This Is What You Need to Wear at Your Next Obstacle Race: My Clothing Tips

What you wear at your next obstacle race or mud run can make the difference between having a blast or living the worst day of your life. After trying many different outfits and exchanging tips with my OCR friends, I feel confident in sharing with you my clothing checklist.

Obstacle Race Clothing Tips Obstacle Race Clothing Tips

When you are going to an obstacle race, you should only wear sports clothing made of fabric that dries quickly. The most important is to treat yourself with a decent pair of trail running shoes with enough grip and who won't keep the water inside. The following apparels are the best you could wear at any obstacle race or mud run.

This article will cover:
  1. Shoes
  2. Socks
  3. Bottoms
  4. Top
  5. Gloves
  6. Head
  7. Costumes
  8. Wetsuit
  9. Gear

If you're searching for the best OCR shoes and expecting to find a real review from a real runner. Check out this list I created of the top running shoes for an obstacle race.

Forget your gym outfits and dress in the proper gear. The clothing you'll wear will depend on the type of race your attending and weather. One thing for sure is you must be prepared to get real muddy.

Check out this list of the only stuff I would wear.

Obstacle run and mud race clothing tips

Before we go into the details of each type of clothes you should wear, we will go through the basic rules and most important things to consider when dressing appropriately for an obstacle race.

What kind of race you're running?

Before you start selecting every piece of the outfits you'll wear at the race; you must understand what kind of obstacle you'll be facing. Will there be water obstacles, like a water slide or swimming? Will you have to crawl in gravels or walk into sand?

While must mud run have 99% mud related obstacle, the obstacle race can have various type of obstacles.

Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, and Savage Race have all kinds of odd obstacles that will get you crawling into rugged terrain or carrying unusual objects. All of which could influence your decision to go with a specific type of apparel.

In general, if you are beginning with obstacle race, you'll need protection from cuts and bruises. Also, your clothes should be practical and nothing too tight that could limit your movements.

A good idea is to test your outfit before the race. Go to your local park and try some obstacles. If you have kid's, play with them in the jungle gym or crawl in the sandbox. You could also try to jump in the pool with your clothes on and go for a run, see how it feel. That would be the ultimate test!

Consider the weather

The weather on the day of your race will impact how you dress.

If it's sunny, you should opt for light color clothing. On the other hand, if it's cold, go for darker colors. Bright colors don't absorb sunlight like dark colors.

If it rains, I suggest you wear only a tank top with short made of very light fabric who can dry fast. To be even more practical on a rainy day, you should be wearing a cap to keep the rain from pouring into your face.

If it's cold or windy, you probably want to wear a long sleeve shirt with full leg legging. Even if it's cold, don't overdress because you might regret it halfway on the course. Read my following advise and be sure to check the weather.

Never wear cotton

Cotton is a popular material in the fashion industry. My wardrobe is probably half cotton. With that been said, I would never wear cotton for a race. Well that not right, my first year of an obstacle race, I was wearing a cotton shirt. What a rookies mistake.

Did you ever get caught by heavy rain without an umbrella? Remember how your clothes feel like? That's how I felt after the race.

Cotton is the best at absorbing water and holding on to it. During the race, you'll get wet and muddy, turning your clothes into more weights to carry.

Stay away from cotton and go for the light and breathable fabrics.

Leave your valuables at home

Don't take the risk of losing something irreplaceable.

Before the race, don't forget to take out any jewelry; rings, watches, neckless and piercing. You will be crawling, jumping, running and therefore the chance of losing such valuable item become almost inevitable. Your hand will become wet, and your wedding ring could easily slip off your finger.

The same goes for any electronic devices, such as your smartphone, video camera, and even waterproof camera get lost in the course.

Almost every race will have a bag check where you can leave your stuff.

Bring a change of clothing

It's imperative to pack the right clothing and gear for the race, but you must also think about the outfits you'll put on later at the event. After the run, you'll probably want to change immediately and get into dry and comfortable clothing.

Think about your comfort first. Keep your skinny jeans and your cool/edgy clothes for another day. Bring an extra pair of everything and think about the weather. After the race, your body will be recovering, and you'll need something to keep you warm.

Has for your feet, bring an extra pair of sneakers or your most comfortable flip-flop.

Where to change your clothes?

You could be lucky enough to find some kind of showers at the event, but don't expect something luxurious. You might end up changing in the parking lot. So bring a large beach towel to cover yourself while you undress.

Some runner will wear a changing robe to change clothes anywhere easily and to stay warm after the race and. The Dryrobe was made especially for this type of events, where athletes don't have access to special accommodation. This is not mandatory unless you're planning on participating in many events.

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What to wear for the race?

Here's the list of the essential types of clothing you should bring to the race.

Shoes for obstacle race

Shoes

Your shoes are the most critical piece of clothing for any obstacle race or mud run. You will be going through rugged grounds, fill with rocks, mud, and roots. You need the proper shoes to avoid injuries.

Don't wear ordinary shoes

As a kid, my mom uses to get upset if I came back home with mud all over my brand new Addidas. This is why I have worn an old pair of crappy shoes at my first mud run. I look at the bottom of my closet for the oldest sneakers I had, the one I wouldn't care trowing out after the event.

Oh boy, that was a mistake! After the first mud puddle, my shoes weight a 1000 pounds and they were barely holding on to my feet. I couldn't go over most of the obstacle because my shoe sole had no grip at all.

Don't fall into the same trap, always wear well-fitted running shoes with enough grip and drainage. You will have a much better experience, and you won't look like a total noob.

If you don't want to bring back your muddy shoes after the race, you can donate them. Every race has a donation box where you can give your shoes to a charity organization who will clean them up and give them to people in need.

What type of shoes is the best?

I prefer to use trail running shoes with good support for my ankle and who will get me through any slippery obstacle.

Most OCR (obstacle course race) athletes use trail running shoes. This type of running shoes are made of light material with enough tread and support. The water won't stay inside, and the mud won't stick to your shoes. Plus, you won't feel like an astronaut after the first mud pool, and you'll easily keep running.

When you see all the other first-timers on the course, sliding down the muddy hill with their ordinary shoes, you'll be thankful you follow my advice.

After the race, I clean my shoes with the garden hose and let them dry for 24 hours. I can use the same pair of shoes for multiple runs.

What to know which shoes I use? Check out my review of the best trail running shoes you could wear for obstacle racing.

Say no to Gore-tex

Gore-tex is a very common material in the outdoor gear; it transforms your clothing into a waterproof shield that keeps the water from going inside. But, it also won't let the water going out, and that's a significant problem.

In every obstacle race and definitely in all mud run, you will have your shoes submerge into water. You can't avoid water from going inside your shoes, so make sure it can come out quickly. Otherwise, you won't be comfortable running, and you are exposing yourself to injuries such as blisters.

Which trail running shoes are better for OCR?

There are many different good brands and models of trail running shoes to wear at an obstacle race.

I have personally been a huge fan of the Salmon Speedcross for almost 10 years, but many of my OCR friends are using Inov-8 X-Talon. Both options have everything you look for into a good trail running shoes. They are very comfortable and lightweight.

They have an aggressive grip that will get you through all sort of rugged trail. Your ankle will be supported, and therefore you'll have less chance of suffering from an ankle sprain. Plus, the fabric is breathable and won't hold the water inside the shoes.

Trail gaiter

If you are participating in a mud run, you will encounter mud at almost every obstacle and in between. Some obstacle races, like Tough Mudder or Spartan Race, will have dirt, sand and even gravels going inside your shoes.

Some of my trail running and obstacle racing friends will use a trail gaiter over their shoes. It's not necessary, but some runners prefer to take the extra precaution to keep their shoe gravels-free.

This accessory will also prevent water from flooding into your shoes.

Never put duct tape on your shoes

You might be tempted to use duct tape on your shoes, to keep water from going in or to make sure they won't slip out. By doing so, you will lose all traction and putting your self at risk of severe injuries while going over an obstacle.

Just tie your shoelaces tight enough, maybe with a double-knot, and you won't lose them in the mud. Just make sure they are not too tight and cutting your circulation.

Avoid blisters

Many runners will finish their race with blisters, and some will start to feel them before the end of the race. To avoid blister, I use anti-chafe balm between my toes and on the back of my Achille's tendon. If your running with new shoes, I would strongly recommend you take this extra precaution.

How about hiking boots?

If your participating in a Spartan Race or any other race where it takes place into a mountain, you could be tempted on using your hiking boots.

Good hiking boots are lightweight, and you could be fine wearing them. The problem with hiking boots is there size and weight. When they get filled with water or cover in mud, they will gain more weight than a typical trail running shoes.

My advice is before your show up to the starting line; you should try them for a run.

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Trail runner with compression socks

Socks

While you are running, your feet while be doing most of the work and therefore you must treat them right. Even with the best obstacle race shoes, your feet can get tired if you don't use the proper socks.

Don't wear cotton socks

Remember the first rule of obstacle race clothing: no cotton! Don't wear cotton socks to a mud race or any competitions. Your feet will get submerge into the water, and the moisture held by the cotton socks will feel like misery. Plus, while running with wet socks, you are more prone to suffer from blisters.

Go for running socks

Wear synthetic running socks, because they won't hold the water and your feet won't feel heavy because of the excess of liquid.

Should you go for low-cut or high socks?

The answers depend on the types of races you are running. For a mud run, I would suggest a low-cut sock because high socks tend to get heavy with the extra mud and might end up rolling doing your ankle because of the weight anyway.

For obstacle race, like Tough Mudder, Spartan Race or Warrior Dash, you will encounter many obstacles that can leave you with bruises and scrapes. If you are doing such kind of obstacle race, I suggest wearing high socks.

Compression socks

I prefer to wear compression socks when I race. Because of the accumulation of lymph fluid in my lower limbs, my legs start to feel tired, and I start cramping in the first hour.

These long and tight socks help to keep a study flow of blood in my legs. So they don't get tired while running up and down the mountain.

Also, because they go up to my knee, they act as protection again injuries or ticks bites.

What to know which socks I use? Check out my review of the best socks you could wear for obstacle racing.

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Women running with compression short

Bottoms

The type of bottoms you choose to wear can make a huge difference. While most top OCR athletes go for the shortest shorts, it essential you know your options and understand the differences.

What to avoid

Last summer, I initiated a friend to the mud run, but I forgot to mention the no cotton rule. My friend shows up in cargo shorts made of cotton. Because of the water and the mud, he had to hold his short with two hands for the whole distance (3 miles / 5 km). I felt terrible for him because he didn't enjoy the race like I promise he would.

Avoid cotton and short with pockets, because they will get filled with mud and water. Also, I would suggest you go for a short with a drawstring, to keep them in place the whole race.

Compression short

A compression short is the best option for men and women. It's breathable, flexible and tight enough so that mud or dirt won't accumulate inside. There's nothing worse than having a sandbox in your short while running. Hello, Irritation!

Also, because they are body-adjusted, you limiting the chances of getting snagged in the barbwires.

You can also opt for the full leg compression pants. I run most of the time in this kind of compression pants.

With compression short, you will feel light and will fly over every obstacle.

Runner shorts

I prefer the wear shorts over my compression pants. I feel more comfortable with a pair of shorts, and subconsciously I don't want to look like robin hood.

If you don't like the fit (or the look) of compression shorts, a good pair of running shorts will do the trick. Wearing sports shorts at an obstacle race is very common for men because the fabric is light and will dry fast. They will also hold and stay up much better than your casual Friday's cargo shorts.

Just make sure your shorts are not too baggy so you won't tear them open by getting caught on the barbwire. Ripping your shorts on the course will leave you to show up your butt for the rest of the race.

What about boardshorts?

You should also avoid wearing a boardshorts because they are most likely baggy, not tight enough on the waistline and they have a side pocket which can get filled with mud.

Rember you will be crawling and rolling under the barbwire, jumping and crossing cargo net. The last thing you need is your short falling down.

Leggings

For women who don't have or don't like compression shorts, I would suggest wearing a good pair of sports leggings. They won't hold the water too much, and they will protect you from scratches and bruises.

Pants

Sports pants can be a suitable option too. Just remember to wear something not too loose, made of thin and breathable fabric so they won't hold the water.

Even if OCR feels like a military type of race, don't wear military pants, unless you want an extra challenge.

Only in winter races, I would recommend wearing jogging pants. In winter, most obstacle race won't have water obstacle so you could get away wearing your cotton sweat pants.

Underwear

Maybe I shouldn't be writing this on a public blog, but many racers don't wear underwear. When you wear compression short, you don't need underwear, because it will be like wearing underwear over your underwear.

On the other hand, if you wear short or any type of bottom that is not sufficiently tight, I would recommend wearing sports underwear.

Keep your cotton underwear for another day, because on the course they will hold the water, get saggy, get filled with mud and will be irritating. If your underwear is too loose, they'll end up into your butt crack for the end of the race.

If you want to feel like a real warrior, opt for the minimalistic approach and run full commando.

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Men with sport shirt and sleeves

Top

You probably look at pictures of past events and saw a bunch of shirtless athletics racers at the starting line. These are the elites, and they will complete the course much faster than you and me. Also, they will not fall, slip or miss any of the obstacles.

For us, ordinary people, wearing a shirt is a matter of preventing scratches, sunburn and feeling more comfortable.

Shirt

Depending on the temperature, you will have to choose between; tank top, t-shirt or long sleeve. But, you must consider other factors too.

I prefer to wear a long sleeve, even in summer, because it provides me better protection again the sun and from scratches while crawling in the dirt. Also, some obstacles might require you to pull yourself over a wall and wearing a long sleeve might feel more protected.

For all mud run, I would wear a sports t-shirt and most female runners I know they prefer a tank top. Whatever you choose, opt for a wicking fabric and form-fitting.

The obstacle will be fairly tough, so the last thing you need is getting your baggy shirt stuck in it.

Sportbra

I'm no expert here, but for the purpose of this guide, I've asked other female runners for bits of advice, and they all said that women should always wear a sports bra. The fabric is breathable, and the shape is tight enough so that mud won't accumulate inside.

For a mud run, you could be tempted by wearing a swimsuit, and that would be a terrible idea. Swimwear was not meant for sports activities like running so you won't get the support you need, plus it will get filled with mud and dirt.

If you want to enjoy the race, go for a sports bra.

Compression sleeve

Just like compression socks, some runner will wear compression sleeves. It helps to keep a regular the blood flow in your arms so they won't get tired after the first 2 or 3 obstacles.

While this is not a clothing accessory I recommend to beginners, I think I can be beneficial for a tough obstacle race, like Spartan or Savage Race. Mainly, it will protect your arm while you are crawling or running in the mountain.

Jackets

Depending on the temperature you might be wondering if you need to wear a jacket. Because you'll be running, your body temperature will rise and you'll probably won't need the coat. Has a rule of thumb I always add an extra 7 Celsius (44 Fahrenheit) to get a good sense of how it will feel on the course.

I live in Canada, and the only seasons where you need a jacket is for winter. I would wear a jacket only between November to March.

But for first-time runners or peoples who will be walking most of the course, wearing a jacket can be helpful especially if it's windy or raining.

If you do opt for jackets, get a very thin sports jacket. It will be enough to keep your body warm. Plus, if you don't need it halfway through the course, it can be easily folded away.

The worst thing you could wear is a sweatshirt or any other type of heavy jacket. Has they were not meant for intense sports activities, they will get cold and humid.

Keep that comfy sweater for after the race.

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Women wearing gloves at obstacle race

Gloves

Gloves are not essential, and many OCR athletes don't wear them at all. However, your hand might need a little help because you'll be climbing over obstacles and carrying heavy objects.

I'm the guy who has a pair of gloves for almost everything; from gardening to moving appliances and for obstacle racing. I work on a computer all week, typing on a keyboard and pushing the mouse around. That put me in the soft hand category. The first time I try the monkey bar at a Spartan race, I fail, because my hands were hurting so much. Later on, that race, carrying the heavy bucket was torture for my informatician hands.

If you're a mechanic or a nurse, you're probably tougher than me and can race without gloves.

What type of gloves are suitable for an obstacle race?

I prefer to wear gloves during an obstacle race. From all the gloves I tried, most were coming out of my hand easily. I test many types of gloves, and the best gloves I tried so far are the one who straps or clip around your wrist.

Your gloves won't be useful if they slip out of your hand, plus it can be dangerous. Make sure the glove is tight, and you can't pull it out easily. Also, glove who are too loose will get fill with mud and become heavy to carry around.

On many occasions, I had to carry useless gloves to the race. Because they didn't work and I didn't test them before the race. People are also tossing their gloves when they realize they didn't bring the right type of gloves.

Some runner prefers to carry their glove in their back pocket and use them only for specific obstacle (monkey bar, ring, rope climb, etc.). But if you take your glove out during the race, there's a good chance they will fall, and you'll lose them. I have founded many gloves on the course of each race. It's an epidemic!

If you don't want to invest in proper obstacle race glove, you should get the rubber gardening gloves that have good grip. They look like you dip your hand into melted rubber. They are cheap and effective.

Your fingerless workout gloves won't stand a chance in an obstacle race environment. They won't grip enough and will slide right off your head as you try to climb over the obstacle.

My advice is always to try your glove before the race. Go to your local park, spill water on your glove, grab on the monkey bar and see how you are holding.

What to know which gloves I use? Check out my review of the best gloves for an obstacle race.

What type of gloves is suitable for a mud race?

Mud races are a nightmare for gloves. Everything is filled with mud, and even with gloves, the obstacle will be slippery.

If you do wear gloves in a mud run, make sure they don't get too muddy or try to wipe them on the grass before attempting an obstacle.

A well-adjust glove with lots of grips will make a big difference.

What to know which gloves I use? Check out my review of the best gloves for an mud run.

Gloves for a winter race

If you are participating in a winter race, you will need winter gloves, but not any type of winter gloves. You'll need gloves made of breathable fabric that won't hold the humidity inside.

I would suggest you get a pair of gloves specially made more obstacle race so you won't have to take them out completely when going through obstacles, like the monkey bars or the rings.

In my first winter races, I was wearing two pairs of gloves. The first layer was to keep my hands warm and the second was a pair of gloves with enough grip so I could climb the rope or cross the monkey bars. It's not perfect, but it gots the job done.

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Runner with mud on glasses

Head

If you wear something on your head, there's a great chance you'll lose it on on the zip line or the water slide. If you wear the following items, make sure you really need it and can afford to lose it.

Cap

It might seem like a good idea to wear a cap when it's sunny, but in reality, it will feel like a burning oven on your head. There's also an enormous chance to lose it while crossing an obstacle. That's why I would suggest you don't wear a cap or if you do make sure it's one you don't mind losing.

Personally, for some specific occasion, I will wear a cap. Because I wear glasses, if it's raining on that day, it will keep the rain from blinding me. If it's cold, it will keep my head warm.

If you go for a cap, make sure to choose one made of breathable fabric.

Glasses

Don't wear glasses or sunglasses unless they are prescription eyewear. If you do wear glasses, you have to accept the fact that they will probably get lost or broken. Also, they will slide down your nose every step you take. If you can wear contact lenses instead, go for it, but there's also a chance you'll lose them too.

I need glasses to see, and I wear them at all obstacle race or mud run. I take the extra precaution by using a neoprene strap that will hold my glasses. When I have to jump in the water or going down a water slide, I take them off and keep them in my hand (and pray I won't lose them). If they get too muddy, I simply swipe them with the last dry area of my shirt.

I saw people wearing ski google, but I'm sure it feels terrible after the first mile. Plus, you'll look like a total space martian too.

For more information on glasses, check out this article I wrote on how to run with glasses.

Hair tips

If you have long hair, your best option is to tie them into a ponytail. The headbands you'll receive at most events, won't be enough to hold your hair in place. Plus, you'll probably lose it at some point in an obstacle.

Make sure you bring an elastic (or two) for your hair.

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Runner wearing a costume at a mud race

Costumes

Obstacle race and mud run, are all about having fun while getting out of our comfort zone. That's why you'll see people with costumes and funny outfits at every event. Some races are base on a theme, like a superhero, Viking, Spartan, etc. It's like an invitation to get into a funny costume.

If you decide to go for a costume, you must be aware of the rule, that you must finish the race with everything you had at the starting line. This means you can't ditch any piece of clothing on the course.

There's a good chance your costume is; not made of breathable fabric, not durable enough and will tear apart at the first obstacle. You might look cool on the starting line, but after 5 minutes you'll be cover in mud, and your costume won't look the same anymore.

Team uniform

If you are a team, and you want to make that day extra special and show everyone your dedication by wearing a team uniform, make sure to choose wisely.

You should be able to run, crawl and jump in your outfit. Also, go for dark colors or anything that can get dirty and still look cool. Avoid any extra accessories that can be broken or lost on the course.

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Men waering a wetsuit under the barb wire obstacle

Wetsuit

Most runners who wear wetsuits, are the people participating in the Tough Mudder 24 hours championship or another ultra-endurance race where you jump in freezing winter water. That's probably doesn't concern you!

The wetsuit will become even more cold, when wet, and won't dry fast like proper sports clothing.

Even if it might seem like a good idea, leave the wetsuit for the crazy OCR athletes.

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Obstacle run gear

Gear

Besides the clothing, you could need various types of gear depending on the kind of race you are doing.

You might be wondering about hydration. Should, or shouldn't bring your own water on the course. When you start with OCR, you'll have plenty of other things to worry about, and you shouldn't have to carry a water bottle in your hand or into a belt. Those type of container can easily get lost and will add an extra level of difficulty to any obstacle your try to cross. Also, the organization will have plenty of water stations on the course. Maybe when you try your first Spartan beast or anything above 20 km (13 miles), you could start looking at hydration pack.

Same for a GPS watch, unless you already have one, you don't need it for your first race. Only the elite runners will use such smartwatches to measure and optimize their running pace.

Finally, knee and elbow pads are not necessary unless you are running with an injury. There's no need to dress as a knight because you won't be fighting dragons on the course. But if you a weak knee, maybe you want to add extra protection over to avoid injuries.

It's not only about what you wear, but it's also about trust.

Finally, when you have our outfit ready, I would always advise to give it a try and go for a run.

The last thing you need on race day is a clothing malfunction. See how it feel and visualize yourself on the course. You must feel good in your clothes, and it will boost your confidence.

Obstacle racing is a mental game, and you must trust your self.

You can do this!

P.S. If you're searching for the best obstacle racing footwear and hoping to get genuine advice from a real runner. You should check out this list I created of the top shoes for OCR.

I have hand picked this racing gear because I'd used each item in different obstacle races and mud runs. Plus, I'd confirmed my selection with my fellow OCR runners. With all their insights and my own experience, I've built this list of the most helpful gear to bring at an obstacle race.


Obstacle Ninja
Thank you for reading!

Hi, I'm the Obstacle Ninja, and I will share with you my tips on how to crush it at your next obstacle racing. Also, how to get your little ninja more active with obstacle course. Want to know more about me? Read my story!

Obstacle Ninja
Hi, I'm the Obstacle Ninja, and my passion is OCR (obstacle course running).

My idea of the perfect weekend is to run a Spartan Race or Tough Mudder with my family. We love to run in the mud and challenge your self with the obstacle. My kids and I, we love to watch Ninja warrior and train for our next obstacle race or mud run.

I will share with you my tips on how to crush it at your next obstacle racing. Also, how to get your little ninja more active with obstacle course.

Want to know more about me?
Read my story!

Got questions? Contact me!