What to wear what to wear?

[Katherine]

Hi everyone. I am a first timer for any kind of trail run, or ultramarathon.

I am aware of the mandatory gear, but am wondering what to actually run in.  My usual gear of shorts and singlet? Skins? Any suggestions?  What do people generally wear?

Plus, any suggestions for running shoe? I have my old Brooks adrenaline, but not sure they will hack the off-road stuff.  i also recently purchased a pair of Five Ten Savant trail shoes from Kathmandu (the sales are on!) but now am not so sure if they are actually for running in... what to do?

any advice appreciated.  thanks

[Elizabeth]

It was cool at the start last year and I wore long tights (NOT thermals) and a long sleeve light thermal to the first checkpoint.  I wore just a t-shirt and shorts from CP2 to CP4.  At the half way point I collected night gear but didn't put on warmer clothes until the top of Nellies Glenn (VERY glad to have had it at that point).

Echo Point CP was FREEZING - make sure you have something warm to wrap up in when you stop, but once you get going long tights and a good long sleeve thermal with another layer is the best thing - LAYERS!

I also reckon you're getting pretty close to needing the shoes you are going to use by now, just to make sure they are well broken in.  I recently bought a pair of Salomon Wings (after having only ever run in ASICS for the past 1,000 years) and they are (so far) great.

liz

[Steph]

Thanks Elizabeth

Thats really helpful!
Thanks for the tips

Steph

[Andrew]

All good tips Liz. 

I would also add that it can be a lot cooler along the trails than you might expect.  The sun may be out, but when I was in the area last week, it was decidedly chilly under the cover of the trees, especially near the waterfalls where the atmosphere was damp.