Spring is a fickle season in New England, so versatility is the key when I’m heading out on the trail or for a run.
On a cold day I’m wearing Brooks Source Tights underneath Nathan Front Runner Shorts. The lightweight Ibex Indie Hoodie is good as a single layer for 40ish and higher. Anything below that and I’ll add another layer on top. And on my feet are the just-released Swiftwick Flite XT Trail Five socks.
I’m 5 feet, 10 inches, 162 pounds, and size large fits me for all the clothes. I wear a size 12 shoe and the large-size socks fit.
Ibex Indie Hoodie
The Indie is my go-to first layer for hiking and running. I wore it in winter as a base layer, and appreciate the almost-invisible sleeve thumbholes that make it easy to pull on a midweight layer. Now that it’s warmer the Indie is often my sole layer.
The merino wool fabric traps heat without drenching me in sweat. The high collar holds in my body warmth when the quarter-length zipper is pulled all the way up, and when I pull up the hood I’ve got total protection from the cold and wind. When I get too hot, sliding down the zipper cools me off.
I also like the feel of the non-itch nerino wool and flatlock stitching against my skin.
Best Use: Sole layer on warm spring and fall days, base layer when the weather turns colder.
Material: Merino wool from Australia and New Zealand.
MSRP: $170
Swiftwick Flite XT Trail Five
The Flite XT Trail socks are a new addition to Swiftwick’s collection of socks, all made in the United States. Bonus for that.
The mid-height Flite XT Trail Five socks have medium cushion, and I’ve worn them with stiff winter boots, running shoes, and trail runners. They’re comfortable for all three uses.
Extra padding in the heel and forefoot keep my feet from shifting in shoes, and gives my feet extra cush as they land and push off. The merino wool uppers and Olefin (a high-performance green fabric) footbed wick moisture and keep my feet from overheating.
And there’s no toe seam to irritate my feet, a huge plus because the toenail on my big toe is still growing back after a rock pounding on trail last fall.
I’m going to be getting a lot of use out of these socks.
Best Use: Wear them anywhere your feet will go. There’s also a calf-height Flite XT Trail Two ($23.99).
Material: A blend of nylon, merino wool, Olefin, polyester, and spandex.
MSRP: $26.99
Nathan Front Runner Shorts
These are light, barely-know-you’re-wearing-them shorts, and I wear them with and without tights underneath. The stretchy waistband hugs my hips, keeping the shorts from slipping toward my knees under the downward pressure of a pack hipbelt. A drawstring gives additional insurance against slippage.
The liner is solid, breathes easily, and fits my thighs like compression shorts. Best of all? Smooth, flatlock seams against my inner thighs, and no chafe.
The Front Runner outside side zipper pocket nestles on the side of my thigh, meaning that my phone in the pocket hangs steady, and doesn’t bounce against the front of my leg during a run. Two small pockets on the outer sides of the liner are good for holding a phone, a snack bar, or a dog cookie to feed the neighbor’s dog on my runs.
Best Use: I wear shorts over tights when the weather is cool, and shorts alone as the temperature climbs.
Material: Outer short, nylon and polyester; inner short, polyester and elastane (similar to spandex).
MSRP: $55
Brooks Source Tight
These stretchy, leg-hugging tights keep me warm while hiking or running on cool days. The flat seams are smooth against my legs, and the stretchy waistband hugs my waist just enough to keep the tights from slipping down. I only tie the drawstring when I’m carrying a pack, just to be sure the tights don’t slip down under pressure from the hipbelt.
Two flat-seam side pockets can hold a phone or a key securely to the side of your thigh.
Best Use: Cool days on trail or for a run.
Material: The Source Tights are made from DriLayer HorsePower polyester and spandex.
MSRP: $75
The clothing was donated for purposes of review.