- Instead of dressing to impress, dress for success. Choosing your obstacle course race gear should depend on your body’s needs rather than just for aesthetics.
- Every part of your body should be equipped with the right gear, especially your extremities. They go through a lot as you crawl, run, and climb your way to the finish line.
- Aside from a functional race outfit, you may also need things like hydration packs and chalk to help you solve specific problems on the race.
• Obstacle Course Training Guide for All Levels
Serious obstacle course racing enthusiasts know that a good race day preparation isn’t limited to training and eating right—although those are both important. Reliable gear that can help you perform at your very best and stand the wear and tear of the course are equally essential. After all, you’re going to be running, climbing, swinging, and sometimes even crawling through all the obstacles. You can’t be wearing something that’s going to fall apart before you reach the finish line.
From the top of your head all the way down to your toes, you can put together a strategic race day outfit that both looks good and is highly functional. Ditch the mentality that you can just throw on your rattiest clothes and most beat-up sneakers because they’re going to get dirty anyway. Choosing the proper OCR gear for you will always be a good investment. To help you determine which gear you need, here are our recommended gear best for both OCR training and race day:
Gloves
Not all OCR enthusiasts opt to wear gloves during a race. Although it’s true they aren’t essential to finish a race, they do help you out quite a lot.
Your gloves will protect your hands from little cuts and bruises when you have to do heavy lifting. Some races require participants to carry cinder blocks or logs, and wearing gloves will keep your hands from getting scratched up as you lug these around. Gloves also give you a big advantage in obstacles that require good grip. When you need to climb ropes or get over walls, a good pair of gloves will make things a little easier.
Some OCR buffs choose to wear gloves from the start of the race to the end. If you’re worried about the gloves interfering with obstacles or making your hands sweaty, all you have to do is stow them away until you really need them. Then, just stick them in your pocket afterwards while you overcome the other obstacles.
Be sure that you try on gloves before buying them. They should fit your hands comfortably and have plenty of traction. Stay away from leather, though, because it’s slippery and retains water. Instead, check out Fit Four OCR Slit Grip Gloves. They have extra grip to give you more control on wet and muddy surfaces. With Fit Four gloves, you don’t have to choose between your fitness band or your gloves for it’s specially designed to fit your hands without bunching.
A post shared by Pretty Huge Obstacles (@prettyhugeobstacles) on May 6, 2019 at 8:10pm PDT
Shoes
Anything that goes between you and the ground should be a smart purchase. This is doubly true when it comes to obstacle course racing because your feet are working even harder than usual during a race; they need protection from blisters and injuries.
While you do need some heavy-duty footwear, they shouldn’t literally be heavy. Shoes made with a thin, slick material that fit your feet perfectly are preferred, Opt for shoes that fit your feet perfectly so they stay on and to prevent excess water or mud coming in. Avoiding that extra weight will make you more comfortable and a little less tired, considering that you lift your feet up approximately 6,000 times on a 5k course.
There’s always an ongoing discussion online among OCR fans about their favorite race day shoes. One of the most talked about pairs lately is the Reebok All Terrain Super 3.0. These Reebok shoes offer traction, drainage, and comfort. They’re made to endure the roughing up typical of OCR events. Whether you’re running under the hot sun, crawling your way through a mud pit, or climbing a crowded, water-soaked wall, they’ll feel great on your feet even after the sufferfest is done. Naturally, this comfort also applies to working out. So if you’re convinced, buy them before you formally begin your OCR training, not shortly before the actual race.
A post shared by Pretty Huge Obstacles (@prettyhugeobstacles) on May 19, 2019 at 8:02pm PDT
Chalk
If you’ve ever done gymnastics or played pool, you’re already aware of how sweaty palms can mess up your game. Our skin has a natural tendency to get sweaty. More so when we’re outdoors and when we’re doing strenuous activities like OCR. Weightlifters put magnesium carbonate (also known as chalk or rock climbing chalk) on their hands to combat this moisture and have a better grip on the weights.
You can also use chalk in OCR if you feel that sweaty hands will be a hindrance to your performance. Before you get moving, rub your hands thoroughly with chalk then remove the excess by blowing it off or clapping a few times. When you’re washing up after the race, make sure to get all of the chalk off; put some lotion on once you’re all dried off and back in your normal clothes too. Your hands will thank you for it.
There isn’t much variety in climbing chalk products. But if you want to go the extra mile, you can get a chalk sock for easy, convenient storage. The Metolius Refillable Super Chalk Sock can be used and reused for years. It even has a drying agent in addition to magnesium for maximum absorption.
Hydration gear
Way before you stand at the starting line and while tackling a tough race, you need to be well-hydrated. It’s not a guarantee that any race will have hydration stations along the course and it can be a big hassle to carry a water bottle around, especially when you need both your hands in most of the obstacles. So investing in a hydration pack might be a good idea.
A hydration pack looks like a backpack or waistpack, but instead of just carrying your belongings, it also stores a supply of water. They’re often used by cyclists, mountain climbers, and runners who just can’t be bothered to carry a bottle. Some OCR buffs wear them as well, especially if they’re signed up for long races.
You want something that will hold enough water to get you through the race but won’t get in your way. The Hydration Pack by Camden Gear is the perfect fit. It’s smaller than your standard hydration pack but can carry an impressive 1.5 liters of water. It even has some space for food and gel packs or a headlamp should you need one on the course.
• Obstacle Course Training Guide for All Levels
Sunblock
One tough lesson to learn is that just because you don’t feel very hot and your skin isn’t stinging, doesn’t mean that you’re safe from sunburn. It’s best not to risk it on race day. Don’t wait until right before the race starts. Don’t just put it on the moment when your race starts, put it on right early in the day—can be right after taking a bath.
Look for some shade while you apply the sunscreen, be it under a tree, an awning, or before getting out of your car.
Your best bet for a sunblock that will protect you for the entire race is both sweatproof and waterproof. You don’t want to only have skin protection for the course of a few obstacles then have it all wash off the exact moment you first get wet.
ActiveHealth SKINPRO Sunscreen Spray can withstand both sweat and water. Its effect lasts for hours and hours. As a bonus, it has a nice cooling sensation when you put it on your skin.
It’s important to choose your race day outfit with care. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on fancy, high-tech gear, but take into consideration what parts of your getup you might need to upgrade before you take on your next OCR event. Don’t be afraid to ask friends in the community for recommendations. Keep an eye out for sales on both online and in brick and mortar stores. Your performance on race day is all you. But having good OCR gear is a major plus and will last you many, many obstacle course races to conquer.