SUIT UP Hitting the trails? Dress for the occasion

1. Inov-8 Stormshell Jacket

£170, inov-8.com Waterproof and windproof, this outer later offers you all the reassurance you need even at the top of a fell as the mists roll in and the heavens spill open. The ergonomic hood can be adjusted to fit any size head and we love how breathable and ventilated it is; you don’t get the clamminess that is often an unwanted feature of shell jackets.

2. Berghaus Zip Neck Tech Tee

£50, berghaus.com Not only does the weave in this light top help regulate temperature – which means it’ll keep you cool when it’s hot and work to warm you up when the weather changes – but also it’s Bluesign-approved, meaning it adheres to stringent environmental protocols in the manufacturing process.

3. Dynafit Alpine Pro 2 in 1 short

£56, dynafit.co.uk These shorts are all about comfort and freedom of movement, qualities you need at the best of times but especially so on the trail, when you’re dodging about like a mountain goat. The waistband is very accommodating, flatlock seams cut down on chafing, the inner lining doesn’t ride up and there are two handy pockets to store essentials.

4. Sundried Half Zip Top

£60, sundried.com Sundried is a small British brand that places ethical manufacturing and premium fabrics at the forefront of its philosophy. This top is an excellent autumn option: it has slightly longer sleeves and thumbholes, so you can cover your hands if needs be; the high neckline offers added protection; and the fit is slim enough that the top can be worn on its own or accommodate a baselayer underneath if you need the extra warmth.

5. Columbia FKT Wind Jacket

£70, columbiasportswear.co.uk The nylon weave of this wafer-thin jacket is extremely tough, so it will cope nicely with any off-piste excursions into abundant undergrowth (you meant to run through that thorny hedge, right?). It also offers surprisingly good protection from wind and water, and can be easily packed away into its own pocket if the temperature rises.

6. The North Face BTN SS Tee

£55, thenorthface.com If the UK had a more temperate climate (and, who knows, it may be on the way), we’d wear this T-shirt all year round. It has a delightfully ‘barely there’ feel and a fit that’s slim but not athletic. It dries in a flash, is very breathable and generally does its job with admirable efficiency. Sometimes less is definitely more.

7. Zaazee Ashley II Skort

£50, zaazee.co.uk Skorts are certainly having a moment in the trail-running world, with many runners opting for the combination of freedom of movement and femininity they offer. This one from Zaazee has a super-soft weave on the under-short layer, a wide waistband to disperse pressure and a stretchy outer skirt that comes to mid-thigh length.

8. On Weather Shirt

£100, on-running.com This highly stretchable long-sleeve top has a high neckline and thick yarn to help protect against the elements, as well an asymmetrical zip and button system that allows you to change it to a flap-free V-neck. There are also laser-cut ventilation holes all the way up the back, which will keep you cool and composed when the going gets tough. •

1. The North Face Flight BTN Jacket

£90, thenorthface.co.uk On those days when you’re not sure if you need a jacket, wear this one. Despite its exceedingly light weight (it can be packed away into a small pouch or shoved into a pocket), it offers decent protection, being windproof, waterresistant and anti-rip. It also has two hip pockets for quick-access essentials. The perfect in-betweener.

2. Dynafit Alpine SS Tee

£38.50, dynafit.com Dynafit is an Austrian company that focuses primarily on winter sports apparel but its running T-shirts are supremely comfortable. This one is seamless, offers a four-way stretch (which means a close fit that moves perfectly with your body), and is extremely fast-drying and light to keep you cool and dry while you’re legging it through the woods.

3. Berghaus Super Tech Baselayer

£50, berghaus.com A wardrobe staple, this one: the weave contains a silver treatment that not only cuts down on odour (Berghaus claims you can wear it more than once before washing) but also reacts to help regulate your body temperature, keeping you cool or warm as required. The shoulder seams are also reinforced for use with a backpack, and it gives UPF30 sun protection.

4. Gore R7 2in1 Shorts

£89.99, gorewear.com Pricey but worth it. These are extremely tough and the 10" inside leg offers good coverage for crashing through the undergrowth. The inside-thigh section of the outer is stitched to the inner to keep it in place. There are two front nutrition pockets and a zip pocket on the rear. You may need to go one size bigger than you normally wear.

5. Salomon S-lab Motionfit 360 Jacket

£250, salomon.com/uk For a jacket as light as this (156g – equivalent to three Snickers bars, and don’t ask how we know that) to be fully waterproof and windproof is almost unheard of, but this outer layer gives you full coverage without weighing you down. The ergonomic hood moves with your head, and you can roll the jacket down and stow it around your waist without having to take it off.

6. Dhb Aeron Run Singlet

£18, wiggle.co.uk This barely-there top has a shoulder width that makes it a clever cross between a vest and a tank. It’s one of the lightest and most breathable tops we’ve worn, which makes it perfect for sweaty runs, when you’re operating at maximum and don’t need an increasingly heavy top clinging to you. The armholes are of sensible dimensions, too, praise be.

7. Nike Tech Pack Half-zip Running Top

£41.47, nike.com/gb If you’re even a tad bodyconscious, give this one a miss because it’s a snug fit – but that does make it perfect for races that involve flitting through narrow spaces or along overgrown singletrack. There are perforations on the back for ventilation and the half zip comes in handy if you need to cool down.

8. Columbia Titan Ultra II Shorts

£31.50, columbiasportswear. co.uk When shorts come with compression leggings inside, the outer layer is often flappy and gets in the way. Not so here: these are slim-fit shorts with a highly durable, fast-wicking weave and a decent-sized zip pocket on the rear. The compression leggings will keep your crown jewels firmly in place without feeling restrictive.