Trail Gear You Didn't Think You Needed... But You're Wrong - Jeffrey Hammond
These are the trail running accessories and tools that have earned a permanent place in my pack, drop bags, or recovery routine. Some seem unnecessary until you're deep into a long run, dealing with tired feet, sore muscles, or unexpected trail problems. From race-day essentials to recovery tools, this is the gear that has helped me stay comfortable, keep moving, and enjoy the adventure a little more.d gear collection
Jeffrey Hammond's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
Products in this list
- Crew Drop One by SILO — The Silo Crew Drop One Bag is one of those pieces of gear I never knew I needed until I started using it—and now I can't imagine race day without it. I use four different bags, each with its own color and purpose, to keep everything organized and easy to find when fatigue sets in. Yellow is for power banks and charging gear, pink is for medications and first aid items, blue is for cold-weather layers, and black is for general gear and essentials. Whether I'm crewing, pacing, or running an ultra, these bags eliminate the chaos of digging through bins and backpacks looking for what I need. Simple, durable, and incredibly functional, this has become one of my favorite pieces of trail gear. Honestly, it's one of the best organizational tools I've found for ultrarunning.
- Dry Drop 10L Dry Bag by SILO — The Silo Dry Bag is a simple piece of gear that can save your day when the weather turns or conditions get messy. I use it to keep extra layers, socks, electronics, and other essentials dry during long adventures and races. It's also perfect for organizing drop bags out on the course, giving me confidence that my gear will be protected from rain, mud, aid station chaos, or whatever else race day throws at me. Lightweight, durable, and incredibly useful, it's one of those items that doesn't get much attention until the moment you're really glad you brought it.
- ULTRATRAIL FX.ONE SUPERLITE by Leki — (I own two pair) These poles are one of the best investments you can make if your races or adventures involve serious climbing. They help take stress off your back and legs, improve efficiency on long ascents, and give you extra power when the terrain gets steep. As a foot and ankle specialist, I also appreciate the added stability they provide on technical trails. The extra points of contact can help improve balance, reduce fatigue-related missteps, and decrease the risk of rolling an ankle when the trail gets rough. They're incredibly lightweight, pack down easily, and have become a must-have piece of gear for my longer mountain races. Once you learn how to use poles effectively, it's hard to imagine tackling big climbs without them.
- Roll Drop by SILO — The Silo Roll Drop is one of my favorite organization tools for race day and long adventures. It works great on its own, but it also fits perfectly inside a Crew Drop One Bag alongside a pair of shoes, making it easy to create a complete aid station or drop bag setup. I use mine as a dedicated foot care kit, stocked with tape, padding, scissors, blister supplies, ointments, and all the little essentials that always seem to get lost at the bottom of a bag. The roll-up design keeps everything organized, easy to find, and ready when you need it most. If you're tired of digging through piles of gear looking for one small item, this is a simple solution that makes a big difference.
- Shoe dryer - Dryer Bag Cedar Wood by Sidas — The Sidas Cedar Shoe Dryer Bag is one of those hidden gems that most runners don't know about—but once you start using it, you'll wonder how you lived without it. Think of it as a cedar closet for your shoes. It helps absorb moisture, reduce odors, and keep your shoes fresh between runs. I especially love it for ultrarunning and multi-day adventures. After a wet run or a long section of a race, I'll toss it into my shoes while they're sitting in a drop bag or crew area so they're drier and more comfortable when it's time to put them back on. It's a simple product, but it makes a surprisingly big difference in keeping your gear ready for the next adventure. Easily one of my favorite secret weapon products.
