#Spartan race gear recommendations plus#

Just like a wetsuit, compression pants retain a thin layer of water that your body will heat up and, in turn, will provide insulation. In colder weather, a pair of good compression pants helps keep you warmer, especially after a water obstacle. For the fellas, it also keeps your bits in place. Compression reduces muscle fatigue, prevents strains and soreness, and promotes better muscle oxygenation (better blood flow) to your muscles. A pair of compression shorts or pants makes a big difference. LOWER BODYĮverybody needs something to wear around their nether regions, so figuring out what kind of bottoms to race in is critical. A shoe’s drainage is difficult to judge without doing a test run, but most OCR shoe reviews will give you some idea of how well the shoe drains. This is a common issue with trail-focused running shoes. Some obstacles will require you to submerge you shoes, and some models don’t do a great job of allowing that water to escape. The third aspect of a shoe that you will want to be aware of is the way it drains. You will be doing a lot more running than anything else. Some racers find that long lugs make obstacles like the slip wall more difficult, but I’ve always found that having control on the trails outweighs any single obstacle. When you’re trudging through the muck, having nice long lugs can be a real benefit. The second most important element in an OCR shoe is the lugs. Otherwise, you should order shoes with plenty of time to find the perfect fit before your race. Sometimes this means visiting an outdoor outfitter and trying on the same brand, since many designs from the same company fit similarly. Whenever possible, try out the shoe beforehand. This is hard to judge when bargain shopping online. Some of these will depend on your geographical location and in what season you are racing, but most shoes will cover the bases for new racers. Regardless of what kind of shoes you get, you should be looking for a few specific traits in an OCR shoe. It is the only piece of equipment you’ll feel with every step.

#Spartan race gear recommendations plus#

It’s hard to pony up another fifty dollars after spending a hundred plus on a race entry but if there’s one place it’s important to invest for race day, it’s your feet. So many OCR-specific shoes are available now that it’s only a matter of time before today’s $120 models go on sale to make room for the newest version. Sadly, the Runnegades are discontinued but with a little digging, I’m sure you can find a shoe that will work well without breaking the bank. While those racers rubbed their rear ends raw mud-sliding down the hills, I was able to stay upright, aided by the shoes’ huge lugs. I was extremely glad to have listened to him. My friend suggested a pair of Asics Runnegades, which were less than $50 at the time. I was lucky enough to have an experienced racer as a friend, and he was kind enough to get me off on the right foot (ok - last pun, I promise). My first race was on a rainy, cold day in Temecula (later coined “Hellmecula” by the folks who raced it), and it was so muddy that people were going down the mountain trails on their butts. In my experience, shoes are the one piece of equipment that really makes a difference. However, if you are shopping for gear that will help you manage the muddy and sometimes icy chaos rather than adding to it, you will find that OCR-specific shoes are the way to go. There are always several racers who show up in old tennis shoes. There is no rule that says you must get a new pair of shoes, especially when dipping your toes in the OCR waters (pun intended) for the first time. If you are researching what to wear to a Spartan Race, you probably haven’t bought specific OCR shoes yet. You will definitely appreciate that shortly after your first water encounter. Fortunately, most modern exercise apparel is made from synthetic blends that dry quickly. You will carry that water for the rest of the race, and it will be cold and heavy neither of which makes for a fun experience. Cotton absorbs water, whether from the dunk wall or your sweat, and once cotton gets wet it takes forever to dry. Cotton is a horrible choice for any race where you’ll get wet and muddy. The first, and most important note on clothing is to wear anything but cotton.