Kit Requirements

The kit requirements for the Dragon’s Back Race® are summarised here. However, for more detail on each item, please refer to our overarching clothing and equipment guidance article on the Ourea Events website. This contains important detail on each specific kit item, for example, the exact requirements of your waterproof jacket having taped seams. Please note, this is not event specific, and for the definitive list of what you need, please see the Downloadable Packing Checklist below.

Downloadable Checklist

We know that kit and clothing requirements can be a bit confusing so we are providing the following helpful downloadable packing checklist.

The current Downloadable Checklist is version 8, dated 04/11/2024.

Minimum and mandatory kit while running

You must have this with you at all times while on the race route.

Exceptional Weather Kit

We are going to be more prescriptive about the clothing and equipment that we will mandate that participants carry in the event of exceptionally cold and/or wet, or hot weather. These additional items must be carried in addition to the standard mandatory kit.

We will notify participants at registration before the start of Day One, or we will notify the participants at the Overnight Camps i.e., participants will need to pack their ‘Cold Weather Kit/Hot Weather Kit’ in their Dry Bag for the duration of the event.

Cold Weather Kit

  • A second spare synthetic warm top (this must be hooded, and weigh a minimum of 300g)*

  • Warm and waterproof gloves

  • A warm hat**

  • Full-length tights/trousers

* This second synthetic warm layer is additional to one required in the standard hill clothing section and must be spare (i.e. unworn) at the start of the day. This synthetic warm top must be:

  1. Hooded

  2. be sealed in a waterproof bag

  3. cover the entire upper trunk, including your arms

  4. have a minimum weight of 300g (The item must weigh 300g for a size male medium style, i.e., if you are a size small, we will accept a lower weight, and if you are an extra-large, it will need to weigh more.)

  5. be a single layer and not two lighter-weight tops

** During exceptionally wet/cold weather conditions, a buff is no longer acceptable as a hat, and an item designed as a hat is required.

Hot weather kit

  • Sun hat or cap with a visor shading the face

  • Additional 1,000ml carrying capacity of the participant’s water bottles / softflasks /hydration system*

* We recognize different participants require varying amounts of water/fluid each day – if you happen to be someone who drinks less, you do not need to fill your bottles… but you do need to carry this additional capacity, i.e., empty bottles if you must!

 
 

Important

We will kit check on random occasions throughout the event.

Please read our overarching clothing and equipment guidance for more detailed information:

 

Recommended kit while running

You must have capacity in your running rucksack/vest for some of the following as dictated by the conditions on the day:

Recommended Poor Weather Clothing and Equipment

We recommend the following items:

  1. A proper heavy-weight mountaineering style waterproof jacket (especially if you are likely to be walking rather than running)

  2. An additional long-sleeve base layer

  3. A waterproof cap (brilliant for keeping driving rain off you face – worn under the hood of your waterproof jacket)

  4. A second waterproof jacket (layering two waterproofs is an old trick that keeps you drier whilst adding warmth)

  5. Full-length or three-quarter length tights (Softshell options are really valuable in poor weather)

  6. Windproof pants

  7. Spare gloves (even waterproof gloves become saturated in prolonged rain – take two pairs)

Recommended Hot Weather Clothing and Equipment

We recommend the following items:

  1. Additional water carrying capacity (we would suggest that you have the capacity to carry up to 3L in very hot weather)

  2. Sun hat

  3. Sunblock (factor 50 and waterproof)

  4. Loose-fitting and lightweight long sleeve top (to keep the sun off and reduce sunburn risk)

  5. Sunglasses

  6. Headband (salty sweat running into your eyes is seriously unpleasant)

  7. Very thin socks (in hot weather your feet will swell, and swapping for thinner socks helps with comfort)

Would your kit be suitable for these conditions?

Please take a moment to re-cap on these videos from the Cape Wrath Ultra® and Dragon’s Back Race® and ask yourself whether your clothing and equipment would have been sufficient in these conditions:

Wind 35-45mph with temperatures between 2-5C giving arduous conditions with significant wind chill (-10C) combined with sleet on the mountain tops.

Gentle 5-10mph breeze with no risk of rain or clouds. Temperature rising to 25C, perhaps higher, whilst feeling humid.

 

Tip

It is worth noting that possession of a GPS and / or mobile phone is no substitute for sound mountain judgement - please see our guidance on following the route

 

Mandatory Ortlieb dry bags

Please see the article - Guidance on dry bags - that clarifies requirements:

 

Mandatory camp clothing & equipment

The following kit must be included in participants’ overnight dry bag. An exception - some items may be carried while running, or included in participants’ resupply dry bag, if circumstances so dictate.

**Important**

The blister treatment kit must contain the following items: Sterile scalpel blade (size #11) x5, Steropore sterile island dressings (6x7cm) x5, Sterile cotton swabs (5x5cm) x10, Inadine dressings (9.5x9.5cm) x2, Clinell 2% chlorhexidine disinfection wipes x5, Kinesiology tape (5cm x 5m), Small scissors.

Participants are welcome to source the blister treatment kit supplies themselves or alternatively they can purchase a pre-made kit directly from us (this will not contain kinesiology tape and small scissors):

 

Tip

We recommend participants write their name on everything (especially bowls, cutlery, towels, etc).

 

Other recommended camp clothing & equipment

The following equipment is strongly recommended for increasing personal comfort:

  1. A power bank (ca. 10,000-20,000mAh) for recharging devices

  2. Travel pillow or pillow case (to stuff with clothes)

  3. A fresh set of running clothes for each day

  4. Personal washing things and towel

  5. Ear plugs

  6. Anti-chaffing / lubrication ointment

  7. Any luxury food items

 

Available in our shop