A jacket as silky soft as the LSD Lite II might not seem trail-worthy, but this windproof, water-resistant offering from Brooks is durable and tough enough for extended backcountry runs. The elastic at the cuffs and the drawstring at the waist buffer wind, and the ripstop nylon resists tears from wayward branches. And should the weather really go south, there's protection most running shells lack: a stowaway hood. $75, brooksrunning.com

Sustainability has been slow in reaching the running market, but Patagonia leads the way with the AIR FLOW T, which is as comfortable and fast-drying as any shirt spun from virgin fibers, despite being made of 30 percent recycled polyester. It's built from soda bottles and respun scrap fabric, and at the end of its life it can be recycled. Bonus: It has an SPF 15 rating. $59, patagonia.com

Mile after mile, the soft shell of Pearl Izumi's INFINITY LD SHORTS stays comfortable and cool. The liner is stretchy and nearly seamless, and while it doesn't dry instantly, it comes pretty darn close. If you're worried about how little some running shorts leave to the imagination, fret not: The 4.5-inch inseam covers plenty without being so long that the legs flop against each other. $50, pearlizumi.com