Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a pack: Rather a hydration pack or daypack, something large enough to carry your water, food, and any other mandatory gear that the race requires you to have on your person, will be sufficient. Geoff is a huge fan of the OutThere AS-3 pack.įor an entry level adventure race, you aren’t going to need a massive pack. And of course, different packs are going to fit different body types and torso shapes differently.įor what it’s worth, I love my Nathan VaporHowe 12L for sprint distance adventure races, and my UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0 for any adventure race longer than 10 hours. Much like shoes, different athletes have different preferences on what sort of packs they enjoy. While it may be tempting to grab the old ruck you have tucked away in the attic, you might want to really consider how the pack you use will fit you while in race mode. You’re going to want some sort of pack to carry all of your mandatory gear and water. socks that you can spend many hours in, and that wick away moisture (I highly recommend sport specific wool socks like Darn Tough or Smartwool, but this is definitely a personal preference!).wind and water resistant, packable jacket (this may be part of your mandatory gear).Also, they dry quickly, which is a bonus if your “seat” gets wet during the paddle.) cycling specific shorts or pants (padding in the saddle! I personally enjoy triathlon shorts as they provide protection, but aren’t too bulky for the run or paddle sections.That said, here are some general suggestions:īrian adventure racing in warm weather, vs.
speaking of bushwacking, if the weather permits, consider wearing pants or tall socks to protect your legs.Īs far as WHAT to wear, it will absolutely vary based on your location, and the time of year you are racing.while bushwacking, a common practice in adventure racing) tight or close fitting clothing (lose fabric can get caught on branches, thorns, etc.technical, quick drying fabric (no cotton).A few things to keep in mind while determining clothing choices:
you’ve run/hiked/trekked in before, to ensure there are no hotspots (nothing new on race day!)įor an adventure race, you’re going to want to wear clothing similar to what you would wear for any running or cycling race. are appropriate for all of the disciplines, if you choose to use them for the entire race (biking, paddling, etc). are appropriate for the terrain (likely, you’re going to want trail shoes). are properly fitted to your foot (size, pronation/supination status, etc.). So, make sure you have a pair of shoes that: Uncomfortable feet will ruin your race faster than you can say “check point”. Properly Fitting Running ShoesĬoming from a running background, it’s no surprise that this is one of my number one recommendations for gear you should have in your adventure racing arsenal. Let’s start with the adventure racing gear items you are most likely going to need to purchase, if you don’t already own them. But, we’ll cover all of the basics anyway. If you’re already an endurance athlete or an adventurous spirit, chances are you’ve got many of these things already. However, be sure to always check the mandatory gear list from the race director of your particular race, to make sure you show up to the starting line with everything you need! What Gear to Buy For Your First Adventure Race: This adventure racing gear list includes basics that are required for the majority of entry level adventure races. Though some of this advice will apply to longer, 10-12 hour events, as well. (Ask me about the tandem mountain bike collecting dust in my garage…)įor this post, I’m going to assume you are starting with a shorter event, from 3-6 hours. No one wants a $1,000 tandem kayak collecting dust in their garage when it turns out, you absolutely cannot get along with your spouse while both trying to paddle the same boat. It’s definitely a risk to buy some of these things before your first race, especially if you’re not even sure you’re going to actually continue with the sport. But even in the shortest, entry level races, you’re more than likely going to encounter some sort of paddling, mountain biking, trekking, and orienteering.Īnd that all requires, you guessed it: gear. More so when we’re talking about expedition distance races, like the Eco-Challenge, which cover multiple days and half a dozen or more disciplines. Other Adventure Racing Gear You Probably Already Have:Īdventure racing is a gear intensive sport, and this gear can be quite expensive. What Gear to Borrow (or Rent) for Your First Adventure Race. What Gear to Buy For Your First Adventure Race:.
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