When packing your race bag for the UTMB®, clothing choices matter: your kit must protect you from unpredictable mountain weather and keep you comfortable throughout the race. That's why your UTMB® clothing selection needs to be planned ahead — ideally several months before race day — so you can test everything in real conditions and get used to it.
Mandatory waterproof clothing for the race
The UTMB® rules require waterproof clothing that must be carried in your race pack at all times. These items are designed to protect you in adverse weather (rain and snow) and must meet precise technical standards. They will likely be checked before the start — show up without the right waterproofs and you risk being turned away at the line. The two mandatory items are a hooded waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers. Both must offer a minimum waterproofing rating of 20,000 Schmerber and meet specific technical requirements. Choose them carefully — their quality becomes critical when the race turns ugly, when discomfort compounds and muscle fatigue hits harder.
Kit for the UTMB®
The right clothing choices for the UTMB® will vary from runner to runner depending on personal preference and habits — but certain pieces are non-negotiable for comfort and performance. Your UTMB® kit must include at minimum a warm jacket to handle temperature swings, a technical trail t-shirt, shorts and trail trousers. Add to that the mandatory waterproofs covered above. A quality warm jacket should be built from technical fabrics to satisfy the most demanding runners. Breathability is essential — without it, sweat has nowhere to go, you end up feeling like you're in a sauna, and paradoxically suffer from excessive damp heat.
Go for a fitted cut — but not too tight — to ensure good freedom of movement, especially in the arms, which need to stay mobile throughout the effort. For your technical t-shirt, EMANA® fibre is an excellent choice: it stimulates blood microcirculation and supports thermoregulation during exercise. CIMALP® trail t-shirts featuring this fibre provide better muscle support, reducing fatigue during effort and limiting traumatic micro-tears. In the same spirit, CIMALP® has developed running and trail shorts and trousers designed to deliver optimal muscle support. Their construction, thanks to the patented 3D-Flex technology, guarantees outstanding freedom of movement and all-day comfort. Find out more:
