Equipment

 Any and all equipment will be personal preference. In this list, you’ll find guidelines on what makes certain types of equipment better than others, but ultimately everything you decide to race with will best serve you if you are comfortable with it. To reiterate, the equipment suggested in this list is for races 10 hours and below. Chances are, if you are doing 18 hour plus races, you have some experienceand most of your gear already chosen.

Cell phone- If you are on a team, bring the phone with the least amount of value or the strongest phone with the most shock resistance. Water proof cell phone bag- There are dozens of options for waterproof bags small enough to hold a cell phone that are under $10. A simple sandwich baggie will suffice if nothing else is available or if you’re on a budget.

Compass- The compass is probably one of the most important pieces you will carry. Weight will most likely not be a problem, but size could be depending on your setup. Prices definitely vary, $3-$100+.

First aid Kit- You’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. A first aid kit will affect both weight and room. It’s important to pick one that is compact, but still holds the necessities. If you make adventure racing a habit and an annual thing, you’ll eventually see some injuries.

Watch- Most GPS watches are banned in adventure races. Some GPS watches have an AR (adventurerace) mode which disables the GPS setting. A simple water-resistant watch is more than sufficient totrack time while you’re racing.Waterproof map case- Same situation as the water proof phone case, there are dozens of options, butwe’ve found that a quick lamination before the start is best.Pen- A thin sharpie style utensil will best serve you in this category.Backpack- There are hundreds of different backpacks out there, each offering their own pros and cons.You’ll want the smallest pack possible for your designated race. The pack should fit snuggly around yourbody with little opportunity to bounce around while you are trekking through the woods. Comfort,cooling, quick drying, snag resistant, weight, built in hydration system, etc.Whistle- Any whistle will do, no need to spend a lot of money. A 50 cent whistle will get you saved justas much as a $50 one would.Space blanket- A space blanket is in the same category as the whistle. While is doesn’t offer a strategicaladvantage or help navigating the forest, it will help you in an emergency situation.Hydration system- Hydration systems come in all sizes. Most races demand at least 50 ounces. Nowwhile races demand that you have a system capable of carrying at least 50 ounces, that doesn’t meanyou need to carry any liquid in that container, unless stated in the rules. Water/hydration is by far theheaviest product you will carry during your race. There is strategy on what to do with your fluids andhow to pack them. See tips and tricks for more info. If your backpack comes with a hydration system, we

recommend using that one in your pack, if not a system with a strong, puncture resistant shell, a leakproof cap and a sipping tube will serve you well.Bike pump or CO2- A mini bike pump is your best option in this case, unless you are well versed in howto use a CO2 inflator. Many are shy about using a CO2 inflator and you shouldn’t substitute an inflatorfor a pump unless you have some practice. Both should stay on your bicycle, so weight won’t really be afactor. If you have used CO2 inflators in the past, then CO2 is easily the way to go.Bicycle Tool Kit- The kit will, again, stay with your bike. Weight won’t be a factor, but size could be. There commended gear you will want in your kit is a patch for punctured inner tubes, at least 2, but preferably 3 tire levers, and a multi-tool.Spare Bike tube- Not much to explain here. Make sure the inner tube you have will fit the tire and wheel setup you currently have. If you have any doubts, check with your local bike shop.Flashing red light- There are many different sizes and styles of rear bike lights, all ranging in price. Most are water resistant and operate well enough for any adventure racer. Just be sure to fully charge thelight before the race or replace the batteries with fresh ones.Helmet- Preferably a bicycle helmet that fits well. As long as you have something to protect your head ifyou were to wipe out.Bike- See BicyclesCanoes/Kayaks- See canoes/kayaksPFD’s- We like PFD’s that fit well and allow you to paddle without too much interference. This will require you to get out on the water and try different life jackets out. A good paddle jacket is one that isslim up top, allowing your arms and shoulders to move freely, but wraps well around the belly. Most of the floatation material in these jackets will be around your midsection.Paddles- Whether you are on a team driving a canoe, or a soloist floating in a kayak, we prefer double paddles. You will get equal work from both the left and right sides of your body and steering will be easier, especially for beginner racers. Paddles use a range of different materials, including: wood, plastic, aluminum, carbon fiber, etc. The shafts of the paddles can either be straight or wavy for wrist comfort.The fancier the paddle the more expensive. For long paddling sections, a light (carbon) paddle with a wavy shaft would be most comfortable, but will demand a higher price.Bag for keeping everything together- A slotted bag that dries quickly is your best friend. It will keep your paddling gear together making it easy for the race volunteers to transport it and it will be dry by time you pick it up which will make it easy for you.Clothes- See clothesFood and Drink- See Food and Drink
Recommended
Bike Odometer- A great addition to have while navigating the road sections off your race. If you’re well versed in distance reading on the map, a bike odometer will make sure you travel the correct distance.You need to spend a lot of money to get something that keeps track of your distance, but make sure you have the correct setting of km or miles, otherwise you’ll be not good. Dry Bag- A dry bag can come in handy for a number of different situations. If you need to change a wet clothing item, a dry bag will make sure the item is still dry when you need it and can keep the rest of your gear dry when you put the wet item into your pack. A dry bag can be as cheap and simple as a grocery bag, or as expensive as something from Louis Vitton. Sunscreen- You’ll be out in the sunlight for hours. Skin cancer is real thing, best to protect yourself from the UV rays. There are many brands that offer sunscreen for athletes that plan to sweat a lot. The amount of protection is up to you, but getting sun burn on top of grueling miles just adds insult to injury.Bug Spray- While out on the course, you’ll be trenching through brush, long grass, swamp, marsh, trails, and so much more. You and your team mates are not the only living things out on the course. Keepingthe bugs away will help you focus on what really matters.Sunglasses/safety glasses- Trenching through the bush means that there will be tree branches, thorns, among other catapult like shrubbery. Getting an eye poked out will more than certainly ruin your day, let alone your race. The glare from the sun strains your eyes and vision, while the UV rays can even burn your retinas. A pair of safety glasses is cheap and most effective at protecting your eyes from wondering branches. Sunglasses are great at protecting your eyes from the rays and can greatly decrease glare, helping spot checkpoints, but they can be expensive and most don’t want to risk ruining their fancy shades. Try to find a pair that combines the two, safety and UV protection.Tape- Tape can come in all sorts of handy. From patching tears in your clothes, to temporarily strapping lights to your bike, and even adhering gauze to your team mates’ leg, because they got a stick stabbed into it. Tape is light and comes in a small package. Duct tape can be a bit harsh in most situations, but a good electrical tape can work wonders.Epi Pen- An epi pen is probably something you don’t want to be reading about on a recreational race website, especially if you are planning a fun day of social interaction with your friends, but there are bees, wasps, ants, mosquitos, different variety of plants, etc. outside. It’s better to be safe than sorry and if you are allergic, you may want to prepare. You could also save someone else’s life if you happen to come across someone having an allergic reaction.Benadryl- Not as powerful as an epi pen, but great to carry with you. Extremely small and almost non-existent while in your pack. This small pill can truly work wonders and save a life if needed. Doesn’t require a prescription either, so its simple to get a hold of.Imodium- Adventure races can be long, sometimes too long for your bowels. Imodium will help postpone certain activities that would either delay or outright ruin a good performance.Canoe Seat- Being comfortable is the name of the game when trying to stay focused and in good spirits.If you’re in pain, things can go down hill very fast. Canoe legs can last hours and cover miles of river or lakes. Having a back rest can certainly make all the difference. Some portable, strap in canoe seats are
also light enough to carry around with you while you are either heading to the canoe section or traveling to the Transition area.Portage wheels- You may have to portage your canoe a way between bodies of water or heading to or from the transition area. Having a pair of portage wheels can make this a breeze and save you and your team valuable energy.Blister prevention cream- Moisture, friction and time are the enemy of your skin. You’re guaranteed tofind all three in an adventure race. There is nothing more annoying than having a blister and 6 hours more to go.