If you did a fair amount of backpacking growing up, you may have heard packing rules like the following: heavier items high in the pack and close to the back of the pack. While such rules hold true for adventure racing, the sport does introduce some unique considerations. Specifically, you are trying to move efficiently, so you do not want to stop every time you need a piece of gear. Each event in which you compete will have a very specific mandatory and recommended gear list. The mandatory gear must be carried so you may as well pack it in the most efficient manner.

Start by laying out both your mandatory and recommended gear in two separate piles. Then within each group you should evaluate how often you may need or use a piece of gear. So now you may have four categories: mandatory frequent use (more than 4 times during a race) and mandatory infrequent use (less than 4 times); recommended frequent use and recommended infrequent use. Then you may add another category called easy access for gear that you know you will need at least once, in inclement weather or in an emergency. Let’s look at examples of each:

• Mandatory frequent use: compass, water purification tablets.
• Mandatory infrequent use: flares, whistle, knife, climbing gear, survival blanket, strobe light.
• Recommended frequent use: gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, food.
• Recommended infrequent use: extra socks.
• Easy access: headlamp, rain gear, 1st Aid kit.

A general rule of thumb is that you will use anything you can reach while moving, so pack accordingly.

When you are packing, put frequent use or easy access items either close to the top of your pack or in outside pockets. Ideally, your food and as many frequent use items should be in waist belt pouches, vest front pouches or pack shoulder strap pouches (depending on which system you use). Similarly, infrequent use items can go in a waterproof stuff sack in the bottom of your pack. It is usually a good idea to have your rain gear and headlamp easily accessible for inclement weather or nighttime activities.

The length of the race and amount of mandatory gear will dictate your load. As soon as you know the necessary gear, start training with it. Experiment with various systems and figure out the method that best suits your needs. Discuss these ideas with your teammates and whenever applicable, try to pack in similar configurations. The location of emergency team gear should be known by all team members.

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• Pacing Yourself
• How To Find Teammates
• How to Choose Teammates
• Cross-Training Competitions
• Building an Adventure Racing Training Schedule
• Sleep Deprivation
• Navigation Training Tip
• Team Dynamics
• The Sponsorship Quest