If you’re toeing the road for a 100-mile race, what you put on issues. Lots. You’ll face all the things 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 may well make your race an entire lot extra manageable.
After crewing my husband, John, by way of a number of 100-milers—together with this 12 months’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 listing—particularly for mountain races or occasions with lengthy distant sections.
Required objects can embrace issues like waterproof jackets with taped seams, rear purple 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. You’ll want to have all the things 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 that your gear can deal with warmth, chilly, wind, and rain.
Begin with a Stable 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 cozy throughout a variety of temperatures.
Merino wool is our go-to. It’s gentle, doesn’t retain odors, and regulates physique temperature remarkably properly.
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 Hoodie, which saved him heat within the chilly hours and depraved sweat when issues heated up through the morning. This type of premium wool is perfection for runners as a result of it’s going to tug the sweat away to maintain you heat at night time or cool through the day.
Shorts (and the Pocket Issue)
Consolation is essential, however so is perform—particularly in the case of storage. John wears Janji shorts due to their beneficiant pocket structure.
On races the place you need to preserve gear shut (gas, gloves, headlamp batteries, trash), pockets make an enormous distinction. He additionally has an historic pair of Beleaf shorts that’s mainly 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 Reduce Corners
Socks and sneakers could make or break your race. Blisters and foot ache are liable for an enormous variety of DNFs.
John runs in Injinji toe socks, and we at all times pack a minimum of three or 4 pairs. Toe socks scale back friction between toes, which helps with blister prevention, particularly in moist or muddy circumstances.
If we all know the race circumstances can 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 presently 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
A good hat would possibly seem to be a small element, however over the course of 100 miles, it may well make a giant distinction. For daytime operating, a light-weight, breathable operating cap helps defend your face from the solar and retains sweat out of your eyes.
Mission makes each operating hats and bucket hats that assist preserve 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 assist station or a creek crossing. He begins this cooling technique early to assist preserve his core temperature down earlier than the warmth actually spikes. It won’t at all times really feel comfy within the second, but it surely 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 baggage or with crew) ensures he’s at all times prepared to control physique temperature. We additionally preserve 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 operating in rain or sweat.
Layers for All Circumstances
You’ll seemingly 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 baggage or with the crew.
Advisable layers:
- Light-weight rain shell (just like the Gorewear Concurve Jacket or Patagonia Houdini)
- Puffy operating 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 decent races
- Some races even require rainpants! Once more, learn the principles!
Vests, Packs & Storage
What you carry will depend on the course, climate, and assist station spacing. John rotates between Salomon, Dynafit, and Ultraspire vests and waist packs relying on what the race calls for.
We’ve beforehand finished a break down of the greatest operating hydration vest, which is completely going to vary primarily based on how a lot you have to carry AND what suits you greatest.
John additionally likes to change out gear at dusk, so we normally hand him his largest operating vest, Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12, at a key assist station earlier than darkish. That approach, he can carry additional meals, heat layers, lights, and no matter else he’ll want when assist stations are farther aside and the temps begin to drop.
When issues warmth up, or he doesn’t have too lengthy between assist 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 that it’s been examined and feels comfy when absolutely loaded. The very last thing you need on race day is an ill-fitting vest; chafing will 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 is usually a game-changer. John makes use of Leki Extremely Path poles with glove-style attachments for consolation, grip, and lowered 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 connected to his vest. Each quivers permit for fast, bounce-free storage and quick access when terrain shifts. We additionally pack a backup set of CAMP poles—as a result of the one time you don’t deliver extras is normally the time one thing snaps or one thing occurs.
Hydration System: Flasks vs. Bladders
This one comes all the way down to choice. John prefers gentle 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 assist or in scorching climate.
We use HydraFlask gentle flasks with Speedfill caps, which pop open as an alternative of twisting off—saving time and trouble throughout fast refills.
No matter system you select, be certain that 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 a variety of racers put on clear glasses once they don’t want sun shades. It’s one other option to defend your eyes from mud, wind, and normal 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 purple gentle included for highway sections) and in addition makes use of the Ultraspire Lumen 850 Duo Waist Gentle for added visibility and lowered eye pressure.
We at all times have spare headlamps, batteries, and chargers (and cords!) in his vest or drop baggage, and make the lighting change properly earlier than darkish to keep away from scrambling.
In terms of headlamps, be certain that to check them in race-like circumstances forward of time. Some hats work higher with sure headlamp types, and a protracted brim can typically block a part of the beam. These are the sorts of particulars you need to work out properly earlier than race day—or night time.
Ultimate 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 proper 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? Take a look at all the things earlier than the race. And we imply all the things—from socks and packs to lights and layers.
Whether or not you’re the one racing or crewing from the help station, success comes all the way down to preparation. Pack sensible. Plan forward. And when unsure? Deliver the additional socks. At all times.
What to learn subsequent?
