This thread is to discuss kit for ultra running and walks and what would be best for an event such as the L100/50. It would be great if people not participating in the event could also give their opinion as for some competitors this is their first ultra so the more advice the better!
I have been asked one question several times by email.. what should i wear on my feet? Fell shoes, trail shoes or road shoes? In response to that my answer is that the first half of the 100 is where the roughest terrain will be encountered, the second half (which is the 50 course) has much less rough terrain.
My thoughts are a trail shoe.. certainly for the 50 mile course, if you are a 100 competitor concerned about foot stability during the first 50 miles, you could swap trainers at the half way mark.
based on experience, I'd say a 'cushioned' trail shoe. The inov-8 Roclite 320 is becoming a firm favourite for a lot of ultra runners in the UK (and the US to a lesser degree).
I've just done the 44 mile Across Wales in mine, with rain all day, a lot of wet and boggy ground and about 15 miles of road in the middle and my feet felt great and had no blisters.
I agree with the trail shoe. I run in a lot of fell races where grip is everything but considering the length of the 100 comfort has to come first. I will probably go for Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultras. I have worn them alot recently for training and the ennerdale, only complaint is they are not as grippy on wet grass etc but as I say comfort is essential. ( for me at least )
never worn the harriers, but I'm guessing they are similar, although the harriers may have a harder wearing sole which will be better for tarmac. (roclite soles wear quite rapidly on road). I'd also check out the new TNF Rucky Chuckys which are designed as a long distance mountain running shoe.
for info: inov-8s have a grading of cushioning shown by the number of arrows/chevrons on the heal. The roclite 320s (and a couple of other models) have four and are the most cushioned, the roclite 315s and most of the general trail shoes have three, and the more extreme race shoes have 2 (and maybe 1?)/
If anyone is wondering about the organizers choice of windproof body cover I have used them for 3 or 4 years now and they are exellent. So lite and pack up into almost nothing. I also have other items of montane like the fully waterproof smock which comes with a hood & map pocket. This may be useful if the weather is anything like we`ve had in Cumbria so far this month.
I have done a few of the longer ultra's and I know I end up doing quite abit of walking in the second half.
So I have now changed to North face shoes, I have a pair of ultra 103's, which are good but as I am heavy on my feet I did the last 100 miler in a pair of there approach shoe's. As they give more protection to the soles of my feet and they are still OK to run in.
For those with GPS requirements I would suggest the Garmin kit which is very reliable and easy to use.
I know last year we supplied to Lakeland 100 entrants on the request of one of the Lakeland 100 organisers, giving participants a substantial discount.
If there is any interest this year we may do it again, let me know and I can see what we can organise
Not having run for 24 years, I'm moving down from a 3 season boot (Meindle Burma) at 1600g a pair - I think - for the 50 mile walk.
I'm hesitant about going to a shoe and wondered about a mid boot / shoe, something along the lines of the recently reviewed adidas Terrex Fast X FM Mid GTX
