Posted 13 years ago by arnokroner

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UTMB TRAINING – PART 3 – THE GEAR

This week I want to explain and clarify the issues that relate to the gear that is needed for participating in the UTMB. For US-based ultra runners, this is subject to much torture because in the US I have yet to see an event that has a mandatory gear list. It stems probably from the fact that in the US no one cares if you die on the mountain in severe weather and also reflects cultural attitudes: in the US you’re on your own! In contrast, the UTMB organizers provide a list of clothing and safety items that participants have to carry – the bags are checked when bibs are handed out (a couple of hours before the race) and random checks can occur on the course. It’s a lot of gear to carry for a ‘running race – this sounds more like a fastpacking list. And it took quite some time and research to assemble most of the items. Please note that the list doesn’t include a backpack! I’ve had a great experience with the  Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 5 Set  so I got a  Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 12  to fit all the gear that I need to take with me. On long runs carrying the UTMB gear the pack weights about 8 to 9lbs.

MANDATORY GEAR LIST

The list provided by the organizers is as follows (obviously translated from French by organizers – I like the French list better… but this blog is in English):

OBLIGATORY MATERIAL

  • Mobile phone with an option enabling its use in the three countries. – Using my old iPhone 3GS with extra battery ( CasePower A3 ). Also packing an iPod shuffle for when I want to listen to music (I won’t have 36hrs on the iPhone even with the extra battery) and also to have my  Pzizz  segments play (more on power naps later)
  • Personal cup or tumbler 15cl minimum (water bottle not acceptable) – Using the  UltraSpire cup  I was given at Miwok. It’s also possible to attach it with a carabiner.
  • The stock of water minimum 1 liter – The Salomon pack holds 1.5l but I always fill it to 1 liter.
  • Two torches in good working condition with replacement batteries –  Petzl Nao  and  Fenix LD20 180 Lumen LED Flashlight – Both totally badass – I carry a headlight and a flashlight because the flashlight helps discerning relief on the trail better. Not quite sure about the Nao battery but the original battery can be replaced by AA batteries.
  • Survival blanket 1.40m x 2m minimum – The  Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 12  comes with one – if there wouldn’t be any shelter along the route I’d pack my  Adventures Medical Emergency Bivvy 
    Whistle – There is one with the Salomon pack.
  • Adhesive elastic band enable making a bandage or a strapping (mini 100cm x 6 cm) – LOL –  ACE Elastic Bandage 
  • Food reserve – Packing bars and gels see  nutrition post  about that. I will have to rely on course food too.
    Jacket with hood and made with a waterproof (recommendation: minimum 10,000 Schmerber) and breathable (recommendation: RET lower than 13) membrane (Gore-Tex or similar) which will withstand the bad weather in the mountains – This was the most difficult item to obtain! I ended up ordering the  North Face AK Storm Jacket  from the UTMB store to make sure I had the right one. Problem: it took forever for them to ship to the US and the Euro exchange rate really doesn’t work in our favor. I don’t recommend ordering from the UTMB store if you live outside of France.
  • Long-running trousers or leggings or a combination of leggings and long socks which cover the legs completely – I will carry a pair of  Cold Gear Under Armor leggings  that I have used in winter training.
  • Additional warm mid-layer top: One single mid layer long sleeve top for warmth (cotton excluded) with a minimum weight of 180g (Men, size M) OR a two-piece clothing combination of a long-sleeve baselayer/mid-layer for warmth (cotton excluded) with a minimum weight of 110g (Men, size M) and a windproof jacket with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) protection. The windproof jacket does not replace the mandatory waterproof jacket with hood – OMG stops it with the details! So for this, I’m just packing the  Cold Gear Under Armor  top that goes with the leggings – it weights 210g.
  • Cap or bandana –  Salomon XA-CAP
  • Warm hat – I have an awesome  Odlo  fleece hat with a French flag on it – I bought it in Chamonix a couple of years ago.
  • Warm and waterproof gloves – I chose the  Outdoor Research Versaliner Gloves.  They are warm and there’s a rain/wet over glove.
  • Waterproof over-trousers – I first ordered a pair of  North Face Storm Slayer Pants  from the UTMB shop and after many phone calls it appeared the pants got lost in transport. It’s only after I got payment back from my credit card company that they really shipped a pair. In the meanwhile, I ordered a pair of Mountain Hardwear  Epic Pants  for half the price. I’m taking the North Face pair to the UTMB just to make sure the gear meets the requirements.

VERY STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

  • Knife or scissors with which to cut the self-adhesive elasticized bandage – I have a  Petzl Spatha  knife. Very light.
  • Walking poles for security on slippery ground in case of rain or snow. – I love my  Black Diamond Ultra Distance Poles! 
  • A change of warm clothes indispensable in the case of cold weather, rain or injury – In the Courmayeur drop bag, I will have a spare set of UA leggings and top – also socks and a pair of shoes.
  • The sum of 20 euros minimum – Carrying about 100 euros (the 20 they ask for are actually for the timing chip deposit) – and two credit cards. I hope I don’t get robbed in Italy!

MY OWN REGULAR RUNNING GEAR

Here’s what I trained with for the most part and will wear at the UTMB.

  • Shoes:  Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra  – Those aren’t exactly that great. The upper mesh lets too much dust in the shoe, then the sock which creates a potential situation for blisters because dirt accumulates under the big toe… I wish I had time to try something else.
  • Shorts:  Exo S-Lab Short  – OK shorts but chaffing can occur because of the lining. I prefer wearing short shorts with no lining. However, because the UTMB stars at night I don’t need the cooling and would rather have my thighs rather warm.
  • Calf Compression:  Salomon Exo Calf  – those are great.
  • Socks:  Injinji Run 2.0 Lightweight Minicrew
  • Shirt:  Under Armour Heat Gear Compression  – my all time favorite.
  • Watch:  Suunto Core Watch (love it)
  • Sunglasses:  Julbo Sherpa  – They are quite scratched by now so I’m thinking about a pair of  Julbo Vermont Classic 

OTHER GEAR

A couple of items not mentioned above (some of them recommended by the organizers)

  • Gorilla tape
  • iPod Shuffle
  • Vaseline / Bodyglide
  • Minimal First Aid Kit
  • Spare Contact Lenses
  • Passport
  • Sewing kit

CONCLUSION

That was fun. I hope there’s some nasty weather and difficulties so I get to use everything at least once! I will provide a budget of how much this UTMB adventure costs me in the next part: The Rest! Happy running!

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Written by
Arno Kroner