There are also sometimes questions about what 'FRA mandatory kit' is. Its here if you need it- point three. But this is just the basics and races may ask for all, some or additional kit as the organiser sees fit. Trail runs can ask for additional things like GPS capable devices, bivvy bags etc. so always check the race. Shorter races and races in summer often require no kit at all.
All that kit *CAN* cost a fortune. And actually, if you are going to be doing a fair amount of it in the bad weather, or the longer, more remote races, its worth the investment. But I have managed to acquire quite a lot of kit without too much expense at once.
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| Most of my kit |
Bags:
The first bag I acqired cost me £10 plus p&p off ebay and is the Costwold outdoor pack second down. It does a reasonable job. Its not actually designed for women and so squashes my chest a bit, and has full chest fastening with a zip. Its a bit old fashioned but it does a reasonable job and I have used this for a few races. But then I got the Pete Bland bumbag which is great for me as I have small shoulders and wider hips and its surprisingly good capacity. I can fit the basic kit list in it just about, and I use it for a lot of casual hill runs with the club.It also has a degree of fell running street cred, which when you look like me, you need as much as you can get! The small blue vest is predominantly a hydration pack vest, but also fits a phone, gels etc. Its great for those warm summer days where carrying a full hydration pack is required but you don't need much in the way of additional kit. I actually use it for road races sometimes to reduce the need for plastic cups. And finally at the top is my big OMM rucksack. I use this for running to work every day and also have used it for a LDWA event (18 miles). It has much more cappacity but also moves more than the smaller packs because it naturally sticks out further from your back when full. The hip and chest bands help adjust it to size.
Waterproofs:
Here is an area where, if you want to do more adventurous runnning, you could do with investing more. However, for fair weather runners like me, you can get away with a bit less. My jacket for taking in my pack is a £25 Ron Hill jacket with the mandated hood and taped seems. Its waterproof but not particularly good at wicking away sweat. Fellow runners have recommended the OMM one which apparently is a good balance of breathability and waterproofing, but it comes at more of a price. I have looked at investing in one for my winter runs. I got the pink stuff pack with another jacket and use it to stuff the jacket up small to carry which is really helpful. I have yet to have to open my waterpoof trousers; in general if its wet enough to need waterproof trousers to run in, I am not running on the fells, but if I become immobilised they may stave off hypothermia so I have some slightly heavier ones that I got from decathalon for not too much. You can get very small light ones for a bit more money if saving on weight is you bag. I also have a waterproof cap which can be brilliant for keeping rain out of you eyes, and this I stole off Martin. Any cap will help in driving rain but this one is good for warmth as well as it keeps the rain out.
Woolies:
Some races will let you use a buff as a hat, some will not. Buffs are very versatile and can be used for seat bands, hats, neck warmers and even flannels, depending on the demand. Patterns vary and I use mine for running, cycling, skiing and hiking. I don't often buy branded ones, and they seem to work just as well., The woolen headband at the top left was knitted by my Nanny Maureen and is brilliant as it keeps the wind out your ears, but lets the heat out your head. I run in it in deepest winter but often wear it before and after races for warmth. The cloves on the tops right are the ones that go in my race pack. They are light weight but with a little fleece lining. They are not waterproof but they are a good extra layer, often coming off somewhere after the start line, before the top of the first hill. The fatter gloves on the bottom left I use for longer hikes but also for start lines and throw them at my partner as we start. They are skiing gloves, a bit waterproof and warm. I might take them in a larger back pack for longer fell races if the weather was bad.
Layers:
In summer, I often don't take an extra layer, and if I do i take the waterproof. These are two of my other options: one is a fleecey roll neck from decathalon, the other is a cotton long sleeve from Aldi of all places. They aren't specifically designed for fell running but they roll up fairly small and I can secure them with rubber bands. I only take one or the other as required. Its a case of a dry layer if you get immobilised, as a running vest is little comfort in these cases. Please note, most fell races will not accept arm warmers as a substitute. Again, these layers also get taken hiking and skiing so I get my monies worth given they were both under £10.
Emergency Kit:
The headtorch is a major investment. This did cost money but I managed to get it considerably discounted. In winter, my club does alternate Wednesday headtorch runs which I love. On the first few I wore a light weight one and struggled along, then I did a race at night and without the group torches, really struggled (and ripped my knee open) so just invested in this beauty and its made a lot of difference to my ability to run at night. I don't often run alone at night but it occasionally crops up on kit lists for trail races. It has a rechargable battery pack that plugs in to a computer which is also useful.
Navigation:
I am fortunate enough to havebeen taught how to read a map in geography then practiced it in guide and cadets. This doesn't mean I am fab at navigation, but I can do the basics. I can also use a compass. Many proper fell races require a degree of navigation and depending what is required I vary what I am carrying from full OS map to print out or a purpose made race map from Pete Bland. I also carry my emergency contact details. The sandwich bag is for protecting paper maps from the rain. I try and reuse it until its falling apart to save on plastic.
You often also need water and food. I use soft bottles quite often, and a full hydration pack when going longer or in warmer weather. I often have packets of haribo or clif bars for emergency food. One clif bar followed me around for over a year before the wrapper got pierced by something and I had to bin it. It was only for emergencies so I wasn't too worried if looked a bit basked up!
In terms of covering cost, I have bought second hand, thought about my actual needs and been selective. I have also spread it out over a few years. Now I could probably afford to replace some of this kit and upgrade. Some of the companies I have bought from aren't the most ethical but in future I will try and improve on that, or at least buy from small local retailers.
I am also not a kit expert but this is just an idea of what works for me, and that might not be the same as what works for you. I do a bit of fell and bit more trail, and mostly good weather so I get away with less but that is my level of risk. Claire Maxted at Wild Ginger Running does some lovely kit reviews if you are interested, mostly focussed on trail running. Plus the magazines are useful. But if you are part of a club its worth borrowing a trying pieces to see if they fit and work for your running style if you can, especially packs.
In terms of repairs, its much more sustainable if you can. I am not great with a needly but can replace buttons, and repair some holes. the strap snapped off my bumbag and I have repaired that and it seems to have held. Patagonia do worn wear repair sometimes as that might be worth exploring for your good kit. Also, learn how to re waterproof you kit as it really helps prolong its life.
If anyone carries anything different, or can recommend a particularly great item of kit, I would love to know in the comments!
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