Meet Darren: Ultralight Gear Ambassador

What is your favourite trail run or hike?

My favorite weekly trail run would be in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria. There are lots of great training routes there, such as Sherbrooke Forest Circuit, Glasgow track and Vomit Hill. 

But when I have the time for a weekend getaway, I’d make my way to my favourite national park, Alpine National Park. Trail running there is spectacular, especially running in Mt Buffalo, Mt Feathertop and Mt Bogong.

For hiking, my favorite place is Tasmania – hands down. The highest point is only around 1,600 meters at Mt Ossa, but the terrain, alpine ecosystem and beauty is surreal. I loved hiking the Overland Track, The Acropolis and Lake Rhona. 

Any exciting adventures planned for 2026?

This year I’m travelling to Indonesia more often to see my relatives, so I’ll be hiking and trail running more in here. It’s a different terrain with thick rainforest, slippery muds and volcanic mountains, and I’m excited to explore new places. So far this year, I’ve visited amazing new waterfalls and rainforests during my hikes and runs. 

For trail running, my misogi (year long goal) is to finally complete my first 100km trail race and join the 100km club. It will be either at BTS100 (Bromo Tengger Semeru) or GP100 (Gede Pangrango) at the end of the year. I’ve just completed my first trail marathon of the year at Malabar Trail Run (Mount Puntang, Bandung, Indonesia) and it was an amazing experience. It had a diabolical level of difficulty and technicality, but so worth it, and definitely resparked my passion for running. 

What piece of gear could not live without?

There’s so much gear that I couldn’t live without, but to name a few:

• A high-quality pair of trail shoes (currently loving my Hoka Mafate 5)

• Buff. They’re so good in being multifunctional from face protection, sweat management to even being a carrying mechanism. Like, instead of using a handheld soft flask gear, I just tie my soft flask on my hand with a buff, and carry that on easy runs – they work perfectly and won’t fall off. 

• Sun protection: from UPF long sleeves, sunhat to sunscreen and sunglasses (I love wearing the Fractel’s Legionnaire hat line). They’re something that I would always consider whenever I’m out, because heat and UV protection is crucial to having a successful and enjoyable outdoor plan, especially in Australia

How did you get into trail running and/or hiking?

I was doing a multi-day hike at Grampians National Park, and I saw trail runners passing me back and forth (same group of runners) and I got so intrigued about running in the mountains. They looked so light, strong and just having the best time ever - so I had to try it for myself. 

After trying it out myself. I was instantly hooked, it’s an addicting and stimulating sport. Lots of slips, fall, scratches and soreness when I first started, but now it’s an essential thing for me to move and run outdoors in nature. Once I start getting deeper into trail running, I enjoy the mental side of endurance sport more, where it’s about pushing and testing your limits and learning more about yourself through discomfort and challenge. 

For hiking, I grew up in a mountainous volcano area, so as a kid, I’m often outside in nature. My favourite activity is hiking up to a volcano crater bringing eggs and boiling them in the warm crater water as a snack. 

What’s your best advice for new trail runners and/or hikers?

There are heaps of great first tips and advice out there for new trail runners.

But for me, if I were to go back and talk to past-Darren when he first started, I’d say:

1. Doing your research on gear is a must, because buying high-quality gear from shoes to belts is an investment. I still have the same running poles, vest and belts since I’ve started trail running. 

2. Identifying and understanding your running philosophy. I run, not race. And I love doing that.

There’s so much positivity in running, from community building, self-construction and igniting that adventurous side and need in us. When I was younger, I’d get caught up in the trends, social expectations (like chasing constant PB), or comparing my pace to others. 

But I realised that this is a personal journey, and I can choose which perspective lens to embrace. I can put my own spin to things as they fit me. So instead of chasing the traditional time PB, I will often chase a fuelling PB this time, a mindset PB at this race, and an outfit or socialising mingling PB. You can make it fun and modify what doesn’t work for you, so that you keep going.

3. You’re running a literal marathon, and not a sprint, even in your running journey. 

A race doesn’t define you. There’s always going to be another race/running event. And remember to take it step by step, because practice makes progress, and you have to trust the process and celebrate what your healthy body allows you to do.

Check out some of Darren's favourite gear here.