Choosing the right pair of trail shoes and equipment can be equally fun as frustrating. There are so many brands available and such a wide variety of terrain and conditions on offer to run or walk that buying the right equipment for your feet and body can make people nervous. Among the many things to consider are things like, distances you train, frequency of training, terrain you run/walk over, your body-weight, running gait, injury history, are you training to go further or faster than before? etc. The list goes on… Weather it’s something to get you off the couch and enjoy the incredible scenery of New Zealand, your first half marathon or maybe even an Ultra Marathon we can put you in the best gear. At Torpedo7 we have a great range of footwear, socks, nutrition, and apparel options available to suit nearly everyone. Brands such as Salomon, HOKA ONE ONE, Inov8, Merrell and The North Face are some of the dominant and most popular shoes out on the trails around the world and between them you will find options for heavy mud conditions, hard dry trails, low profile – low drop to higher more cushioned options.

• Want something for the mud? Highly cushioned shoes? We got em! Got a history of repetitive injuries? Need it light and fast? Our staff will help you narrow down the choices towards finding a great pair of new shoes.

How about what socks and running gear is best? Again, this can be the very core of a 2 – 3 hour conversation over a post run hydration session but to simplify it the most, there are really only 2 things to consider first. After that, it comes down to your own individual preference.

• Do you prefer Merino or Synthetic? Both have advantages and disadvantages and there are an equal amount of people who will swear 1 is better than the other. We stock Merino socks from Smartwool and Icebreaker and Synthetic socks such as Thorlo as well as others. Once you establish which fabric you prefer it really comes down to how much cushioning you like in your socks, and how long you want them to come up your legs.

The one thing that is undisputed is the need for a good quality rain jacket. Don’t skimp here, buy it right the first time and you’ll be a happy runner for years. The last thing you want is to be caught out in the middle of the bush in terrible conditions with a jacket that is leaking because you didn’t get a seam sealed waterproof jacket. There is a significant difference between “weatherproof” and “waterproof”, ask your staff member for the best option for your purpose. Brands such as Marmot, The North Face, Salomon and our own Torpedo7 rain jackets give you a great range of waterproof ratings, a variety of weights, pack down sizes and prices. Don’t forget your nutrition and hydration! We have a huge selection of ‘on-the-go’ nutrition and hydration from brands such as GU, Clif, SiS, Em’s Cookies, Pure Sports Nutrition and many others. There’s also a great range of hydration packs from Salomon, Camelbak and Torpedo7 to store all your new gear. Check out online or ask a staff member in-store for more options.

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