The Trail Co. is an official gear check station for Ultra Trail Australia Mandatory Gear. We can check that you have what you need and provide you with a gear check certificate. We're also here to help you find anything you're missing for your race in the Blue Mountains. 

The mandatory gear list for big ultra races is extensive and this article will cover the mandatory gear for UTA 100km (as well as the UTA Miler), as it's the most comprehensive.

If you're racing the 50km or 22km event, you won't need everything on this list.

Head in-store for gear check

The Trail Co. Bardon: 78 Macgregor Terrace, Bardon QLD 4065

The Trail Co. Toohey Forest: Unit 14/655 Toohey Road, Salisbury QLD 4107

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All the gear – loads of ideas

Listed below is what you must to carry. We stock everything you'll need to race and our knowledgeable staff are here to help you find the perfect piece of kit in-store or over the phone. 

We've recommend a few items for each piece of mandatory gear and go into detail for some of the more technical items down the page.

It is also important to consider what you might need beyond gear check to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable race at UTA. Getting quality gear that will go the distance if and when you need it can make a big difference to your overall experience.

We always recommend checking the official race mandatory gear requirements before heading to your event.

UTA 100 Mandatory Gear

Waterproof Jacket

Must have fully taped (not critically taped) waterproof seams and hood.

We recommend at least a 10k/10k waterproof / breathability for trail running. Read in more detail.

Long Sleeve Thermal Top

Polypropylene or Wool. Not lycra, Coolmax or Cotton. Read in more detail.

Beanie / Balaclava or Head Scarf

The Trail Co. running scarf

Mobile phone

Fully charged and switched on with a working SIM.

We also recommend downloading your race course GPX as a backup in an emergency.

Whistle

Check to see if you have a whistle on your running pack already.

Emergency space blanket

This Emergency Blanket is lightweight, folds down small and is good in a pinch.

Compression bandage

Minimum size: 7.5cm wide x 2.3m long un-stretched. A Snake Bite Bandage covers off 2 emergency eventualities or use a Conforming Heavyweight Bandage.

Water bottles / bladders (Capacity to carry 2 litres)

Most running packs come with 2 x 500ml soft flasks, so you're probably half way there. Top up your water carrying capacity with a couple more soft flasks or a hyration bladder if your pack is compatible.

And no, you can't use a ziplock bag for this one. (We've been asked before. Seriously.)

2 x Food bars / food portions

This one is actually 2 x Energy bars / food portions in your pack during each leg, i.e. when you depart each checkpoint.

Make sure you have 2 spare portions in case you get spot checked on course. Energy gels are also considered suitable.

Ziplock bag for your personal rubbish

If you bring it with you, take it home. Let's do our bit to keep the Blue Mountains beautiful.

High visibility safety vest

Your Hi vis must be labelled as complying with one of the following standards:

  • AS/NZ 4602:1999
  • AS/NZ 4602:2010
  • AS/NZ 4602:2011
  • as well as Class D/N for day and night time wear

Such as The Trail Co. High Visibility Safety Vest

You must wear your Hi Vis at night from 8:00pm - 6:00am.

Primary Headlamp

We recommend your main headlamp has an output of at least 300 lumens and that you carry a spare battery. Read in more detail.

Backup Headlamp

We recommend that you carry a spare battery for your backup lamp, just in case your main lamp fails and you need to use it for prolonged periods. Read in more detail.

Compass

Lightweight dry sack

This will keep your gear dry and also sweat-free. It's worth getting one that will fit everything from the main body of your pack, like the Sea to Summit Dry Bag 3l

Long leg thermal pants

Polypropylene or Wool. Not lycra, Coolmax or Cotton. See our notes on thermals below.

Full-fingered lightweight thermal gloves

Made from polypropylene or wool. Shop gloves.

Long leg waterproof pants*

Unlike the jacket requirements, waterproof pants do not necessarily have to have taped seams.

*These are weather dependant part of the mandatory gear. The race director will advise whether these items are required on:

  • Wednesday before the race for UTA11, UTA22 and UTAMiler
  • Friday for UTA50 and UTA100

Always check with the event organiser.

100-weight (minimum) long sleeve synthetic fleece top*

100-weight is an industry term meaning comparable to 214gsm Polartec Fleece.
eg. Men's 2XU Ignition Fleece and Women's 2XU Ignition Fleece.

*These are weather dependant part of the mandatory gear. The race director will advise whether these items are required on:

  • Wednesday before the race for UTA11, UTA22 and UTAMiler
  • Friday for UTA50 and UTA100

Always check with the event organiser.

Waterproofs

Your waterproof jacket for UTA Mandatory Gear must have fully taped waterproof seams and hood and not be "critically taped".

The weather in the Blue Mountains can be changeable and it's possible you'll wear your jacket for hours.

The Trail Co. Recommends
We would pick a waterproof jacket with a minimum of 10k/10k hydrostatic head / breathability. Ideally higher if you plan on running hard. Higher breathability ratings mean that your body heat and sweat will evaporate through the jacket membrane at a higher rate without compromising its water resistance.

Waterproof jackets for trail running should fit well so that they cover your body and move with you so you're not exposed to the elements in a downpour.

  • Choose a jacket size that will accommodate for wearing layers underneath. Combining a good quality jacket with a thermal or fleece will keep you from getting cold and wet and ending your race early. It will even help keep you warm by blocking the wind.
  • If you're in-between sizes, we suggest you go up.
  • Re-vitalise an old jacket with a specialist wash and re-proof product, such as Grangers.
WATERPROOFS FOR UTA

Waterproofs

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Thermals

Suitable garments:
Thermal items for mandatory gear must be made of either a high performance synthetic material that is hydrophobic (ie does not hold water) or lightweight wool (eg. Merino). Garments made of synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyester and chlorofibre (PVC) are perfect as the fibres do not hold moisture and will keep your body warm even if they do get wet. Garments with a small amount of spandex, elastane or Lycra to provide greater shape retention and tighter fit are a good option.

Not suitable:
Garments made mostly Lycra / Spandex or Coolmax are not suitable for UTA as they hold moisture against your skin and will create cooling when the moisture evaporates. Cotton is also unsuitable as it absorbs water and holds the moisture against the wearer's skin and offers no themral qualities.

THERMALS FOR UTA

Headlamps

We highly recommend training with your headlamp on trails at night prior to the event. Make sure it provides enough light for you to see well enough to keep moving at your preferred pace.

Brightness VS Burn time
Work out how long you expect to run in the dark and check that the torch you want to use will last.

The trade off between brightness and burn time is a personal one, but we generally recommend choosing a headlamp that is at least 300 lumens – preferably higher – so you can see well enough to keep moving at a decent pace.

Always fully charge your batteries before your event and carry replacements so you're unlikely to be left stranded in the dark.

Backup Lights
A quality backup light is a worthwhile investment for 100km – Miler distances in the event of your main light failing. Emergency lights are great in an emergency but offer little illumination for running.

HEADLIGHTS
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Carrying all that Mandatory Gear

We recommend a running pack for carrying all of your mandatory gear for UTA.

Trail running packs come in a variety of capacities, sizes and fits to suit different body shapes and carrying requirements.

Running packs are made from technical fabrics in form-fitting designs to eliminate bounce and chafe. They have multiple pockets, pouches and zipped sections to securely carry mandatory gear, drink bottles or flasks and hydration bladders, as well as personal items over short to ultra-distances.

The Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set is our most popular vest for UTA100. While a 5-8litre capacity pack is more suitable for <50km races, depending on what you want to carry.

PACKS FOR UTA
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