Thermal Gear and Running Tops

[Osbert]

Hi,

Planning my layering and hope for some input, taking into account I'm slow and from hot climate

1) Next to skin - Nike compression top
2) Marmot long sleve zip neck top (Polartec Power Dry)
3) Patagonia Capilene 3 (can this satisfy the thermal top requirement?)
4) 100 weight fleece
5) Waterproof jacket with hood.

Overboard? The patagonia top is more useful to me than a normal thermal (and easier to put on) but comes with a weight penalty.

Depends too on how quickly the temp drops before I get to the first bad drop. Target is just before sunset

[Owen]

Osbert,  here's a mind-dump post race about weather and clothing from last year. I finished in 21hr and hit CP3 just on dusk from memory. I'm a big guy at 95kg so nice and insulated from most cold.

"Weather was perfect 4-15 no clouds, little wind and no rain at all. 
Started out with just a lightweight wicking running t-shirt on and my plan for maybe wearing thermal top at some point went out window when I put it on at CP3 before it was even dark, also put on gloves and had beanie handy. then at CP4 donned thermal bottoms and
cycling wind proof vest, with running top as mid layer.  At CP5 added a 4th layer when put Macpac jacket (nemesis) on as I was too cold and borrowed my warmer beanie.  Needed to take Beanie on and off for last leg and open
zips up as got too hot/too cold at times.  If it was gonna be colder or wet would need some serious clothing!!"

Back to 2011 - At the moment I have the same plan (assuming same fine weather) of running the first half with just one layer on, but carrying the mandatory polyprop thermal top and a lightweight hooded waterproof jacket. Will plan the night legs better this year with spare dry thermals and a warmer (wool) mid layers.  If weather looks colder and wetter than last year I'd probably ditch the lightweight hooded jacket I have and carry a proper Gortex jacket, and carry a 4th layer of wool.

You'll know how you react to cold better than me but I was quite surprised how cold it got. I guess the fact you're bodies freaking out from exhaustion doesn't help! 

This would all be easier if I could finish in daylight but that's not gonna happen...unless we're talking 28hours and dawn..arghhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Hope this helps.
Owen

[Osbert]

Thanks for taking the time. 

I'm planning on putting a heavier fleece at CP3 and 4 each.  Dry long sleve tops, socks at all the bag drops as well.

If the Patagonia Capilene tops satisfy the thermal top requirement, I might get the heavier weight 4 instead.

What did you put on over the thermal bottoms? The rain pants? I hate the swishing sound but might not have much of a choice.

[Owen]

Osbert,

Because my legs were working all the time they didn't feel the cold.  I just had skins (short) over the thermals and that was fine. A bit of wind might change that plan and make me get the rain pants out.  I find them horrible though, whenever I've exercised with them in the past the sweat is horrible.

Owen

[Adam]

Does anyone have advice on where to get a cheap pair of rain pants from? I'm figuring I don't really need to spend $149-499 on North Face gear that I may not even wear....


Thanks in advance for any info

Adam

[Osbert]

Owen,

I've got a couple of them so one at CP3 and the other at CP4 if they don't make us carry them from the start. I'm wearing 2XU long tights from the start but previous experience tells me they're not enough for the night.  Will see if I can get the thermals on under the tights but I suspect the process isn't going to be pretty

[Brett]

Gday.

I wore body science full length pants, no thermals required for legs last yr and I was comfortable (for me). Feet got cold though. As for upper body, a standard nike running long sleever, then over that a running t shirt and over that a running singlet. I was comfortable, but cooled very quickly at the latter 2 check points, only when I stopped. Gloves and beannie are critical for the dark evening, or if a breeze pushes through. I found it to be a find line between walking (cooling down), power walking (comfortable), jogging (warm) and that was on the last two legs.

During the days was perfect last yr, and at times, I was rolling sleeves up and quite warm.

I finished in 17 and half hours.

I will take the same approach, carry thermals if weather is different and have fleece available.

Cheers

[Matt]

Great topic and good advice for us first timers. I think the cold will be a big factor. As for buying wet weather pants, I just bought a set for $50 on wiggle.co.uk. I don't know if they are great or not as have never had to run in any before and hope I don't have to ever really.

Matt.

[Jaci]

Adam ... we shopped around for Rainbird pants at camping / outdoor shops ... they're anywhere from $45-$55.  Finally bought a pair in Tassie on special for about $30 (don't remember exactly).

Anyway, point is .. you def don't need to spend $100's on something that you will probably not wear, and that you won't use much.

Main thing is that the Rainbird brand are just as 'waterproof' as the others ... and, they have wide ankle fit with velcro straps .. no need to take shoes off; great fit for running.

Best of luck

Jaci

[Adam]

Excellent, thanks Jaci!

Adam

[Adam]

Also I should mention someone on FB said Rebel Sport have a thin pair for apx $20. I'll report back if I find them......

[Daniel]

Hi Adam...

In regards to rain pants, i bought the Inov8 Mistlite rain pants and rain jacket from Wiggle. They are both great. Super lightweight and roll up into themselves to form a tight storable package. Rain jacket becomes its own bumbag! I just suggest going one size bigger than you think, as not overly large sizing. I also picked up a Craft 100wt fleece running top and Craft thermal running gloves. All items delivered free for a total of approx $160! From memory, the pants were $30 or thereabouts.

Got all the gear, but still no idea!! Nervous as!!!!!!!

Cheers,

Dan

[Adam]

I went in to Rebel, and found that the cheapest pair were $24.95, and they were also a serious crime against fashion. Actually they were really heavy which was the reason I didn't buy them- all waterproof pants appear to be a crime against fashion. I ended up buying a pair for $44.95, I think the brand was Stolite or Solite. They pack away into their own pocket.

BTW, yesterday we did part of start-CP1, then Part of CP4-CP5 and then CP5-Finish. I could lie and say it was an easy 39km, but in reality it was a hideous, grinding torture test. Coming up Kedumba in the dark at the 85km mark is going to be fun!

Thanks to everyone for their help

Adam

[Ian]

i bought cheap thermals from katmandu when they were on offer last year and didnt wear them.

bought a fleece for $8 from target and didnt wear it.

bought waterproof pants from rebel for $20 or so and didnt wear them either.

didnt even wear my rain coat.

shorts and tshirt , you warm up pretty quick but things start to cool down when it gets dark.

gloves were essential for me as i have bad circulation. the rest of my body is like a furnace.

fingers crossed its as nice this year as last year.

[Osbert]

Hey Ian, you forgot to mention that you finished sub 14hrs.  I might be out twice as long.