Ready to take the leap and become a Spartan Finisher? Here are your gear list and guide to get started.
The first thing you need to understand is how Spartan Race is structured. Generally speaking, there are three levels of difficulty. Each race has 3 heats (or waves) that are all released at different times: Elite Heat, Age-Group, and Open. The Elite is the first to leave in the morning and competes for prizes, the age-group competes for best in age groups but is not eligible for the prices, and the Open is by far the most popular and what we recommend for your first race.
- Stadion (3 miles, 20+ obstacles in a stadium)
- Sprint (approx. 3-5 miles, 20+ obstacles)
- Super (8-12 miles, 25+ obstacles)
- Beast (12-14 miles, 30+ obstacles)
Completing a Sprint, Super, and Beast inside one calendar year will earn you the Trifecta. You will also find other events such as the Ultra Beast (2 laps of the Beast Course), endurance races such as the Agoge, and team races called Hurricane Heat. These are usually specialty events and only offered at certain venues. Each race has different requirements in terms of preparation and gear. For this guide, we will focus on your first Sprint but all levels will benefit.
Footwear
Footwear is an extremely important consideration for any off-road running activity. If you have not already, check out our review of the top OCR shoes (Obstacle Course Racing).
Some of the key features to consider are durability, drainage, and fit. The shoe should be able to withstand your training before the race, the race itself, and all the subsequent races for that season. Expect to run through a pair of shoes about every 8-10 races depending on the distance, obstacles, trail difficulty, and amount of training you do in between.
Since the obstacles you will be facing are typically a mystery, it is a good rule of thumb to assume you will be in the water within the first few 100 meters. With that said, your feet will be wet for essentially the entire race. If you have a shoe that does not drain properly, you will be running in sloshy, heavy water pillows. Depending on how long you are on the course, your feet could be soaking for a long period of time which means pruning, cracking, and blisters. We recommend you check out the INOV-8 Talon 212
The fit is important because of two reasons: comfort and versatility. In the running shoe world, having plenty of room and cushioning in the shoe may not be a bad thing. If your feet tend to “splay,” it may be worth looking into the Altra Superior series or Lone Peak 4.0 running shoes (2019 Spartan parter brand). However, when trying to climb a plank wall or navigate footholds it will be extremely difficult to hang on. Surely a climbing shoe would be best in this case but would destroy your feet in a run. The answer is to ensure the shoe is comfortable enough to run in but snug enough to climb. The INOV-8 Talon 212 Classic series listed above excels in this area.
Hydration & Nutrition
Pre-Race
Hydration and nutrition is a critical component of your preparation. You need to be drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to the race. No, that does not mean soda pop or even Gatorade; drink water. Hydrating is different than satisfying thirst. By the time you are thirsty, your body has reached a state of dehydration. Before the race, you don’t even want to be close to that feeling. Shoot for a minimum of 2-3L per day (realistically only about 2-3 32oz water bottles). Don’t chug all at once, sip throughout the day and keep tabs on how much you are drinking. Tip: grab a Nalgene 
The other side of the teeter-totter is nutrition. This is your first race. No, you do not need to suddenly dial in your diet and start eating Paleo. In fact, suddenly changing your habits immediately prior to the race could make you miserable. If you have a few months before your race, start by phasing out sugar. That’s it. If you can start eating one less item that contains sugar per day, you are are already well on your way to optimizing your body’s ability to burn fuel.
During the Race
If you are an experienced runner and plan to be out on the course for less than an hour (which is pretty fast), then carrying additional hydration or fuel will likely cost more energy than it will provide. If you are unsure, bring a Camelbak 
It is also a good idea to make sure you are “topped off” before stepping off. Studies have shown that if you have a full water reserve in your stomach before stepping off, your performance is increased and it is more likely to reach your bloodstream, where it is badly needed.
An additional note on thirst. Just because its 40 degrees (F) at the start of the race, does not mean you will not need water.
For in-race nutrition, it is also important to keep topped off on electrolytes. This allows your body to hold onto the fluids you are consuming. We have used everything from off the shelf performance gels to orange slices. We recommend the following:
- Clif Bar Shot Blocks
: These are handy little gummies that taste great and you can suck on them as you go. We loved these because they are convenient, packed with nutrients, and some have caffeine. Having (1) bar on you for the race should be enough.
- GU Energy Pouches
: If you have the pocket space, energy pouches are a great low-profile option that is loaded with nutrients, carbohydrates, and sometimes caffeine.
- NUUN Electrolyte Tabs:
These are dis-solvable tablets you can drop right into your CamelBak or hydration source. If you have a water source on you, it is a great way to hit two birds with one stone.
Tip: have a planned time (i.e. every 30 minutes) to consume a block or pouch to space it out and maximize the effects. Some watches like the Casio Garmin Tactix or G-Shock have this feature.
Remember to be a good sport and take your trash with you.
Athletic Wear
First of all, there is no reason why you cannot run an entire Spartan Race in your favorite chicken suit.
It is a good idea to make sure you are wearing moisture wicking clothing. Cotton is a killer because it absorbs water, stretches out when wet, and you will freeze especially in the mornings. Under Armour and Reebok, both make a great line of products that keep tight to your body or hang loose and breathable. Shorts, on the other hand, should be pocket-less and not too baggy. Your pockets will fill up with mud and rocks (sometimes you don’t even know how) forcing you to run around with puppy ears pulled out to your sides. Fight Shorts or MMA shorts make a great option so long as they are a heavy duty, stretchy material.
Underwear (yes, underwear)
It is best to plan for the worst. Assume whatever outer layer you have on your body will at some point tear. If you do not have anything on underneath, then be prepared!
For men, compression briefs 
For women, the same rules apply, however many on the course will opt for low-drag compression tanks and pocket-less shorts or leggings. As long as it is significantly more durable, provides good abrasion protection, and is moisture wicking it will suffice.
Compression
Although the jury is still out about whether compression fit gear makes a difference in performance, there is absolutely no denying the comfort and protection element. While this is entirely subjective, people generally wear compression for two reasons: protection and support.
Many races will wear full-length compression leggings or long-sleeve shirts to protect their skin from abrasions. There will be times when you are sliding through mud and hit a dry dirt patch. If you are shirtless, it feels every bit as wonderful as you’d expect. Compression also protects elbows and knees from cuts and scrapes when crawling under obstacles.
Others are more selective in their approach; as in they will wear shin compression and maybe a sore elbow. It is entirely up to you. If you choose to wear compression gear, however, just be mentally prepared for it to get covered in mud and water.
Other Gear
Some additional gear you will see out in the field is usually personal preference. Some men will wear compression tights
To improve overall grip on some hanging or climbing obstacles, we recommend you explore the option of gloves. Some runners have cutoff football gloves
If you plan on wearing a watch, just be extra careful to select one that is water and mud proof. Although some sites will say a certain watch is good for mud racing, it is really on you to look over the specs to make sure that it does not have any seams and is specifically designed for mud and dust. For example, we test the Garmin Forerunner at a Spartan Sprint and it did not make it past the second mile. Do your home work. If you need recommendations, check out our guide on GPS watches. If you are looking for something more fitness specific sans all the extra features (and price), we recommend you explore the Garmin Fenix 5X or Suunto Spartan Sport
Now get out and get after it! Ah-roo!
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