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With summer in full swing, REI has the trail-running essentials for an epic day in the mountains. Whether you’re running the rocky terrain of New Hampshire’s Presidential Traverse in the Salomon Speedcross 6 or navigating the remote Colorado Trail in the San Juan Mountains with the Garmin Forerunner 970, REI has you covered.

Below, we’ve paired four routes throughout the United States with specific trail-running gear from REI that will help you tackle one or more of these unforgettable destination runs.

Kings Peak, Utah

The Route

For those seeking a high-altitude adventure, running to Kings Peak in Utah’s Uinta Mountains is sure to be an epic trip. At nearly 26 miles and with more than 4,200 feet of elevation gain, the route is for serious trail runners who want to reach and experience the beauty of Utah’s highest point.

The out-and-back route starts and finishes at Henry’s Fork trailhead before going through Gunsight Pass at 11,891 feet above sea level, dropping for a couple of miles, and then climbing 3.5 miles to Anderson Pass at 12,800 feet of elevation.

Then the real fun begins: a 1.5-mile climb up to the summit of Kings Peak, featuring no shortage of boulder hopping. The view from the top makes it all worth it.

The Gear

Altra Olympus 7

A long day in the Utah mountains requires a shoe that’s comfortable, well-cushioned, and rugged enough to handle whatever the trail throws at you. Enter the Altra Olympus 7. With Altra’s classic zero-drop geometry and FootShape fit, the Olympus molds to your foot’s natural contours, making it a comfortable companion for the multi-hour run up Kings Peak. The shoe also features 33 millimeters of EGO MAX foam, the brand’s premium foam that offers a bouncy, max-cushioned ride, protecting your feet for hours on end. Finally, the Olympus has a Vibram^® Megagrip outsole, one of the best and grippiest compounds on the market that’s trusted by many for long adventures through the mountains. When you need to hop through the boulders on the ascent to Kings Peak, you will appreciate this top-tier outsole.

REI Co-op Swiftland Running Apparel

A good pair of shorts is also a must-have on a trail run like this one. The REI Co-op Swiftland 2-in-1 Running Shorts for women and REI Co-op Swiftland 7″ Running Shorts for men will keep you comfortable and well-stocked for the long haul. Both shorts feature the featherlight O2Grid fabric, a recycled nylon/spandex blend that’s stretchy, breathable, and quick-drying. They also contain ample pockets for storage of keys, phones, gels, and anything else you need to carry on your trek up to Kings Peak — and internal waist drawcords to secure the fit.

Colorado Trail from Stony Pass to Molas Pass, Colorado

The Route

The Colorado Trail likely needs no introduction. The 567-mile trail from Waterton Canyon outside of Denver to Durango is one of the most scenically stunning footpaths in the country, and this section of it — Segment 24 between Stony Pass and Molas Pass — is no exception.

Starting at the Stony Pass trailhead, this nearly 21-mile segment features 3,530 feet of elevation gain and the expected dose of sweeping vistas, panoramic treelines, and postcard-level scenery through the San Juan National Forest. It’s a point-to-point trail that offers some respite from other sections of the Colorado Trail, as even with 3,500-plus feet of elevation gain, it’s relatively flat compared to other segments, though it does feature a stout climb up to Molas Pass at the end. Again, it will be worth it.

The Gear

Hoka Stinson 8

A runnable section of trail like this requires a shoe that can move, and the Hoka Stinson 8 fits the bill. An update of the brand’s max-cushion stability trail shoe, the Stinson 8 is the lightest version of the shoe yet and features a new bottom midsole layer for softer landings while still featuring ample cushion underfoot (44 millimeters of stack in the heel for a U.S. men’s 10). It also contains an enhanced H-frame in the midsole that encourages smooth transitions and increased stability, while the 3.5-millimeter lugs have been repatterned to run more smoothly.

Garmin Forerunner 970

This segment of trail is also highly remote, so a GPS watch like the Garmin Forerunner 970 will help keep you on the right path. Featuring Garmin’s best AMOLED touch-screen display, this watch is both visually striking and incredibly practical. The Forerunner 970 has multiband GPS, meaning it retains strong accuracy even on remote trails like this one, and built-in full-color maps that help you stay on track during your run. Add in a built-in speaker, microphone, and flashlight, and this watch has everything you need for a long, fun day on the Colorado Trail. Learn more about this watch with our full Garmin Forerunner 970 review.

Presidential Traverse, New Hampshire

The Route

Back east, the Presidential Traverse offers a beautiful, rugged route through New Hampshire’s White Mountains, summiting several of New England’s tallest and most historic peaks. Traveling north to south, the trail starts at the boundary of the White Mountain National Forest before climbing more than 8,000 feet across 18-plus miles.

On your journey south, you will climb Mount Madison, Mount Adams, Mount Clay, Mount Washington, Mount Monroe, Mount Franklin, Mount Eisenhower, and Mount Pierce, encountering no shortage of steep, rocky climbs and quintessential New England scenery. For trail runners seeking maximum adventure on the U.S. East Coast, the Presidential Traverse is a must-run.

Do note that the weather on the high peaks of the White Mountains is notoriously rough, and this full route should only be traveled on decent weather days.

The Gear

Salomon Speedcross 6

The Salomon Speedcross 6 is the perfect shoe for the rugged Presidential Traverse. With mud-shedding 5-millimeter lugs and an updated Contagrip rubber outsole, this shoe is built for technicality. When you’re running through the rocks and mud of this trail, the Speedcross’ legendary grip will keep you stable and attached to the trail, while its classic EnergyCell+ midsole will provide ample bounce and cushion for your multi-hour effort through the peaks. Add in a locked-in upper and Salomon’s one-pull lacing system, and this shoe will be a worthy companion for your journey through the New England wilderness. See our Salomon Speedcross 6 review for more.

REI Co-op Swiftland Running Apparel

In addition to a shoe that can handle the terrain, you’ll need a shirt that can handle the weather. The REI Co-op Swiftland Grid Running Top for women and the REI Co-op Swiftland Grid Running T-Shirt for men are both light, airy shirts that will keep you comfortable through the humidity. Both are made from a bluesign-approved fabric that is a combination of nylon and spandex designed to shed moisture, dry quickly, and breathe well throughout your run. And at 3.5 ounces for the men’s shirt and 2.8 ounces for the women’s, both are impossibly lightweight tops that will keep you cool for your run on the Presidential Traverse.

Highline Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana

The Route

The historic beauty of Glacier National Park is well-documented, and this trail will allow you to experience its grandeur on an 11.6-mile point-to-point excursion past the iconic Granite Park Chalet. Starting at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, this route takes you the length of the classic Highline Trail, with 1,410 feet of elevation gain, stunning views, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife like mountain goats, grizzly bears, and bighorn sheep.

Along the way, you’ll pass Granite Park Chalet, a 100-plus-year-old lodge and National Historic Landmark that’s been offering backcountry accommodations since its inception. Unless you’re one of the very lucky few who’ve snagged a reservation to sleep here, stop to savor a snack and the view, and then continue downhill to the Granite Park trailhead on a winding ribbon of singletrack.

You simply can’t miss the extra 1.5-mile out-and-back to the absolutely stunning Grinnell Glacier Overlook along the way. It’s steep, but it offers a truly bucket-list view.

The Gear

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 5

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 5 is a shoe that performs on a variety of terrains, making it a perfect option for your journey in Glacier National Park. You’ll want a shoe that’s comfortable for nearly 12 miles, of course, so you’ll love Topo’s signature roomy toebox and locked-in fit throughout the heel and midfoot. Topo also reinforced the mesh upper of this shoe for extra durability, and with lots of ZipFoam cushion — 35 millimeters in the heel — you’ll have a smooth ride underfoot. And at the bottom, the Vibram^® XS Trek EVO outsole lets you transition seamlessly between surfaces, so you can focus on the pristine wilderness around you.

REI Co-op Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest

For your trek along the famed Highline Trail, you’ll be able to carry your gear and other essentials in the REI Co-op Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest. With a total storage capacity of five liters and a liquid capacity of 1.5 liters, this vest will keep you fueled for the whole run. REI tested it extensively to optimize its comfort and fit, with a compression system providing adjustability throughout the chest and torso. It features five exterior pockets for stashing everything from phones to keys to gels, and an easily integrated reservoir for carrying water efficiently. Add it all up, and you get a pack suited for a true adventure in the mountains.

[Editor’s Note: This article is sponsored by REI. Thank you to the brand for its sponsorship of iRunFar, which helps to make iRunFar happen and free for all to enjoy. Learn more about our sponsored articles.]

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