2025 Trail Running Trends Mental Wellness, Rising Female Participation & Beyond

After several years of social changes and lifestyle reconstruction, people's understanding of sports is undergoing profound changes. In the past, sports were synonymous with burning calories and shaping the body, but now it is seen as a way to psychological balance and individual growth. Trail running, as a representative sport that combines "natural healing power" and "physical challenge", is quietly leading this transformation.
Entering 2025, the trail running community in Europe, the United States and Australia showed two significant trends:
First, more and more runners use trail running as a psychological repair tool, "escaping" from the pressure of the city and the oppression of the screen, returning to the mountains and finding their true selves between breaths;
Second, the number of female runners has increased significantly, not only showing their strength in the competition, but also promoting trail running to develop in a more inclusive, diverse and humanistic direction.
All this is not accidental. The post-epidemic society has redefined the meaning of "health", and the development of science and technology has made training and equipment more personalized and precise. People's yearning for nature and pursuit of inner stability have also promoted the widespread spread of trail running. In 2025, trail running has already surpassed the sport itself and become a lifestyle that connects the body, mind and nature.

Trail running has become a "natural healing place" for mental health
In today's world where the digital world is highly dominant in life, mental sub-health has become a common problem around the world. Anxiety, mood swings, and distraction are becoming increasingly common. Although traditional stress relief methods such as meditation, yoga, and music therapy are effective, more and more people are beginning to look for a way to release the sense of movement and deeply connect nature and self. Trail running is gradually becoming a new entry point for psychological healing.
Scientific research supports: Every step in the mountains is a relaxation for the brain
When we run in the mountains and forests, not only the body is exerting force, but the brain is also quietly relaxing, restarting and reconstructing. An experimental study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2024 pointed out that compared with running training on a treadmill or in an urban park, trail running in a natural mountain environment can significantly activate the "positive emotion center" in the prefrontal cortex area and inhibit the overactivity of the amygdala associated with anxiety.
This means that trail running is not just "running + scenery", but a multi-dimensional physical and mental exercise based on terrain changes, sensory stimulation and psychological rhythm regulation. This mechanism is being regarded by more and more neuroscientists and psychologists as an important branch of "sports psychotherapy".
Data from multiple studies show that:
●A follow-up study by the University of Colorado found that adults who participated in mountain trail running training for eight consecutive weeks had an average decrease of 21% in stress hormone cortisol, while their happiness scores increased by more than 35%.
●Electroencephalogram monitoring of trail runners conducted by McGill University in Canada showed that after 30 minutes of running in a mountain environment, the brain's Alpha waves (related to relaxation) increased significantly, and Beta waves (related to tension and attention pressure) decreased, and the degree of relaxation was equivalent to 30 minutes of meditation practice.
●The Swiss Psychological Rehabilitation Center has included trail running in the auxiliary treatment of depression recovery, which is particularly suitable for "high-functioning anxiety" people, that is, urban white-collar workers who appear normal on the outside but are tense on the inside for a long time.
Why is trail running so effective for the brain?
From a neuropsychological perspective, the healing effect of trail running on psychology mainly comes from the following three paths:
● Multi-sensory stimulation: changes in light in the forest, the smell of soil, and the sound of wind blowing through the treetops. These "unprocessed natural inputs" activate neuronal circuits in the brain related to a sense of security and tranquility.
●Rhythmic activities: Repeated, rhythmic movements (such as running) have the effect of stabilizing emotions and regulating the autonomic nervous system. Especially in highly variable terrain, the body and brain need to maintain coordination, and the focus on the "present" is greatly improved.
●High sense of participation (Flow): The state of concentration in trail running is easy to enter the flow (Flow), that is, an immersive experience of "selflessness and clarity", which is considered to be particularly effective in fighting depression and anxiety.
Trail running brings not only a sense of relaxation after exercise, but also a sustainable path to improve psychological resilience - the body is tired, but the mind is getting stronger and clearer.

"Body and Mind Synchronization" Experience: Trail running is an awareness practice in action
Unlike traditional gym training and road running, the uniqueness of trail running is that it forces runners to "be aware in action" and achieve synchronization of body, breathing, and concentration in the ever-changing terrain and rhythm.
This is not just a physical exercise, but also a self-dialogue and perception exercise.
In the field of psychotherapy, "body awareness" and "mindfulness" are widely used in trauma recovery, emotion regulation and stress management. Trail running, especially when traveling through complex forest trails and ridge terrain, naturally has a training mechanism for these two abilities:
The terrain changes allow you to "focus on the present" and interrupt the anxiety cycle
The urban track or fitness treadmill is mechanical and repetitive; but trail running is never "autopilot":
● You must pay attention to the rocks and tree roots under your feet;
● You must perceive the fine-tuning of your body posture during climbing and descending;
● You must maintain sensitivity to the weather and environment.
This means that your brain cannot stay in the "internal consumption anxiety" and is forced to be pulled back to the present moment. As psychologist Jon Kabat-Zinn emphasized in his mindfulness theory: "True healing is not to stop thinking, but to fully perceive the present moment."
"Once I started running crying, but less than ten kilometers later, my attention was completely attracted by the birdsong in the forest and the rocks under my feet. Tears and troubles seemed to be blown away by the wind."
—— A female runner from Australia who is recovering from postpartum depression

Body rhythm becomes a rebuilder of psychological order
The pace of trail running is not uniform, but adjusted with the ups and downs of the terrain. This "uncertainty of rhythm" helps us break the obsession with perfect control, learn to "follow the terrain", and accept ourselves in change.
●When going uphill, the heart rate soars and sweats profusely, which is an exercise of "bearing and persisting";
●When running fast on a flat road, it is an exercise of "releasing and flowing";
●In the downhill technical section, it is an exercise of "trusting the body and letting go of fear".
In psychology, this is called **"adaptive mindset"** training, which is exactly the inner ability we need when facing anxiety, pressure, and work difficulties.
Body feedback is an outlet for emotional release
Trail running will not immediately solve the problems in life, but it will awaken your energy to face the problems.
In running, many people experience a kind of "silent emotional catharsis":
Anger is released in heavy footsteps, sadness is taken over when the wind blows across the cheeks, and emptiness is heard in long periods of solitude.
This is not repression, but a kind of flow. And flow means that emotions are being transformed and processed.
When Haimont designs each trail equipment, it is with the core concept of "helping the synchronization of body and mind":
●The lightweight backpack system allows you to forget the restraints and focus on the rhythm of body and emotions;
●The quick supply design helps you recover quickly in the rhythm change without interrupting awareness;
●Highly fitting tailoring and breathable fabrics support body comfort and security.
For us, trail running is not only "running forward", but also "walking inward". It is a self-practice class with heartbeat, breathing, and sweat, and it is a psychological healing in footsteps.

The "lightness" of equipment makes the mind "loose"
Running in the mountains and forests seems to only require a pair of shoes, but in fact, the design of each close-fitting equipment directly affects the physical and psychological feelings. Trail running is not a minimalist adventure, but a challenge of precise balance: you must have equipment to deal with risks, and ensure that you are not dragged down by the equipment itself.
Among them, "light" is not only the weight on the physical level, but also the psychological relaxation. Good off-road equipment will make you forget its existence, leaving only the freedom of resonance with nature.
Lightweight = Reduce decision-making burden + Reduce mental fatigue
There is a concept in psychology called "cognitive load", which refers to the information processing pressure we bear at a specific moment. In trail running, this load is very high - route selection, supply plan, cadence adjustment, weather changes... Any unnecessary equipment adjustment and weight discomfort will increase the load on the brain, thereby weakening the runner's emotional stability and concentration.
The significance of lightweight equipment is not just to run faster, but to have less interference and more flow.
Trail running is not always a linear movement. It contains a "frequent switching" rhythm state: running, walking, replenishing water, undressing, dressing, taking energy gels, taking headlights... If the equipment does not respond in time to this high-frequency action, runners are prone to rhythm interruption and psychological anxiety.
Haimont improves the "light intervention sense of equipment" through the following detailed designs:
● Double soft bottle compartments on the front chest + quick-access energy gel pockets: you can replenish water and energy without stopping, and maintain a smooth rhythm;
● Elastic mesh pocket on the back + zipper layered design: windbreakers, thermal insulation layers, headlights and other equipment can be grabbed in one second, reducing "backpack search anxiety";
● Highly breathable shoulder mesh + seamless fit cutting: avoid sweat and friction during long-distance carrying, making the body lighter and the mood more relaxed.
These "details to reduce burden" actually liberate the mind from "paying attention to equipment" and focus on the pace, breathing and the mountains themselves.
The psychological sense of relaxation comes from the sense of security of "I am ready"
Lightness does not mean sacrificing function. For psychological healing runners, the real sense of security comes from "I have brought everything, but I don't feel heavy."
For example, in the night section of trail, runners often have an anxious feeling of "did I bring too much? Did I miss anything?" Haimont has designed the following features in its new backpack:
●Exclusive "night running compartment": headlights and spare batteries can be quickly accessed without rummaging through the bag;
●Elastic side pocket capacity expansion structure: flexible to adapt to changes in supplies in different stages;
●Reflective markers and emergency whistle configuration: enhance night safety, so that runners do not need to carry additional accessories.
These designs may seem small, but they are a huge psychological support: you know you are fully equipped, and you know that none of this will become a burden.
"Light" has never been a compromise on function, but a protection of inner rhythm and psychological freedom.
In 2025, when more and more runners choose to use trail running as an emotional healing and a ritual of life, lightweight equipment is no longer just "exclusive to racing", but the most basic emotional protection tool for everyone who approaches the mountains and forests.
Hamont hopes that through every gram of design and every seam of fitting, runners will not only move forward physically, but also be gently supported by the mountains and forests in terms of emotions.

The rise of female trail runners redefines the sport
In the past decade, women have become more and more common on the trail running track. They are no longer just spectators or runners at the event, but determined, independent, well-prepared competitors, finishers, and even champions. This trend is particularly evident in Europe, America, and Australia. Behind this trend are both the loosening of gender concepts and the gradual adaptation of equipment, training methods, and event design to women's needs.
Trends from the data: Female participants are becoming a force that cannot be ignored
According to data released by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and the UTMB World Series, by the end of 2024:
● In Europe, the proportion of women participating in trail running events below 50KM has exceeded 38%, and in some short and medium distance events, this proportion has even reached 46-50%;
● In representative events in Australia, such as Ultra-Trail Australia (UTA), the proportion of female participants has increased from less than 28% in 2015 to 41% in 2024;
● Events such as Lake Sonoma 50 and Broken Arrow Skyrace in the western United States are also actively introducing a "female runner priority lottery mechanism" and an "incentive program for female beginners".
Behind this, more and more women are breaking the prejudice that "trail is a male home ground" with their actions, and seeing the mountains as a free space for self-challenge, self-repair and emotional connection.
"When running in the mountains, no one requires you to smile, be decent, or be perfect. I just need to get along with my feet, the wind, and the slopes."
—— Italian female runners participating in the 2024 Lavaredo Cortina Trail

Off-road experience from a female perspective: not only a challenge, but also healing and expression
Female runners tend to experience off-road running more in the dimension of feeling - they run not only for pace and finish, but also for:
●Healing postpartum anxiety and life pressure;
●Rebuilding trust and control over the body in the cycle changes;
●Finding identity in the group and finding oneself in solo running.
For example, in the "Wild Women On Top" off-road community in Victoria, Australia, 70% of women said that off-road running helped them improve their emotional stability and sleep quality, and more than 60% of members regarded it as a "key habit for emotional management."
At the same time, more and more women are no longer avoiding difficult events. Taking the 2024 UTMB as an example, the completion rate of women is almost the same as that of men (56% for women and 59% for men), which shows that with scientific training and reasonable equipment support, women also have the physiological and psychological conditions to complete a 100-kilometer trail running race.
Equipment evolution: Women's exclusive design is no longer "pink means feminine", but understands them from the perspective of structure
In the early days, the trail running equipment industry often only distinguished between men and women in color matching - giving women "smaller men's models + pink embellishment". But in recent years, truly excellent brands have begun to redesign trail equipment based on the differences in women's body structure and usage scenarios.
Haimont adheres to the principle of "structural adaptation takes precedence over appearance differences" on this point. For example:
●Women's exclusive vest pack cut: Considering the chest structure, a three-dimensional inclusive design is adopted, and the water bottle compartment on the front chest is moved down to reduce the sense of oppression while retaining the efficiency of quick access;
●The shoulder strap and side wing adjustment system is refined: because women's shoulder width and frame are smaller, a more precise adjustment range makes the backpack "closer" rather than "tighter";
●Quick-drying T-shirts use soft elastic material + highly breathable structure: adapt to the characteristics of women who sweat more easily and have more sensitive skin, ensuring that long-term friction does not cause discomfort.
In addition, Haimont also pays attention to the special needs that women may face in competitions, such as:
●How to design a quick-access pocket to carry sanitary products when participating in the menstrual cycle;
●A light belt solution that ensures that the light does not shine directly into the eyes during night running and avoids discomfort on the front chest;
●Emphasis on the "low noise" of equipment to reduce the interference of friction noise on the concentration of female runners.
●Provide "skin-friendly, friction-free" quick-drying fabric clothing for mothers returning to training after childbirth, and seamless technology to avoid discomfort in sensitive areas such as the abdomen, chest, and armpits due to stiff fabrics. Especially during breastfeeding or when the body is still recovering, a truly soft, fitting, and non-irritating T-shirt is often the first step for them to train with peace of mind.
All these details are not just technical upgrades, but Haimont's perception, respect, and support for every female runner, especially mother runners, in their physiological changes.

Trend outlook: Trail running is becoming a way for women in the new era to express "strength" and "softness"
Starting in 2025, we expect that women's participation in trail running will continue to rise, especially in the following aspects:
● Women's themed events will grow rapidly, such as Australia's "Run Like A Girl" and the United States' "Her Trail Ultra";
● The influence of female trail KOLs and bloggers will increase, and they will become an important source of "real route experiencers" and "equipment selection guides";
● In the linkage between brands and events, more female participants will be included in the product co-creation and experience feedback system, forming a virtuous circle.
In Haimont's view, this is not just a "market phenomenon", but a group transformation that deserves respect and support. The mountains of the future will not only belong to muscles and speed, but also to emotions and empathy.

The future has come in the mountains
On the other side of the mountain, there is the relaxation of the heart; in every trail start, we see not only the forward movement of the footsteps, but also the restart of the body and mind and the reshaping of the population structure. In 2025, the world of trail running has become more inclusive and diverse - it is transforming from an "extreme challenge" to a lifestyle that everyone participates in, a journey of inner growth.
Whether it is a runner who steps into the mountains for psychological healing, or a female runner who breaks through the limit on the 100-kilometer track, this era is respecting every "reason for running".
Haimont always believes that equipment is not only a tool, but also a bridge connecting runners and mountains, body and inner self. We are willing to provide solid and gentle companionship for every runner's mountain journey with light, fitting and safe equipment design.
The future trail running is no longer an adventure for a few people, but a healing for more people. Let us measure the scale of freedom with our feet together and hear ourselves more clearly in the mountain breeze.