If you’ve never run a Spartan race or mud run, you may feel completely unsure about what to wear to an obstacle course race on the big day and what to bring to the venue, in general  Even if you’ve raced an obstacle course race before, you may still be tweaking you gear list for success – it’s often a trial-and-error process! I hope my race-day suggestions and essentials for Spartan Race helps!

While the right clothing and gear are important for a successful Spartan Race experience, the biggest thing you can bring is a good attitude and a sense of adventure!

What to wear BEFORE the race:

It’s all about comfort (because you’re about to give it up, ha!) As you enter the Spartan venue to check-in with registration, hit the porta-potties, and warm up, you should be pre-dressed in your race outfit (see below), with a heavy jacket, light layer or whatever is needed to remain comfortable (you don’t want to lose energy shivering and trying to maintain body heat before the air-horn blows). Important Tip: Make use of the complementary bag check area (or for-fee lockers) to stash your jacket, sunglasses, dry clothes and other post-race clean-up necessities.

What to wear DURING the race:

RACE OUTFIT: Quick-drying, performance clothing is ESSENTIAL when it comes to what to wear at a Spartan Race.  No loose and floppy shirts to get caught up on a branch or obstacle. It’s tempting to wear your cruddiest, old clothes to an even where you’ll be rolling on the ground, slogging through the mud, crossing creeks, and shimmying under barbed wire (among other things!) However, DO NOT DO THIS, loose cotton t-shirts and baggy shorts hold water and do not dry out. and streamlined-fit top and bottoms (even compression) that dry quickly and make you feel extra snazzy and aerodynamic – lol, why not?!

#1 Spartan Race Clothing Checklist (all weather variable):

• Top: Sports bra, tank, performance short or long-sleeve baselayer (if long-sleeve, look for thumb hole style to act as impromptu gloves). If needed, half-zip pull over, windbreaker (that stuffs into a pouch!), performance running jacket, possibly a parka in the worst conditions.
• Bottoms: Choose running shorts, compression bike shorts, or long tights. Or a combination if you are a tights under shorts person. If you’re wondering what to wear to a mud run, my least favorite option (even if it’s hot) is shorts, I feel they snag on stuff, and increase the risk of upper thigh rope burns and scratches on obstacles. I think shorter compression shorts or, depending on temperature, long tights are best.
• Shoes: The right multi-purpose shoe is important to help you conquer obstacles and run without slipping, clogging up with water and mud, and slowing you down. Shoes that are “clunkers” sop up water like sponges and feel like bricks on your feet. You need quick draining trail shoes LIKE THESE (preferably with no-tie laces that won’t come undone)

Tip for weather: It’s better to be slightly under-dressed for the weather in the start corral, your core body temperature will rise during racing and warm you up. But sometimes, it’s just too cold and layering becomes important. However, when layering, remember that a true Spartan carries his gear at all times, through all obstacles, and never liters the race course with it.

#2 Important Obstacle Course Clothing Extras Checklist:

• Arm sleeves, keep you warm and protect from thorns, splinters, scrapes, etc.
• Compression socks, lessen leg fatigue and prevent rope burns and scrapes in the process!
• Neck muff and beanie hat, if cold
• Cheapie rain poncho or Mylar blanket
• Gloves for warmth or performance gloves to better grip obstacles. Regarding the performance gloves (like football receiver gloves or fingerless grip gloves), the OCR community is split in their love or dislike of them. The best thing is to do what you’ve done in training, so there is no surprise on the race course.  

#3 Extra Gear for a Spartan or Mud RUn Course:

• Personal Hydration Vest (again, optional . . . there is water on the course and you will have to carry this the entire way. So maybe makes sense for a Spartan Beast, but not a Sprint).
• Small Personal Item Belt (a zippered, snug-to-body pouch to carry stuff that won’t stay in your pockets (like race nutrition and personal must-haves)
• Quick Tie Shoe Laces – to prevent wasting time re-tying or having shoe sucked off in the mud.
• Race Nutrition: Depending on race length, bring gels, gummies, dried fruit or whatever you are used to using in training. In some longer races there will be nutrition once or twice on course, but you can’t count on it, I’ve notices.
• GPS/Fitness Watch or Phone: Up to you, but there will be water dunks.
• Sunglasses & Cap/Visor Style hats – Up to you, but best to leave at bag check for the finish festival, you’ll likely lose them otherwise on the course.

What to Wear AFTER the Race:

Items for Bag Drop Checklist:

• Old bath towel to dry off
• Sports wipes to get clean(er)*
• Clean, dry clothes, and entire set down to the shoes.
• A dry robe is amazing in cold weather
• Hat, sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Post-race nutrition
• Cash for vendors, if desired (some races have ATMs)
• Garbage bag to carry home wet towel and clothes
• *There is typically a “cold wash” hose area and changing tent to get spruced up after the race. However, do note that soaps and shampoos are not allowed.

Things to Keep in Car at Spartan Race (just in case):

• Extra garbage bags for the car seats and foot well, to prevent mucking up vehicle if cold wash area closed
• Camp chairs, for a weary bod to sit and relax during post-race festival.
• Small first aid kit for nicks and scrapes (There is a medical tent for serious issues).