AID STATIONHEAD TO HEAD4 MATCHUPS
Head to head
When two picks both deserve a spot in the vest, we put them side by side — same course, same criteria. New here? Start with the full ranking.
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| Criterion | Injinji Trail Midweight toe socks | Squirrel's Nut Butter anti-chafe salve |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | — | — |
| PRICE | $29.95 | $44.99 |
| STRONGEST AT | Toe socks that end blisters. Cheap, consumable, and evangelized at every start line. | Cult anti-chafe salve born at ultra aid stations. The cheapest DNF insurance in your drop bag. |
| VERDICT | Check price | Check price |
| Criterion | Training Essentials for Ultrarunning by Jason Koop | Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel, 30-serving |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | — | — |
| PRICE | $34.74 | $30.99 |
| STRONGEST AT | The coaching bible for ultra training. The safe, no-size-needed gift for any mountain runner. | The aid-table endurance drink mix new ultra runners start on. Steady carbs and salt by the hour. |
| VERDICT | Check price | Check price |
| Criterion | Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z trekking poles | Petzl Actik Core 600 headlamp |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | — | — |
| PRICE | $209.95 | $86.99 |
| STRONGEST AT | The Z-fold carbon pole on every climby course. Packs into a vest, deploys in seconds at the base of a wall. | The default night-section headlamp: 600 lumens, a rechargeable core, and the runtime to last the dark miles. |
| VERDICT | Check price | Check price |
| Criterion | Salomon ADV Skin 12 hydration vest | COROS PACE 3 GPS watch |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | — | — |
| PRICE | $181.87 | $199.00 |
| STRONGEST AT | The most-worn race vest on any start line. Two high chest flasks, room for kit, food, and poles. | Ultra-grade GPS battery at a mid-range price. The finisher-gift watch that keeps recording past the finish. |
| VERDICT | Check price | Check price |
6 field guides published
8 products vetted
28 reader price checks
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