The 7 Items That Got Me Through October (and the Rest of Fall)

Oh October, the month of mystery. Here in Boulder, Colorado, it’s when you wake up in the dark not knowing if it will be warm, cold, raining, or windy. The only thing you do know every morning is there will be even more much-larger-than-life-sized skeletons poking out of peoples’ lawns. (Why has this become a thing? As my friend Clare said on a run the other day, “people are desecrating their lawns with plastic trash!”)

Anyway, it’s a tricky time of year for running. Head out the door overdressed and you will end up a puddle of sweat that, depending on the weather, ultimately makes you cold. Leave underdressed, as I did for a tempo run two weeks ago, and your limbs will feel like they’ve been cursed by a witch who’s turned them to immovable ice.

But tricky conditions can be solved with treats. My trusty associate editor is, in his words, “going to the desert to do something stupid.” (Go Cade!) That leaves just me to round up our gear of the month. Here are the five items I kept packed in my Janji Ultrahauler (another piece of gear I can’t live without!) so I was ready for whatever I woke up to:

Nnormal Cadi

$175 at Running Warehouse (Women’s)

$175 at Running Warehouse (Men’s)

Kilian Jornet’s fledgling shoe and apparel company has stuck to relatively technical alpine equipment—until now with the Nnormal Cadi. This do-everything trail shoe is exceptionally comfortable thanks to a padded heel collar and tongue and a cushy midsole with 37 mm stack in the heel, 31 mm in the forefoot. It’s got a nice wide toe box (an obsession of mine as I work on my foot strength and toe splay). And with a Vibram Megagrip outsole it’s tacky on all terrain and in all conditions. I also appreciate the mesh upper, which is breathable on hot days and dries quickly on wet ones. It’s the only shoe I brought on a trip recently, which means I found myself wearing it for a 12-mile run around the Charles River in Boston—definitely not as energetic as your typical road trainer these days, but it got the job done just fine. It’s just a solid, dependable shoe.

Arc’teryx Norvan Jacket

$450 at Arc’teryx (Women’s)

$450 at REI (Men’s)

It’s rained A LOT in Boulder this month. And by a lot, I mean more than zero times. I know I’ve lived here for too long because I’ve gotten soft and the only thing that got me through more than zero very dark, very wet mornings was this rain jacket from Arc’teryx. That’s because it’s actually waterproof. But it’s also super lightweight and breathable, meaning you don’t incinerate in your own body heat and end up wet anyway. Plus one for the cinch on the hood so you can actually keep it on your head while you’re running and another bonus for the vents under the armpits, which help moderate body heat. I know $450 is an obscene amount to spend on anything, but this is definitely a case of you get what you pay for.

Janji Atlas Multi Pant

$144 at Janji (Women’s)

$144 at REI (Men’s)

When it comes to running pants and tights I am very, very picky. They can’t suffocate my waist, but they also need to stay put. They can’t bunch around the knees, but they also can’t be so baggy that the pant legs rub into each other. The Janji Altas Multi Pant is one of the few pieces that passes my stringent test. They are supremely comfortable thanks to a wide elastic waistband, and a drawstring lets you dial in the fit. They’re loose enough to allow for full range of motion, but they’re streamlined enough that I can wear them for harder efforts without getting annoyed. Why I really love them for this time of year is they are lightweight and breathable, providing just the right amount of insulation. And even better, they have nearly knee-length ankle zips so I often wear them for the warm up and zip them off for intervals—no shoe removal required.

7Mesh Chilco Vest

$180 at 7Mesh (Women’s)

$180 at 7Mesh (Men’s)

There is something so comforting and luxurious about tucking into a comfy vest for a fall outing. Enter this fleece-lined vest from 7Mesh. It’s super breathable yet cozy thanks to a soft, woven outer layer paired with the light and ultrasoft fleece lining. I’ve been loving it for colder runs when a jacket feels like too much but a long sleeve isn’t quite enough. And I’ve also been loving it on the bike—especially because the vest folds into itself via a big back pocket, revealing little straps that let you fix it to your bike frame when you’re not wearing it.

Skida Pursuit Performance Liner Glove

$44 at Skida

$44 at Backcountry.com 

Not too cold and not too warm, snug but not tight, these gloves are  a shoulder-season star. They’re so lightweight that I don’t think twice about wearing them for the start of a run before the sun rises and stashing them in a pocket as I warm up with the ground. I can use my phone with them on, carry my ballot (the midterms are on Tuesday!), as well as maneuver zippers and, if desperate, tie shoes. Plus the colors and patterns instantly boost my mood. (They came in so many fun options!)

CEP Core Run Mid Cut Compression Socks 5.0

$22 at CEP

$66 $56 for 3-Pack at Amazon

One-star review for the name. Zero stars for the logo branded on the top of the collar. And yet, five stars for these socks. They are just that comfy and moisture-wicking. I am pretty skeptical of overengineered gear, but CEP has me thinking maybe there is something to developing stuff in a lab. These socks provide a gentle amount of compression and arch support while also being ventilated in all the places you want it. In other words: they stay put, and they keep my feet comfortable for a wide range of temperatures—perfect for fall running. Most importantly, my feet do not slip in my shoes. I repeat: no slippage here. My friend saw me running in them the other day and he said he also loves these socks so much that he ordered five pairs. Oh and they come in approximately one billion colorways.

Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner

$56 at Amazon (Shampoo)

$59 at Amazon (Conditioner)

I know, I know, it’s a crime to spend more than $50 on a hair product—much less two products. But hear me out: Colorado is savage on my wavy hair. When left unchecked, the dry air and harsh sun leech out every last drop of moisture, turning my hair into a wiry mess. Add in the rainy days of October (or my annual pilgrimage to Hawaii) and in years past I am ripping out chunks of matted hair every time I shower. Enter this fancy shampoo and conditioner. I am not exaggerating when I say this stuff has revolutionized my hair’s life. For the first time in 13 years since I moved here, my hair feels soft. And I can actually get a brush through it when I get out of the shower! You better believe I will be buying it again.