What to wear to the rogain?
Dressing for a rogain requires primarily looking seriously at the weather forecast and making decisions based on it. When choosing footwear, pay attention to where the specific rogain takes place.
With that, it might seem like we’re wrapping up the discussion, because obviously, every person and their needs are different, and there are no very universal recommendations. However, we’ll share some tips and observations based on our experiences and insights!
CLOTHING
Let’s start with what is closest to the body, namely underwear. In order to avoid feeling constantly wet and cold, it’s advisable to wear a good synthetic thermal underwear shirt.
Considering that a rogain can lead to places with lots of branches and dense undergrowth, pay attention to protecting your arms and legs. In warmer weather, use thin arm or leg sleeves, and in cooler weather, simply wear long sleeves. The wilder the rogain, the more you should consider that clothes can easily tear among trees and bushes, so don’t wear your newest clothes.
For urban rogaines, simply choose suitable running clothes in which you feel most comfortable.
The choice of pants depends again on the terrain. In forested areas, it’s advisable to wear specialized orienteering pants made of much stronger fabric and with excellent ventilation.
FOOTWEAR
Choosing appropriate and correct footwear is critically important. In urban areas, you can of course wear comfortable running shoes, and even the pattern isn’t particularly important. However, experience has shown that in urban areas, you need to be prepared for all kinds of situations, so leave lighter and newer sneakers at home, and a light pattern certainly wouldn’t hurt. It’s important that the shoe is soft enough to absorb shocks because being on your feet for several hours is a challenge in itself. If you’re expecting any kind of terrain, put on shoes with a good tread pattern designed for off-road movement. This is to successfully navigate through any type of terrain and avoid unnecessary injuries or twists. Tie the laces tightly, make a double knot, and tuck the loose ends away. Some prefer to tape the laces to prevent them from coming undone.
Also, pay attention to the socks! They should fit tightly around the foot; compression socks are also suitable. Socks should fit very well around the foot to prevent rubbing and thus painful blisters.
OTHER
Regarding buffs, caps, headbands, and gloves, again, look at the weather forecast and consider your personal preferences. Since it’s highly likely that you’ll also carry a hydration vest/small backpack or belt, there’s always a place to stash smaller accessories if it gets too hot.
In summary – wear clothes in which you feel comfortable and which you don’t have to fear getting slightly torn or dirty.
A lot depends on the terrain and character of the particular rogain, as well as the weather conditions. Therefore, pay attention to additional information, as usually, the course setter has provided comments about the conditions of the course.
When actively moving for several hours, you also need to think about how to replenish energy and water supplies. More about this HERE.
