Rob Foulkesview more articlesObstacle races don’t require much kit but the right shoes will stop you from slipping and the right clothes will help you get round without carrying a shed load of mud and water with you.
Shop around on the internet to find some bargains but Sportsdirect, Amazon and Sportshoes.com are the best from our experience.
Shoes - get some tread
If one thing is certain on race day it will be muddy so you will want a pair of shoes that will give you grip and remain light throughout. Trail shoes will give you the grip and minimalistic shoes will be light, dry quickly and make you a better runner.
Key points
Go for trail or fell shoes with strong grip
Go for minimalistic shoes that are light
Recommended Brands
Inov8 and Salomon
Essential Reading
Reviews: Inov 8 Baregrip 200, Inov8 X-Talon 190, Inov8 X-Talon 212, Inov8 Mudclaw
Articles: Top 8 Obstacle Race Shoes
Clothing - say no to cotton
Another thing certain is that you are going to get wet. You need something light and that will dry easily and won’t be too heavy when running. Often less is more as clothing can retain the water and keep you cold.
Key points
Keep it light - less is more (save your dignity for weekdays)
If you are worried about cuts and grazes on your knees wear long shorts (capri running shorts) or compression tights
Check out this link for running shorts and tights from Sportsdirect who are usually the cheapest. For the men if you are worried about too much budgie smuggler action, wear a pair of light running shorts over the top of your compression shorts.
Fight shorts (MMA) are popular with some as they are very quick drying but they are big and baggy.
On Top - keep it tight
As for tops - vests, technical t-shirts and compression tops are great. Once you have completed a race you will get a free t-shirt which you can use for the next one!
Check Amazon for compression tops. It’s up to you whether you need anything fancy, I have had a cheap compression top that cost about £15 for years now which is still working well.
If you’re getting serious…
For those of you getting serious you might want to think about some gloves to stop your hands slipping on obstacles and also to keep warm if you’re running the cold.
Gloves - Many people use Mad Grip Gloves and cut off the finger tips to get the perfect obstacle racing glove or check these for 99p at Sportsdirect. Kayak gloves are also a good choice, which offer grip in wet situations.
GPS watches - Helps you pace yourself round and tell you how far you’ve ran. Great for training and on race day to make sure you don’t burn out too quickly - a must if you want to get better. Although if you’ve got an iPhone there’s lots of apps you can use but of course you won’t want to get that muddy! Again Amazon are your best bet - check them out here.
Energy gels - if you’re running more than 10km you might want to think about fuelling during the race. Not essential but it will help recovery from the race and reduce fatigue during.
