Obstacle Course Race Gear
Choosing the right clothing and gear for an obstacle course race or mud run is a pretty subjective thing. Great that one racer swears by, another might end up swearing at. I can talk about some things to consider when deciding what to wear for your race but ultimately it's important to go with what is most comfortable for you. Like any race, it's best to avoid trying something new on race day. It's always best to train with the gear you want to use during the race ahead of time. With obstacle course racing, you might want to also try running wet, etc to see if anything holds too much weight when wet or chafes as you run.
Obstacle Course Race Clothing
When it comes to obstacle course races, I'm of the mindset that generally speaking the less you wear the better off you'll be. Cotton fabric is something you should avoid like the plague because it will get heavy and stretched out and chafe when wet. Even the best performance materials will hold water and mud which will ultimately slow you down. When I line up to race, it's in a pair of compression shorts only. If race day temperatures are going to be below 45 degrees, I'll add a compression shirt. The big tradeoff with this approach is that there's very little protection. Not having a shirt helps you avoid snags on barbed wire but instead it just scrapes you. I've literally had to pick gravel out of my knees after races. It's up to you to decide how you want to strike a balance between traveling light and staying covered and protected.
Obstacle Race Shorts
When I first started running obstacle course races, I tried using split leg sprawl shorts that are intended for MMA use. Between a stretch panel in the crotch and the splits in the legs, I figured it would allow good freedom of movement. The material was similar to a board short material that I figured wouldn't hold too much water. Those shorts worked okay but it just felt like too much fabric for mud and water to cling to. I transitioned to a Vale Tudo style of compression shorts that basically sheds water and mud as well as my skin does. They're light and easy to move around in but it might not be a style choice everyone is comfortable with. Whatever you choose, focus on a thin material that lets you move well and has a waistband that ties.
If protection is your top priority, running tights are an option that seems to work well for people but I've never run in them.
Obstacle Course Race Shoes
In the running world, the best style of shoe is hotly debated and the obstacle course racing world is just as divided. Most racers will start out just using an old pair of shoes for their obstacle course races. There are usual areas to donate unwanted shoes after the race for runners who don't want to deal with the hassle of hosing their shoes off.
Running in old road shoes can have its drawbacks. They will usually hold more mud and water than trail shoes and they won't have the deep tread traction of dedicated trail shoes. The upside is that they're cheap and will usually be well broken in.
Minimalist shoes have been gaining in popularity over the last few years and they do have some strengths when it comes to obstacle course races. Minimalist shoes tend to be very lightweight and won't hold the kind of water that road shoes will. Some people feel that shoes like Vibram Five Fingers also help give them an advantage on obstacle course races because they have additional dexterity in their feel for crossing obstacles. If this is the route you choose to go, try to find a model that has good tread since the amount of traction can vary significantly. The amount of protection offered is also something to keep in mind. You will face some rough terrain on the obstacle race course and by nature minimalist shoes tend to offer less protection for your feet.
If you looking at traction alone, a trail running shoe is probably going to be the strongest contender. You'll still want to find a lightweight shoe because some trail shoes that you're comfortable with because some can be a little klunky. Unless you regularly run trails anyway, buying a pair of shoes specifically for obstacle course races and mud runs isn't the most economical choice. Salomon's Speedcross 3 trail shoes are very popular with some of the top racers. Inov-8 Roclite 295, Inov-8 Bareclaw and Brooks Cascadia 7 are also popular choices.
Some racers have taken to duct taping their shoes to try to keep them from coming off in mud pits but it isn't necessary or particularly comfortable. Tape on the bottom of your shoes can also hurt your traction since you end up with slick tape underfoot instead of the shoe's tread. Simply lacing your shoes tight and adding a double knot will be enough to keep your shoes on your feet in most circumstances.
Obstacle Course Race Socks
Sometimes people underestimate the importance of good socks but the right socks can make a big difference in the overall health of your feet during longer races. When military units are on the move, they will stop at regular interval to swap out their socks to make sure their feet stay dry and to help prevent blisters. Aside from races like the Spartan Death Race and the World's Toughest Mudder, changing out socks isn't something you need to worry about but selecting the right sock is important. As always, cotton is something you want to avoid. There are plenty of options for synthetic athletic socks or wool athletic socks that have wicking properties that will help keep your feet healthy. Injinji makes some toe socks that are pretty popular with racers because the separation between the toes can help protect against blisters.
Obstacle Course Race Hydration & Nutrition
Staying hydrated and maintaining proper nutrition during obstacle course races comes with some unique challenges. During road races, your goal finish time should be pretty predictable so you can better plan for your water and food needs. When you line up at the start of an obstacle course race, you can never be entirely sure what you're up against. Also, water belts and camelbacks are just another thing to get tangled up and snagged on obstacles on the course.
I generally don't carry water or energy gels until I'm in the 8-10 mile range. Many obstacle course races are shorter than this so anything they have at aid stations is just a bonus. Even on longer courses, I will usually trust the hydration stations will be adequate. It's important to know your own hydration needs. If you think you'll need water more frequently, a camelback is probably the way to go. Fiddling with water bottles when covered in mud seems like a hassle.
Nutrition isn't something you can rely on finding along
the course so if you know you'll be out there for over an
hour, you might want to carry your own fuel. Since my compression
shorts don't have any pockets, I found the Amphipod Micropack
that can clamp onto my waistband and hold a couple Clif Shot
gels. It has never come loose and I can't feel it at all when
running. It's actually much more secure that most pockets
too. It wouldn't be hard to lose something from regular pockets,
especially on water obstacles.
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