Ultramarathon Kit Guide: What to Wear and Carry for Your Event

When it comes to running your first ultramarathon, the age-old question of "what should I wear?" suddenly becomes a lot more important. Whether you're tackling your first 50km, taking on a 100-mile challenge, or embarking on a multi-day adventure, your kit choices can have a huge impact on your experience and, ultimately, whether you reach the finish line.

Most people who enter an ultramarathon already have a good idea of what they're comfortable running in. Some runners are happy in shorts and a T-shirt whatever the conditions, while others prefer more coverage and layers. However, as distances increase, conditions change and time on your feet stretches into the night, the importance of making smart kit decisions becomes much greater.

Add in an event organisers mandatory kit list and it's easy to feel overwhelmed if you're new to ultrarunning. But don't panic, every item has a purpose, and our goal is to help you arrive at the start line feeling prepared and confident.

Why Is Mandatory Kit Important?

At Rat Race, our mandatory kit lists are exactly that, mandatory. Every item must be carried throughout the event and be available for inspection at any time. While the list can seem extensive at first glance, it's been carefully developed through years of delivering ultramarathons, trail runs and endurance adventures in a huge variety of environments and conditions.

Spot checks will take place during the event. These checks aren't there to catch people out; they're there to ensure every participant has the equipment they may need if conditions deteriorate or plans change.

The reality is that weather, terrain and fatigue can transform an event experience in a matter of hours. The gear that seems unnecessary at the start line can become invaluable later in the day, or in the middle of the night.

Staying Warm: The Most Overlooked Challenge in Ultrarunning

One of the biggest reasons participants fail to finish an ultramarathon isn't a lack of fitness, blisters or sore legs. More often than people realise, it's getting too cold.

Managing body temperature becomes increasingly challenging during long-distance events, especially as pace slows, darkness falls and fatigue sets in. Even in summer, temperatures can drop significantly overnight, and when you're moving more slowly than expected, you may find yourself needing every layer you've packed.

That's why our mandatory kit lists place such an emphasis on protective clothing and emergency equipment. These items are designed to give you the best possible chance of staying safe, comfortable and moving forward, whatever conditions the event throws at you.

It's not uncommon to see experienced ultrarunners wearing every item of their mandatory kit during the small hours of the morning as they grind out those final miles towards the finish line.

Below, we've broken down each mandatory kit item, explaining what it does, why you need it and what to look for when choosing your own ultramarathon gear.