UTMB Gear Quest 2011
August 4, 2011 by Bryon Powell · 109 Comments
Today kicks off the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market (summer OR) where upwards of 1,000 outdoor gear vendors (think of anyone who’d sell a product to REI or EMS) get together in Salt Lake City to show off their goods, including new products that will debut in the first half of next year. With this being my fourth summer OR, I know that there’s no better place in the Western Hemisphere to find that just-right piece of gear for any use.
That’s great, because with only 23 days until running this year’s The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, there are very few pieces of gear that I’m settled on… and that’s with an extensive list of mandatory gear. Here’s that list of required gear, in the organization’s own words (but reordered), as well as other items I’ll need. Each items is followed by my current thoughts on what I’ll bring or what I’ll be looking for at summer OR. Please chime in with suggestions. I’ve starred my biggest items of concern or where I think I can save the most weight.
Organization’s Obligatory Material:
- * Jacket with hood and made with a waterproof (recommendation: minimum 10,000 Schmerber) and breathable (recommendation: RET lower than 13) membrane (Gore-Tex or similar) which will withstand the bad weather in the mountains. – Hold on, I think I need some more details first!? I’ve got a Mountain Hardwear Quark 2 jacket (258g), but I’ll look for something lighter than 9 ounces. Any ideas on other brands or models to look at?
- Long running trousers or leggings or a combination of leggings and long socks which cover the legs completely – Montbell Ultralight pants (67 g). I brought these to the Marathon des Sables and plan to use them again… unless I find a lighter system at OR. Given that I’ll wear Salomon Exo Calves, I could go with knickers/manpris.
- Warm long sleeved clothing (type « second layer », cotton excluded) of a weight of 180g minimum – I’ve got a 196g tech shirt made with the same fabric as Mountain Hardwear’s forthcoming Way2Cool shirts. I’ll keep my eyes open for a 180-190g (for small) tech half zip at the show.
- * Warm and waterproof gloves – Mountain Hardwear Epic Gloves (99g). I’ll look to improve (or creatively interpret the rules) here.
- * Waterproof over-trousers – Mountain Hardwear Epic Pants (217g). Great pants … for winter sports and very cold weather. Far more than I need at UTMB, so looking for lighter options.
- Two lights in good working condition with replacement batteries – Super hard call. Do I go with a huge, but super bright Petzl Ultra and a very small spare, such as an E-Lite. Do I go with two Petzl Tikka XP2s? Do I try to get a custom Black Diamond Sprinter that takes replaceable batteries? Do I look for something else?
- Warm hat – For now, a 45g hat from The North Face. Another place I’ll look to save weight at the show… or possibly with a Buff (38g) from home.
- Cap or bandana – iRunFar Headsweats hat all the way. (I find it very odd that this is required in addition to a warm hat.)
- Adhesive elastic band enable making a bandage or a strapping (mini 100cm x 6 cm) – I need a Frenglish translator to figure out what this means. Help!
- Food reserve – Lots of GU! Sucks that I’ll have to carry 20-30 from the start and again at Courmayeur. I’ll take a few other treats such as Stinger Waffles, Honey Stringer Cherry Blossom Chews, and Chocolate Agave #9 gels.
- Mobile phone with option enabling its use in the three countries – My iPhone 4 for which I’ve already set up international calling, text & data.
- Personal cup or tumbler 15cl minimum (water bottle not acceptable) – I’ll buy a collapsible cup in Europe or cut a disposable beverage bottle down once I get to France.
- Stock of water minimum 1 litre – I’ll have a 1L water bladder in my pack and a very lightweight water bottle that holds another .5 liters when needed. The reason for the extra bottle is refilling at the fountains along the course.
- Survival blanket 1.40m x 2m minimum – I’ve got a selection of these at home… but you’d best believe I’ll be looking for the lightest blanket and they do differ in weight.
- Whistle – I have a 5 gram whistle if my pack doesn’t have one.
My Additional Items
- * Pack – Despite my stash of a dozen or so packs, I have no option that I’d use. I’m open to all ideas for a 10-12 liter pack. Packs I’m looking forward to seeing at OR: Salomon’s 12 liter Skin pack, Mountain Hardwear’s new 10-12 liter Fluid pack, and UltrAspire’s UTMB-ready model.
- Short sleeve shirt – Mountain Hardwear’s Way2Cool short sleeve… if I can get this Spring 12 shirt by race day. I’ve worn the singlet and it’s the best top I’ve ever run in.
- Running shorts – Brooks Infini Split Side shorts. I run in these shorts or their predecessor, the Element, nearly every day.
- * Shoes – While I need to test them on steep downs, it looks like I’ll be wearing the Montrail Bajada, my Western States shoe choice, again at UTMB. My current backup are the Salomon XT Wings II. I’m still looking for a mud shoe if it rains… and have no idea. I’d need a well-lugged shoe with a standard (10-12 mm) drop that’s supportive yet (and this is very important) drains/breathes well. I’ve got some solid mud shoes, but, oddly enough, they all seem to hold moisture like a sponge in a ziplock bag.
- Socks – Drymax Maximum Protection socks are it unless my mud shoe choice necessitates thinner socks in which case I’ll wear Drymax Hot Weather socks.
- Trekking poles – I love my Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Poles and I’ll likely use them at UTMB. However, I will take a look at Komperdell’s Featherlight poles at OR in case I decide to go with fixed length poles.
- Sunglasses – I’ve really been enjoying the Julbo Races with Zebra photochromic lenses. I’m also considering the Julbo Trail with Zebra lenses or the simple, yet wonderful Ryders Shot.
- Time piece – I’ll likely wear my Garmin Forerunner 310XT (despite my issues with it) with the GPS turned off, so I can record monitor and record my heart rate the entire way. There’s a slight chance I’ll simply go chrono or, possibly, go to a heart rate monitor/barometric altimeter combo so I’ll know my heart rate and generally where I am on climbs.
Call for Comments
I’m sure there’s other gear that I need, but that’s a start. Let me know what you think of my options for UTMB gear.
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Filed under Apparel, Discussion, Other Gear, Shoes ·
Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell
I think I can speak for America, but WTF with all the gear requirements? Especially since they’d cancel it if you’d actually need any of it! Waterproof gloves? Really?
Last year dozens of people was going to die because of Hypothermia… :-) It is not usual ultra, it is Mont Blanc in Alpines…
Thats understood, however this is clearly an attempt to cover their backsides by making an idiot proof kit list, whereas in the US if you are nuts enough to run 100 miles in a highly unstable mountain environment, you sign a waiver and off you go. Although I can see how with some people it can be dangerous and judgement while at home planning kit can seem suspect when a storm blows in. Its just a bit of a slap to those of us who know the mtns, for them to say how many grams by 2nd layer has to be.
Waterproof jacket – At Hardrock I carried the houdini but I was really wishing I had the Quark, especially when the temp dropped.
Adhesive elastic band enable making a bandage or a strapping (mini 100cm x 6 cm) – Go with a strip of Coban, superlight and sticks to itself.
Mud shoes – Inov-8 310′s or 295′s are my favorite. Good sized lugs, lightweight, drain well. Only downside is the minimal protection.
Bryon — while you’re at OR would be very eager for any word on the Brooks Pure Grit and relatd shoes slated for release in October. Debate about minimal vs. regular shoes aside (cf. your other recent post about the MT110), I’m sure many of us are curious about the new Brooks shoe — I haven’t seen anything out there about it other than Brooks minimal (no pun intended) promo. Thanks.
How much of this actually gets enforced? Could you dump some of it in a drop bag part way?
It’s my understanding that the requirements do get enforced.
If you are finding light gear that works, take a look at Raidlight, very well known in Europe. 165 g jacket, 180g for the pant, 25g mitts…
s
Sergio, i just discovered your blog today and it’s awesome !
The new MP+ Raidlight mitts weight 40 grams in reality, not as advertised…
The lightest jacket in MP+ is not the most waterproof one (users review telling about leakage)…
I agree is not the best for heavy rains, but it is in breathbility; it’s a good or not so good choice depending requirements.
s
Thanks. Sorry, but it’s in spanish, my english is poor.
s
In Jacket The North Face Triumph jacket, full waterproof for only 159gr!!!
Bryon,
The Petzl e-lite has a built-in whistle unless you removed it :)
Pants/leggings + rain pants?
My first reaction is way OVERKILL. But honestly, a safe runner should be carrying most these items. The list is pretty close to my overnight kit (including two lights).
Christian, the Houdini is not waterproof as you probably learned at Hardrock :( The list explicitly calls for a waterproof jacket. I’d probably pick up the Montane Spektr Smock. EVent fabric @ 7.4 ounces/210 grams.
The E-Lite does have a whistle, but whether I take that light and whether I need another whistle depends on what pack and lighting systems I bring.
I checked out the Spektr Smock and it looks like an excellent piece.
The Tikka XP will also have a whistle on it.
“Adhesive elastic band enable making a bandage or a strapping (mini 100cm x 6 cm) “: my French tells me that regular sport/athletic tape will do the trick!
Thanks, Sebastien!
-Socks: I would take a look at the Swiftwick Pursuit Line. (200 needle) merino construction. It doesn’t get any better.
-Trekking poles: Black Diamond Z-Poles, Super nice
-headlamp: Black Diamond/Petzl they both ROCK!!
Having done a few races in Europe now I can tell you that the gear will be enforced at check-in. You’ll have to go through controle where someone will check off all the required gear, including the waterproof pants which I never used once despite running in Western Oregon for 5 years. I wanted something bottle friendly so I’m using the Golite Rush pack. Haven’t decided whether I like it or not yet, they could definetely use some tips from Raidlight/Ultimate Direction.
Umm, not to beat a dead horse here, but please stop by the Altra booth, get some zero drop Lone Peaks, and that’s all you need for the whole race, whatever the conditions. There is ample protection (at least 10-12mm of cushioning…it’s not a barefoot shoe, but a zero drop with cushion) and your achilles is strong enough to handle it. Anything else, including the Bajada, and you will have at least minor PF pains following the race. Whatever you choose, Go Kill It! -Charlie M.
Ha. I DID visit the Altra booth, but won’t be running in them anytime soon. My Achilles bothered me from 4 miles in a 4mm drop shoe on Friday.
My options and advices:
Lamp: Fenix HP 10 – 120 lumen for almost 8 hours, 120g (wo batteries), second one: Petzl e-lite for emergency
Jacket: Montane Minimus (215g in Large) or Montane Lite-speed (170g in Large)
WP over-trousers: Montane Atomic DT (190g in Medium size)
WP gloves: Sealskinz
Cup: just cut the upper half of one 0.5L plastic bottled water, and use the bottom half. thats it, 10g.
Poles: Leki traveller carbon, or Gipron Mont Blanc 310
Shoes: Hoka Mafate – first choice for that steep, technical and long trail.
See you in Chamonix!
Agreed with the Fenix HP10. I do alot of night runs, just training and that is my headlamp of choice. love it love it
Fenix HP-10 is a kickass light. Not so fun to pack but worth its consistently reliable high-powered fully regulated weight in gold. Interesting – new Fenix TK15 looks like a mountable handtorch but also has a headwear option. $80 for 6.5hours at 143 lumen.
Montane’s Spektr eVent shell probably a great call if you’re happy having no pockets on your shell – which you probably are. Would be interesting if people have really pushed the Minimus but when you’re short on time making a decision, eVent is reliable, and in the cold it breathes incredibly well.
Have a mad run Bryon!!
Just read your other bits:
Salomon will have the Advanced Skin S-Lab 12L pack on limited release for UTMB – you probably have the kind of connects, not to mention sweet running form, to get your hands on that. That would be a seriously sweet running pack. I’d question their sleeves as a choice for compression though, find them to be more thermal than anything else but betting $1M you know better.
Inov8 Roclite 295s are a sweet mud shoe but the US issue them as standard with a thinner insole, thicker insole will give you better drainage I think, because otherwise part of the rubber outsole around the shoe seems to keep wetness in. Mainly, make sure it’s a 6mm insole. They can be a pisser of a shoe for descending though, especially when your foot swells a bit, as the front wall tends to act as a toestop. Shoes are so personal I’d be sticking with what you’ve tested on that one unless it’s total battle stations. For lugs, Inov8 are pretty bombastic.
Oliver,
Thanks for the great suggestions! I hadn’t come across the Atomic DT pants, Sealskinz, or Gipron options.
Hi Bryon,
Here my lightest options:
Lamps: Petzl Myo RXP with lithium batteries 144 grams + Petzl e-lite 27 grams ; the e-lite incorporates a whistle as well in case your new runninh pack does not have one.
WP Jacket: Haglofs Oz pullover 170 grams in size small (Goretex paclite)
WP pants: Golite Reed 130 grams. I do not know any lighter waterproof one, absolutely non breathable however.
Warm long sleeved clothing: Icebreaker Ace LS shirt 192 grams (Merino 150grams). Great confort, gets however heavier when you sweat.
Warm and waterproof gloves: Outdoor Designs Layeron Gloves 27 grams + Outdoor Research Rain mitts (Paclite) 33 grams
Warm hat: extremities Beanie Power Dry Beanie 24 grams
Cap: Mountain Hardware Geist cap 24 grams
Pack: Lafuma Ultra Trail 3. Pack 306 grams, front pocket removable 28 grams.
Only 3l so you need to pack lightest gear, put jacket and trousers outside the pack. Advantage of having water bottles on the front. As front bottles the lightest waterbottles. My 0.75l Raidlight bottles with straw weight 86 and 89 grams (empty).
Looking for your findings at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.
For people interested in the Salomon 12l advanced skin pack, here the weights:
- pack = 535 grams + removable right front pocket (device pocket) 13 grams
- water reservoir 1.5 liter newly supplied by Hydrapak = 105 grams
- water reservoir isolation pocket = 22 grams
- included safety blanket = 57 grams
Although the backpack is much better finished than the 5 liters version, it is too much accessorized for me (too many pockets, unnecessary internal zip to separate internal room, removable front pocket) and therefore heavier than necessary. I ended asking myself, where the 12 liters are hidden… On the positive side, the pack is so confortable.
Franzi, do you know anyone selling these openly yet or is it still mainly Team Salomon? Would love the link if you know where to buy. Thanks.
As usual with Salomon, the first year’s SLAB stock is dispatched through the French dealers network and some selected foreign stockists (under which criterias it is unknown for me…).
Advanced Skin 12 liters stock went fast by the classic internet dealers, but you can still find some having stock.
One that tends to have special connexion with Salomon (always getting new products first) is Altecsport, but they have no stock on the 12l pack anymore.
Mine in Alsace (Topsport Cernay, part of Running Conseil) has still plenty of stock.
Online you can try you luck by Technicien du Sport, but they do not ship everywhere.
http://www.technicien-sport.com/detail-sport.php?fam=18&fam2=118&prod=4765
Team Outdoor (Paris) also should have some in stock:
http://www.team-outdoor.fr/fr/ah11-salomon-advanced-skin-12l-s-lab,produit-301.html
You can also call the dealers from Chamonix and try to reserve one there.
Thanks heaps for that – checked them out and they all seem to have o/s sales restrictions but it’s a good place to start and hopefully something will come of it. Will pay more attention to Altrec in future – not my favourite online shop for pricing but with this bag already being in and out of stock at least once I totally missed out on the one bit of kit I’m really wanting locked down right now. Much appreciated, Anonymous : )
Bryon,
Waterproof Over Trousers – What is ‘waterproof’?. Montane Featherlite pants (pertex). 110g
Waterproof Jacket with Hood – TNF Triumph Anorak 160g
Good luck!
montane featherlights are not waterproof they are wind proof. they are not compatible. try northface pants
Hi,
An alternative headlamp I would like to suggest is the Lupine Piko X. I have been running with it all winter and it is really great. 180 grams incl battery and up to 750 lumen… See website: http://www.lupine.de/web/en/products/headlights/piko/x/
Good luck at UTMB!
/Glenn
Take a look at Ledlenser headlamps, they’re much brightr than Petzl’s, a huge help in technical downhills though probably heavier…
Personally I would go for a chest or waist light such as GoMotion and also Ledlenser produce. Head lamps, although the most popular, cause fatigue to the optic nerve and having the beam go from chest or waist makes no difference to how well you can see but it is far more comfortable than having a beam clamped around your head. Even a hand held light is more preferable although I would suggest that you also use poles. Re the gels, a lot of weight and a lot of liquid needed to go with them, I think you will find the main CP’s have plenty of proper food so the gels and bars should just be for topping up between feed stations.
Jacket and Over trouser definately look at OMM Kamleika smock and pants, 4 way stretch fabric, light and totally waterproof with high breathability.
a few thoughts for your concerns
Jacket
marmot mica: just 200 grams. Tried and tested during 2010 utmb 2 hour heavy rain. Keeps you dry from the rain outside but you get wet from inside from your sweat when the effort is intense. I think the best choice is a jacket with armpit zippers for better ventilation like North Face Stretch Diad or the Norrona Bitihorn dri™1
Warm and waterproof gloves
Seal Skinz Ultra Grip: windproof, waterproof with grip dots for better gripping in the wet.
Waterproof over-trousers
Inov-8 Mistlite 130: just 130 grams
Pack
North Face enduro 13: holds anything you need with 2 easily accesible bottles but i find it a little bit tight on the chest and it doesn’t like my polar hr transmiter
Shoes
Salomon speedcross 2 & New Balance MT101
Shoes
Second on the Solomon Speedcross 2. Light, great traction, and (in my experience)drain well/feel dry quickly (drymax sock great, too, with these).
I checked out the SealSkinz gloves today and might try to get a pair.
No waterproof jackets are breathable when it is raining. The sweat vapour cannot escape through rain soaked fabric. It will only breathe once the rain stops and you can open it up to allow some ventilation.
Panos, Inov-8′s website says the pants are water resistant, not waterproof. While they may actually work at keeping you dry, I’d hate to be penalized or disqualified for having non-waterproof pants. I only say that as I like your idea and am tempted to get these! :-)
Bryon, i don’t think that the volunteers of the organization have a list or can tell by looking at the pants if it is waterproof or water resistant. I suppose they just want to see some ‘plastic’ pants and they will be ok.
I’ll put these on my list for real usage if my request for another brand’s pants don’t come through. I’ve got a 3 oz pant that I’ll carry if the weather will be good.
I sent a mail at the Utmb organizers about those very light pants:
http://www.raidlight.com/boutique/47-tyvek-trousers.html
and this pair of light gloves:
http://v15.gr/products.asp?product_id=1720&gear_id=106&lang_id=1
and they replay they are o.k. so that ‘s what I am going to use.
Thanks for the info, Anonymous. I’ve got gloves, but not pants that are that light.
Anyone in Europe who’ll be in Chamonix before UTMB want to pick up a pair of mediums for me? I’m good for reimbursement. I’d order them myself, but I don’t want to have them arrive in the US after I leave for Europe!
I dont’ really think a Tyvek pant (it’s paper!) is good enough for mountain running, really, it’s mountain, and can be dangerous out there. Rules are for something, we are not smarter and tougher than mountains, and probably we all suffered a lot sometimes and have been in risk others.
Anyway, if you want, Raidlight sells and I can help you, but consider you will be a day and a half (aprox) in the Alps pushing your limits.
s
Sergio, please know that I will take real (300+ g) pants to Chamonix in case there’s a chance of bad weather. These are pants I only wear when running in deep snow. At no other time have I worn waterproof pants when running and that’s with 1,000s of hours of trail running and many 100s of hours running in high mountains… but I do realize that I may need them during a 100+ mile race in which my pace may be quite slow.
That said, if there’s no chance of rain… I might as well carry the lightest possible pant. I’d still have my crew take the heavier pants in case the unexpected happens.
Ps. I hope not to be pushing my limits until the final 5 hours or so. Other than that, I’ll go for an easy long run. :-)
I was Anonymous by mistake but anyway :-)
you are right Sergio it ‘s a bit like paper, but it ‘s cheap, light and better than nothing and nothing it ‘s what I would carry for waterproof pants if it was not for the rules of the race.
See you all in Chamonix
Apologizes Bryon, but people sometimes becomes crazy with weight and I agree it’s important but not the only one. I’ve seen people, after the mandatory check, give the material to a friend or wife not to carry it on races, that’s crazy, it’s mountain running, and very long distances, shit happens.
Anyway, if you still need the Tyvek pants, send me an email and I’ll try to help you.
s
I got my 12 Liter Salomon Advanced skin S-lab pack which is incredible. http://www.geziyorum.net/salomon-advanced-skin-s-lab-12/
I got cheap terra nova gloves. GTX. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Extremities-Terra-Nova-Corbett-Gore-Tex-Gloves-M-/190557754584?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sports_Clothing_LE&hash=item2c5e2094d8
North Face goretex pants ultra light 220 grams ( 55 GBP )
I have my Minim Salomon paclite. As i used in UTMB CCC
GU Gels and chews are ready but I will buy some MYOCramp from Chamonix… some French overstims gels as well.
For shoes I am in middle between Salomon xt wings slab 2 – used in CCC or Fell cross used in Anatolian mountain marathon.. was great. http://www.geziyorum.net/salomon-fell-cross/
Do you have better experience by MYOCramp than other products such as Hammer Endurolytes or Saltsticks to prevent Cramps?
I have huge problems with Cramps why I am curiuos on different products and I have never heard of MYOCramp.
You might pray me after using MYOCramp. I use hammer and salt sticks as well but i bought them in last year UTMB CCC in chamonix in a drug store. you can find them anywhere. they are incredible soving the cramps in 5 minutes response time. i exported to UK from France EAFit company. I will again buy 20 pack in Chamonix for future usage. taste is in mango. i dont use 4-5 max in CCC or TDS parcours…
Shoes – Go a little lighter with SLAB Wings 4 and if the ground is muddy, use the Softground option. Good grip and should drain well.
Timepiece – Suunto T6d. Chrono, with heart rate monitor/barometric altimeter combo. Plus you could add a footpod or GPS pod if you want to track that.
Shoes are one place I don’t skimp just to save weight. I really like the SLab shoes, but they’re too flexible in the mid and forefoot for me to wear for more than 50k or so at this point.
Bryon, great post. Here are my two cents; er, I mean two recommendations– favorite new gear pieces discovered this summer:
- for socks: Saucony Elite Compression Sock knee high. Love it way more than calf sleeve and no blister problem.
- breathable long-sleeve top good for warmth and sun reflection: Craft brand. Not sure the model. Looks like long underwear. I had never heard of this brand but definitely want to buy another one.
Have fun at OR.
p.s.
oops, hit return before I wrote the p.s. which is I too love the BD Ultra Z Poles. Be aware though you have to get the right length. I’m 5’7″ and go with 110cm.
SLAB 4 lighter than what??? 340 gr… The Bajada, Single Track, Rator are lighter. And probably more cushioned and better grip. And with same weigth you could try much of the shoe market. Only your wallet would be lighter!!
And the same with the pack,if you want to try european brands, try Raidligth Olmo or Endurance, sure cheaper, lighter and more funtional.
The best marketing don´t do it better gear.
SLAB 4′s (310g) are lighter than the XT Wings (360g) referenced as a backup in the gear list as well as the Singletrack (326g) and Raptor (348g). The Softground does have deeper and larger lugs than the Bajada or Single Track but comparable to the Raptor. http://www.salomonrunning.com/sp/minisites/slab4/
Agreed on the marketing statement
I suggest you look at the OMM Kamleika smock and over trousers, if it does rain then you need clothing that is totally waterproof and OMM stuff is produced for the UK market, need I say more. It is very light and very comfortable.
I would wear 3/4 compression tights with compression calf sleeves.
Shoe choice would be UKGear PT1000 with Raidlight or Slab gaiters.
Poles, MountainKing, strong, very light and they fold up small.
Pack, definately not a bladder, go for two bottles on chest strap, I reckon your gear would all fit in an OLMO5 but if the new Salomon pack has the front bottle holders then go for that. I use OLMO5 or Salomon Slab Skin but I usually add a Salomon mountain waist belt (can’t remember its Salomon name) in which I can carry gels, bars, phone/camera. They fit well below the pack which you can remove and still keep your belt on. Good luck and hope it is better weather than last year.
I have a Malpaís Trinity™ 3-Layer Liteshell Jacket from GoLite that I have been wearing. Only 7oz.
Is the Golite Malpais breathable enough for high intensity sports?
I would only wear it if it were raining. I do wish I could unzip the armpits for some breathability.
Any chance to check out the new brooks pure grit??
Yup. Info to coming in the next few weeks.
Hi Bryon,
“Survival blanket 1.40m x 2m minimum – I’ve got a selection of these at home… but you’d best believe I’ll be looking for the lightest blanket and they do differ in weight.”
Hum- my thoughts are that if I had to use this blanket I should be pretty happy to have the best one-not the lightest one. The weight differs about 20g or so? OK the second (and my) option is to take this weight from my body first! No magnesium supplement (should I say “chocolate”?) for one week ;o)
See you in Chamonix!
Never in my life, including countless hours running in the mountains have I used or even seen someone use an emergency blanket. :-)
I was in the CCC last year (2010). Bovine 1900m after 64km at 10pm – I can only describe it as a tempest – wind and rain ripping across the mountainside – Every single person in the aid tent was wearing a space blanket (next to their skin, with wet cloths back on top) me included, If i hadn’t I would have ended up hyperthermic.
It changed my mind about the equipment list believe me!
By the way, I live in St Gervais at the base of Mt Blanc – I know the mountains well and the mountain weather round here – but sometimes it just comes out of nowhere :-)
Hi, I would have thought that 20-30 gels will cancel out all the weight saving that you’ll be looking for from the clothing/tech items… Look to half this to at least a bag drop??
For info, last year as we ran off up into the hills there were runners wearing a trash bag for rain cover and in the shorter CCC race there were a number of runners who feared for their lives, rescue teams called out etc….along with this there were 3 French runners who died a couple of summers back during an Ultra…I believe this is what forced the organisers towards the ‘obligatory’ items.
See you in Cham…
I’ll be picking up another 20-30 gels from my drop bag in Courmayeur. It would be pretty easy for me to eat 50-60 gels during UTMB.
If you go for a backpack with bottle holder consider buying gel in a bottle (not sure GU has it) and then fill Powerade/Gatorade bottle with it and take it with you (add water to make it more liquid). Have then one as reserve in Courmayeur. 20-30 gels take up a lot of space and generate lot of garbage. You could get bored of having the same taste all the time so it might be vice to take 3-4 extra flavors, for example with caffeine.
But it is also important to take into account that UTMB is practically a “30 hour all you can eat buffet!” :) So less need for gels.
The Western States and Leadville 100s are also all you can eat buffets with lots of food options, but I still choose to go with gels there. I guess it’s a bit different since I don’t have to carry all of them. Still, I’d rather race with food I know I’ll eat along the way.
I don’t think you really need so many gels there is plenty of ‘proper food’ at the check points so I would think you can save a fair bit of weight and cash by only having a few, personally I think bars would be better as the gels generally require you to make sure you drink enough. Re other posts, Tyvek pants are ‘waterproof’ paper and not suitable for bad weather in the Alps. Tyvek pants also takes up quite a bit of space in a pack, still say the OMM Kamleika pants and smock are best for severe weather, totally waterproof and 4 way stretch fabric, designed and produced by UK Company OMM (Original Mountain Marathon was the Karrimor) and this is a fast packing, 2 day navigation race generally held in bad weather (UK) so the kit has to be light, packable and work.
Another post referenced runners just signing a disclaimer but I doubt any races in the USA have 8000 runners, no doubt the top runners would get through but the field is so big that there are bound to be plenty who are under prepared and not used to racing in the unstable Alpine environment.
Damn man, that many gels would kill me!
//Christian
Hey Bryon – wondering if you saw any jackets made with the new Gore-Tex ‘Active Shell’ material, like the new Mammut Felsturm? Sounds like this fabric is going to be a game-changer, putting all the other companies in catch-up mode again…
Matt
Felsturm jacket is looking nice, but will only be available in fall and retails 350 euros. For me too expensive and not enough minimalist (weight could be reduced, this jacket is thought for climbers). Looking what other brands will offer with this material.
Question – I am looking at using the Mountain Hardware Double Wicked Lite T Long Sleeve Shirt, which weighs a 158g according to the website (less than the 186 needed). Will they actually weigh the shirt? Does anyone know what size Mountain Hardware uses for their weights?
Jacket:
Golite Malpais Trinity (7oz / 185g)
Pants:
Golite Tumalo Pertex (7 oz / 185g)
Go fast… see ya there!
-Speed
Weird, ultra running used to be about putting on a pair of shoes and going running. How much would this gear cost the average non-sponsored/non-supplied runner? Seems like the sport is turning kind of elitist which is too bad. Kind of reminds me of skiers who have thousands of dollars of gear but can’t ski. At least you look good…
Chris,
Given the disaster that could have occurred had the rain started falling slightly later at last year’s UTMB, a mandatory gear list is pretty reasonable. As for me, I try to test a wide variety of so I can make informed recommendations to folks who want or need particular gear. That is, in a way, my job… even if most of my runs involve me slipping on shoes, shorts, and a tee-shirt… ok, so I do where a Garmin, too. :-)
Chris, i will share with you my 2010 experience of UTMB:
At the beginning during the downpour, i was very happy to have with me a waterproof jacket. It covered my upper body and my sack and kept me going when other runners were wet head to toe and would soon have to stop the race or catch a bad cold.
When the race stopped and i was shivering from the cold, i wished i had a warm middle layer to change clothes.
So i believe that in this type of weather, that extra cost pays you back and helps you enjoy you running whether you are racing or training.
Hi Bryon!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the equipment.
Here is my list: http://www.trailrunner.se/equipment/utmb-2011-gear-list/
Comprehensive and detailed race training plan, gear list, past years experiences in UTMB CCC are in this link. http://www.geziyorum.net/utmb-tds/
i will be racing UTMB TDS this year… Good luck to all UTMB racers…
Emre,
Nice list.
Which survival blanket weights only 30grams? Did you cut it down?
You could easily save weight on the gloves (it’s not winter time).
Ha… the space blanket is the same item I noticed. :-)
I agree about the gloves. I’ll be under 60 grams if there’s going to be good weather.
Thanks for posting your list (and for the above comments). Do you know how stringent they are on these requirements? I know they check ahead of time and during the race everything is checked. But, if you are say an ounce or so short of a litre or have water resistant gloves vs. water proof is it really an issue?
Thanks for any info you may have – see you in a couple weeks in Chamonix!
Nick, I contacted organization re. gloves, they do NOT require water proof, water resistant is good enough.
Tatiana
Nick, under rules and regulations you find the penalty list, but I think Kilian is the only one who have received a penalty. They say they are going to be tougher now.
http://ultratrailmb.com/page/16/Rules_and_enrolment.html
For example you don´t get penalty for having no water at all when stopped, you only get penalty for not having water reservoir (f.e. bladder or 2 x bottles) that have less capacity than 1 liter.
TYVEK pants are not water proof. My opinion is use proper water proof pants.By saving 100 grams you are risking your lives in Alps. I saw crying men more than 40 years to paramedics to save them from hypothermia last year in Bovine 65th km…
I’m an avid runner, and I just developed a new athletic pocket. I’d like your opinion. Check it out at http://www.theroosport.com. I love mine! Thanks
Hi great blog, the kit isn’t checked at race check in but instead checked randomly through out the race. I was on the start line for Utmb in 2010 (and will be this year too) the guy next to me on the start line had his bag checked about 10 mins before the start which annoyed him a bit! And I wasn’t checked! They plan on doing this through out the race at various points I imagine mostly in the food stops rather than half way up a climb!
Another point I would like to make is that I was on the aguille rouge trail run in Chamonix last September with snow down to 1700 meters. At the first col of about 2000 meters the mountain rescue were there to help runners and I saw at least 5 people with survival blankets on them
Suffering badly from the cold and altitude. I later found out that some needed air lifted down. Ok the weather was extreme but I think those people were happy to have their survival blanket in the bag!
New Salomon packs will be available from 2012. I bet these will be cheaper to reach, they are both 16 liter and 10 liter skin pack for ultra races. http://www.geziyorum.net/salomon-xa-skin-pro-pack/
Hope you were able to find everything. My family and I will be heading to Chamonix tomorrow. I’m hoping to meet some fellow Americans there, if I don’t get to see you, Good Luck!
-Chris
The thing that is taking up most space in my pack at the moment is my ice breaker long sleeve “second layer” top. Need to try and find one that takes less space! Any other suggestions?
Your long sleeve takes up more space that your waterproof pants or jacket?! What waterproof items are you taking.
Hi,
I just ran a swedish 2 day mountainrace with similar recuerments for gear, this is what i used.
Montane wind and rain jacket 180gr
R90 wind pants(Swedish brand)65gr
Microfleece jacket The north face
Merinowool baselayer for leggs and upper 150gr/1 m2
Merinowool socks
Merinowool buff
Backpack OMM marathon Classic
windstopper gloves
Tent for 2
Sleeping madrass
3 meals
8 gels
3 bars
10 portion of energy poder
spoon
First aid kit
1! snickers bar
And some chips
My backpack was at 4.65kg at the start line.
I was dressed in compression tights(short)
Race shirt
Merinowool socks
Salomon speedcross2
At the peaks we has 2 degrees and winds of 24m/s
This was north of the artic cicle
//Christian
A bit late now I know, i even think I saw you about town Bryon! I switched between an Awsome gore-Tex pac-lite “norrona” and a marmot light weight breathable thing for which I can’t remember the name. They packed pretty small, trousers were from Quechua (our local outdoor warehouse) they were not breathable but waterproof and cost me 11 euros. I didn’t fork out much on the trousers because I had no intention of using them, however I did end up wearing them on the utmb and to be honest I was very pleased to have them on certain sections of the course.
My long sleeved top was an ice breaker 200 half zip which kept me nice and warm during my two cold nights, only down side of this top is
That it doesn’t squash down very small.
Anyway, I finished but with a limp, swollen ankle from Martigny to Chamonix which had me walking over the line in 44 and a bit hours!! That was one hard course which this year was longer and higher than any previous editions!!
I wanted to share you what we faced in Ultra Trail Mont Blanc in this summer… 120kms of non-stop running and gaining 7.000m of ascent in the one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathon in non-stop 32 hours..
If you want you can follow the 10 episodes for the documentary that we launch every week… With English subtitles…
Here is the first one: http://www.izlesene.com/kanal/savoy-dukunun-izinde-5-turk
If you want to read the full report in English… http://www.geziyorum.net/utmb-tds-rapor/
Episode 1 of our documentary is live …
http://www.geziyorum.net/utmb-episode-1/
cheers
EMRE
Hey Byon,
Did I miss a follow up post. What pack did you go with.
Hey Chris, you haven’t missed anything. I went with a customized Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack. http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/86
Hi Bryon,
You really took THIS pack ? I´ve seen it online before but didn´t get one since I believed it certainly must be too fragile to use for a race like the UTMB. Could you tell more about it & the way you customized the pack ? How did the pack perform, would you use it again for UTMB ?
(By the way, I hope you´ll be coming again in 2012 !)
Many thanks for another year of “bringing it on” to us Trail-Junkies and all the best to you, your family and Irunfar !
Wolfgang
Ultrawolf, I did use that pack. I cut some pieces off, pulled the bottoms of the shoulder strap cords through a toggle in the front (which I tied in front of the toggle), and velcro-based chest strap I sewed on. I also had two add-on waist pockets made by Terra Nova that I put on the, now, waist strap. All of this was done in Chamonix on Thursday.
The pack was more than enough for me (no poles, no bladder… though a bladder worked in tests… when hung on safety pins). It was plenty comfortable enough and was, if anything, a couple times to large for my needs. The biggest problem was getting it on and off … it took too long and took too much work. That’d be easily solved by making both the makeshift waist strap clip-based and the sewn-on sternum strap fixed on both sides. (The sternum strap was sewn onto on strap, looped around the other, and then velcroed shut. It was plenty sturdy, but not the quickest.)
All-in-all, I could easily use this pack again and it’d be even better with a few hours (I’m no craftsman) of further modification. That said, there’s a good chance I’d go even more minimal next time. All my gear fit in a quart(liter)-sized baggy, so a simple sleeve with shoulder straps would do the trick.
Ps. I’ll be in Chamonix next summer, but at this point it looks like I won’t be racing.
In bikeraces they´re willing to spend truckloads of bucks for saving 5 gramms, you should start the “Lightest Trailrunning Gear in the World” Shop !
:-)
Many thanks Bryon, I see you in Chamonix !
Having raced both finishing UTMB CCC in 2010 and UTMB TDS 2011 I had a quite experience on UTMB races and want to do UTMB 166km in future. This Frequently Asked Questions -UTMB FAQ are formed to ease your planning, racing and other actions before UTMB registration, preparation, getting there, accommodation and racing. http://www.geziyorum.net/utmb-faq/