Kit & Gear

Top Kit Recommendations for Ultra-Distance Trail Running

Montane athlete Simon Roberts, has taken the UK ultra-running scene by storm during the last 12 months, first winning the Montane Dragon’s Back Race in September 2021 and more recently, the Montane Spine Challenger North Event.

Here he shares his top kit recommendations for ultra-distance trail running.
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THE MONTANE SPINE WATERPROOF JACKET
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Pictured: Montane Spine Jacket
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The name alone got my attention, Spine Jacket. Being a huge fan of the Montane Spine Race, I had to give this jacket a go!
This is the new and updated version of Spine Waterproof Jacket from Montane. It’s been reworked, it's lighter and offers great protection from the elements. It’s a key piece of kit for fast paced mountain activities at high intensity. Its offers brilliant weather protection in the very wet and very windy conditions with its Gore-Tex Active protection which at the same time offers high level of breathability for those intense racing or training sessions.
I gave it a good test on the Cheviot hills, going for a bit of a course recce leading up to the Montane Cheviot Goat race last December. It’s the perfect location to put this jacket through its paces and is also very fitting, as this area is also featured on the Montane Spine Race. It’s a very exposed part of the country and gets some of the worst weather in the UK.
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KEY FEATURES
The day started off dark and grey with light rain showers throughout. The Spine Jacket was worn straight away. There were a few hours of rain showers which was no problem for this excellent piece of kit, as it kept me and my base layer totally dry.
If you want to race quickly, without being bogged down with weight, this is the jacket to go to. It weighs just a mere 245g making it super lightweight and with a good comfortable close fit so you can move fast and nimble but still be assured you’re getting great weather protection. Its striped back to achieve the light weight but still has all the necessary features.
It has 2 large map pockets on the front of the jacket, perfect for things like, well maps! Hat, gloves and some snacks. These pockets are mesh lined, so when opened can supply some good ventilation when things start to heat up during your session, which is quite handy and can save you taking the jacket off.
Adjustable hood protects your head from the rain and wind. The toggle can adjust the hood size to suit your head and won’t be blowing about in the wind.
Elasticated cuffs to ensure a good fit around your wrists, this will help to stop the wind and rain from getting up your sleeve.
Adjustable elasticated waist drawstring, can be adjusted to provide a good fit around your waist area. This will help reduce heat loss and will also stop the element from getting in.
With its stripped-back weight, it’s a soft material which is very packable, in between shower storms, I took the jacket off to store in my Montane Gecko race vest, the jacket can roll up very small and fit into the pack without taking up too much space, perfect for those fast days running in the hills.
It has a sleek, close fit but still allows room to wear a warm mid layer underneath for those very cold conditions. Later, in the day the wind picked up and temperature dropped. Fighting the high winds, I managed to put on the Fireball Jacket to wear as a mid-layer underneath the Spine Jacket. The fit was good and comfortable, I could still move fast and nimble.
When the wind picked up, I made use of the hood to protect my head, using the toggle to adjust the hood. It was a great fit, and I could run about in high winds whilst the hood stayed in place and not cause any distraction.
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Pictured: Montane Fireball Jacket
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OVERALL VERDICT
So, after my day out in the Cheviots, running about in the wind, rain and mud, I think this is the perfect jacket for those 1-day ultra-running races or just a long run training session where you are likely to be battered by the wind and rain. It offers great protection from the elements with the GORE-TEX active technology, the jacket kept me and my under-layers dry all day. The Spine jacket has a minimalistic and agile feel to it, perfect for moving fast through the hills and very packable when the shell layer is not needed so can be easily stowed in a race vest.
Perfect for the 1-day races this jacket is suitable as an outer layer for events like the Montane Cheviot Goat race , Montane Dragons Back and the Montane Spine Race.
For those seeking more options, don’t miss our full range of Montane waterproof jackets.

SHOP THE MONTANE SPINE WATERPROOF JACKET NOW
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THE SCARPA SPIN INFINITY AND SCARPA SPIN ULTRA TRAIL RUNNING SHOES

Pictured: Scarpa Spin Infinity
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I wore both pairs of these Scarpa trail running shoes during the Spine Challenger North race, in January 2022.
I began by wearing the Scarpa Spin Infinity - a fantastic shoe built for those longer distances. It’s currently a popular model on the ultra-trail running circuit; they were even seen on the Ultra podium of UTMB® last year! I started the race in these shoes as they are lightweight so I was able to get away fast. I wore them from Hardraw to Alston which is roughly about 75-miles. The grip was great on the wet rocks and on the muddy terrain. I think the main highlight of these shoes is the comfort, they were a pleasure to wear for the whole 75-miles. The cushioning is great, it smooths out the ride and you don’t feel any of the rough terrain that you are running over. Also, a little feature I like is the lace pocket, it secures the lace so it does not come undone. The shoes fit my narrow feet really well, not too much extra space.

SHOP THE SCARPA SPIN INFINITY TRAIL RUNNING SHOES NOW

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Pictured: Scarpa Spin Ultra GORE-TEX
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Leaving the checkpoint at Alston, I decided on a shoe change. I was now wearing the Scarpa Spin Ultra GORE-TEX version. It was a real treat putting on a waterproof shoe at this stage, my feet were dry and warm for quite a while compared to the cold soaking that they had suffered during the first half of the course, so it was a real feeling of comfort. The Spin Ultra felt great, a bit stiffer than the Infinity, but still a really nice ride. Also, great grip in the wet mud. These trail shoes also have a handy lace pocket. Again, they are a good fit for my narrow feet and I’m looking forward to getting these back out on the trails next winter.Both shoes performed exceptionally well on the 160-miles of the Pennine Way, they gave me the cushioning, support and grip that was needed in the tough winter conditions. They are both really comfortable shoes and 160-miles with no blisters! I will take that any day!

SHOP THE SCARPA SPIN INFINITY TRAIL RUNNING SHOES NOW

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MONTANE GECKO ULTRA V RUNNING PACK

Pictured: Montane Gecko Ultra V Running Pack
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I definitely think this bit of kit deserves credit. I used it for my training and for racing the Montane Spine Challenger North race. My pack really got put through its paces, I would even say it got abused in training and during the race, especially with me falling over quite a lot and landing on it a couple of times. It lived to tell the tale and it's still going strong! It even made for a good pillow during the race.
So, it’s a 20-litre running vest pack designed for multi day adventures. It holds a lot of kit and can easily manage the full kit list for Spine Race with a little bit of room spare. It being a vest pack, its designed so you can move more freely and fast in comparison to say a fast-packing pack which can be a bit restrictive.
Again, with it being a vest pack you have easy, direct access to lots of pockets so there is no need to take the pack off on a run. There are pockets everywhere! Two zip pockets on the front where I kept my food and compass. Two pockets on EACH side of you where I kept my GPS device, waterproof trousers, hat, gloves and head torches. Two pockets on the front for holding the 500ml soft flasks (supplied). An easy stash pocket on the top of the bag where I kept my peanut butter bagels, this can also be used to stow your waterproof jacket. The main compartment where I kept the large items like sleeping bag, sleeping mat, stove system, sleeping bag cover, ice spikes and spare clothes. Everything fits inside very easily.
It does not bounce around at all when running, just feels nice and secure. It’s a very lightweight pack, only at 355g which is a big help when you are trying to keep your pack weight down so you can move fast through the hills! It has a nice cushion to the back of the bag so it is comfortable to wear. It is a very comfortable pack and fastens with the 3 straps at the front.
The bag has done me proud and I'm looking forward to using it again on the Pennine Way next winter!!!
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You can follow Simon and all his running adventures here.

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