I recently had the chance to try out some running gear from Craft Sportswear: the Pro Trail Fuseknit Running Tee, the Pro Trail Hydro Jacket, and the Pro Trail Subz Pants. I’d heard of Craft Sportswear from social media but hadn’t tried their gear until now.

For a bit of context, I’m an avid recreational runner. I’ve completed eight marathons and too many half-marathons to count. I’m no elite marathoner (sometimes I don’t even think I’m that good, to be honest), with my fastest time at 3:57:59. I’ve just missed the four-hour mark three times. I am a decent half-marathoner though, with my best time at 1:35:45. Right now, I’m training for the California International Marathon (CIM), which will be my ninth.

I love marathon training most of the time. The focus and dedication it requires are something I thrive on. After finishing a race, I feel a bit empty unless I have the next one planned. I like the person I become while training. As you can imagine, I go through a lot of running clothes—especially during cold-weather training here in Washington state, where CIM training starts in September and runs until the race on December 8. As each week passes, the weather just gets colder.

So, I was thrilled to put Craft Sportswear’s gear to the test. I’m always looking for running clothes that will keep me warm for those early training runs, sometimes starting as early as 4:25 am. I need to be out the door by 5 am and back before 8 am to get ready for work. Lately, I’ve been following the Pfitzinger Marathon Plan. If you know this plan, you know it involves a lot of medium-long runs, which build endurance and aerobic capacity. Eventually, an eight-mile run starts to feel like a short run. It’s a mental game, for sure.

The Pro Trail Fuseknit Running Tee

For my Tuesday workout, I decided to test out the Pro Trail Fuseknit Running Tee during a speed session at my local track. I did a Yasso 800 workout—800-meter repeats designed to predict marathon finish times based on your average interval time. It’s one of the hardest workouts of my week and a real test for any gear.

I opted for a size large because I like my running shirts a bit loose; they’re easier to use to wipe sweat from my face that way. I wore a warm sweater on top of it to start, but as the workout progressed (10.5 miles total), the tee held its own. The material was soft, moisture-wicking, and super lightweight—honestly, I didn’t even feel it. Even as I became a sweaty mess, the shirt allowed me to breathe. Unlike some of my Nike gear, it didn’t carry an odor post-run, which was a pleasant surprise. All in all, this tee will definitely be a regular in my rotation.

The Pro Trail Hydro Jacket

For my Wednesday workout, it was a frigid 38°F. This was my mid-week long run—the dreaded 15-miler. To be honest, I was a bit hesitant about the Pro Trail Hydro Jacket. It seemed like it might be more suited for rainy weather (it’s waterproof, according to the tag), and I feared it might turn me into a sweaty mess. But when I put it on over my long-sleeve base layer, it felt surprisingly lightweight.

Though it wasn’t raining, the jacket was perfect for the cold. It has multiple pockets, including two that were great for storing my gel packs—easy to access during the run. The hood was functional but had a bit of a downside: if it wasn’t zipped all the way, it would fly off my head. However, it has a feature to snap the hood down, which I didn’t use. What I loved most was the color—white on top, brown on the bottom. Running in the dark, I like being as noticeable as possible, so the bright color was a big plus for me. The jacket exceeded my expectations, keeping me warm for over two hours. My only complaint? The Nike long-sleeve I wore underneath got wet from sweat—I should have worn the Fuseknit Tee instead.

The Pro Trail Subz Pants

I don’t usually run in long pants, but it was too cold for shorts that day. I also wear patella bands, and I usually hate how sweaty my knees get when wearing them over pants. The Subz Pants were a bit large, but they had enough room for me to wear the patella bands underneath, which was awesome. I wore running jammers since the pants don’t have a liner, but they were warm, wind-resistant, and comfortable throughout my two-hour run.

The pants also have a large pocket on the right leg. It’s too loose for a phone but could be perfect for gloves if you need to take them off mid-run.

Final Thoughts

All three pieces—the Pro Trail Fuseknit Running Tee, Hydro Jacket, and Subz Pants—performed exceptionally well. They helped me power through two tough runs during week two of my “Race Preparation” phase. I do wish I had a beanie from Craft to complete the outfit, but hey, they’ve got a new customer in me. Honestly, both the jacket and the pants look good enough that I’d wear them casually, not just for training. Same with the running tee—it’s versatile enough to also use during gym sessions. Anything that keeps me warm, does the job well, and looks good doing it? I’m all in.

The post Craft Sportswear Pro Trail Running Gear Review: Here’s What to Expect appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.