At Wildfire Sports & Trek, we believe that apparel is much more than just clothing - it is an essential element of your performance, and may have a role in empowering you to push your limits further. Whether you’re pounding the pavement on a road run, powering through an intense gym session, exploring rugged trails or training for your next triathlon, your choice of sportswear has a fundamental role in your comfort, performance and motivation.

It’s critical that you gear up with apparel that is appropriate for your sport and the conditions, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or professional athlete. From light and breathable gymwear, to waterproof running jackets and sweat-wicking running and gym socks, we dive into the details of what to wear to achieve your fitness goals and embrace the outdoors.

How To Choose The Best Gym and Running Clothing

When selecting the ideal apparel for road running and gym workouts, the focus should be on performance-enhancing features and overall comfort. It is essential to choose pieces that are engineered to keep you cool and dry during intense physical activities, helping to support your performance and prevent overheating.

The fabric of your sportswear is first and foremost in ensuring a comfortable workout or outdoor experience. The lightweight materials of activewear minimises any excess weight that could slow you down or hinder your movement, which is crucial for maintaining speed on the open road and agility during gym exercises. The activewear collection at Wildfire Sports & Trek features fabrics with advanced moisture management properties, allowing for optimal temperature regulation even during the most vigorous workouts.

Many leading sportswear brands are paving the way for more sustainable men’s running tops, women’s running tanks, gym leggings and running shorts by integrating recycled polyester into their apparel line-up, preserving resources, keeping more waste out of landfill and reducing your carbon footprint. Merino wool is a natural alternative to polyester in your sportswear wardrobe. Being naturally thermoregulating and sweat-wicking, it’s a versatile option for all-season training. Smartwool offers an assortment of Merino baselayers, thermal tops, tights and Merino socks for women and men.   

The cut of your sportswear can help you transition between the seasons, with women’s short sleeve shirts and men’s short sleeve shirts and tanks ideal for warmer weather. By weighing less than their long sleeve top alternatives and leaving more skin uncovered, you can feel lighter and cooler during your runs. However, be sure to use a sports sunscreen on exposed skin for sun safety such as Premax Sports SPF 50+ Sunscreen. Alternatively, during winter workouts or night runs when the temperature drops, a women’s long sleeve top or men’s long sleeve top can be an essential part of your running apparel – offering warmth and protection.

How To Choose The Best Trail Running & Hiking Clothing

As a trail runner, hiker or outdoor enthusiast, you may encounter challenging weather like rain and wind. In colder climates, layering is key to ensure your comfort. Having access to a lightweight baselayer (such as the running clothing discussed above), insulating middle layer and weather resistant outer layer ensures you’re prepared for any eventuality.

Layering is an effective strategy for dressing in cold conditions as your body warmth is caught in the air pockets between the layers, helping to protect you from the chill. When your body or the weather heats up during your run or hike, choosing to layer multiple tops rather than wearing one bulky, thick layer not only helps prevent heat loss with this insulating effect but also gives you the option of layering down when the temperature rises. With increased muscle movement during trail running or hiking, your body temperature will also naturally increase.

A men’s thermal top or women’s thermal top from outdoor apparel experts like Icebreaker and Le Bent can act as an essential middle layer, helping support temperature regulation and contributing to your warmth. A water-repellent (for light showers) or waterproof (for heavy rain) hiking or running jacket over your middle layer provides a lightweight outer shell that protects you from the elements. 

Trail-focused brands such as Salomon, Marmot and The North Face ensure you don’t have to hesitate when rain clouds roll in, with rain jackets crafted from materials such as breathable and waterproof GORE-TEX. Functional design elements such as adjustable hoods, secure pockets and reflective detailing further enhance your safety and convenience, ensuring that you are well-prepared for every twist and turn of your outdoor journey. 

How To Choose The Best Swimwear & Triathlon Gear

For athletes participating in swim events and triathlons, selecting the right apparel is crucial to achieving seamless transitions and maintaining high performance across multiple disciplines. The Wildfire Sports & Trek swimwear and triathlon clothing collection is designed with quick-drying properties and superior comfort. 

A streamlined design is essential to minimise drag in the water while also ensuring that your gear performs effectively on land. The fabrics used in swimwear and triathlon clothing from top brands like Zone3 and Orca are not only quick-drying but also engineered to reduce the risk of chafing, so you remain comfortable throughout the race. Seamless construction techniques and flatlock seams have been employed to prevent irritation and ensure that every garment feels smooth against your skin, allowing for unrestricted movement. Some triathlon clothing provide additional features to support your speed and endurance such as compression qualities to increase blood circulation for faster recovery or zip pockets to keep your race day sports nutrition like energy gels close at hand.

Alongside having the best swimwear, trisuit or tri shorts, your eyewear is also critical. The right swimming goggles are essential for triathlon and swim training, whether in the pool or open water. Eyewear from trusted brands like Vorgee goggles, Aqua Sphere goggles and Orca goggles provide clear vision, comfort and protection in the water. In competitive swimming and triathlons, visibility is crucial for navigating open water, maintaining proper technique and spotting competitors. Well-fitted goggles prevent leaks and fogging, ensuring uninterrupted focus during races and long training sessions. They protect the eyes from chlorine in pools and UV rays during outdoor swims, reducing irritation and discomfort. The right pair enhances performance by offering a secure fit, minimising drag and allowing swimmers to stay streamlined and efficient in the water.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Type Of Clothing Is Best For Running? 

Especially as a beginner runner, when choosing what to wear on your run you may first consider your normal, everyday clothes. However, casual clothing doesn’t offer the same functionality as running clothing, compromising your performance and comfort. Not only is everyday clothing heavier than running clothing (e.g. denim jeans), restricting your movement, but casual clothing is often made of cotton. The problem with natural cotton is that although it is soft to the touch, it is sweat-absorbing, not sweat-wicking. When wearing cotton clothing, sweat is held close to your skin, with the damp, slow-drying fabric clinging to your body. This not only distracts your focus but offers poor insulation, keeping you cold during winter runs.  

Alternatively, synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon draw sweat away from your skin to the surface of the fabric, making them ideal for running. Teamed with the proprietary technology of top brands such as Asics, Brooks and 2XU, wearing sport-specific yarns supports the quick evaporation of sweat – the natural cooling mechanism of your body – to keep you dry and to transfer away heat. The same applies to your running shirts, gym shorts, training tights and your socks for training and gym. Running socks are worth it. Moisture-wicking performance running socks such as Feetures and Steigen keep your feet in healthy conditions, reducing chafing, blisters and overheating.  

Which Brand Has The Best Running Clothing? 

It can be challenging to narrow down the best running apparel for you, with a variety of options on the market. The key to ensuring that you purchase quality running clothing that’s lightweight, moisture-wicking and durable, is by buying your running tops and running tights only from reputable brands. 

If you’re overwhelmed about which brand to choose, consider the brand of your favorite road running shoes or trail running shoes. Many running footwear brands such as Asics, Brooks, On Running and Salomon have extended their running expertise into apparel, keeping you covered from head to toe with running hats, running shirts, running shorts and running socks. Their research-based technologies ensure you stay comfortable - from sweat-wicking yarns in their running clothing to shock-absorbing and responsive midsole foams in their running shoes.

The Wildfire Sports & Trek Try 2 Anything Upgrade takes the guesswork out of deciding what running brand you prefer. Adding this option to your cart allows you to purchase two or more brands, sizes or colours you're considering, and have them delivered to your door with a prepaid returns label. This provides absolute convenience, allowing you to touch and try your new running clothes in your own home, while enjoying a worry-free returns policy. 

What Clothing Should You Wear When Hiking? 

For bushwalking, your apparel must be as rugged and versatile as the terrains you explore. Outdoor adventurers require hiking clothing that not only stands up to the unpredictable elements but also provides the freedom of movement needed to navigate uneven surfaces and challenging environments. 

The hiking and outdoor apparel from Wildfire Sports & Trek is made from high-performance, abrasion-resistant fabrics that can withstand encounters with rocks, branches and rough terrain without compromising on comfort or flexibility. The North Face, Kuhl and Marmot are trusted options for trekking pants and hiking shirts for men and women. You can complete your outdoor attire with hats and visors, buffs and neck gaiters, gloves for outdoors and arm and leg sleeves for added protection against the sun, cold or wind. 

You may also choose trek and trail socks specifically designed to handle the challenges of nature, with heightened durability and resistance against tearing. Smartwool hiking socks and Injinji toe socks for hiking allow you to move naturally while offering trail-ready comfort and protection.    

Can I Use Gym Clothes For Hiking? 

The short answer is yes, you can wear your gym clothes for hiking. Especially on shorter, well-maintained trails and in pleasant or warm conditions, men's sportswear and women’s activewear can double up as your hiking clothing, with sports bras and training leggings providing reliable support. However, there are exceptions. Particularly on long hikes it’s essential to plan for potential changes in weather, in which case bringing along a weather-ready trekking jacket or water-repellent trekking pants in your hiking pack can be a matter of safety. In cold climates, dressing to the conditions by layering in weather-appropriate clothing like a thermal baselayer is key, in which case your gym clothes are unlikely to offer enough protection. 

Also, be wary that thin fabrics like lightweight, breathable and sweat-wicking training tops may be at greater risk of damage on the trail, for example, when catching on tree branches. When it comes to protection against mosquitos and leeches, gym leggings and running tights aren’t thick enough to prevent bites, which may mean it’s worth investing in trekking pants. 

Therefore, before you set out to hike in your gym clothes, consider factors including the temperature and conditions, the distance of your bushwalk, the likelihood of running into biting insects and how attached you are to your sportswear. To help your gym apparel stay like-new for longer, only wear them for road running or the gym, or have an outfit that’s set aside for trail and hiking specifically that you aren’t afraid to get dirty. 

Is It Better To Wear Tight Or Loose Clothes When Working Out?

At Wildfire Sports & Trek, we know that the right apparel can make all the difference in how you feel and perform, whether you’re hitting the gym, running trails or exploring the outdoors. Comfort is first and foremost to work towards pushing your limits with confidence. From lightweight and breathable training tops and tights to weather-resistant jackets, our collection of activewear and outdoor clothing is designed to keep up with you as you strive to reach your goals. No matter your sport or fitness level, choosing the right running clothing, hiking clothing and sportswear helps you stay focused and ready for whatever adventure comes next.