The Ultralight Trail Running Essentials of 2015

Published May 14, 2015 12:00AM

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles

For stream crossings, talus traverses, and other challenging terrain, these ten-ounce collapsible poles ($160) are a godsend. The rest of the time, they’re so incredibly light that you’ll hardly notice that they’re stashed in your pack. blackdiamondequipment.com

Salomon S-Lab Adv Skin3 12Set pack

This smartly constructed pack ($185) can tote everything on this page securely (including the poles) and comes with two 500-milliliter front flasks and a handy safety blanket. salomon.com

Petzl Tikka R+ headlamp

While it feels a touch harsh on a bare brow, the 4.1-ounce Tikka ($80) is still our lightweight torch of choice for evening and dawn-patrol missions, thanks to its brilliant 170-lumen flood and the ingenious auto-dim feature when you point it at your feet. petzl.com

Outdoor Research Helium II jacket

This 6.4-ounce, highly packable waterproof shell ($125) is a minimalist bunker that offers serious squall protection without the weight penalty of everyday shells. outdoorresearch.com

The North Face Better Than Naked jacket

You can’t get a suppler soft shell than the four-ounce Better Than Naked ($130). It’s the perfect light-duty layer on mountain missions when temperatures won’t drop below freezing. thenorthface.com

The North Face Better Than Naked short-sleeve shirt

Soft polyester, welded seams, and rapid-dry panels on the back and under the pits make this our new favorite next-to-skin layer ($50). thenorthface.com

Patagonia Houdini pants

These water-resistant pants ($99) are insurance in case of downpours. Nice: snaps on the ankles for easy on and off. patagonia.com

Wigwam Rebel Fusion Quarter II socks

You can’t save much weight on socks, so go for comfort. The Rebel Fusion ($13) offers an inner liner of lofty olefin and an outer layer of nylon and merino. It wicks sweat and pads your feet for long miles. wigwam.com

Adidas Outdoor Terrex Agravic shorts

For those who choose not to rock microshorts (i.e., most of us) there are the Agravics ($110), which have a 9.5-inch inseam. Just as important, they’re made of Pertex Equilibrium, which means they dry almost instantly and weigh just 2.3 ounces. adidas.com