Gear Up! 'Obstacle Racing' Essential Equipment

Events like the Spartan Race and the Tough Mudder are exploding in popularity. (Not to mention Warrior Dash, Rugged Maniac, Down and Dirty, RunAmuck, The Mud Run, The Death Race . . . among others!) Earlier this month, collaborating on an article with Outside magazine, we asked two of the sport’s top athletes about the gear that helps them get onto the podium.

We interviewed two champion racers, Hobie Call and Margaret Schlachter, on gear, food, and race techniques. Call notes that eating right before an event is key. Three hours before a race he makes a customized energy drink with wheat grass, honey, two raw eggs, and a half-scoop of protein powder.

Schlachter gives advice on shoes and clothing, including recommending Inov-8 minimalist trail runners and wicking underwear from EMS. She continued, “Rule number one, do not wear cotton!” she says. “It does nothing but weigh you down and hold mud and water.”

Click to see the full article, “Top 5 Obstacle Racing Essentials,” for Call and Schlachter’s breakdown on the equipment and techniques that help them make it from the start line to the muddy finish at the end.

—Stephen Regenold