If you’re toeing the road for a 100-mile race, what you put on issues. Rather a lot. You’ll face all the pieces from solar to rain, heat afternoons to freezing pre-dawn hours. Chafing, blisters, overheating, and chilly sweats? All potential hazards. The correct clothes can’t stop each tough patch, however it could possibly make your race a complete lot extra manageable.
After crewing my husband, John, by way of a number of 100-milers—together with this yr’s Hellbender 100—I’ve seen firsthand what works, what fails, and what will get stubbornly packed anyway as a result of it simply feels proper.
Right here’s what we’ve realized and what you would possibly take into account sporting (and packing) to your 100-mile journey.
Don’t Skip the Guidelines or the Climate Forecast
Earlier than packing a single merchandise, learn the race guide. Each 100-miler has its personal guidelines and required gear record—particularly for mountain races or occasions with lengthy distant sections.
Required gadgets can embrace issues like waterproof jackets with taped seams, rear crimson lights, emergency blankets—and even emergency bivy sacks (sure, not simply the blankets).
John has had races the place volunteers bodily inspected each runner’s vest earlier than the race even began. Be sure you have all the pieces you want; in any other case, you danger being disqualified.
And when you’re at it, test the climate repeatedly. Circumstances can shift dramatically—particularly within the mountains—so be certain your gear can deal with warmth, chilly, wind, and rain.
Begin with a Strong Base Layer
The primary layer you placed on units the tone for the remainder of the day—and night time. You need one thing breathable, moisture-wicking, and comfy throughout a variety of temperatures.
Merino wool is our go-to. It’s mushy, doesn’t retain odors, and regulates physique temperature remarkably nicely.
John wears Smartwool or LeBent base layers, relying on the climate.
For his most up-to-date 100, he ran by way of the night time within the LeBent Nuyarn Ultralight Hoodiewhich saved him heat within the chilly hours and depraved sweat when issues heated up throughout the morning. This sort of premium wool is perfection for runners as a result of it’s going to drag the sweat away to maintain you heat at night time or cool throughout the day.
Shorts (and the Pocket Issue)
Consolation is essential, however so is operate—particularly in terms of storage. John wears Shorts promise due to their beneficiant pocket format.
On races the place you wish to maintain gear shut (gasoline, gloves, headlamp batteries, trash), pockets make an enormous distinction. He additionally has an historic pair of Beleaf shorts that’s principally falling aside, however he retains sporting them as a result of they’re simply that comfy.
No judgment right here—if it really works, it really works.
Socks & Footwear: Don’t Minimize Corners
Socks and sneakers could make or break your race. Blisters and foot ache are answerable for an enormous variety of DNFs.
John runs in Injinji toe socks, and we all the time pack no less than three or 4 pairs. Toe socks cut back friction between toes, which helps with blister prevention, particularly in moist or muddy circumstances.
If we all know the race circumstances will probably be particularly muddy or moist, John applies Squirrel’s Nut Butter to his toes earlier than placing on his socks to assist stop blisters. We’ve seen different runners go so far as taping every toe individually; to every their very own!
For sneakers, he at present prefers the Hoka Tecton X 3—a responsive, cushioned path shoe with sufficient grip for rugged terrain. His Merrell Nova 4 and Hoka Speedgoat function backups in case of failure or main modifications in path circumstances. By no means underestimate the psychological enhance of a contemporary pair of sneakers at mile 60.
Hats: Solar, Sweat, and Heat
An excellent hat would possibly appear to be a small element, however over the course of 100 miles, it could possibly make a giant distinction. For daytime working, a light-weight, breathable working cap helps protect your face from the solar and retains sweat out of your eyes.
Mission makes each working hats and bucket hats that assist maintain you cool!
Throughout scorching races, John makes a degree to dip his hat, buff, and sleeves into each water supply he can—whether or not it’s an support station or a creek crossing. He begins this cooling technique early to assist maintain his core temperature down earlier than the warmth actually spikes. It won’t all the time really feel comfy within the second, however it pays off later when the temperatures begin climbing.
As temperatures drop—particularly throughout in a single day sections—he’ll swap into a light-weight beanie or fleece-lined hat for heat. Having each choices available (and in drop luggage or with crew) ensures he’s all the time prepared to manage physique temperature. We additionally maintain a spare hat stashed in his vest or drop bag as a result of few issues really feel nearly as good as placing on a dry one after hours of working in rain or sweat.
Layers for All Circumstances
You’ll probably face a 30- to 40-degree temperature swing over the course of a 100-miler, so plan to decorate in layers—and stash extras in drop luggage or with the crew.
Really useful layers:
- Light-weight rain shell (just like the Gorewear Concurve Jacket or Patagonia Houdini)
- Puffy working jacket and thermal base layers for in a single day sections or chilly races
- Gloves (together with waterproof gloves), and hand heaters
- Cooling equipment like buffs, sleeves, and ice bandanas for warm races
- Some races even require rainpants! Once more, learn the principles!
Vests, Packs & Storage
What you carry depends upon the course, climate, and support station spacing. John rotates between Salomon, Dynafit, and Ultraspire vests and waist packs relying on what the race calls for.
We’ve beforehand executed a break down of the perfect working hydration vest, which is completely going to alter based mostly on how a lot you want to carry AND what matches you greatest.
John additionally likes to modify out gear at dusk, so we often hand him his greatest working vest, Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12, at a key support station earlier than darkish. That approach, he can carry further meals, heat layers, lights, and no matter else he’ll want when support stations are farther aside and the temps begin to drop.
When issues warmth up, or he doesn’t have too lengthy between support stations, he prefers to maintain vests off his again and wears his Ultraspire Speedgoat 3.0 waist pack.
The match and group of your vest are simply as vital as its measurement—be certain it’s been examined and feels comfy when totally loaded. The very last thing you need on race day is an ill-fitting vest; chafing may be painful and, over 100 miles, is perhaps the factor that takes you out of the race.
Trekking Poles (Elective however Useful)
In case your race contains steep climbs, lengthy descents, or mountain terrain, trekking poles generally is a game-changer. John makes use of Leki Extremely Path poles with glove-style attachments for consolation, grip, and diminished hand fatigue over the lengthy haul. They’re light-weight, straightforward to deploy, and constructed for endurance.
He carries two units of gloves for his poles—one with the usual attachment straps and one other pair which might be full-length gloves to maintain his fingers heat throughout chilly stretches or in a single day sections.
When he’s not actively utilizing them, he stashes the poles in a Dynafit or Salomon quiver hooked up to his vest. Each quivers permit for fast, bounce-free storage and easy accessibility when terrain shifts. We additionally pack a backup set of CAMP poles—as a result of the one time you don’t convey extras is often the time one thing snaps or one thing occurs.
Hydration System: Flasks vs. Bladders
This one comes right down to desire. John prefers mushy flasks as a result of they’re straightforward to refill, sip from, and monitor. However hydration bladders can nonetheless be helpful—particularly for lengthy stretches with out support or in scorching climate.
We use HydraFlask mushy flasks with Speedfill caps, which pop open as an alternative of twisting off—saving time and problem throughout fast refills.
No matter system you select, be certain it’s examined throughout coaching and simply accessible whereas on the transfer.
Sun shades & Eye Safety
Defending your eyes from solar, mud, and wind is about greater than consolation—it’s about long-term focus. John wears Adidas Dunamis Professional sun shades, which don’t bounce, fog, or press uncomfortably into his face (even with headphones).
We pack a spare pair simply in case one will get misplaced or left behind.
We’ve seen lots of racers put on clear glasses after they don’t want sun shades. It’s one other solution to defend your eyes from mud, wind, and common fatigue.
Lighting for Evening Sections
In case your race goes into the night time—and most 100s do—you’ll want high quality lighting.
John carries the BioLite 800 Professional headlamp (with a rear crimson mild included for highway sections) and likewise makes use of the Ultraspire Lumen 850 Duo Waist Gentle for added visibility and diminished eye pressure.
We all the time have spare headlamps, batteries, and chargers (and cords!) in his vest or drop luggage, and make the lighting change nicely earlier than darkish to keep away from scrambling.
On the subject of headlamps, be certain to check them in race-like circumstances forward of time. Some hats work higher with sure headlamp kinds, and an extended brim can generally block a part of the beam. These are the sorts of particulars you wish to determine nicely earlier than race day—or night time.
Remaining Ideas: Gear Up, Head Out
What you put on for a 100-mile race ought to really feel like second nature—examined, trusted, and trail-proven. It’s not about having the flashiest gear; it’s about having the best gear for you. John’s system works as a result of it’s been refined over numerous miles, with muddy climbs, freezing descents, and some unforgettable “by no means once more” gear errors.
The most important takeaway? Check all the pieces earlier than the race. And we imply all the pieces—from socks and packs to lights and layers.
Whether or not you’re the one racing or crewing from the help station, success comes right down to preparation. Pack good. Plan forward. And when doubtful? Carry the additional socks. All the time.
