I run about 500 km a month, my marathon best is under 2:30, I also race trails, and I picked these seriously. This is my conclusion as of Oct 21, 2026. The foundation of gear for your first trail run is four things: shoes, a vest, two lights and a rain jacket. At official prices they total JPY 69,210. I picked the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail (about 286g) for shoes, the Salomon ACTIVE SKIN 8 (8L, 213g) for the vest, and the mont-bell Versalite (143g) for the rain jacket.
The Shoe Nerd's top pick
The order to buy in: shoes, vest, lights, rain jacket. The reason is that what's heaviest to lack on a mountain comes in that order. The shoes are the ACG Pegasus Trail, which swaps easily from a road shoe with the same 8mm drop. The vest is the ACTIVE SKIN 8, which comes with two flasks and carries 1L of water. The light is the HF4R, which meets a race's "80 lumens or more for 4 hours or more" with 100 lumens for 10 hours. On a mountain, before I add gear, I check the requirements in writing.
Key points
- The foundation of 4 items (shoes, vest, 2 lights and a rain jacket) comes to JPY 69,210 at official prices
- Many races require 2 lights. Add the HF4 (JPY 5,500, 102g) as a spare to the HF4R (JPY 7,480, 92g) for JPY 12,980
- Mandatory gear differs by race. Mt.FUJI 100 has 19 items, Izu has 20, and Shinetsu Five Mountains has 12. Read the race guidelines first
For your first mountain, check the requirements before you add gear
Trail running adds mountain paths to road running. If something is missing, the way back on a mountain gets longer. So what you decide first isn't how many things to buy, but the order of what would hurt most to be without.
This article splits the gear for your first trail run into four basics and the small items races require. I lined them up at official prices, down to the total. Mountains and race rules change, so read the guidelines for your race first.
How I Chose: What Trail Running Beginners Need
I decided on three points, not on what sells.
| Criteria | Reason |
|---|---|
| 1. It has numbers that meet a race's mandatory requirements | Some races set requirements in numbers, such as a light's brightness and run time, and the amount of water |
| 2. Light | On a mountain you run carrying your gear. The lighter each piece, the lighter the total |
| 3. Easy to move over from road gear | Start with things not too far from the road feel, such as shoe drop |
The 4 Basics: Shoes, Vest, Two Lights and a Rain Jacket
| Gear | Pick | Weight | Official price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Shoes | Nike ACG Pegasus Trail | about 286g (27cm) | JPY 17,930 |
| 2. Vest | Salomon ACTIVE SKIN 8 (8L, two flasks included) | 213g | JPY 14,300 |
| 3. Light (main) | Ledlenser HF4R | 92g | JPY 7,480 |
| 3. Light (spare) | Ledlenser HF4 | 102g | JPY 5,500 |
| 4. Rain jacket | mont-bell Versalite Jacket | 143g | JPY 24,000 |
| Total of the 4 basics (two lights) | JPY 69,210 | ||
1. Shoes: The ACG Pegasus Trail, a Trail Shoe That Feels Like a Road Shoe
The drop is 8mm, so it swaps in with the same feel as a road shoe. It weighs about 286g (27cm) and costs JPY 17,930. The outsole rubber is Nike's own ATC, enough for dirt trails.
For rocky, rooty mountain paths, the Speedgoat 7 (275g) with its 5mm lugs is a candidate. How to choose by how rough the trail is, is in the trail running shoes article.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Nike ACG Pegasus Trail
Lowest price on Rakuten Ichiba: JPY 17,800 (as of 10/20). Some shops ask up to JPY 83,500. Prices change daily. Shoes are best tried on in the evening, when your feet swell, with your usual socks. Fit varies by brand, so check the return and exchange terms on the shop page before you buy.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba2. Vest: The ACTIVE SKIN 8, Which Carries 1L of Water
It weighs 213g at 8L, and two flasks come with it so you can carry 1L of water. Mt.FUJI 100 and Izu require 1L or more of water, so you save buying flasks separately. It's 18g heavier than the 4L ACTIVE SKIN 4 (213 − 195). If you're torn, choose the bigger one, because buying again after your mandatory gear doesn't fit costs more.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Salomon ACTIVE SKIN
Lowest price on Rakuten Ichiba: JPY 13,200 (as of 10/20). Some shops ask up to JPY 15,400. Prices change daily. For apparel, compare the maker's size chart (height, chest, waist) with your own measurements. If in doubt, check the shop's return and exchange terms.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaA comparison of 12 models by weight and price is in the running packs and trail vests article.
3. Lights: The HF4R at 100 Lumens for 10 Hours, and a Spare HF4
Mt.FUJI 100 requires "80 lumens or more for 4 hours or more." The HF4R lasts 10 hours at 100 lumens, meeting the requirement with 2.5 times the time (10 ÷ 4). It weighs 92g with batteries. Even if the rechargeable battery dies, it lights on three AAA alkaline batteries.
Many races require 2 lights, and Mt.FUJI 100 and Shinetsu Five Mountains also require a spare battery for each. For the spare, you can pick the battery-powered HF4 (102g, 450 lumens) at JPY 5,500.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Ledlenser HF4R (2026 model)
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 5,936 (as of 10/20), ranging up to JPY 7,359 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaThe HF4R review also covers how it differs from the previous model.
4. Rain Jacket: 143g, With the Requirements Written Out
The mont-bell Versalite Jacket weighs 143g and has a waterproof rating of 20,000mm or more. It comes with seam tape (waterproof tape over the seams) and a hood. It's a jacket whose product page answers the question when a race requires waterproof breathability, seam tape and a hood.
A comparison of 12 pieces by weight and waterproof rating is in the running outerwear article.
Mandatory Small Items: What the Race Guidelines Spell Out
From here on, whether you need these changes by race. The items all three races share are water, food, two lights, a rain jacket, a blanket, a whistle, first aid, a cup and a mobile phone.
| Gear | What to check | Rakuten price range |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency sheet | 130 × 200cm or larger (Mt.FUJI 100) | JPY 598–4,972 |
| First aid kit | Bandages, antiseptic | JPY 1,248–4,400 |
| Soft flask | 500ml × 2 for 1L (comes with the vest) | JPY 1,580–4,862 |
| Bear bell | One you can mute | JPY 830–5,500 |
A table comparing mandatory gear at four races is in the trail running mandatory gear article.
Quick Guide: What to Buy at Each Budget
| What you buy | Total at official prices |
|---|---|
| Shoes and a vest only (try it on pavement and low hills) | JPY 32,230 |
| Plus two lights | JPY 45,210 |
| Plus a rain jacket (the 4 basics) | JPY 69,210 |
Who is it for?
- Good fit: people who run on the road and want to try mountain paths too, and people thinking about their first trail race.
Weather changes quickly on mountains, and race guidelines change every year. Read the latest mandatory gear list for your race first, then add to your kit.
FAQ
What do I need as a trail running beginner?
Shoes, a vest, 2 lights and a rain jacket are the foundation. With the picks in this article, the total at official prices is JPY 69,210.
How much does it cost to start trail running?
Shoes and a vest alone come to JPY 32,230. Add the lights and it's JPY 45,210, and with the rain jacket it's JPY 69,210.
How many lumens does a trail running light need?
Mt.FUJI 100 requires 80 lumens or more for 4 hours or more. The HF4R lasts 10 hours at 100 lumens, so it meets the requirement. For other races, check the race guidelines.
Do I need a compass or a map for trail running?
It depends on the race. The Izu Trail Journey requires a compass, and Mt.FUJI 100 and Shinetsu Five Mountains recommend one. On other mountains too, a paper map is useful as a backup in case your phone or watch runs out of battery.
How many liters should a trail running vest be?
Choose a capacity that holds your mandatory gear. In this article it's the 8L ACTIVE SKIN 8. If you're torn between two capacities, pick the bigger one.
Gear in this article
Ads and images: Rakuten Ichiba
Sources
- Nike Japan official: ACG Pegasus Trail (men's)
- Salomon official Japan site: ACTIVE SKIN 8
- Ledlenser official Japan site: the new HF series feature (weights and prices for 12 models)
- Ledlenser Japan official: HF4R (New 2026) product page
- mont-bell official: Versalite Jacket Men's
- Mt.FUJI 100 official: Competition rules and notes (10. Equipment)
- Izu Trail Journey official: Competition rules (2026 race)
- Shinetsu Five Mountains Trail Running Race official: Mandatory and recommended gear
