Adventure Racing Gear By Athlete Rickie Cotter

This article was written by adventure racer Rickie Cotter

Rickie started out her endurance career as in incredible long distance cyclist. Completing the Highland trail 550, the Tour Divide, the Transcontinental and the Tour Aotearoa, as well as twice coming second in the World 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships. Since then, she since set her sights on Adventure racing. We managed to sit her down for a brief moment between being part of search and rescue, training for the upcoming racing season and owning her own business. Over to Rickie...

There’s a joke in our house that I should start an outdoor brand because i'm always trying to adapt kit! In adventure racing most gear serves multiple purposes across different categories, which is key when every gram matters. One crucial thing to remember: your backpack stays with you at all times. The mandatory kit can’t be a weight hinderance, so the challenge is always finding the balance between “what can I get away with and still be safe?” and “what stays within the rules?”

Sometimes, we push the limits a little too far—and end up really cold or really hungry!

Tents

Sleeping bags

Sleeping Bag

Clothing

Gloves

Climbing

Packrafting

Headlamps

Packrafts

Nutriton & Hydration

Hiking Accessories

Random Essentials

Tents

I have owned an MSR Elixir for a very long time. Yes, it’s not the lightest tent on the market, but it has stood up to Scottish storms that have destroyed my fellow campers’ tent poles. It’s easy to erect in a hurry and has double porch sides, so you can exit from either side without having to climb over your teammate.

The pockets are intelligently placed, with options to rig up guylines internally—perfect for drying out stinky socks or even hanging up your sunglasses. There’s even a handy nook between the inner and outer layers that can house your bike helmet.

Speaking of the inner and outer, the tent is remarkably waterproof, with a bathtub floor keeping you dry from below. All tents have some condensation, but the large gap between the inner and outer layers prevents the inner from touching moisture on the outer—it’s really effective.

Each porch is large enough to store your rucksack and stinky shoes, and when I’m not racing, I even set up my stove, ready for use in the morning.

Not to mention the MSR Groundhog pegs—I’ve hammered mine with rocks continuously, and they’ve stood strong against the abuse.

This is a long-term tent—a tent that can handle racing, a tent that can handle families, and a tent that can just handle life.

Ultralight Tents

Throughout my bikepacking career, whenever a bivvy bag wasn’t suitable for the landscape, I turned to the Big Agnes Fly Creek with ultra-short poles.

This tent is incredibly lightweight, but with that comes durability considerations—it must be pitched perfectly, not just thrown down on rough ground. Getting the tension right is critical for its performance.

I use this tent mostly for racing because of its exceptionally low weight, but it does require care. It dries in minutes and provides just enough protection from midges, horseflies, sandflies, and mosquitoes!

Tarp Tents

Arguably the lightest tents on the market, tarp tents have a certain appeal—especially for racers already carrying walking poles. With more inner options now available, tarp tents have become far more functional.

Some models come in at just 800g for a four-person version—unheard of in any other tent style. Thanks to their pyramidal shape, they also perform exceptionally well in inclement weather.

If your budget stretches to a tarp tent, this is the lightest four-person option available. Packability and weight are outstanding, though pitching can be trickier, and the price tends to be high.

Sleeping Bags

Coming Soon..

Personally, I prefer a sleeping bag with minimal features—this reduces weight, and since you’re planning to be asleep, you won’t use most of the extras anyway.

If you’re female, consider choosing a bag with a higher down fill in the footwell and hip area, as these are the spots where women tend to lose the most heat.

Another option to consider is a quilt instead of a sleeping bag, especially if you’re racing in a hot climate. Wearing your down jacket and all your layers while using a quilt is a fast, lightweight approach—but if you tend to run cold, this isn’t the best choice. A sleeping bag with a hood would be a better option, as they often feature a drawstring around the shoulders, helping trap body heat.

As a race progresses and you become calorie deficient, your body will struggle to regulate temperature—so it’s crucial to factor this in when choosing your sleep system. Get close to your teammates and share body heat when needed.

The biggest question when buying a sleeping bag is: Down or Pertex?

Down is inevitably warmer, but Pertex is more durable. Newer bags with hydrophobic down are more resistant to moisture, while Pertex is lighter and dries quickly. It’s a tough call, but really focus on what YOUR needs are—because everyBODY is different.

Sleeping Mats

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Mat
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir 3/4 Sleeping Mat

Therm-a-Rest has been a leader in sleeping mats for decades—and for good reason.

The latest Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is part of their ultralight range and is a common sight on long-distance trails like the Pacific Crest Trail. Its combination of robust, lightweight, and comfortable materials makes it a favorite among thru-hikers.

Available in various widths and lengths, the NeoAir XLite NXT also features a generous layer of hydrophobic down, which increases its R-value (warmth rating)—helping to minimize heat loss to the ground. With this added insulation, you may even be able to opt for a lighter-weight sleeping bag, saving overall pack weight while staying warm.

The mat also comes with a handy stuff sack, making those early-morning pack-ups just a little easier—especially on day three of an adventure race.

Clothing

Capilene Merino Long Sleeve/Short Sleeve T-Shirts
Storm Racer Jacket
Torrential Rain Pants
Airshed Pullover
Houdini Wind Jacket
Wind Shield Pants
Tropic Comfort Sun Hood
Multi Trail Shorts
Trailfarer Shorts
Duckbill Cap (Various colors & styles)
Proton Hoody
Atom SL Insulated Jacket
Taema Sun Hood
Rho Toque
Rho LT Bottoms
Gamma Trousers
Any LT (Lightweight) Range Gear

Being outside all day and night—often at altitude—means constant exposure to UV. Temperature shifts hourly, we get wet, and our feet take a beating from water and stones. How you dress can be the difference between comfort and suffering—or even life and death. Here are some functional pieces that can help:

Patagonia Capilene—“The Do-Everything Top”

Merino can endure multiple days of abuse. It’s slower to dry, but that’s a small price to pay for its odor resistance, warmth, and durability. I prefer the long-sleeve version for versatility. Whether biking, hiking, or climbing, this top performs day in, day out.

Arc’teryx Taema & Patagonia Natural Comfort—“Sun Protection”

With UVA and UVB protection plus a functional hood, these tops will save you from post-sun-exposure overheating. They dry fast, making them ideal for kayaking, where staying dry is a luxury.

Arc’teryx Atom—“A Crowd Favourite”

Warmth beyond its weight. I love the coziness of an insulated jacket—quieter than a waterproof, yet still splash-prooffor light showers and fully windproof. This is the piece that lives in your bag at all times—your “get out of jail free” card when the weather turns ugly.

Favoured by many climbers, this jacket performs when moving fast and holds up under pressure. A 24/7 jacket for all disciplines.

Patagonia Storm Racer & Torrential Rain Pant—“Wild Weather Security”

When showers turn to downpours and the wind starts whipping at your face, you need a reliable waterproof layer. If you’re putting these on, it means you need to trap heat—fast. Coming off the paddle legs, body temperature plummets, and the shakes set in. At this point, everything goes on—zips done right up.

This minimalist jacket, made with Patagonia’s H2No fabric, balances green credentials with a rugged ripstop outerfor extra durability. The roomy fit allows for full range of motion, while the full front zip lets you ventilate when things heat up.

Let’s be honest—waterproofs are a faff. Pulling a wet race bib over the top is a pain, but when the weather is relentless, the right waterproof keeps you moving all night, in all conditions.

Gloves

Black Diamond Deploy Wind Hood Gloves
Merino Liner Gloves + Waterproof Mitt Outer
Lightweight Insulated Gloves (Semi-Waterproof, Leather Palm for Grip)

There’s nothing worse than losing dexterity because your hands are too cold. Having a glove system in place to fight off “white finger” can make all the difference—especially when abseiling down a waterfall or climbing through a canyon.

Here’s my go-to setup:

Liner Glove: A low-profile merino or fleece liner (insert brand here). This is my lightweight, always-carry glove
Mid Glove: An insulated Pertex glove with good movement and a grippy palm (insert brand here).
Outer Mitt: A light waterproof shell that can be thrown over the top and dried in seconds—perfect for trekking legs(insert brand here).

Having layers for your hands is just as important as layering for the rest of your body. The right system keeps you warm, dry, and ready to move—no matter the conditions.

Climbing

Packrafting

NRS Pilot Knife
NRS Compact Throw Bag
PFD – Astral EV Eight
PFD – Moke (Minimalist, South African Brand)
Bailer – Modified Milk Carton with Carabiner
Kokatat Supernova Drysuit (Lightest option)
Kokatat Swift Entry Drysuit (More budget-friendly)

Headlamps

Petzl E+Lite 30 Headlamp (26g) (Emergency backup)
Petzl IKO Core 500 (Main headlamp)

The IKO Core can take AAA batteries or you can buy a petzl rechargeable battery as a spare fully charged battery. I also take an ultralight backup for emergencies. But I hope it's never needed but worth it for 26g

Backpacks

Hyperlite Southwest 40 / Junction / Windrider (Fits a packraft, holds paddles, extremely lightweight)
Black Diamond Distance Pack (Minimalist option for weaker team members)

The biggest selling point of this backpack? It fits a packraft in the 40L version—a game-changer for multi-discipline races. You can store a split paddle in the side pockets, use the central strap to secure your PFD, and take advantage of the Y-strap at the top to attach extra gear.

I put this pack to the test during the Faroe Islands race, where we had to carry packrafts over long mountain sections. It proved to be extremely functional, robust, and lightweight—hands down my favorite piece of kit.

Another standout feature? Multiple torso lengths, making it a great option for women or anyone with a shorter torso. Plus, for teams with a stronger member who carries more weight, there’s a 60L version available. No wonder this backpack has been trusted by multiple world champions!

(I could go on and on about the features and quality of this pack!)

Pairing It with a Smaller Race Pack

In some races, a smaller running-style backpack—like the Black Diamond Distance—can be a smart addition. If a team has a weaker member, they may strip down their load to the bare minimum, making a lightweight pack the better choice. Having both options in the mix ensures the best setup for efficiency and endurance.

Hydration & Nutrition

Katadyn 0.6L / 1L Microfilter
Aqua Tabs
Nuun Hydration Tabs

Hydration is of equal importance using salt tablets, electrolytes and plenty of water, clean water is so important . Given it’s the end of summer in Canada it is wise to filter all water as the rivers and streams will be running low.

Dehydrated Meals (Veg/GF/Meat Options
Energy Gels
Sea to Summit 1000kcal Meals
Meal Bars
Extra-Long Titanium Spork (GSI)

Ever run out of petrol accidentally and had the car come to a grinding halt? That’s exactly what happens to the body when we get nutrition wrong—it shuts down. Stops dead.

The symptoms of a nutrition disaster are painfully obvious among teammates—you unknowingly become hangry, your pace slows to a crawl, your jokes get worse, and you generally feel like the world is ending. The good news? It’s fixable—just eat! Think: prevention is better than cure.

This topic is highly individual—male, female, tall, short, high body fat, low body fat, more muscle mass… all of these factors make this puzzle tricky to solve. But there are a few simple rules that will help you get through an adventure race:

Arrive hydrated and well-fed
Pre-race chaos? Eat anyway
Eat little and often
If there’s a meal option, take it
Train your gut
Feed your teammates—especially the navigators (they get so deep in the map they forget to eat.
Be aware of times when you won’t feel like eating (e.g., kayaking or at 1 a.m.)
Eat when you’re tired

Variety! Give yourself options.

Dehydrated meals are a great way to get quality calories in—I aim for at least one every 24 hours. There’s always that one teammate who’s ready first at transitions. In our team, we assign them as the “chef”—they take everyone’s dehydrated meals and add hot water while the rest of us finish getting ready. It’s an efficient use of time, and it gives them a role so they don’t get frustrated waiting.

If a stage is particularly long, I top up my engine with a few meal bars. At night, when I struggle to eat, I rely on a few gels in varying flavors—down the hatch, washed down with water.

I supplement with carbohydrate drinks and electrolyte drinks since they’re easy to consume at any time. And when it gets really bad? It’s time to consider caffeine—in all its glorious forms!

If the chance to eat real food comes up, take it. Fruit and vegetables are a luxury in these races—if you find them, eat them. Your body will thank you.

As soon as calories stop going in, you stop moving forward. To maximize your ability to keep going, give yourself a wide variety of food. That way, when your stomach and brain start saying no, you’ll still have options.