‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry… while hopefully not completely abandoning ultra training. Here are our favorites for food, hydration, gear and apparel to stuff an ultrarunner’s stocking while supporting their (or your) efforts at getting out the door during the winter months and a little cozy recovery in between.
Treats & Eats

A literal throwback to the Powerbar days, Jambar is the creation of Powerbar’s original co-founder, Jennifer Maxwell. All organic, with the highest quality ingredients, the bars include flavors reminiscent of the OG Powerbar such as our favorite, Malt Nut Melody, but are soft, chewy and full of things like organic cashew butter, organic pure maple syrup, organic oat bran and more. The “jam” isn’t a reference to preserves (although the Jazzleberry bar includes an organic berry mix), but the music that keeps Maxwell busy – as a drummer, she knows how powerful the combination of music and running can be. Jambar flavors include Musical Mango, Jazzleberry, Chocolate Cha Cha and Malt Nut Melody ($36 for a box of 12). These bars kept us fueled during an early morning pacing gig, and we’ve been adding them to our gear bag ever since. Jambar also donates 50% of their net profit to Music & Active Living. Find them at jambar.com.
We’re big advocates of using nut butters for long-distance fueling, because of their all-natural ingredient profiles, plus healthy fats and protein content for nutritional balance and muscle support. This year we’ve been loving Once Again Nut Butter ($16 for 10 single-serve pouches), which offer a lineup of certified organic nut and seed butters in convenient 1.15oz squeeze packs that are easy to carry in hydration vests and easy to digest on the trail. They come in peanut, almond, cashew and sunflower varieties, allowing you to avoid taste redundancy (our favorite is cashew), and each one contains between 5 to 8g of plant protein along with 6 to 9g of carbohydrate. All of their products are non-GMO, certified gluten-free, vegan and kosher, and they are all available in larger size containers—from 12oz all the way up to 35lb—if you want to make them a regular part of your day-to-day diet. Available at onceagainnutbutter.com.
Chocolate milk has a popular reputation as an effective post-workout drink, but we like to step up the nutritional impact of this routine by supplementing with a potent recovery mix. Osmo Rapid Recovery ($38 for 20oz) uses whey isolate and micellar casein proteins to prevent post-workout muscular breakdown. The whey is fast-acting, while casein is longer-lasting so your muscles have access to amino acids over several hours for optimal muscle repair. The mix also has a small amount of carbohydrate and green tea-derived caffeine, which Osmo claims accelerates glycogen replacement by 66% over carbs and protein alone. This mix comes in chocolate or vanilla and tastes good when mixed with water, but is particularly delicious when mixed with milk for maximal nutritional impact. Available at osmonutrition.com.
As a new complement to their popular Endurance Fuel mix, the new Tailwind Nutrition Rapid Hydration ($19 for 12 single-serving packs) formula is created to quickly replace fluids and electrolytes lost from sweat. Five fruit flavor options are available, each with a subtle taste and sweetened with a dose of real cane sugar to avoid any artificial sweeteners. The electrolyte balance mimics your body’s natural transport system, so the Rapid Hydration system hydrates faster than water alone by helping your body’s tissues absorb the fluids more quickly. You replace the electrolytes that were sweat out, and vitamin C provides a bit of natural antioxidant and immune system support. Like all Tailwind products, these packs mix quickly in water, making the sticks convenient to carry along for mid-run water bottle refills or recovery after hard sessions. Available at tailwindnutrition.com.
We were initially surprised to see Bob’s Red Mill Bars ($20 for a 12-bar box) on course at ultra races this year, but we’re glad we found them. Their bars come in five flavors, all of which use peanut butter and oats as a base and then blend in other ingredients like chocolate, honey and banana to deliver a sweetly delicious flavor profile. Our favorite is the Peanut Butter and Jelly flavor, which tastes just like a PB&J sandwich but doesn’t come with the mess when carried out of an aid station. The peanut butter texture makes them easy to chew and digest even when your stomach is in distress, and each bar delivers 6 to 8 grams of protein along with all-organic carbohydrates. The 210 to 230 calories per bar come in a combination of ingredients that provide rapidly available energy as well as protein to support a sustained effort. These are not available for purchase directly from the company, but at bobsredmill.com you can find options for where to buy them online or at a store near you.
We’ve tried a lot of CBD products in recent years, and recognize that it’s difficult to sort through all the different claims related to material sourcing, manufacturing processes and third-party lab analysis. So, we’ve defaulted to simple preferences: finding products that work well for us, from companies who are closely aligned with the running community. Enter Superganix who are partnering with numerous ultra events across the country, even making products available at aid stations. Their 500mg Relief Balm ($60 for 2oz) combines cannabinoids with a blend of plant-based ingredients that have a penetrating effect similar to menthol, to provide rapid pain relief as well as longer-lasting effects. One application is estimated to last 2 to 4 hours. It rubs on clean so your hands and clothes don’t get too greasy.
Superganix 500mg Raspberry CBD Gummies ($60 for 20) are small little powerhouses equally suitable for use before, during or after strenuous activities. We also use them as a sleep aid for their ability to relax and calm while facilitating muscle recovery. Each serving has a few grams of sugar for instant energy, along with 25mg CBD and 0.5mg THC to counteract pain and inflammation if you are using them during activity. These gummies have a soft texture that dissolves easily in your mouth, and the raspberry flavor is tangy and sweet in comparison to some of the stronger-flavored gummies we’ve tried. This product is part of a larger collection of gummies from Superganix, some of which have higher THC content, while others adjust the secondary ingredient content to either promote alertness or more powerfully enhance sleep. Superganix gummies and relief balm are available at superganix.com.
Tech & Trinkets

In recent years, Suunto has been challenged to match the full feature sets and hardware advances of top-tier GPS watches, but this year, the Suunto Vertical ($629 for stainless steel, $839 for titanium with solar function) represents a swing for the fences that makes solid contact. Impressive battery life, color onboard topo maps, wifi capability, optional solar charging, 24/7 continuous HR monitoring and an improved GNSS/GPS chipset combine with an already robust and user-friendly mobile app to give Suunto loyalists a rugged adventure watch to compete with any on the market. The solar version boasts an 85-hour “out of the box” GPS activity battery life, and during our testing we only had to charge the watch once over five weeks. The addition of maps and 32GB of storage is the feature most overdue, so we can finally say goodbye to simple breadcrumb navigation. It even has a clever onboard flashlight but requires too many pushes of a button to get to it. This watch is a significant leap forward in functionality for Suunto, in a sleek and comfortable package that is easy to wear around the clock, and multiple color options for band and casing to choose from. Available at suunto.com.
For those looking for a simple GPS watch with basic features and a smaller price tag, the Pace 3 from COROS is a perfect option for those testing the GPS waters. This is one of the lightest watches on the market at just 30/38 grams (depending on band style). While the battery isn’t as robust as their Apex or Vertix models, the Pace 3 battery still offers 38 hours in standard GPS mode (or 24 days of daily use). While we’re used to a longer battery life, the Pace 3 is more than sufficient for those looking to track their daily running progress on the road, trail or treadmill, with all of the features that assist with weekly training efforts including tracking mileage, elevation, heart rate, training load, average effort pace and more. All models from COROS feature a user-friendly bevel button that controls the majority of functions on the watch. At just $229, the Pace 3 provides a big bang for a tight budget.
While all COROS models include wrist heart rate monitors, they now offer a heart rate monitor ($79) that fits on the arm between your shoulder and bicep. The snug fit provides a better, more accurate reading as optical heart rate sensors work best when held securely against the skin. For those who aren’t fans of wearing a chest strap but would prefer a more accurate heart rate reading than a wrist monitor, the armband is an ideal option and pairs with any third-party Bluetooth-supported device. The heart rate monitor was recently recognized as a “TIME Best Invention for 2023.” Find all COROS products at coros.com.
We seem to cycle through seat covers fairly frequently, but the Seat Shield EliteSport+ ($50) is one we’ve stuck with for quite a while because of its durability, convenience and sleek construction. At first glance, it’s just like any other blanket or towel you drape over your seat, but this one is completely waterproof and sweatproof so that you don’t soak through to the car seat. The top surface has a soft microfleece that is very comfortable on bare skin, and the backside has a non-slip layer that stays in place even if you’re squirming around in your seat. Sizing is generous enough to cover the entire seat without being bulky, but scrunches up small when you’re stashing it in the trunk between uses. The entire thing has odor-proof treatment to prevent stink buildup and is machine washable when it gets too muddy. There are a few different styles to choose from, and the Seat Shield website has a product selector to match your specific type of car. Available at seatshield.com.
We’ve all run with groups where the fittest folks are constantly disappearing ahead of the pack. If this happens in backcountry environments or in areas where navigation is tricky, it could pose a safety risk. To keep groups connected, Rocky Talkies mountain radios ($110 each, $220 per pair) are license-free, backcountry-specific walkie-talkies that are rugged enough to come along on all your outdoor adventures. They have a massive 25-mile range to stay connected when your group is widely separated. We found the stated range accurate with a clear line of sight but diminished in heavily forested areas. Rocky Talkies were originally designed with skiers and climbers in mind and have been tested in temperatures down to -20 degrees. They are a much better option than cell phones for communicating in the winter, especially with bulky gloves if you are in an area with coverage. They are easy to use right out of the box, with a simple setup and intuitive use from the five-button layout. Each walkie-talkie weighs just under 8oz and comes standard with a Mammut climbing-rated carabiner for securing to a pack, plus an additional bungee cord and non-climbing carabiner to keep them from bouncing around. They are perfect for long adventure runs with friends and make a great addition to your backcountry safety kit. Available at rockytalkie.com.
For camping outings and beach dates as well as race crew duties, we’ve spent a lot of hours with our Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket ($125). It can function as a durable ground cover thanks to strong double ripstop exterior material that is water and stain-resistant, but it really excels as a body wrap. Hollow-fiber synthetic insulation provides cozy warmth while remaining super lightweight and compressible, as the 52”x75” dimensions can be stuffed into a 16”x7” carrying sack. The entire blanket is made from 100% post-consumer content, as each one repurposes 60 plastic bottles away from landfills. Clever design accents include corner loops for carrying or hanging, and a clip that allows the blanket to be worn as a cape while keeping your hands free. It’s ideal for cold nights around camp, crew members waiting for their runner or as a quick warming device for cold runners during a rest stop in the middle of the night. Available at rumpl.com.
Threads

Our new favorite hoodie is the Heavyweight Hoodie from rnnr ($85). Unlike cotton sweatshirts, this performance piece is made from Drirelease fabric that is heavier but keeps you dry with its moisture-wicking properties, along with regulating your body temperature when needed. We’ve worn this hoodie on cool days that turned warm and never felt overheated and with a super smooth texture, the fabric is almost cool to the touch. The lined hood includes cinched bungee drawstrings that allow you to adjust the fit during windy or rainy days, but we’re mostly impressed by the dense fabric that feels like putting on a weighted blanket but fits like a comfy hoodie for any season. Both are available in men’s and women’s styles in either lime or purple. Find them at rnnr.com.
We’d do just about anything to run like Courtney Dauwalter, and wearing Salomon’s Shortneys ($90) definitely does the trick. These long, but oh-so-light shorts with a 10-inch inseam have elastic that cinches each side of the waist, while the front and back are lightly stitched without a large waistband. The design creates a light flow to the shorts that we found comfortable and weightless during our runs. The 4-way stretch fabric stretches in all directions with the support of fabric yarns, and the 37.5 Technology optimizes your body’s microclimate to maintain an ideal core temperature (and dries five times faster than similar fabrics). These women’s shorts are available at salomon.com.
Winter running calls for a few jacket options, and HOKA’s Skyflow jacket ($118-$128) is super light and breathable for protection during days when there’s an extra chill in the air. At just 3.7 oz, it packs up into the front pocket and can easily fit into a hydration vest or waist pack. The Skyflow is best used during shorter runs when the wind kicks up, or as an extra layer of protection when the temperature drops during a longer adventure. The waist hemline is reinforced with elastic fabric for added stretch in the back, and the hood comes with an adjustable bungee cord to customize the fit of the hood on windy days. Available at Hoka.com.
For those post-run fireside hangs, we can’t get enough of rabbit’s High Country Long Sleeve Corduroy shirt ($85). Featuring a colorful desert design with two buttoned chest pockets, this thin wale corduroy is soft on the outside with a smooth interior finish, and even has a little stretch to it. The High Country is a button-up style shirt that goes well as a layer when finishing up a run or on its own during an evening holiday party with a drink of your choice in hand.
Winter running requires a dependable base layer, and rabbit’s Outrun Mock Neck ($90) is one we’ve been reaching for on the regular. The mock neck design includes a semi-relaxed fit and is made from 14% wool and 86% recycled polyester, which means it’ll keep you warmer and dry faster. The mid-weight feel is thick enough for wearing on its own during a cooler run, or as a base layer beneath a jacket in freezing temps. Either way, this is one piece you’ll want in your winter gear lineup. Find both at runinrabbit.com.
Recovery shoes always make a great gift for those with post-ultra swollen feet and sore muscles. Oofos created a footbed that absorbs 37% more impact than other responsive footwear and their OOahh Sport Flex sandals ($80) are slides that can accommodate any size (swollen or not) with a wide adjustable strap over the top of the foot, secured by Velcro. We’ve depended on the Oofos footbed post-100-miler, and the Ooahhs make recovery that much easier with a simple slide-in feel, that’s adjustable for each foot. Ooahh sandals can be found at oofos.com
Stocking Stuffers / Under $50…

Socks are always a favorite gift this time of year, especially when they can be worn on cold, winter training runs. CEP’s Training Mid Cut Compression Socks ($19) offer maximum cushion along with targeted compression for better arch and ankle support. With the thickness underfoot, the upper is thinner to reduce slipping or stretching and is made with Smart Dry yarns to keep feet warmer in colder weather (and cooler in warm weather). Find them at cepcompresssion.com.
For all those ultrarunners who hope to have friends or family members crew for them at a race next year, the book Crewing for an Ultrarun Start to Finish by Sandra Bullock Smith ($13) is an ideal gift. Smith has crewed for her husband, Mike, who has finished 200 100-mile ultras (at the time of publishing). The book is a comprehensive guide that explains the basics of crewing and offers tips from how to calculate your runner’s pace to keeping food hot (and cold), along with entertaining anecdotes from her career as Mike’s crew chief. Find it at amazon.com.
Ultimate Direction’s Ultra Flip Glove ($40) offers a soft, fleece-lined, breathable glove with conductive fingertips for screen use. The “flip” part of this glove is a water-resistant mitt that is stowable under the cuff and protects all five fingers when is use. Rather than covering just the fingertips, the mitt reaches down to mid-palm to offer almost full coverage for up to 20 degrees of added warmth. Available on ultimatedirection.com.
Represent your favorite magazine while keeping your head protected out on your training runs. UltraRunning’s Trucker ($29) is a running hat designed with the front panel and bill of a trucker. The soft, breathable back panels include an adjustable Velcro strap, and laser-cut pinholes for comfort on long runs. Available at ultrarunning.com.