane to Ohope track
Jubilee track in Rotorua
Okataina track
Central District
Old coach road – Ohakune
Tongariro Crossing
Mt Ngauruhoe
Tongariro River Trail Turangi
Marton Sash and Door Track – National Park
Track into top Maropea hut
Sledge track – Palmerston North
Waimarino plateau tracks
Manawatu gorge tracks
Arapuke Forest Park
Tupapakurua falls track
East Coast/Hawkes Bay
Sunrise Hut
Holt Forest – Napier/Wairoa Rd
Tangitoto trail
Wairoa Loop Track
Suspension Bridge Track
Te Mata Park
Pakihi Track – Motu trails
Taranaki
Mount Taranaki
Wanganui beach
Taranaki falls track
Wairarapa/ Wellington
Te Whiti Riser
Mt Vic
Holdsworth to Atiwhakatu hut
Aro Valley Trails
Mount Cooper – Titahi Bay, Porirua
Waiopehu hut trail
Rewanui Forest Park – Masterton
Hemi Matenga hill
Belmont Trig climb
Gums Loop – Wainuiomata
Te Raikehau point – Lyall Bay
Paekakariki Escarpment trail
Mt Holdsworth – Tararuas
Tasman/Malborough
The Snout – Picton
Dew Lakes – Nelson
Mt Angelus
Mt Cawte
Queens Charlotte track
Grampians walkway
Fyffe palmer track – Kaikoura
Kahurangi Tracks
Mt Arthur
Old Ghost Road trail
Abel Tasman
Canterbury
Broken River to Craigieburn trails
Rapaki track Christchurch
Lake Emily to Manuka hut
Brighton beach Sand dune trail
Rapaki Track
Ryde Falls – base of Mt Oxford
Motukarara to Little river
Conical Hill – Hamner springs
Wharfedale track, Oxford
Mt Aicken
Mt Richardson track
The hooker track – Mt Cook
Mount Thomas
Peel Forest tracks
Crater Rim walk
Packhorse
Mt Somers
Glentui Mt Richardson track
Godley Head track
Otehake hut track
Benmore Dam loop track
West Coast
Cape Foulwind tracks – Westport
Te Henga walkway
Charming Creek
Croeses track
Port Elizabeth – Greymouth
The fox glacier track
Otago
Mou Waho Island in Lake Wanaka
Lakeside track Goldfields Mining Centre to Pisa Moorings – Cromwell
Tracks around Naseby
Otago Central Rail Trail
Ben Lomond – Queenstown
Brewster Hut hike – Wanaka
Lake Hayes circuit
Clutha gold trail
Cameron Flat up to Aspiring Flats
Greenstone-Caples tracks
Glendhu bay track
Rob Roy track
Queenstown Hill
Wye Creek
Milford Sound tracks
Ross Creek – Dunedin
Millennium Track – Alexandra
Skyline traverse
West Wanaka station
Sawpit Gully
Southland
Mores Reserve coastal loop
Upper Waiau River walk
Catlins
Glory and Millennium tracks – Bluff
Kepler track
AUTHOR
Alex Murray
Marketing - Torpedo7
