“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” Benjamin Franklin

While Franklin may not have been referring to the Spring Challenge Adventure Race, his words ring true regardless. Preparation is key and in discussion with the event organisers and our own sales team, we’ve put together the following list of recommended gear to ensure you’ve got everything you need for your Spring Challenge adventure. Please note, this gear is compulsory and needs to be carried by the team for ALL hiking and biking stages.

Individual compulsory items

Each team member must have each of these items in their race kit.

• Waterproof jacket

A good waterproof jacket will keep you dry and comfortable should the weather turn nasty. Ensure your jacket has a good waterhead rating (usually expressed in thousands of mm) and ideally vents to stop you from getting too clammy during extended periods of exercise.

Good – Torpedo7 Reactor

Better – Marmot Precip

Best – Mountain Equipment Firefly

• Waterproof over-trousers/pants (6 and 9 Hour teams only)

As with your jacket, a good waterproof pant will keep you dry and comfortable should the weather turn nasty. Ensure your pants have a good waterhead rating (usually expressed in thousands of mm) and ideally vents to stop you from getting too clammy during extended periods of exercise.

Good – Torpedo7 Reactor

Better – Marmot Precip

• Warm thermal jersey

We recommend merino (240gm or higher), fleece or a  good softshell as the most effective thermal jersey. Stick to a regular collar vs a hood if you already have one on your waterproof jacket.

Good – Torpedo7 Minaret

Best – Mons Royale Checklist Long Sleeve

• Thermal top

We recommend merino for it’s ability to stay warm when wet and not smell after a hard day out training/racing! Look for a merino/elastane blend for the ultimate in warmth and comfort when out exercising.  For the more budget conscious, a synthetic polypro garment will also do a good job of keeping you warm.

Good – Torpedo7 Solitude

Best – Mons Royale Bella Coola Tech Tee  or Icebreaker Oasis (NZ only)

• Thermal pants (leggings)

As with the thermal top, we recommend merino for it’s ability to stay warm when wet and not smell after a hard day out training/racing. For the more budget conscious, a synthetic polypro garment will also do a good job of keeping you warm.

Good – Torpedo7 Tempo

Best – Mons Royale Christy Leggings or Icebreaker Merino Vertex Leggings (NZ only)

• Warm hat

Any merino hat ideally with polypro/light fleece as second choice. Consider a balaclava if you are in the 9 hour or feel the cold. Balaclavas are multi-use and can convert to hat or neck warmer if required.

• Warm gloves

Consider that you may want to use these on bike section also – so a full finger, wind resistant bike glove could be good option otherwise layer up with a slim merino option under your regular bike gloves.

Good – Torpedo7 Silkie Merino Glove Liner 

Best – Castelli Cromo Glove

• Backpack

There are a multitude of options for backpacks. Consider what it is that you need to carry including hydration, many adventure packs will include a bladder or space to fit one.

Good – Torpedo7 Revo

Best – Camelbak MULE

• Headtorch (6 and 9 Hour teams only)

Good – Torpedo7 Illumino headlamp

Better – Black Diamond Cosmo

Best – LED Lenser SEO 7R Headlamp

Team Gear compulsory items

All teams must have at least one of these items between the team although spares might be needed (hopefully not!)!

• Basic first aid kit – pain killers, antihistamine, bandage

Lifeline Hard Shell First Aid Kit – probably more than you need for Spring Challenge. Place the items you need in a clear resealable bag and leave the rest of the kit in the car for emergencies.

• Compass

Suunto M-3 SH Compass (NZ only)

• Survival blanket

Often included in many good first aid kits but can also be bought separately. A survival bag will provide the best warmth vs a blanket.

Lifeline Survival Bag

• Phone

Delta Phone Protector Bag

+ Maps and Control Card (supplied)