Getting On The Trail: Dan Connolly
- Ambassador
- Trail Running
Have you ever thought whether trail running is for you or maybe you’ve been on the trails for a while and want to make sure you are wearing the right gear. Do you ever ask yourself what is it that we all love about trail running? Some consider it the purest form of running, with few distractions and just absorbing the outdoors, or maybe its that freeing feeling like you are chasing the wind. Whatever the reason, we understand and know why you love it.
For newbies transitioning to the trail, you may have questions like where to run and what to wear. Our own Ambassador Dan Connolly shares how he got into trail running and what you need to know.
"When I first got into trail running, it was before running was cool and mainstream. I got into trail running when working one summer in Switzerland and thought it would be quicker to run than hike when exploring the mountains."
Swiss Beginnings
Back before running was trendy, Dan stumbled upon the idea of trail running, and that was just the start of him exploring the trail. Scrambling up the Swiss mountains in a pair of road-running shoes and coming down with a pair of blisters wasn’t the highlight, but exploring the incredible landscapes of the outdoors created simple joy and a thrill to explore more.
"I soon signed up for a mountain race with no gear, some old road shoes, and an open mind. It was a very tough experience… but I was hooked!"
He stumbled upon trail running, and at first it was tough with brutal climbs, but it was a challenge; he had known about the right gear from the start; we could have relieved some of that struggle. Welsh Fell Running Champion 2024, Golden Trail National Series Champion (2022 & 2024), are some of the titles Dan’s achieved throughout his journey; every little step got him to the finish line.
Caption: Dan Connolly Golden Trail World Series Finals in 2024 © Oliver Denton
Starting out
Starting out can be the toughest part, but our advice can help address some of your concerns and questions. Starting off small is always the best approach to transitioning into trail running; a five-mile local loop is your best strategy for navigating uneven, varied terrain and avoiding injury. Improving through time will come naturally; adjusting your body to something new and unfamiliar is always a challenge, but progressing steadily reduces the risk of injury, something none of us wants.
Your kit is just as important; aside from a first aid kit, socks are among the most important items to consider. After all, it’s your feet that are taking you along the trail, and blisters are just one of the things that can ruin your experience.
"Knowing that they are comfy, durable, and won’t lead to blisters when running on varied terrain."
The right socks keep you comfortable, protected, and blister-free for miles, whatever the terrain, but it doesn’t stop there; breathability, close-fitting cuffs, and cooling features are all worth considering. Our socks offer just that and never fail to deliver.
"I think getting into the sport like this really instilled an exploratory and process-driven approach to running. This is something I want to keep long term, and it’s great to work with a brand which aligns with these values.”
"Some years later now, it’s great to be supported by Bridgedale. When training every day it’s great to have quality kit that you know won’t let you down."
Our Fusion Technology maximises the benefits of natural and technical fibre knits to create a highly ventilated and perfectly cushioned sock, with key features including a supportive fit and a zero-debris cuff. We believe Little Things Matter: one sock does not fit all, and that’s why our trail run range offers Midweight, Lightweight, Ultralight, and Ultralight Coolmax® (which we must say is a game-changer for hot weather), with a variety of styles from colours to Crew, 3/4, and Low.
Find out more about what trail socks you need.
Wool’s for winter
That’s a bold statement and a wrong one (the customer is mostly right). So why is this wrong? Merino wool is a temperature regulator, so it excels at keeping you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. It has many other qualities that benefit the wearer, but the moisture management and odour-resistance are what really make it great. This means sweat and moisture are wicked away from the skin, and the wool naturally resists odour-causing bacteria.
A notable mention is our Coolmax® Ultralight socks, an alternative to Merino wool that provide breathability and moisture-wicking while mimicking Merino wool's qualities. Ultimately, our socks offer a range of benefits to keep you comfortable, helping you to focus on winning that race blister-free with happy feet.
Our ambassador put it simply:
"You guys get it."
He appreciates our commitment to quality, durability, and innovation. For someone who spends hours on varied terrain, comfy, reliable socks are a non-negotiable.