Found you through your Garmin Fenix review. Turns out that was a gateway drug as I've just binged about 2-3 hours of vids. Love finding running content that isn't dry and boring.

Top tips there. My tip for the car at the end is a large garden plastic tub. Works for open water swimming, triathlon, trail running, all the fun things where I finish with wet mucky kit. Just dump it all in the tub, protects the car and just carry it indoors when I get home, no dripping on the hall floor and getting in trouble!

Favourite KZfaqr at the moment. Keep it up mate ☝🏼

I have just started trail running and found this video one of the more informative and practical ones with great tips. Thanks

Thanks for the great video Mark, I also prefer trail running to road. Look forward to the next video 👍

Really enjoying all your content. Keep up the great work 👍🏻

Great tips, well explained and presented with a good dose of humour. Very enjoyable. Especially about the dog!

This was brilliant. Mark you are fab. Make me chuckle but gives me so much advice at the same time. Thank you.

Hi Mark, I like your no BS approach to presenting videos. It is refreshing. Please keep up the great work.

Your channel is exploding. Amazing!!! Keep it up. Greatly enjoy your content! 👊👊👊

This video is so informative and easy to watch/learn. I am a long-time follower and watched almost all videos but this is for some reason my favourite. I bought forerunner 245 recently and you had a slight effect on that :) thank you for the great content.

Just started doing trail running more regular, I got a garmin forerunner 55 as a starting point, a caribee hotshot minipack, currently using a old pair of asics trail running shoes. Thanks for the video prob one of the best I have seen

Hi Mark. Great video and nicely delivered. Just a thought but I also take a lightweight (titanium) trowel for those rare occasions when the old bread basket has a meltdown. Far better than leaving other trail users an unpleasant surprise. Oh and some lovely quilted loo roll as a treat! 😊

Keep it up man! This was super helpful and informative

Nailed it mate. DIfferent trail shoes for the conditions is the second best tip, right behind safety.

Saucony Peregrine's turned up this afternoon after a misplaced order from the store. So taken 2 weeks to get here. So looking forward to getting out in them on the trials. Have a running best, whistle, emergency blanket and 1st aid kit all prepared for longer runs. Might just give them a quick spin in the woods behind the house tomorrow. Amazing content on all videos (must be old as video always brings back memories of vhs or betamax) keep it up as it is funny, entertaining and thought provoking.

I just love the dog! He's a champ!

LOved this video. Fun, concise. no crap.

This was super-helpful - thanks!

Good Vid Mark and some useful advice. I always take a mylar blanket when running, or hiking in remote areas after breaking my ankle on ice a few years back. It immediatly stopped me from being able to generate heat by moving and I nearly froze to death (I exagerate for effect :) ) on the hobble back home. Only just over a quater of a mile, but took about an hour. I'd forgotten my phone so couldnt call, and didnt realise the damage I'd done so thought limping home was a good option. (it wasnt). By the time I'd got home, the adrenaline was beginning to wear off and I was pretty much imobile. If that had happened in a more remote area, hypothermia was a cert. So my mylar always comes with me. Oh yeah, and I also only use my phone as a phone on the trails for exactly the same reason. I need it to work as a phone in an emergency. Anyway, thought I'd share that little tale with you're viewers in the hope that my suffering means that they dont have to ;) (seven screws and a titanium rod in case you were wondering)

Thanks for the great video Mark, I also prefer trail running to road. Look forward to the next video

Really loved this video! Thanks!

Great video as always!

Great advice and easy listen, thanks - subscribed and recommended.

Continuing to really enjoy your videos Mark. I second the favourite KZfaqr comment. One complaint though mate. It’s getting expensive. Not doing my gearitus any good. Currently googling portable jet washer. 😂

Great video bro!

Top Episode as always man

A portable spray washer. I can't believe I never thought of that. Perfect or bikes and mucky shoes.

great advices, thanx!

Working towards trails where I will need to be that prepared. Focused on trails with strollers at the moment but still helpful

I've been trail running for three years and never saw the reason for lubricant until I started running longer distances. Chaffing appears to be an issue for me around mile 11 of any run. In fact, I've discovered that everything starts to fall apart around mile 11 if I didn't prepare. But if you're running short distances, you'll hardly every need any gear other than maybe some water on a really hot day. Great information, thank you!!

Thanks so much, new starter here so your vid was super helpfull!

Love this channel the analogies on explanations are mega 😂

Can't believe I never thought of sandwich / bin bags! Great idea 🙂

Love your style 👍🏻

Talking about vests: I have a really lightweight 5 litre OMM vest, which can be expanded with an extra 5 litres via an extra gear pod. It is just a vest with wide straps and bunges for closure. All the pockets are stretchy mesh, which makes it soo light omg. It does have a hard plastic strip in the chest but it's designed well, it's comfy! Around 60 bucks (cheap compared to salomon hehe). I've used this for xc skiing races and it fit's under a race bib (which are often just like a tank top style shirt, you know those ski bibs). The other one, a sway runner, 15 litres. Bought it for around 25 bucks! Soo good. Honestly, it's a little more beefy and heavyer than the OMM one, but it has nice storage and feels secure! It can accomodate a lot if stuff. I've even carried skies on this in winter. Yes, no really, I have😂 One hack I always use: I have a Orthovox cross rider Ski backpack which is 18 litres, and it has a stretchy mesh helmet fixture on the back. I just use it in other backpacks for sneeky extra storage. Great for you down jacket, rain jacket or something semy bulky like shoes if you comute, or the helmet if you want to use it like normal...

And then there's Nixon, just raw dogging every run from start to finish. True blue hardened long distance hound

Great presenting style 🙌

Just signed up for my first trail run which will be a 14k through the jungle in Malaysia. Really helpful video for a 51 year old first time trail runner 👍🇲🇾🏃

After just two videos, this man just got a new subscriber 🙂

Good Advice, as usual.

Alternative view point, road shoes will work great even in mountain races, if aid stations are reasonably spaced the one water bottle you use for a 20 mile training run will do. My kit for a 100 mile race is the same as for a weekend 20 mile long run.

Most walked dog in the world. Great channel btw.

Awesome! Thank you

Very helpful . Doing my first 21k trail in 2 days

I’ve been dabbling with trail running in the Cotswolds around the town I live in, it started off as walking, then fast walking, then I started running bits of it, now I’m thinking of running the whole time. I’m only doing 7 to 10 miles, (I do run 10k but only on roads so far) so I just wanted some views on useful gear, thanks. Not sure any sport that requires lube will ever be at the top of my list though… At 10 miles the worst I’ve had is a blister from wearing bad socks, but that’s as far as I’m likely to go.

Best tip: build up all the gear over the years and buy stuff along the way! Start out small or run on less remote routes so you don't need to buy everything right away and have access to supplies, water fountains in parks or possibly other stuff. You can also hack a lot of funtionality that expensive stuff offees out of cheap things: a trash bag as a dry sack for example to name one...

Great video. On long runs take some wipes in a small ziplock bag incase you get caught short

Thanks very useful 👍👍

Hey mate, been binging on your videos for 2 weeks now and turns out I’m about to become a trail runner. Who’d have thunk it?! What size adv 12 do you have? I’m 6’5, 230lbs (mostly fat). Thanks for the content pal.

Great videos, really enjoy them, cheers. I reckon you've got a fan for the Kickr Bike, i'd hate using mine without a good fan! What is the lead you use with Nixon? looks good, wonder if i could use one with my Springer Spaniel or whether he'd just drag me around until there was nothing left of me!

Great vid. Lube +1 especially the nips.

Hi Mark, great video. Have you tried the Sealskinz sock.? I run trails all year round and basically from October onwards we swap to these waterproof socks, prevents you feet getting wet and then cold. You do tend to sweat a bit in these but it’s better than wet feet.

Hey, another great vid, what size Solomon vest do you wear? Do you find it comparable to your clothing size?

As for phones . . .the Polar H10 chest strap works with a phone better than the wrist watch GPS HR monitor. It drops the GPS signal way less than the sports watch. I still use a sports watch if there are no trees (forest) blocking the GPS signal because I like looking to see how my HR is doing. Haven yet gotten both the watch and the phone to pair to the chest strap HR monitor at the same time but it is suppose to be able to. I guess I need to try it again . . . perhaps it matters which one gets connected first(?) If GPS signal is strong just use the watch.

Very good list! As a woman, the only extra thing I take is a shewee so I don't have to find a bush to hide behind lol

Hey Mark, I am a beginner trail runner , I love your show , very helpful. I have a question. I need a companion dog for my run. What dog to do run with ? Thanks in advance

Your videos are driving me NUTS! You - 'I've got this' Me - 'Shit, that's a thing. I need that!' My bank account - 'Think again, son.' (A particular problem with most of the things over your right shoulder!) As my eyes are opened and my horizon of things is broadened, so my bank account shrinks.

Mark, regarding shoes, do you go up half a size to account for any water absorption or swelling of your feet or do you just buy your normal size? I do prefer a snug fit in every day use but I’m wondering for running, should I go up half a size ?

Love the Namibia cap 🇳🇦😁

Mark, if I go for the Adv 12 vest would that be ok for general usage as I would struggle to afford a large and small vest? I am sticking with my Saucony for now and ordering some Peregines for trial running, although I will be looking into the Altra's for more of a natural shoe when I can make my way to the local running store, as struggled with Achilles tendonitis. I have been inspired by your journey, the content and approach you have to fitness. At 48 standing 5' 11" and 15 Stone 12lbs I decided it was time to get in shape after several false starts (not helped with Achilles tendonitis issue either). I am starting to feel the benefits as now 5lbs lighter after a week of focus. I find trial running great for the mental health as well. Great content, very informative and also entertaining. Keep up the good work and I continue to look forward to your journey and future content.

Hey Mark - great videos! Any tips for heavier runners (90-100kg) with regard to training? I seem to end up in a vicious circle of getting fit and then getting injured.

I'd love to try trail running, especially as there is an amazing, hilly and very rocky park where I live. (Boston MA, USA.) I thought about wearing a light, yet durable helmet if I fell and slammed my face into a rock/boulder.. It's really nice to have all my teeth after a trail run. Does anyone do something like this? Some of the trails are very rocky with huge boulders on the way down. Cheers! As an aside, your Garmin Epix 2 review was the gateway drug to your channel. Way, way overpriced. But I use so many of the features available only on that watch. Even better, my company reimbursed me in full! YAY!

Great video. Could I just ask how many miles you do with the dog and how much/often you feed him? TIA Totally agree about the Garmin, love using Garmin explore

I'd add dunny paper to the list. (Easy in the top 5 for me) Is that just me?! Also, if you do chafe, before you shower, add some moisturiser over the chafed area. No pain. (These are separate & unrelated comments)

Do you think the ultra shoes would be ok for me as iv got flat feet and all shoes iv bought so far make my feet go numb after a mile and half I got hoka stability shoes at the moment

suffocating a bear with a plastic bag is great self defense advice.haha

Strange question, but what socks do you recomend? I'd like a thin(ish) pair that don't rub

In my country there's an app which one can use to call the emergency number. It shares the caller's coordinates immediately. Sitting hurt somewhere in the woods with no knowledge where you are, how to guide aid to the location, perhaps not even able to speak and no one around doesn't sound appealing so I have it downloaded.

Adding detergent to the jet wash might be an option if the doggo does need a bubble bath? Looks like he's having a ball, bubble bath or not 🙂

thank you

What do you recommend For a head torch now it’s getting dark earlier?

Hi Mark, I am virgin Trail runner and have a relatively lightweight pair of Salomon Gortex Boots. Looking at some of the Trails shown on KZfaq - thick squelchy mud and small boulders on downhill sections where a twisted ankle is a possibility, would I look silly turning up in a pair of boots? I was involved with the Army (50 yrs ago) and we ran in boots.

Just saying if your going on an 3hr+ hike / run .Plan to be out double that time .Plus one day with no cell service ..

In 20 years of doing various adventuring....it never fails to amaze me that people aren’t prepared. 🤦🏻‍♂️ I’m not talking about the people who have some gear, not fancy, not even suitable but they have gear.... no I mean the ones who fail to bring food/water or wet weather gear.... OMG.... there must be a missing self preservation gene in many people. I’ve been snow camping with friends and some will bring supermarket sleeping bags, night Mtb riding with hand torches and no way to secure them pointing forward and best of all those that ask where on the track they can get food or buy a rain jacket...🤦🏻‍♂️

Top vid chap and good advice. My additional “must haves” would be a couple of cable ties (usually really handy on the bike but could still fix a faulty running vest or trainers) and some paracetamols for hurty stuff.

I’ve got those shoes!

Have you guys ever run with osprey duro 6? How is it?

Try Bag Balm

Great advice - one further tip: Train in what you race in. (Race day is not the time to figure stuff out) Also: emergency Party Rings & Jelly Tots (both vegan🌱)

Do you know a brand that does socks with a wide toe box? To go with the altras?

I always take a small battery pack for the phone, and a bag of Haribo's 😂

Two i would add to that is a map: because sometimes technology fails. And a whistle in case you get on trouble with no phone signal/charge.

Currently only 1.40 in are those mudclaws I see, or as I refer to mine ninja turtles 🤣

Do you take items for your dog?

Hi! just curious, what breed is your dog?

❤

I’m ready to make a pants tent shelter.

Your voice sounds like something from sort of military program lol

You just need to carry enough kit to MacGyver your way out of any situation - a Swiss army knife and a roll of duct tape should do it.

The most stable shoes I have ever worn were Meindl

If you know beforehand it is going to rain cats and dogs, you can consider using a condom to protect your phone from water damage. I have my first trail run tomorrow, looking forward to it. :-)

If all you’ve got is a plastic bag and no water source pull off leaves from a tree put it in the bag seal it and lay it in the sun, wait a while and you will have water

Hey!! Found a trick regarding the inner hood button inadvert push!!! It works and takes seconds!!! No need to unplug the shifters anymore!!!! Do you wanna know the trick??

The first Spartan race I ran in the Nike dri-fit shirt I wore damn near rubbed my nipples off. The very next shower was what I imagine torture would feel like. 😐

Nice piece of advice. I'd add a small roll of toilet paper wrapped in transparent film.

“Because he’s a dog”. Nice one. Too many people anthropomorphise their dogs. No need to treat them badly, but as you say…. They are dogs.

Signed up to my first trail run, going hard with Lac de Moiry in september (30km, 1900m assent 🫣). Currently got good HM road fitness, just got a PB of 1hr 36min (good for me anyway) but need to transition to trail and build more musucular endurance in addition to refining the kit. 16 weeks to dial it all in. Not expecting a good time but want to enjoy it!