What I Packed to Run 80 Miles Across the Italian Apennine Mountains
Summer is right on the corner of the street. We go on an adventure and take our stuff with us. Here are all the tech and tips WIRED Reviews recommends for your travels.
In 2015, I ran the Marathon des Sables. You know, this race across the Sahara, where people wear funny sun hats and gaiters, and carry everything they need to survive (except a tent) on their backs. A week spent battling giant dunes and burning, dry rock beds taught me an important lesson: It’s possible to pack your life into a 10-pound bag. And run long distances. It’s also a lot of fun.
Since then I have embarked on many running adventures, including a 100 mile lap of Lake Garda in Italy and the 184 miles of the River Thames. In 2022, I became the first person to travel the European Danube from sea to source, 1,830 miles across eight countries in 67 days, again with my own equipment. I spent a lot of time “kit talk,” or obsessing over my ideal gear. I’ve figured out what’s essential (less than you think), what’s superfluous, and what I can trust.
For my final excursion, I participated in the Via Degli Day, an 80-mile trail crossing the Italian Apennines from Florence to Bologna (although most people walk from Bologna to Florence). The first day I ran about 24 miles, 26 miles the second day, and 30 miles the third day, for between 5 and 8 hours each day. Here are some of the essentials I packed to get from point A to point B.
Running shoes
THE Diadora Nucleo 2 GR ($170) is part of the new wave of gravel running shoes, designed to tackle everything from road to light off-road trails. I encountered a lot of both on this race, as well as some more difficult sections of trail. The large wedge consisting of softer cushioning, shallower lugs and a wider base worked well on harder, clear, walkable terrain, while the very nice roomy toe box was excellent for blister-free comfort.
The Nucleo 2 GR is a little heavy and struggles to gain precision, agility and stability on the rockiest technical descents. But the grip worked surprisingly well (apart from some very muddy sections). Above all, it’s a protective shoe with a generous fit that’s also easy to lace up when it’s time to eat dinner once you’re done running. This is important when you only take one pair of running shoes.
The racing watch
Confession time: As an undercarriage tester, I had three sports watches on the go. The Garmin Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970 and Fenix 8 Pro 51mm AMOLED. Among these, the Fenix 8 Pro stood out as the best performer. It’s expensive, but it’s the ultimate tool for multi-day adventures where you need days of GPS power, reliable mapping, and best-in-class routing, all on a large, easy-to-scan screen.
Photography: Kieran Alger
If you’re working away from the network, the Fenix 8 Pro also offers backup satellite security tools like SOS Emergency, Off-Net Messaging, and Live Tracking, although you’ll need an inReach satellite subscription to unlock some of these. I was pleasantly surprised by the Forerunner 970 which lasted almost three days. It lacks the safety tools and the routing wasn’t as insightful as the Fenix 8 Pro’s, but for shorter trips where you have access to charging, it’s a decent option.
Racing helmet
You can’t underestimate the morale boost that comes from meaningful music or a well-timed conversation with family (my lifeline Phone a Friend). So I always carry workout headphones. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 bone conduction headphones ($140), or open-ear styles like the Shokz OpenDots ($160), are perfect for staying connected with the world around you. But I often opt for headphones that are also suitable for commuting time, or flights and trains to get to the trails when I’m not running.
