As part of your UTMB® preparation, choosing and packing your race pack is essential. Nothing should be missing to tackle the event in the best possible conditions: the pack itself, of course, but also your clothing, accessories, shoes and nutrition. Here's how to organise everything.
Which pack should you choose for the UTMB®?
For an ultra format like the UTMB®, a pack with a capacity of 10 to 15 litres is generally recommended: large enough to hold all the mandatory kit without becoming a burden over the course of the event. The weight of an empty pack is also an important criterion over such a long distance — every extra gram makes itself felt across the kilometres. In terms of regulations, the pack must be marked when you collect your race bib and cannot be exchanged during the race: you must therefore carry all your mandatory kit in that same pack from start to finish. Find the full breakdown of what to pack in our article Mandatory kit for the UTMB®.
Clothing to pack
Your pack must contain at minimum the mandatory waterproof clothing required by the regulations, as well as your full technical outfit (shorts, t-shirt, warm jacket). Find the detailed list and our advice in our article The ideal kit for the UTMB®.
Essential accessories
Emergency blanket, whistle, elastic adhesive bandage, head torches… a list of mandatory safety accessories is set by the regulations, supplemented by recommended items such as trail poles. Find the full details in our articles Essential accessories for the UTMB® and Survival and safety kit.
Shoes for the UTMB®
Your choice of shoes needs to be made months in advance to give your feet time to adapt — they are your contact with the ground and a decisive factor in your performance. Find all our advice in our article Choosing your shoes for the UTMB®.
Hydration and nutrition during the race
Even though aid stations are located throughout the course, your pack must contain your minimum water supply, an isotonic drink, and gels and energy bars tested beforehand. Find our full strategy in our articles Nutrition and hydration for the UTMB® and UTMB® aid stations.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a UTMB® pack weigh?
There is no maximum weight imposed by the regulations, but the lighter your empty pack, the better over a distance of this scale. Go for a technical model designed for trail rather than a standard backpack.
Does the pack need to be approved by the organisation?
There is no prescribed model, but your pack must be large enough to hold all the mandatory kit, and it will be marked when you collect your race bib — you will not be able to swap it during the race.
