By Nicky Jenkins
So, last week we covered some of the Winter Warmer running essentials for the ladies in our "How not to freeze your nipples off" blog.
This week it's all about you guys!
Of course, as I am not a bloke, I had to consult the Oracle - this being the boss man himself, Mr John Withinshaw, for the best male outfit of the Winter months.
The kit obviously varies according to the weather, potential exposure and distance, and as a consequence it's ever evolving. And who doesn't love new running gear?
In October 2017 John took on Lakes In a Day, his first real Ultra (50 miles).
As he was preparing for the event and it drew ever closer, he realised he was missing some essentials - namely some poles and a running bag big enough to store all the mandatory kit. Rather than buying (which can be a costly affair) - he managed to beg, steal and borrow. The beauty of borrowing kit means you can give it a trial without the expense - to see if it's right for you - if you're lucky enough to have some nice running friends that is. It goes without saying that it's best not to do this ON race day, but sometimes needs must.
It wasn't freezing cold that day, however anyone who knows the Lakes will know that the weather system at ground level barely reflects that on the tops of the big hills, and the mandatory kit is quite strict for that reason.
- Salomon Running Hat
- Canterbury Thermal Base Layer
- Salomon Trail t-shirt
- Inov-8 Stormshell Jacket
- RAB Merino-lined Fleece (spare top)
- Salomon twin skin trail shorts
- Mountain Warehouse waterproof trousers (spare)
- Inov-8 Mudclaws for the first half
- Inov-8 Terraclaws for the second half
- Inov-8 running gloves
- Ulimate Direction 20litre Ultra Run Vest
John's next challenge - The Endurance Life Northumberland 35 miles this February
The big target is the Northern Traverse in 2020
To get some further ideas on male kit, I also asked a man who has already completed the Northern Traverse and who just happened to be taking part in Lakes in a Day at the same time as John. Matt is originally from our neck of the woods but I haven't seen him for years. Needless to say I think he was a little surprised to spot me spectating at Lakes in a Day.
Matt says that there are 3 aspects to kit for him: comfort, functionality and affordability. These come above looking good or having the latest gear, as a result his kit collection is a bit of a "mish mash of allsorts!"
Here's what he wore for Lakes in a Day; Trainers - Inov8 Mudclaw
Socks - Rat Race merino wool
Tights - Inov8
Shorts - Altura mtb (I've had for years, they helped me through Lands End John o groats ride in 2009)
T shirt - Hardmoors 55
Long sleeve top - Salomon trail running zipped top, again owned it for years Jacket - OMM Kamleika (awesome bit of kit, one area I wouldn't scrimp on is a decent waterproof jacket - literally life preserving at times)
Race pack - Salomon s lab 12 (bought 2nd hand off eBay for a bargain £50!)
In the pack - Head torch - petzel nao+ (another area worth spending the money on)
Seal skin waterproof gloves
Mountain xl waterproof mountain hat Spare socks
Lifesystems light and dry emergency bivvy
Salomon soft flasks x2
Collapsable mug (£2 from go outdoors!)
Warm layer - synthetic down jacket (craghoppers £25)
Think that's it!
Once again - Layers are key!!
I hope these blogs might have given you some ideas as to what is required if you're considering the longer distance events during the winter months.
Happy running guys!
Commenti