Kit for the Fells

All runners require kit, unless you want to risk blisters by running barefoot, and hypothermia, personal embarrassment and risk of prosecution by running nudy. Conditions on the fells can be severe and can change quickly. Running in very light kit is a significantly different risk from walking with a full rucksack of spare gear. You will have your own needs and ideas. Check them out - ask around.

• Buy from a specialist runners sport shop or outdoor shop which is likely to get you good advice. For Fell running the specialists locally are Track'n'Terrain.

• Use your club membership card to get 10% off.
  

Basics

• Shorts - try pertex, which are wind resistant. Otherwise, there are many good makes in race, baggy or bike style.

• T shirts. Cotton keeps water and can be very cold. Technical T's are easy to get and cheap - long or short sleeves. Raidlight make a good range in strange sizes.

• Club vest - UKAthletics requirement, although never enforced, to my knowledge, on the fells. Still, you should have one and wear it. Available from Track'n'Terrain.

• Socks. Lots on the market. Cheap ones often cause discomfort and lack durability. 'Hilly' and '1000 mile' are very durable and comfortable.

• Sports bras. Well, maybe a lady member can make a recommendation.

• Thermal top. Helly Hansen's come in lots of nice colours and in lady-fit/sizes as well. A fell running standard bit of kit. Durable. Check out New Kids on Block X-Boinic.

• Waterproof cagoule with a hood. Basic FRA requirement. Montane make a good range.

• Overtrousers - Pertex are fine, very light but only windproof. Montane are a good make.

• Bumbags or rucksacs - look no further than OMM.

• Fell shoes. Walsh PBs are the business as they start in small sizes, including half sizes and are much cheaper than other models. A popular new model is the La Sportiva Crosslite. Lots of other good makes.
  
  This kit should enable you to take part and survive in most fell races. Keep spares in your bum bag and take the pack with you whenever you go on the tops.

Other kit you might want or need
Leggings as an alternative to shorts
Three types

• Ron Hill tracksters or similar; they sag in very wet conditions.

• Thermal leggings. Much better on the fells and worn under your shorts! Helly Hanson probably still the best.

• Lycra. Loved by the ladies and come in short lengths, above knee, below knee and full length.
  Helly and other firms also do thermal underpants and knickers for those very cold days and nights on the tops.

Hats and gloves
Some people seem to run all year without gloves whilst people like me need them in winter. Simple polartec stretch ones are ideal. Standard fell gear would be a Helly balaclava or a wind/waterproof fleece lined hat with ear covers and peaks such as the Lowe Alpine Mountain cap. Alternatives - head bands, Buffs, summer peaked hats.

Other tops
Fleeces and other second layers. Assuming you wear a T or thermal base layer, second layers could be

• A second base layer, such as a technical t shirt.

• Thin single-weight fleece.

• Gilet. Windproof, plenty of choice, light and keeps chest warm and arms free.

The rest.

• Gore windstopper. Expensive but can be worn next to the skin replacing two layers with one.

• Paramo or Buffalo types - two bits of gear in one.

• Soft shell tops. Warm and wear better than fleeces - can be used as an outer but not waterproof.

• Smartwool and others do merino wool tops.

• Wool/Technical fabric mix.

Outer layers

• Pertex. Windproof but not waterproof.

• Gore PACLITE. Windproof, waterproof and breathable.

• Kamleika. Windproof, waterproof, stretchy and breathable.

Other socks
Water proof models are great in very cold/wet weather. Thicker than normal so take your fell trainers with you and try on. Sealskinz are good. Goretex socks are also available.

Headtorches
Petzl still make the best range of headtorches at all prices, sizes and weights. Tikka is a good all rounder.

GPS
Plenty of choice by Garmin and Magellan. When used for navigation, always backup with map and compass. GPS can do odd things at times. Always double check on the map that a GPS is giving reasonable results.

Altimeter
Essential for accurate navigation. Sunnto have the best range.

Fell Shoes
Walsh PB's racer and trainer - the original fell shoe and still much the same as when they first came out.

• Running Bear - Gladiator, based on the old ETA stay.

• Inov8 - Mudclaw 270 / mudroc 290. Make a plethora of trainers - 16 at last count, rising to 22.

• La Sportiva - Crosslite New shoe from mountaineering giants, starting to build up a good following.

• Salomon - Speedcross. Shoe from the trail running experts.
  

Stuart Ferguson
May 2009