For a remote 100-mile race with a 48-hour cut-off that could expose you to extreme weather conditions, you want the right gear. The Hardrock 100 takes runners above 14,000 feet, and the weather in the Rocky Mountains is unpredictable.
Don’t see affiliate links? That’s because I’m not getting paid for recommendations. These items worked for me during the race, but keep in mind that everyone has personal gear preferences.
1. The Least Sexy Hat for Maximum Sun Protection
There are some great-looking running caps out there, but I went with something distinctly unsexy.
It was sold to me as the ideal fishing hat. The Glacier Glove hat is khaki, with long flaps covering the back of the neck and sides of the face, plus an extra-long bill. I am not into fishing, but it works just as well as a running hat. It protects well against UV rays at altitude, and because of the chin strap, it does not fly off in a gust.
2. A Jacket for Lightweight Rain Protection
Super light but very effective, I found the waterproof Alpine Houdini Jacket the best rain jacket I have ever tried. It folds into one of its own pockets, making it no bigger than my hand.
This jacket kept me completely dry for hours of rain without overheating. I carried it for the entire race. It was far more effective and much lighter than the thicker Gore-Tex jacket I used to run with, which always started to leak after a few hours.
3. The Lightest Windbreaker
Patagonia also makes a super-light windbreaker, the Houdini jacket, which is not waterproof but keeps you warm at early-morning race starts or on a mountain top or pass when it is windy. It folds up tiny.
Together with the rain jacket, it provides a surprising amount of warmth for very little weight. I have used them in both Leadville and Hardrock and love them. Pricey, yes, but I have had both jackets for several years, use them frequently, and they have held up well. For me, they have been a worthwhile investment.
4. The Top Question: Merino over Technical Shirts
I do not like technical running shirts for ultras. They start to smell quickly, and I chafe more easily in them.
Instead, I run in super-thin merino wool shirts, always long-sleeve and snug-fitting. They are usually sold as base layers. I have been running in them for over ten years. I keep the sleeves down when starting on a cold morning and push them up when it gets warmer.
Merino does not stink, even after 48 hours on the trail, and I do not chafe in it either. I also carry a second, slightly looser but still thin merino shirt for layering if it gets cold. They are light and fold up very small.
5. Midweight Merino Hoodie for Temperature Drops
I also carried a midweight merino hoodie. I have been wearing the same midweight Icebreaker merino hoodie for nine years on hikes, races, and training runs when cold is expected. It is a bit frayed at the sleeves now, but it still works perfectly. The hood helps preserve warmth at night.
If I am exhausted and moving through a very cold night, layering a merino base layer and a looser merino shirt with a midweight merino hoodie, then the windbreaker and/or rain jacket keeps me warm no matter the weather or temperature. They all fit over each other, too.
If good weather is expected during the day, I keep it in a drop bag for the night section. But mountain weather can change quickly, so I often keep the midweight jacket tied around my hips.
6. Protect Against Blisters with Toe Socks
I left fresh pairs of socks at various aid stations. I always run in toe socks, as they help prevent blisters for me. My favorites are the Injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew because they are thicker than standard running socks and last much longer. I have not had a single hole in them, even after years of use.
At Hardrock, I also left a thick pair of long ski socks at aid stations for overnight sections. I pulled them on over my toe socks at night, and they worked beautifully. When I was cold, I pulled them up over my calves. Even though my feet were often wet from river crossings, they were never cold.
7. Trail Running Shoes With Grip
Shoes are completely personal, but you need ones with serious traction for snow, slippery mud, and loose scree.
For me, Salomon fits best, and I ran the entire 100 miles in the same pair of Salomon Fellraisers. I buy my shoes slightly larger to accommodate swollen feet, and went with men’s size 11. I had other shoes in drop bags, but found the Fellraisers worked the whole way.
Waterproof shoes are not useful in this race. With so many river crossings, water will get in anyway. Waterproof materials only prevent evaporation, keeping your feet wet for longer.
8. Do You Need Microspikes for the Hardrock 100?
Some say you need them on Virginius Pass. Some say you do not.
I was very grateful to have Kahtoola microspikes in my Ouray drop bag and use them for Virginius. After more than 24 hours of climbing and descending, my legs were wobbly, and I did not want to risk having to climb that pass twice in case I slipped.
Most runners do it without spikes, but the stability they gave me removed all concern. I had gone up Virginius during course marking and found it difficult to get traction on the snow wall, so I was happy to carry them from Ouray to Telluride.
9. Gaiters to Keep the Gravel Out
Small rocks and sticks can get into your shoes and cause blisters. Stopping to remove them costs time and breaks rhythm. Gaiters eliminate the hassle. I find the colorful Dirty Girl gaiters both fun and effective.
10. The Right Pants to Warm Below the Waist
I still ran the Hardrock 100 in long compression tights. Combined with knee-high ski socks, I needed nothing else to stay warm at night, even when my legs were constantly wet from river crossings. They were never cold.
I run in 2XU tights. Compression helps reduce pain for me. If you tend to overheat, you may prefer shorts with long pants as backup.
I also carried super-light rain pants in case of extreme weather, but I never had to use them. They gave me peace of mind, though, and because they weigh almost nothing, I did not mind carrying them.
After meeting Pam Reed on Virginius Pass during course marking and bonding over how easily we get cold, she recommended the Outdoor Research Helium pants. She has used them for Hardrock because they are ultra-light and easy to put on and take off.
11. Do Not Skip the Anti-Chafing Stuff
Do not start the Hardrock 100 without plenty of anti-chafing lube all over you. Roll in it if you must. I am a big fan of Bodyglide. I keep extra in my drop bags just in case. In addition to the usual areas, I apply it to my feet. Not just once, but morning and evening for two days before a big race.
I believe this is why I completed the Bear 100, Leadville 100, and Australia’s C2K 150 Mile without a single blister. I did blister at Hardrock, but I did not feel them during the race and only noticed them in the shower afterward. I had multiple layers of burst blisters on my feet, with two toes looking like they had fused together. I guess it could have been worse? I’ll spare you further details, but swear it worked for all my other ultras.
12. A Running Vest to Carry Just Enough
I ran Hardrock in the Ultimate Direction AK 2.0 Race Vest, which is no longer available.
It is small with limited pockets, but it was enough. I use the front holders for gear rather than water. I do not like the Ultimate Direction bladders because they tend to leak. A leaking bladder is not what you need at Hardrock.
I used a two-liter Platypus bladder. It is divided into two chambers, which distribute weight more evenly and reduce sloshing. It is also sturdier in my experience. I carried a handheld bottle for Coke or ginger beer from aid stations.
I kept a larger, pre-packed vest at Ouray in case I wanted more space for spikes. Having ready-packed vests at aid stations saves time if you do not have a crew, which I didn’t. You can switch and keep moving.
In the end, though, I preferred the comfort of the AK 2.0 race vest and used it the whole way.
13. Hiking Poles: Take Two
If you use poles at Hardrock, take two.
I used one at Leadville and liked having one hand free. But Hardrock is a different beast. Using only one pole threw off my gait. When I often forgot to switch which hand I used the pole with, it led to an overuse injury in one leg. I could not run or walk pain-free for nearly three months afterward. The final 20 miles were agony and required painkillers to get through.
If you bring poles, bring two and make sure they are light. I use Black Diamond aluminum poles. Carbon is lighter but more expensive, and I do not use poles often enough to justify the cost.
14. Ziploc Bags to Eat on the Move
I love Ziploc bags for eating on the go. Instead of lingering at aid stations, I fill a bag with food while a volunteer refills my water, and then head out again. Many of my stops were only two or three minutes.
The food may get mixed together, but when you are 50 miles into Hardrock, peach pie mixed with pretzels tastes fantastic.
15. Do Not Forget Gloves
It gets cold. Very cold. At night or during the day.
I keep a super light pair with me at all times and thicker ones in drop bags for nighttime.
16. A Bright Running Skirt
I love the Rypwear running skirts. I wear them at every race, not only because the colors cheer me up but because the shorts underneath have two pockets that are perfect for snacks. One pocket also fits a smartphone, though for safety, I carry my phone in a zippered belt pouch.
Lastly, the race organizers will provide a list of required emergency gear. Take it seriously, even if it adds weight. No personal best is worth risking your safety.