What I packed for an 80-mile run through the Italian Apennines

Summer is right Just around the corner. We go on adventures and bring our stuff with us. Here are all the technology and tips Which WIRED Reviews recommend for your travels.

In 2015, I to run Sand Marathon. you know, This race Through the desert where people wear funny clothes Flat sun hats and gaiters, carrying everything they need to survive (except the tent) on their backs. A week spent battling giant sand dunes and dry, blistering rocky river beds taught me an important lesson: It’s possible to pack your life into a 10-pound package. and Run long distances. It’s also a lot of fun.

Since then, she has embarked on numerous running adventures, including a 100-mile run on Italy’s Lake Garda and a 184-mile run on the River Thames. In 2022, it became The first person to run the Danube River in Europe From sea to source, 1,830 miles across eight countries in 67 days, always carrying my own gear. I spent a lot of time “gadget chatter” or obsessing over my perfect gear. I’ve identified what’s essential (less than you think), what’s not, and what I can trust.

On my last trip, I did just that Day Via Dailyan 80-mile trail that runs through Italy’s Apennines from Florence to Bologna (although most people hike from Bologna to Florence). On the first day I ran about 24 miles, 26 miles on the second day, and 30 miles on the third day, somewhere between 5-8 hours each day. Here are some of the essentials I packed to get me from point A to point B.

Running shoes

the Diadora Nucleo 2 GR ($170) It is one of the new wave of Gravel shoes It’s designed to handle everything from roads to light off-road trails. I experienced a lot of both on this tour, along with the more challenging sections of the trail. The large wedge of soft cushioning, shallow lugs, and wider base worked well on difficult, clear, runable terrain while the nice roomy toe box was excellent for blister-free comfort.

The Nucleo 2 GR is a bit heavy and struggles for precision, agility and stability on technical, rock-strewn slopes. But the grip worked surprisingly well (outside of some very muddy sections). Most importantly, it’s a protective boot with a generous fit that’s also easy to slip back on when it’s time to hunt for dinner once you’re done running. This is important when you only take one pair of Running shoes.

Running hour

Confession time: As a running gear tester, I had this Three sports hours On the go. garmin forerunner 570, Advanced 970And the Fenix ​​8 Pro 51mm AMOLED. Of these, Fenix ​​8 Pro He emerged as the best performer. It’s expensive, but it is The perfect tool for multi-day adventures You need days of GPS staying power, reliable mapping and best-in-class routing, all on a large, easy-to-scan display.

Photography: Kiran Alger

If you’re working off the grid, the Fenix ​​8 Pro also offers backup satellite safety tools like SOS Emergency, off-grid messaging, and live tracking, though you’ll need inReach satellite subscription To open some of those. I was pleasantly surprised by the Forerunner 970 lasting about three days. It lacks safeties and the steering isn’t quite as spot-on as the Fenix ​​8 Pro, but for shorter runs where you have access to charging, it’s a decent option.

Turn on the headphones

You can’t underestimate the morale boost that comes from meaningful music or a timely chat with family (the lifeline of being on the phone with a friend). So I always pack Exercise headphones. the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 ($140) Bone conduction headphonesor Open ear styles like Shockz OpenDots ($160)-Good for staying in touch with the world around you. But I often choose headphones that also cater to transit time, or flights and trains to get to the trails when I’m not running.