1. SHELL MontBell's Mistral Parka is a hooded squall shield that vents well enough for sweaty runs and packs down to a softball-size bundle. $110; montbell.com

2. SUNGLASSES The new VR50 lenses in Oakley's Flak Jackets block blue light to make trail details pop, while the fast-changing photochromatic lenses mean you won't trip in the shadows. $205; oakley.com

3. GAITERS Inov-8's socklike Debris Gaiters are great at keeping sand and pebbles out of your shoes, though they soak up too much water for sloppy runs. $17; inov-8.com

4. SHORTS Three reasons we love Brooks's Element Notch Shorts: The two gel pockets, trail-rugged fabric, and a compression liner that prevents chafing. $45; brooksrunning.com

5. SHIRT The reinforced shoulders of Arc'teryx's Ether Comp Jersey SS mean hydration-pack straps won't rub you raw. $70; arcteryx.com

6. WATCH Garmin's low-profile, GPS-based Forerunner 405 tracks distance, pace, elevation, and heart rate (with accessory strap) and uploads wirelessly. Touch-bezel menu can be tricky at first. $350; garmin.com

7. BOTTLE With a fist-friendly, ergonomic shape and comfortable strap, The North Face's 20-ounce E50 Water Bottle Holder lets you forget you're carrying it. $20; thenorthface.com

8. PACK Plenty of pockets and a great cinched-down feel make the Salomon Raid Revo 15 the best pack we tested for long runs. $80; salomonsports.com