Start with the race, not the kit list
There is a particular kind of honesty to ultra running kit. If something works, it stays. If it causes problems, it disappears quickly.
For Moggans athlete Ioana Barbu, kit is not about collecting the latest gear. It is about trust. In self-supported, multi-stage races like the Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series, every item has to earn its place because the runner carries it for days through heat, cold, mud, altitude or sand.
So what belongs in an ultra running race kit? The exact answer changes by event, but the principles stay the same: protect your feet, manage temperature, keep eating, solve small problems early and avoid carrying things just because they look useful at home.
A kit list for the Arctic should not look identical to one for the Amazon. Ioana's races have taken her from frozen landscapes to humid rainforest, from desert heat to exposed mountain trails. The first job is always to understand the environment.
Ask simple questions. How hot or cold can it get? Will there be river crossings? How technical is the terrain? What is mandatory? How far apart are checkpoints? Can you dry kit overnight? How many hours could you be moving in darkness?
Good kit planning starts with those answers, not with a shopping basket.
The pack: light enough to move, complete enough to cope
In a self-supported race, your pack is part kitchen, wardrobe, safety system and comfort blanket. It has to carry food, water, spare layers, sleep kit, medical items and mandatory race equipment. The temptation is to pack for every possible scenario. The skill is packing for the likely scenarios while still respecting the serious ones.
Ioana's race environments show why that balance matters. Too little kit can leave you exposed when weather turns. Too much kit makes every climb harder and every runnable section more expensive.
For most runners building towards an ultra, the best approach is to test the full pack on long training days. Do not wait for race week to discover where straps rub or how your shoulders feel after six hours.
The feet: socks, shoes and blister prevention
Feet are the foundation of the whole event. You can be fit, calm and well-fuelled, but if your feet are breaking down, the race becomes much smaller very quickly.
Shoes get most of the attention, but socks do a huge amount of the work. They affect fit, friction, moisture, temperature and comfort. For ultra distances, they need to sit smoothly, stay in place and avoid bunching when your feet are tired or swollen.
Why socks deserve more attention
Moggans Merino running socks are a natural fit for this kind of racing because Merino helps regulate temperature, feels soft against the skin and manages moisture well across changing conditions. For long stages, that comfort is not a luxury; it is a form of protection.
A sensible ultra kit should include the socks you have trained in, plus a spare pair if the race or distance calls for it. Dry socks can change the mood of a checkpoint. They can also stop a small issue turning into the only thing you can think about. See our Running Sock Buying Guide for help choosing between road, trail and ultra options.
Layers for changing conditions
Layering is where many runners learn hard lessons. A sunny start can become a cold ridge. A warm climb can turn into a windy descent. Jungle humidity can soak clothing even before the rain arrives.
A good race kit should include breathable layers that can be adjusted quickly. Think about a lightweight waterproof, an insulating layer where needed, gloves or a buff for cold races, and sun protection for exposed terrain. The aim is not to stay perfectly comfortable at every moment. It is to stay safe, efficient and able to keep moving.
Food, hydration and the admin of eating
Food is kit too. In long races, eating becomes a job. It needs to be simple, repeatable and realistic when you are tired.
Ioana's kind of racing demands a mix of calories that can survive the environment and still be appealing several days in. Sweet food may work for a while, but many runners eventually want savoury options, real texture and something that feels more like a meal than a gel.
Hydration is just as personal. Bottles, soft flasks, filters, electrolytes and bladder systems all need testing. The right system is the one you will actually use when your brain is tired.
Small items that save big problems
The least glamorous items often matter most: tape, blister dressings, anti-chafe balm, spare safety pins, a headtorch, batteries, a small repair kit, sunscreen and a way to keep key items dry.
None of these should be buried at the bottom of the pack. If something is needed quickly, it should be easy to find. A race vest can become chaotic after a few hours, so practise where everything lives.
Build your own kit slowly
The biggest mistake is copying someone else's full kit list without testing it. Ioana's kit has been shaped by experience, mistakes, terrain and thousands of decisions made while tired. Your kit should be shaped the same way.
Start with your feet. Choose shoes and running socks you trust. Add layers that suit your environment. Test food before race day. Learn what rubs, what leaks, what annoys you and what quietly performs.
After the race, look after your kit. Merino in particular benefits from proper care — see our Woolmark Care Guide for washing and storage advice that keeps your socks performing race after race.
That is the kit worth carrying.
Build your race kit from the feet up with Moggans Merino running socks for road, trail and ultra-distance efforts.
Read more from the Ioana series: Meet Ioana Barbu | Ultra running endurance lessons | Ultramarathon foot care
FAQs
What should I pack for an ultra marathon?
Your kit depends on the race, but common essentials include suitable shoes, running socks, waterproof layers, food, hydration, first-aid items, anti-chafe products, a headtorch and mandatory safety kit.
How many pairs of socks should I take for an ultra?
For long single-day events, one spare pair can be useful. For multi-day races, plan enough pairs to keep your feet dry and comfortable, within the limits of pack weight and race rules. Our Running Sock Buying Guide covers what to look for in an ultra sock.
Should I race in new socks?
No. Train in the socks you plan to race in. Race day is the wrong time to discover a fit issue, seam problem or unexpected rubbing point.
