Light and Tight
Lower Body: I can’t stress enough the value and utility of compression shorts.
- They are tight to keep the mud, water, and grit out.
- They wick away sweat.
- They dry quickly.
- The mud slides off of them.
- They won’t get weighed down and/or get pulled down to cause a wardrobe malfunction.
- They won’t chafe your sensitive parts.
- For men: Compression shorts lock down the parts that tend to move around while running and jumping. You’ll appreciate the support…trust me.
I really like the 2-in-1 compression trail shorts by Craft, and the 2-in-1 shorts from Adidas have also been winners. Or you can simply wear shorts with a tight waistband over your compression shorts. Make certain that the outer shorts are light and durable. Pick outer shorts with a very tight weave and a slick surface to shed the mud. No pockets without a zipper--open pockets will only drag you down, fill up with junk, or tear.
Durable running tights are also a great choice for the same reasons as compression shorts. The upside is that you will receive greater protection from abrasions. The downside is that tights retain more heat than shorts. In the end this is a matter of personal preference.
Upper Body: Compression gear! For all of the same reasons that compression apparel is ideal for your lower body, it is ideal for your upper body. Cotton gets soggy and stains easily. A good compression shirt will last you for several years of training, and the material tends to not hold stains or odors. Sleeveless or sleeves? That’s a matter of personal preference. Again, more coverage is more protection against abrasion.
Footwear: This is crazy important, and I have devoted an entire daily post in the mobile app to that. Please look for that one.
Eye Protection: Sunglasses? Nope--they are going to come off, and you are going to lose or break them. Leave them in the car.
Googles? I’ve seen people try these, but they seem pretty unnecessary--they tend to get dirty and generally serve more as a hindrance than an aid.
If you are going to get mud or grit in your eye, it’s probably going to be at an obstacle where there is supervision and there are plenty of staffers to help you get your eyes rinsed.
Elbow and Knee Pads: Like goggles, you rarely see these on other racers. You are probably not going to get enough benefit out of them to balance out the hassle of carrying the extra weight. Plus, they are just one more thing to have to think about while making your way through the obstacles. The obstacles are going to require your focus...all of your focus.
Remember, break in your gear...all of your gear. Two weeks before your event, you should wear all of it at the same time to make certain that it feels right. If it doesn’t work in training, it is really not going to work on the course. Make adjustments/replacements early. Love your gear!
