1. Mountain Hardwear Ghost Anorak // Weather insurance is not like life insurance: In this case you want as little as possible. Make it the four-ounce Ghost, which squashes down smaller than a grapefruit but repels light rain or a stiff breeze. $85; mountainhardwear.com

2. Patagonia Airius T-Shirt // This quick-drying, breathable poly-nylon shirt eliminates nightmare chafing with flat seams in key zones—where your pack straps hit and between your arms and sides. $46; patagonia.com

3. GoLite Mesh Cap // Get 2.5 ounces of portable shade with this mesh cap. It has an inner sweat liner and a glare-beating brim. $20; golite.com

4. Dean Karnazes Signature Edition Sole // Heat-moldable, alignment-correcting footbeds add critical long-mileage support. Bonus: A portion of the proceeds goes to Karno Kids, a foundation that addresses childhood obesity. $50; yoursole.com

5. Nathan Sports HPL #020 // Think of it as a moving aid station, on your chest. The superlight (six-ounce) HPL has room for essential stuff—pickles, M&Ms, shell, etc.—and two liters of liquid. Independently moving shoulder straps keep sloshing to a minimum. $80; nathansports.com

6. Sugoi Vulcan // Mesh paneling and lining on these shorts keep you cool. And you can cram up to six gel packets into the three back pockets. $38; sugoi.com

7. The North Face Arnuva 100 TR // Thanks to a shock-damping polymer in the heel and forefoot and a unique rear-foot compression cage, the Arnuva absorbs impact better than standard trail runners. And you'll bless the roomy toe box when your feet swell. $110; thenorthface.com