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April and May are upon us, which means the birds are crooning a cheerful tune and the forecast promises more warm days than cold. Other parts of the world often refer to these months as “spring.” Here in Colorado, we call it “mud season.”
“It is the time of the year when melting snow and rainfall make trails a particular mess,” says Phil Yates, spokesperson for City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. “As the weather improves, we begin to see more visitation, but traffic along those muddy trails can cause pretty lasting damage to the trail surface.”
So, when you go outside (as always), do so responsibly. Come spring, that means adhering to closures, of course, and also avoiding the muddiest trails, even if they remain open to the public. Head out in the morning, when the soil is often still hard, and choose paths at lower elevations where the snow has long since melted and the trails are dry. Always check trail conditions and closures, as well as the weather, before setting out.
If you do encounter a muddy section, suck it up and stay on the trail. It’s easier for maintenance crews to fix divots and ruts in the path than to try to re-wild sections inadvertently widened by hikers and bikers trying to keep their shoes and wheels clean.
With those words of caution in mind, here are nine products designed to handle the mud—not to mention spring’s blustery winds and wild temperature swings—with finesse, all from brands with a Colorado connection.
Artilect Sprint Tee (Women’s and Men’s)
Hot one minute, cold the next; a biblical tempest, then dry. Spring weather tends to be as cantankerous as a toddler in need of a snack. So if you’ll be out in the elements, make sure you’re ready for anything. Merino wool—which not only offers a delightfully soft hand if treated right, but also breathes, wicks sweat, dries fast, and doesn’t stink—always is. We’re partial to the Sprint Tee ($90), available in women’s and men’s, from newer-on-the-scene outdoor brand, Artilect. Yes, it’s an investment piece, but the tech tee is made with Nuyarn Speed-Lite, a lightweight yet super strong fabric that has more loft and dries five times faster than traditionally spun merino. Bottom line: It keeps you cool when it’s hot outside, warmer when it’s cool outside (if you have an insulating layer like the just-in Quandary Peak Hoodie on top) and dries quickly when it’s wet.
Flylow Trailworks Jacket (Women’s and Men’s)
April showers (and snowstorms here in Colorado) bring May flowers, so don’t curse the fickle spring weather. Don the waterproof, wind-deterring Trailworks Jacket ($200), available in women’s and men’s, from Denver-based Flylow and embrace it. Made entirely from recycled nylon and featuring a PFAS-free durable water repellent, this fully seam-taped, 2.5-layer shell is just as much of a tree-hugger as it is a technical garment. Wear it for a spring ride (you’ll dig the bike-friendly coverage in the drop hem and slightly longer sleeves), a spring-skiing cornfest (the ripstop fabric shrugs off scrapes from errant tree branches), and, with its stylish color-blocking, après.
Ortovox Seceda Softshell Pants (Women’s and Men’s)
With their wind- and water-resistant exterior and a wicking (not to mention soft) merino interior, the Seceda Softshell Pants ($260, women’s and men’s) from Ortovox are designed for the ever-changing conditions found in alpine environments—and during springtime in the Centennial State. Bonus: Ortovox, which has U.S. offices in Boulder, works only with Responsible Wool Standard–certified farmers who abide by the brand’s four-part Ortovox Wool Promise to protect nature, develop personal relationships with its growers, maintain a transparent supply chain from customer to sheep, and refrain from the inhumane practice of mulesing.
Ripton & Co. Diesel Jorts (Women’s and Men’s)
Jorts are timeless—at least according to Boulder’s Ripton & Co. (OK, us, too.) By that line of reasoning, these throwback-turned-comeback bottoms are in season all year long, including springtime. Just like the hairstyle any self-respecting jorts owner proudly coifs, Ripton’s Diesel Jorts (available in women’s and men’s, $69) are part business (given their über-thin, super stretchy, cotton/poly/spandex makeup and movement-encouraging gusseted crotch) and a whole lotta party, thanks to rough, cut-off hems (if desired) and a faded black denim wash. Choose them for mountain biking, hiking, late-season skiing, or general rabble-rousing. Mullet optional.
Altra Trail Gaiter
On the hierarchy of gear radness, gaiters fall somewhere between custom insoles and a bear bell. But anyone who’s ever encountered an unexpected snowfield or sandy stretch mid-hike or who runs—literally—into unavoidable mud come spring knows just how handy this unsung hero of the trail can be. Denver-based Altra’s take, the aptly named Trail Gaiter ($25), is both breathable and abrasion-resistant. That combined with its low-profile design—it’s strapless and hits just above the ankle bone—make the Trail Gaiter a good pick for runners and casual hikers who don’t need mountaineering gear just to nab some dry trail time this spring.
Deuter Durascent 30 Backpack
Be a dirtbag, if you want—just don’t be one with dirt on their bag. Instead, go for Boulder-based Deuter’s Durascent 30 ($275) and you can easily hose off any muck that collects thanks to its waterproof exterior and taped and welded seams. Designed with alpinists and mountaineers in mind, the Durascent is narrow to stay out of the way of overhead arm movements and reaches (which makes it a decent choice for mountain bikers, too) and harness-compatible. It features lash points for a rope and two ice axes. Have a shorter torso but still want to keep your stuff dry on wet spring adventures? Opt for the Durascent 28 SL ($275) instead.
La Sportiva Mutant Trail Shoes
For the most part, Coloradans can get away with non-waterproof hiking shoes. Consider spring, when an otherwise dry route will likely have an unavoidably muddy stretch or two, the exception to the rule. Our choice for the occasion: the unisex Mutant ($165) from La Sportiva, whose Climate Neutral–certified North American headquarters sit in Boulder. With its deep lugs and sticky FriXion® XF 2.0 rubber outsole, the Mutant is built for wet, loose, and otherwise gnarly trails—in other words, it’s the shoe for bipedal springtime adventuring in Colorado.
Smartwool Run Cold Weather Crew Socks
Unexpectedly frosty runs are inevitable in spring, especially if you lace up early in the morning. No worries. Just grab your crew(s) and hit the trail. Offering bonus warmth (not to mention mud protection), thanks to their mid-calf height, Denver-based Smartwool’s Run Cold Weather Crew Socks ($24) are made with a merino wool-nylon-elastane blend that’s both comfy and durable. So how good are they? A whopping 100 percent of reviewers (114 at press time) say they would recommend these socks.
Kelty Scree Trekking Poles
When the trail gets mucky and the terrain uneven, a good pair of hiking poles like the Scree ($70) from Broomfield-based camping gear brand Kelty, can help save your knees and keep you vertical. Tipping the scales at just 20 ounces for a couple (about as much as that baggie of gorp you packed), the poles are made of an aluminum alloy that’s lightweight yet strong and feature hand grips made from a comfort-first EVA foam with cork for absorbency. Two lock points allow the telescoping poles to adjust up to 56 inches long or down to 35 inches, which means on-the-fly adjustments are a cinch (say, for the notorious up-down-up-down of Colorado trails) and they’ll work just as well for young, budding hikers as grown-ups.
