Trail Running Gear Drop 2026: Waterproof Jacket, Hydration Packs and a New NNormal Trail Shoe

Introduction

Early autumn is prime time for trail gear refreshes, and this batch covers the three things most trail runners eventually replace: a waterproof shell, a race vest, and a go-to trail shoe. This roundup brings together Scott’s new Endurance SL waterproof jacket, the first deeply cushioned trail shoe from NNormal, two sizes of Scott’s new Endurance pack line, and the Salomon Advanced Skin 12 that has quietly set the benchmark for race vests in recent years. Some of these are brand new releases still heading into testing, so think of this as a hands-on first look rather than a long-term verdict.

Scott Endurance SL Waterproof Running Jacket

The Endurance SL is built around Pertex Shield fabric with taped seams, a fitted peaked hood, and a 20,000 waterproof and breathability rating, which covers everything you would expect from a quality running shell. Where it goes further is the fit strategy: a 2.5-layer Dryosphere construction with an expandable back panel and two easy-access front panels, designed so the jacket can sit over the top of a running pack without fighting it.

That pack-over feature has appeared on other jackets and often leaves excess fabric flapping around when you run without a pack. Scott has clearly put more thought into the cut this time, and the early impression is that it should work better than most attempts at the same idea.

The numbers are just as compelling. It weighs only 145 grams, packs down small enough to disappear into a vest, and costs £160 on the Scott running website in the UK, which is reasonable next to comparable shells. It comes in five sizes from small to double XL, in light grey or all black. The standout detail is RECCO technology integrated into the hood brim, believed to be a first for a running waterproof jacket, which helps mountain rescue teams locate you if things go wrong off the beaten track. If you spend time in the high mountains, that is a genuine safety bonus you would hardly notice is there.

NNormal Caddie

The Caddie is NNormal’s first deeply cushioned trail shoe, first shown publicly at the National Running Show in Birmingham before launching in the UK for £140. The spec reads like a comfort-first trail shoe done properly: 35 mm of stack at the heel and 29 mm at the forefoot for a 6 mm drop, with supercritical foam in the midsole paired with ETPU footbeds for plushness close to the foot.

At 324 grams in a UK 10, it is not the lightest shoe out there, but that is a fair trade for this much midsole. The woven upper is lightweight, durable and highly breathable, with good padding in the gusseted tongue, around the ankle and in the heel cup. An integrated lace-wing system aims for a precise midfoot hold and lockdown, TPU overlays wrap the toe for protection, and there is a decent amount of wiggle room up front.

Underfoot, the Caddie finishes with a sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole carrying a 4 mm multidirectional lug pattern, which is the right recipe for confident grip on mixed terrain. Four colorways are available including an all-black option. If you have wanted a NNormal shoe but found the range too firm or too racing-focused, this looks like the model that changes the conversation.

Scott Endurance TR 12

Scott’s Endurance TR 12 arrives at an affordable £90 for the pack alone, with two 500 ml soft flasks sold separately at £17 each, bringing a fully kitted total to £124. That still undercuts plenty of quality race vests on the market, and the feature list does not feel like a budget cut. Four sizes are available, and a medium fit a 6’1, 80 kg runner with a 38-inch chest comfortably on an indoor try-on.

Storage is the highlight. Up front you get two generously sized stretchy stuff pockets plus a more secure zip pocket on the left side. The main rear compartment has a large zip opening that swallows a dry bag of race mandatory kit easily, with a compression system to cinch down volume on lighter days. A stretchy pocket at the top of the pack is the detail that stands out most: it is an ideal spot for a waterproof jacket you need to grab on the move.

Around the back there is a long kangaroo-style stretch pouch along the bottom, a running pole carrying system, and compatibility with Scott’s own pole quiver if you prefer to carry poles that way. Standard race-vest boxes are all ticked too: high-vis detailing for night running, an integrated emergency whistle, and hydration bladder compatibility. The simple cord and toggle front adjustment makes it easy to dial in the fit, and as a longtime Advanced Skin 12 user, this is the first new vest in a while that looks like a credible alternative.

Scott Endurance TR 6

The Endurance TR 6 is essentially a lighter, more stripped-back take on the same design language. You get the same fit philosophy and core features with fewer storage options, which makes it the better match for short races, fast training runs, and anyone who finds 12 litres more pack than they need.

If your typical kit list is a flask, a shell and a couple of gels, the 6-litre version should cover it while sitting closer to your back. For bigger days out with mandatory kit, the TR 12 remains the safer pick.

Salomon Advanced Skin 12

The Salomon Advanced Skin 12 deserves its place here because it is the yardstick the Scott packs are being measured against. It has been the go-to race vest for years thanks to comfort, a body-friendly fit, and a long list of accessible storage pockets, and it has delivered reliably at every distance.

The honest caveat: the latest version is not the best iteration of this vest. A previous version performed better, and the removal of the popular top stretch pocket in the current model was an unpopular move with runners. It remains an excellent, proven vest, but if you are buying today, compare it carefully against what the Scott Endurance TR 12 now offers for the money.

Buying Advice

Match the gear to your runs. Mountain runners and bad-weather commuters get the most from the Endurance SL, where the RECCO integration and sub-150-gram weight genuinely matter. The NNormal Caddie suits runners who want a genuinely cushioned trail shoe with sticky Vibragrip and are happy to carry a bit of extra weight for it. Between the two Scott packs, choose the TR 12 for race kit and longer self-supported days, and the TR 6 for short, fast efforts. The Salomon Advanced Skin 12 is still a safe, well-proven choice, but the current version’s missing top pocket makes the Scott worth a serious look first.

Conclusion

This gear drop shows how far mainstream trail kit has come: a 145-gram waterproof with integrated avalanche-locator tech, a brand’s first properly cushioned trail shoe with a supercritical midsole, and a £124 fully kitted race vest that stacks up against the category leader. Full testing is still underway on several of these, but on paper and first impressions, each one earns its spot on the shortlist.