What to Pack for a Trail Ultra

Packing for an ultra isn’t just about ticking off a list. It’s about strategy. What goes in your running pack? What stays in your crew kit or drop bag? And what’s worth the weight when things get tough?

Here’s a breakdown to help you prepare with confidence: and avoid surprises on race day.

On-You: Running Pack Essentials

These are the items you’ll carry every step of the way. Think light, functional, tested.

• Hydration vest (fitted, 1.5–2L capacity).
• Soft flasks (easier than bladders for aid-station refills).
• Nutrition (pre-portioned for between checkpoints: gels, chews, rice cakes, dates).
• Mandatory gear (waterproof jacket, thermal base, survival blanket, whistle, phone, bandage, headlamp if required).
• Electrolytes (small sachets or tabs).
• Anti-chafe balm (tiny decant, lifesaver).
• Lightweight buff + gloves (for sudden temperature swings).

Weight tip: Ask, what’s essential if I get stuck between checkpoints in bad weather? That’s the baseline.

Crew Kit / Drop Bag: Comfort + Contingency

This is where you stash the extras that don’t make sense to carry but can reset your race.

• Spare shoes + socks (dry feet = morale).
• Change of clothes (base layer, sports bra, gloves, beanie).
• Full nutrition resupply (restock gels, chews, real food).
• Hot food / broth (if your crew can supply it).
• Baby wipes / toilet paper (reset + hygiene).
• Battery pack + charging cable (for watch, phone, or headlamp).
• Luxury lift (flat Coke, gum, or your favourite comfort snack).
• Tooth paste & tooth brush

Strategy tip: Think of drop bags as insurance policies. You might not touch everything, but if things go sideways, you’ll be glad it’s there.

Weight: Worth It vs. Waste

Ultras teach you that weight matters. Every gram adds up. The trick is knowing what’s worth it.

• Worth carrying: survival blanket, lightweight shell, small emergency fuel. You’ll never regret these if weather turns or you bonk.
• Crew-only: big food, spare layers, heavy extras. Keep your pack lean.
• Test everything: don’t wait until race day to find out a jacket rubs or your pack bounces.

Mindset: Pack not just for the day you hope for, but for the worst-case scenario. Cold, wet, injured, stuck between checkpoints. That’s why mandatory lists exist: they’ve been written from stories of when things went wrong.

Female-Specific Extras

• Menstrual kit (pads, tampons, cup: stress can bring an early cycle).
• Sports bra change (small shift, huge mental reset) - could go in your crew kit as a back up.
• Layering options (women often feel temps fluctuate more intensely).
• Hair ties / headband: not glamorous, but essential.

Final Tip: Pack to Move, Not Just Survive

Some items keep you alive. Others keep you moving forward. Both matter. The goal isn’t to carry everything, but to choose wisely, light where you can, essential where you must, and always with a plan for worst-case scenarios.

Reflection Prompt

• What items give me peace of mind when I’m hours from help?
• Which pieces belong in my pack, and which belong with my crew?