Expert Gear Picks from Bennett Levine

    Expert endurance sports gear recommendations from Bennett Levine, Backcountry Skier and Trail Runner, based in Durango, CO.

    Bennett Levine's Go to Gear

    Simply put these are the items I regularly use

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Terignota Men's Sendero Short — Efficient, comfortable and reliable. Phone, gels/snacks, 500ml flask, car keys, headphone case. And above all else AFFORDABLE - I'm obsessed. Even if I am not using the storage, I will still use them under a belt.

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Salomon Salomon Active Handheld Water Bottle — Great for minimalist outings, can stuff into a belt or shorts when empty. Great as a filter flask.

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Salomon S/LAB QST ECHO — Daily driver do it all back country ski. From waist deep days in Colorado to crust in Iceland, this ski can handle it all. Slap on some MTN's and it's the only ski you need.

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Salomon Salomon S​/Lab MTN Alpine Touring Ski Boots 2024 — Discontinued but still loved. My only boot for the last 7 years.

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Raide Raide LF 2L Running Belt

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Raide Research LF 2L — Been rocking this belt since it's first iteration. Many miles and wear, still holding up. I modified it by adding 3 buttons to the belt to max out carry capacity. Pricey but gets the job done. If I'm avoiding my vest, I'm bring my Raide LF 2L

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Salomon S/LAB GENESIS — Go to shoe last summer and part of my rotation this year. Wore them for 80 miles during SJ Softie 25. Great versatility support and protection. Bonus they like to go fast.

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Bedrock Sandals Cairn Evo Sandals — My favorite footwear for the last 9 years and I still have my original pair. So comfortable and adjustable makes it functional for any footing. I love my bedrocks!

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Salomon ADV SKIN 5 — Great vest, I like to use this for added hydration on warm days or longer fun runs. Also nice for races.

    • Bennett Levine recommends the Salomon SENSE AERO STOW 5" — Daily shorts for years. I typically have my phone when I run and can always fit in these shorts. New are the gel pickets which also function for airpod case, keys or whatever you may need to fit.

    Rendezvu
    Bennett Levine
    If you keep going up hill, you'll never get over the hill

    Bennett Levine

    Backcountry Skier and Trail Runner
    Bennett Levine
    If you keep going up hill, you'll never get over the hill

    Bennett Levine

    Backcountry Skier and Trail Runner
    Bennett, photo 1 of 2
    Bennett, photo 2 of 2

    About Bennett

    I’m a Midwest transplant that has built a life in the mountains of Colorado. After more than a decade living in the high country, I recently relocated to Durango, where I spend my free time playing in the San Juan's. I’m drawn to gear that performs consistently in real-world conditions, especially equipment designed with efficiency, simplicity, and a minimal approach in mind.

    Details

    DisciplineEndurance Sports
    SpecialityTrail running, Backcountry Skiing
    LocationDurango, CO
    JoinedApr 2026

    Highlights

    013rd place 2022 Grand Mesa 50 Miler
    027th place finish 2025 San Juan Softie 100 Miler
    03Skiing in Alaska and Iceland
    ULTRA GLIDE 4
    Salomon · $160ULTRA GLIDE 4
    Bennett“Comfortable tacky and surprisingly nimble given the cushion. I have been running in this version more than any other shoe this year.”
    Men's Sendero Short
    Terignota · $42Men's Sendero Short
    Bennett“Efficient, comfortable and reliable. Phone, gels/snacks, 500ml flask, car keys, headphone case. And above all else AFFORDABLE - I'm obsessed. Even if I am not using the storage, I will still use them under a belt.”
    Salomon Active Handheld Water Bottle
    Salomon · $30Salomon Active Handheld Water Bottle
    Bennett“Great for minimalist outings, can stuff into a belt or shorts when empty. Great as a filter flask.”
    S/LAB QST ECHO
    Salomon · $900S/LAB QST ECHO
    Bennett“Daily driver do it all back country ski. From waist deep days in Colorado to crust in Iceland, this ski can handle it all. Slap on some MTN's and it's the only ski you need.”
    Salomon S​/Lab MTN Alpine Touring Ski Boots 2024
    Salomon · $320Salomon S​/Lab MTN Alpine Touring Ski Boots 2024
    Bennett“Discontinued but still loved. My only boot for the last 7 years.”
    Raide LF 2L Running Belt
    Raide · $149Raide LF 2L Running Belt
    LF 2L
    Raide Research · $219LF 2L
    Bennett“Been rocking this belt since it's first iteration. Many miles and wear, still holding up. I modified it by adding 3 buttons to the belt to max out carry capacity. Pricey but gets the job done. If I'm avoiding my vest, I'm bring my Raide LF 2L”
    S/LAB GENESIS
    Salomon · $200S/LAB GENESIS
    Bennett“Go to shoe last summer and part of my rotation this year. Wore them for 80 miles during SJ Softie 25. Great versatility support and protection. Bonus they like to go fast.”
    Cairn Evo Sandals
    Bedrock Sandals · $166Cairn Evo Sandals
    Bennett“My favorite footwear for the last 9 years and I still have my original pair. So comfortable and adjustable makes it functional for any footing. I love my bedrocks!”
    ADV SKIN 5
    Salomon · $145ADV SKIN 5
    Bennett“Great vest, I like to use this for added hydration on warm days or longer fun runs. Also nice for races.”
    SENSE AERO STOW 5"
    Salomon · $56SENSE AERO STOW 5"
    Bennett“Daily shorts for years. I typically have my phone when I run and can always fit in these shorts. New are the gel pickets which also function for airpod case, keys or whatever you may need to fit.”
    High Carb Fuel
    Tailwind Nutrition · $4High Carb Fuel
    Bennett“I love the lemonade flavor. Efficient and tasty.”