Hydration Pack: Trails And Running Tips
A hydration pack for running the trails can be an incredibly useful addition to your outdoor
adventure. However, it’s always important to sport a hydration pack that best fits you. No matter how beautiful or enjoyable the route is, the wrong hydration pack can quickly put a damper on the whole experience. Getting a hydration pack from Ultimate Direction is a surefire way to secure high-quality products that last.
In this quick read, we’ll be covering some top tips and tricks to help you out on your next trail run, as well as how the right hydration pack can make the world of a difference in terms of outdoor adventuring. Along with some quick and easy-to-implement tips to make the most of your time on the trails, we will also take a look at a couple of must-try trails around South Africa.
Hydration Pack: Running Tips
A few simple tips can go a long way when it comes to making your trail running that much more enjoyable. Here, at Ultimate Direction, we understand the importance of great gear and strive to provide the best-of-the-best products to assist you when taking to the trails. Keep reading as we take a look at some useful trail running tips and tricks as well as how Ultimate Direction can help you make the most of your next outdoor adventure.
1. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of any type of exercise and trail running is no exception. Isolated, long runs can make access to any type of hydration tricky. Luckily, there are numerous ways to circumnavigate this little snag.
At Ultimate Direction, we offer numerous options to make staying hydrated as simple and as convenient as possible. A hydration pack, running vest, or utility belt can be the optimal tool for staying hydrated during long runs out in the wilderness. It’s a convenient, comfortable, and practical solution for staying hydrated and storing other necessities that you might need on your run. Take a look at our range of hydration packs, running vests, or comfort belts to make staying hydrated on your next run that much easier.
2. Get The Right Gear
With any leisure activity, having the right gear is key to getting the most out of it, both from an enjoyment aspect and that of safety – and trail running is no different. Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner or an absolute novice, having the right gear can easily elevate your overall experience. Over and above a good hydration pack, running requires a few other essentials to safely take to the trails.
- Trail Running Shoes: Trail running shoes are uniquely designed to offer traction, support, and comfort for the rugged and mostly inconsistent terrain that you will face on running trails. They differ from conventional road-running shoes in that the soles have lugs and more aggressive tread to provide grip and offer durability.
- Sun Protection: Trail running means that you’re out in the open and exposed to the elements for excessive lengths of time. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause irreversible skin damage, and premature ageing, and can increase the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, the importance of equipping yourself with a good hat and sunscreen when you hit the trails cannot be stressed enough.
- Clothing: Appropriate clothing is another aspect that is imperative for maximum trail running enjoyment. South African weather can range from intense heat in the summer to severe cold in the winter and you will inevitably face both extremes with some rain in between. It’s essential to choose activewear that is lightweight, breathable, and able to wick moisture (sweat and rain) while protecting you from the elements.
3. Watch Your Footing – Always
Being in and among nature and the outdoors is a big draw in terms of trail running. There is nothing quite like the beautiful scenery of a mountain backdrop or ocean view. However, the scenes can easily become a distraction while out on a trail which could lead to accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. When running, keep your eyes on the trail and focus on the route. If you want to enjoy the views, take a breather or slow down to a stride.
4. Follow Trail Etiquette/Rules
More often than not, trail running will take place in a susceptible wilderness environment, where several runners will share the space at the same time. As such, there are customs and etiquette to follow when you take to the trails to keep everyone – including mother nature, happy at all times.
While trail etiquette and rules may vary from area to area and trail to trail, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the route rules before you take that first stride. That said, some general customs tend to stay the same no matter where you go:
- Leave No Trace: Preserving the wilderness is widely considered the single most important thing you have to do while out on the trails. Always leave the area in the same way you found it – or better. This means no littering. Keep a small ziplock bag with you for all your wrappers of gels and energy bars you may consume along the way.
- Yield: If you’re a slower runner, it’s a good idea to adhere to this road rule - keep left where you can for others to pass you on the right. If there is a large pack of runners behind you, stepping off the route completely will most likely grant you gratitude from your fellow runners.
- Passing: If you’re a faster runner, you too have a responsibility. Announce your presence and indicate that you would like to pass. Generally, saying “passing right” does the trick and a “thanks” when you’ve made the pass. There’s no need to sneak up on anyone and it’s best to always be patient.
- Stay On The Trail: Stick to designated trails and avoid cutting switchbacks or creating new paths. This not only helps to protect the environment and prevent unwanted erosion; it is also the best way to not get lost.
5. Learn To Navigate
Speaking of getting lost, navigation can save lives. A GPS device can keep you on the right track or get you back on it if you’ve accidentally veered off in the wrong direction. However, knowing how to read a map and use a compass are skills that simply cannot be replaced by any gadget. If you can, always keep a physical map of the area you plan to visit, along with a compass in your hydration pack; running will prove to be much less stressful.
6. Be Prepared For Emergencies
Accidents can and do happen to even the most experienced runners. If you’re out on a trail, be sure to carry a basic first aid kit that consists of all the necessities that will ensure that you’d be able to attend to the injuries you might face with a fall. Bandages, antiseptic wipes, electrolytes, safety pins, painkillers, and a whistle are all some examples of items you might need when you or a fellow runner run into trouble.
7. Listen To Your Body
If you’re new to trail running or find yourself in a groove, it can be easy to overdo things. If your body is telling you that it’s hurting or tired, it’s best to give it a rest to recover before hitting the trails again. We know it can be tough to sit on the sidelines when you’re enjoying an activity, but giving your body the necessary time to recover in the short term is the best way to keep it going for the long term.
8. Take In the Scenery
As we’ve mentioned before, being one with nature is one of the biggest lures to taking up trail running. Setting goals and trying to achieve them is part of the allure of running too, though that shouldn’t be all that it’s about, at least not for the hobbyist runner. Don’t forget to stop and smell the fynbos every now and again – safely!
Hydration Pack: Running Trails For Your Bucket List
It’s no secret that South Africa is an absolute haven for trail running. No matter where in the country you might find yourself, there is a good chance that you won’t be more than a short drive away from a quality trail. Runners and hikers are well and truly spoiled for choice when it comes to seeking their next adventure. So, get your hydration pack ready and add our must-try routes to your bucket list:
1. Table Mountain National Park
We know, technically, it is not a route... But the Table Mountain National Park is such a fortress of quality trails that picking just one would be a near-impossible task. So, if you make your way out to this side of Mzansi, any one of the following trails will make the trek worth it:
- Platteklip Gorge – rocky and steep all the way up, but oh-so-worth-it for the view.
- Cecilia Waterfall – beautiful and shady; makes it an ideal challenge on a warm day.
- Kasteelspoort – one of the many ways to ascend the mountain; this one takes you past a few of the 12 Apostles with breathtaking views of the Atlantic to take your mind off the slight difficulty.
- Pipe Track – a rocky route that follows the contour of Table Mountain and gorgeous views of Camps Bay.
- Newlands Forest – a lovely loop trail that’s as fun as it is lush and tranquil.
2. Krokodilberg Route
Just outside of Pretoria and not even an hour’s drive from the heart of the Johannesburg skyline lies another sanctuary of great trail-running routes worth a visit. One of them is the Krokodilberg Route which makes up one-third of the Hennops Trails.
Though moderately challenging, it’s a fun trail that includes numerous river crossings, suspension bridges, and many historical sites from the Anglo-Boer War. There is also the famous “Pruimpie se Gat” to see as well as traces of old ovens where lime was mined from the dolomites. This is a route well worth putting on your bucket list for when you’re in the area.
3. Tugela Gorge Trail
The Tugela Gorge Trail attracts runners and hikers from all over the world and for good reason! It’s one of the best one-day trails the country has to offer. Not only do you have the mighty Drakensberg Amphitheatre in full view all along the way, or even peaks at the second-highest waterfall in the world, but absolutely gorgeous scenery of mountains and valleys too.
The trail is flat but rather long. However, every bend rewards you with new views more impressive and beautiful than the last. The route is strewed with breathtaking scenery that more than makes up for the crowds you might face.
4. Lynx Loop
The Lowveld is arguably one of the most under-utilised destinations for trail running in South Africa – and not by any fault of its own. It’s a far drive from anywhere in the country and doesn’t come with as much appeal as the other so-called “tourist” hubs. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less deserving of praise and Lynx Loop is one of the best reasons to make the trip.
The trail’s magnificence can not be fully captured in pictures and can only truly be appreciated on the route itself. It’s challenging but enjoyable and rewards the undertaker with spectacular views of the Skurweberg Mountains as a backdrop. You’ll also appreciate a series of waterfalls and various rock pools as a welcome distraction from the difficulty.
5. Black Elephant Trail
You can’t have a trail running bucket list without mentioning the garden route and, much like Table Mountain National Park, it’s near-impossible to pick a single route over another to feature here. However, if we’re pressed to make a decision, it would be Black Elephant.
Black Elephant is one of three “Elephant” trails in the Diepwalle that is a picturesque delight in every sense of the word. The route is moderately simple as far as trail running challenges are concerned and is peppered with forestry bush, woodcutter trails, and larger-than-life yellowwood and stinkwood trees.
Hydration Pack: Running South African Trails
Now that you know what you need for your next trail run, make sure that you kit yourself out with Ultimate Direction apparel so you can take on the best South African trails in style – and hydrated! Take a look through our online catalogue and find the ideal hydration vest to fit your needs.
