The ultra runners tool kit

O.K

To sell a garment as being waterproof in the U.K, it must have a hydrostatic head of 1500mm.  Many garments that we call windproofs actually meet this standard, but are marketed as windproofs because heavy rain will put them to the sword.  In most situations this is not critical, because they still cut out the wind, and you are never that far from some kind of habitation. 

The point where I will carry a genuinely waterproof jacket, is in an event where I am going to be up a mountain, and it might take some time to extract me if I rolled my ankle.  I could theoretically cheat the system by taking my Montane windproof, and quoting the hydrostatic head if challenged, but I know better. 

Ben Davies 15 wrote (see)

 I could theoretically cheat the system by taking my Montane windproof, and quoting the hydrostatic head if challenged, but I know better. 

The way that hydrostatic head is measured, is that you have a cylinder of a given diameter with a piece of the material stretched across the bottom.  The hydrostatic head is then the height to which water must be poured into the cylinder before it will be forced through the fabric by gravity. 

In practice they use a machine to force water through the fabric, but the pressure required is still recorded as hydrostatic head. 

 - brain pain!!! No, jesting aside, I do see what you are saying, in my experience so far, it's generally mountain marathons and remote events that ask for the taped seam etc etc.  Certainly when I did the OMM in 2008 I was very very glad I swapped out my lightweight waterproof for my heavyweight mountaineering jacket ... as hubby and I retreated off the mountain in gales and waist-deep rivers.  Anyone who had started that event with a waterproof without taped seams would have been having an interesting time

Having moved from ironman-d tri to ultra in the previous 12 months I was hoping to be able to train and rock up to events without the worry about specialist gear, and lots of it!  How wrong was I.....it's just as bad and I'm still filling the car up

Anyway, still finding my way but picked up some decent gear and advice.  I guess I should point out I'm quite competitive  so I take practicalities and weight quite seriously in prep for events.

I'm a big fan of inov8.  I am now on my second pair of roclite 295s and have no reason to ever switch.  Plenty of room for the wider foot or swelling, removes moisture well, and yet to have any major blisters.  I train with a inov-8 elite backpack but now race with a raidlite olmo5(ltr) backpack.  I love thr front facing bottle system.  A little shoulder and upper back ache at the end of the more hilly races but its great if you race with limited gear.

I'm a fan of compression so will use 2XU calf guards and shorts (I prefer this to the full length as makes me feel a little less constricted around the knee (marginal, or arguably mental).  Still on the lookout for a decent top as I use HH. But may check out Olmo for the colder weather running.

Waterproofs - I guess 200g is a decent weight to aim for if you're looking to keep weight down.I bought a great OMM smock from Likeys end last year which is taped and does the trick but more shower proof than waterproof.  I recently invested in a Berghaus gore-tex paclite shell (sale at cotswolds still) which was supposed to be for warmer weather trekking.  It's a little heavier than the OMM nut I'm wondering if it would be better to race with. 

Anyone have any thoughts on harder wearing (but light) breathable+waterproof shells designed for hiking being used in ultra racing?

Daz

Assuming that your main priority is to keep weight down while having a genuinely waterproof garment, the Hagloffs Oz pullover would be prety hard to beat. 

Thats a nice looking top !

ben you really must stop telling me about all these different brands..ive looked on tht website and seen some nice things i really like!!..and i found these which i  may get for trail ultra...

elspeth fay wrote (see)

Lots of events say fully waterproof trousers and jacket - yet to see anyone check kit though!

Beware - kitchecks!  (Item 2 - Langdale Horseshoe Race)

don't know if anyone has seen this - apologies if it's been mentioned, I've not read too far back.  Not wanting to sound "holier than thou" as I'm often out on the fells with minimal kit, (though not during an event).  Just a "heads up".

can you try the shoes on first, llb? They look to have a pretty big heel compared to you Nike lunars, so if your forefoot planting these may feel odd.