Who are Trail.NL actually? We originated from Dutch Mud MenAn online store where we've been selling equipment for obstacle runners, mud runners, and survival runners since 2013. More and more items for trail runners were added, and we felt they deserved their own shop. That's Trail.NL has become, with a full-fledged online trail store and a trail run shop in Amsterdam.
Who are Trail.NL?
Who can you meet in our store?
Dirk
I started in 2013 by selling a pair of INOV8 X-Talon's to the more fanatic obstacle runners. In the meantime, This is a hobby that got out of hand and has grown into a complete trail running store in Amsterdam.
Experience: I I've done a lot of running in recent years, both short and long distances, on both paved and unpaved roads. On paved roads, the highlights were definitely the two runs in South Africa: Two Oceans and Comrades. My favorite trail was a 150-kilometer ultratrail in the Spanish mountains. I've also endured a lot in the mud, for example, during the Ultra Viking and the Mud Masters 24 Hours.
Favorite product: You can always wake me up in the middle of the night for a new pair of trail shoes.
In training for: Monte Rosa 90
Naomi
In 2020, I moved to live a kilometer from the entrance to Kennemerduinen National Park. My old street shoes screamed a little louder every day: "Come on, Nom! Let's go for a walk!"
That's how I quickly managed to run a 5K again, and I more or less met my boyfriend while running. He dragged me along to my first trail events and obstacle runs, and now our holidays are almost always focused on an event. My first was Trail D'Orval in Florenville, Belgium; a beautiful 11km trail, where my love for downhill runs began. More trips to the Ardennes, Alps, and Lofoten soon followed; usually between 25 and 30km.
Since 2024 I can also call myself an 'Iron Viking' and hope to complete the Ultra Viking Hofstade and Spartan Ultra in Morzine this year.
Favorite products: Ciele caps, injinji socks, Näak Ultra Energy Drink Watermelon, Clif bloks (all flavors)
This year I'm looking forward to: the smaller local trail runs that we spontaneously participate in, but also Everberg Trail in Belgium. My friend is from there, and lots of friends always join, so the atmosphere afterward is always very pleasant.
In training for: Iron Viking Wijchen, Ultra Viking Hofstade BE, Spartan Ultra in Morzine FR, Predator Race Neukirchen AT
Farley
In 2021, I went on exchange to Chile for my studies. For the first time, I was getting credit for sports, so what's better than getting credit for running in the mountains? I was already in love with hiking, so I signed up for the Cross-Country Men's Selection Team, and since then, I've seen myself flying on the road and the trail. But the trail has always been close to my heart. Every time I go backpacking, I bring my skateboard to explore the streets and trail shoes to explore the natural areas. Without those two, can you really have seen a place?
Since 2021, I've been passionately reading about mountain ultras, and I'm in love. The personal experiences during the ride, the different training methods, and the diverse adventure and landscapes each race offers—it's all a joy.So tell me about your own experience next time you visit us!
Experience: After three years of daydreaming, I decided in 2024 to make it a reality: becoming a trail runner. Since then, I've completed the UTMB Saint-Jacques, UTDS, and GTLC, which range from 44 to 54 km. I've done enough road races now, but I'm still in the early stages of getting lost in the woods, mud, mountains, and more.
In training for: Snowdonia (50k) 2025, Monte Rosa (90k) 2025
Arvo
Arvo is an artist and filmmaker from Canada who has been living in Amsterdam for 6 years. Arvo works at the TRAIL store but also as a tutor of Fine Arts at ArtEZ University in Arnhem and works on his own art projects and films.
He enjoys running, trail running, and thru hiking.
In 2023 Arvo did a yo-yo of the GR-20 hike on the island of Corsica (8 days north, 6 days south)
And in 2024 he did a yo-yo of the GR-221 hike on the island of Mallorca (6 days east, 6 days west) and he recently hiked across the Pyrenees Mountains from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea along the HRP (Haute Route Pyrenees) during the month of October in the rain, mud, wind, and snow and completed the hike in 30 days.
Since moving to the Netherlands Arvo has done a one-year artist residency at Artis Zoo in Amsterdam, a two-year artist residency at the Rijksakademie, made art exhibitions in Hoorn, Arnhem, Middelburg, Rotterdam, and Den Bosch and has shown his work at the Berlin Film Festival and museums in Munich, Venice, Geneva, Brussels, Gothenburg, and Paris. Arvo is also a member of the Dutch Orchid Society and enjoys making gardens with native plants and photographing plants in their natural habitats.
Jens
I grew up with a passionate trail runner/ultrarunner as a father, but whenever I was asked if running wasn't for me, I'd shake my head laughingly. That changed midway through the coronavirus pandemic, when many sports facilities were closed and I had to spend a lot of time at home. My first runs were five-kilometer laps in a pair of old sneakers, but I quickly developed a love for running and bought my first pair of running shoes. Now, a lot of my weekends and almost all my holidays revolve around running.
When I can, I love running in nature. I truly appreciate the beautiful views, the tranquility, and the variety of trails and surfaces. Even abroad, trail running is the ideal way to explore large parts of a nature reserve or a city in a short time.
Last December, I ran my first official ultra, the Bello Gallico 50 miles, in Belgium. Despite hours of slogging through the mud at night and the brutal suffering of the last 10 kilometers, I immediately wanted more.
Favorite Products: Injinji socks, Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 trail shoes, Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles
In training for: The Great Escape (100km), Lofoten ultra-trail (88km)
