The Ultimate Gear Guide for Runners Training For UTA

As summer comes to an end and the weather becomes erratic, you start to experience all 4 seasons in a day, choosing what to wear on your runs can be difficult. Sure it gets cold, then hot, then cold again, but how do we layer for it?

Now might be a good time to learn how to do lightweight performance layering right. This Ultimate Gear Guide will make your experience more warm and comfortable, especially when the temperature drops but also effective at keeping you cool in the heat.  So before you head to the beautiful Blue Mountains, be sure to check out our guide for runners who are training for the UTA and want to wear something other than the mandatory gear. We break down exactly what layers you should add to your mixed weather wardrobe. 

1. Underwear

Don’t ruin layers with average undies, when you can enhance your performance with Merino thermal underwear. If you ask us, completely overlooking underwear as the foundation of layering is a big mistake. ioMerino underwear is every bit as soft, lightweight, warm and comfortable as the rest of our high performance thermal layers. They’re naturally temperature regulating, breathable and moisture wicking for all round comfort. If you haven’t already tried our MicroMerino women’s or men’s underwear, you’re truly missing out. 

2. Tanks

Our tanks are not a mandatory item for UTA but with a number of technical features including flat lock seams and heat transferred tags, these tank are bulk-free and chafe resistant, and something you should really consider having in your kit. It’s all the performance you’d expect from our super lightweight, comfortable and breathable base layers, in a tank. When the weather is milder, it’s perfect on its own. 

3. Tees

Some say our tees are “the greatest travel and adventure t-shirts ever made”, why? It goes the distance, they are super lightweight and ready for anything. When shopping for a t-shirt, demand more, because you can seriously have it all. A t-shirt should offer superior comfort, naturally odour resistant and exceptional moister wicking to keep you warm when it’s wet. Our Merino Tees are perfect for everyday wear or the perfect high performance layer when training for the UTA.

4. Tights and Leggings

The Altitude Tights are the same thickness as the Altitude top and are fully UTA compliant, delivering a good level of warmth even if you slow down to a shuffle going up those hills or stop for a drink. But when you’re on the go, they’ll keep you warm without overheating or getting stinky and sweaty like synthetics will. The Altitude Tights also happen to be super lightweight so will fit in your pack nicely and not weigh you down if you don’t end up needing them, but keep you nice and warm if you do.

Or give our new revolutionary Merino-Compression Leggings a try. After extensive research and development, we’ve created a world first and totally unique fabric that combines all the benefits you expect from our high-performance merino fabrics, with the high performance of compression garments. Now you don’t have to choose between the breathability, thermo-regulation, moisture wicking and the odour resistant qualities of Merino or the fit, feel and performance of a compression garment - you can have both.

5. Socks

Runners will tell you the most important equipment for a runner is the shoe, which in most cases is true, however, socks are crucial and often overlooked or forgotten. You don’t want to spend a lot of time (and money) choosing the best possible shoes then ruin it by buying mediocre socks. The temperature regulating and moisture wicking help prevent blisters by keeping your feet dry and cool. While your legs will be working hard, pumping blood and generating their own warmth, your feet tend to be more relaxed and get colder faster – even more so if they’re pulling some cold air through your shoes. 

6. Gloves 

For many runners, cold hands can be a real problem when running in cold weather. Your arms and legs usually warm up nicely enough, but your hands don’t have the same level of circulation and can stay cold, so a good pair of gloves is essential. Ours are lightweight, natural, breathable, soft, warm and comfortable. And you can even use your touchscreen devices without taking them off, thanks to the touchscreen friendly pads on the thumb and forefinger.

7. Arm Warmers 

Our Arm Warmers are ideal for changing weather conditions and trans-seasonal weather. The arm warmers maximise heat retention and offer additional coverage in low temperatures, but are easily removed or rolled down if it warms up or if you're wearing a pack. Unlike regular arm warmers or sleeve, these feature a high merino content so are fully breathable, lightweight, and deliver both UV protection from the sun and warmth without bulk, and help stop you overheating. 

When you pack stuff that is suitable for a wide range of conditions, you can pack less. Our UTA compliant, Merino gear are as soft and comfortable as they come. Pack them in your kit and you’ll not only have a few mandatory items sorted, you’ll be ready for anything, not just during the race, but on future adventures as well.

Having your thermal layers under control is great, but it’s crazy how many people put a lot of thought and effort into choosing high performance layers and then forgetting the simple things. Whether you’re running 50km or 100km, it is important to look after yourself. Remember to hydrate and get plenty of sleep the night before. You spend hours, days and even weeks preparing for this event, the last thing you want to do is ruin your training and hard work by overlooking the simplest of things. So remember to stay warm and comfortable, pack wisely, layer up and enjoy yourself.