Mandatory Gear
The mandatory gear list contains what we believe is the absolute minimum to keep you safe during the event and in the Snowy Mountains’s unpredictable weather systems. If you would normally take something extra on a run of this duration, you should still take it.
MANDATORY GEAR LISTS
Runners at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB will be required to carry a set of mandatory gear throughout their race.
The mandatory gear list contains what we believe is the absolute minimum to keep you safe during the event and in the Snowy Mountains’ unpredictable weather systems. If you would normally take something extra on a run of this duration, you should still take it.
The course passes through remote trails, where protection from the elements and medical/support services could be some time/distance from athletes needing assistance. It is therefore imperative that the mandatory gear is carried at all times.
In order to reduce waste, we are a cup-less event. Athletes are strongly advised to carry their own drinking cup, bottle or hydration vest that they can use at aid stations for the selection of drinks. We recommend you also carry water between aid stations.
Gear check stores perform an early gear check until 27 November at one of the stores listed here in NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, WA or TAS. This is the best option to save you time and effort during race weekend.
MANDATORY GEAR DESCRIPTIONS
Suitable garments:
The mandatory thermal items must be made of either a high performance synthetic material that is made up of fibres which are hydrophobic (ie they do not hold water) or they can be made of lightweight wool (wool does absorb water but it remains warm to wear when wet due to warm air being trapped in lots of tiny air pockets). Garments made of synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyester and chlorofibre (PVC) are perfect as the fibres do not hold moisture. Garments made from these materials can feel slightly damp in wet conditions but that is because moisture is held in the tiny spaces between the fibres. As the fibres do not get wet these garments will actually dry out from your body heat while you are wearing them and there is no evaporative cooling effect as the moisture evaporates from the spaces between the fibres. Modern thermal materials may use a small amount of spandex, elastane or Lycra to provide greater shape retention, tighter fit and therefore greater warmth. Garments made of a material that is 94% polyester and 6% spandex are perfect.
Not suitable:
Garments made mostly of synthetic materials such as lycra (a polyester-polyurethane copolymer) and coolmax (which is polyester with fibres amended so they do absorb moisture) are not suitable for this event as they hold moisture against your skin and they also wick moisture away very well thus causing substantial evaporative cooling. All compression garments are made of mostly lycra so they are not suitable as your mandatory thermals in this event. Cotton is also unsuitable as it absorbs water and holds the moisture against the wearer's skin. Unlike wool, cotton has no bulk to trap warm air so the wearer remains cold. In search and rescue circles cotton is called "The Fatal Fabric" and "Killer Cotton" for good reason - people die every year when caught out in the elements wearing cotton garments. Other people also caught out in the same conditions who are wearing synthetic and/or wool survive – it’s a very clear cut issue.
Must have fully taped (not critically taped) waterproof seams and hood.
That complies with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4602:1999 or AS/NZS 4602:2010 or AS/NZS 4602: 2011 as well as Class D/N for day and night time wear.
In working order with fully charged battery and working SIM card that can be used to make calls in Australia.
Minimum dimensions 7.5cm wide x 2.3m long unstretched.
This will have participant emergency instructions on the back of the bib.
