What to Wear For Cross Country Running

Seasonal Running & Racing: What to Wear,Autumn & Winter Running Advice,Speed Training & Cross-Country Advice
What to Wear For Cross Country Running

If you're getting ready for cross country season, here are some ideas on what you could or should have in your kit bag for autumn and winter training and for race day as well.

SpikesFell ShoesReplacements / Hats & GlovesTopsNutritionJacketsCompressionLegwearSocks

Cross Country Spikes

It is obviously beneficial to stay upright! Spikes or studs are the best way to do this. There are specialist cross country running shoes with a slightly more flexible spike plate than you'll find on a track spike, with shallow studs to compliment the spikes.

The flexibility underfoot will feel more comfortable on the uneven ground of cross country courses. The Brooks Mach series or Adidas XCS, along with the Saucony Havok and New Balance XC700 v5 are all good options due to the fit of the uppers.  In keeping with most spikes, new manufacturing processes allow them to be made with almost seamless uppers, making for a very comfortable fit.

All round track spikes like the Nike Zoom Rival D or Adidas Allroundstar (which is also available in a Junior version), are fine for cross country, and great as a first pair of spikes, or for occasional spike users. They can be used for track training as well, just make sure to screw longer spikes in for cross-country (9mm or 12mm). The firmer spike plate of track spikes can be an issue if short sections of hard packed or stony trail are used.

Shop Cross Country Spikes

Men's Saucony Carrera XC4
£65.00

Adidas Adizero XCS
£60.00

Brooks Mach 19
£60.00 £48.00

Women's Saucony Carrera XC4
£65.00

Fell Running Shoes

Fell running studs are also popular for those courses where there may be sections of harder trail to negotiate, or as a more versatile option that can double up as a shoe one can use on the hills and trails in training too. In these cases, the the NEW Inov-8 X-Talon 260 v2 is perfect, like a racing flat with studs: light, deep stud grip, and very flexible with a bit wider fit. The Inov-8 Mudclaw G260 v2 offers a super durable Graphene grip with snugger fitting. These are both unisex options. If you are going to do an obstacle course the X Talon 255 would be the best option.

Shop Fell Running Shoes

La Sportiva Mutant
£115.00

Inov-8 Mudclaw G260 V2
£140.00 £98.00

Men's Inov-8 X Talon 255
£120.00

Men's Inov-8 X Talon 260 Ultra v2
£125.00

Women's La Sportiva Mutant
£125.00

Replacement Spikes & Spanner

If you are not sure how muddy the course is going to be or if you are using your spikes for track training in the week (with short spikes) you will need a spare set of loose spikes and a spanner to effect a quick change. Spikes and a spanner are always provided with the shoes, but the spikes may not be long enough for all race conditions. Generally you'll want 9mm for firm/dry ground, 12mm for your average British weather conditions, and 15mm for mud-bath conditions. After a muddy race, do try and get the worst of the mud off your spikes as soon as you can, they will last longer that way. Giving the spikes a little loosen with a turn or two of your spike wrench will also help prevent mud drying in the spike threads, rusting, and making it harder to change the spikes. Always pay attention when screwing in the spikes; cross thread them and they're ruined!

U.P. Pyramid Spikes 9mm
£3.75

U.P. Pyramid Spikes 12mm
£4.00

U.P. Pyramid Spikes 15mm
£4.30

Running Hats & Gloves

It is generally acknowledged you lose a lot of body heat through the top of your head, so a thin lightweight running hat or headband are good for those cold training evenings and at races. Paired with light running gloves you'll probably find it possible to race in shorts and t-shirt when it's not too cold.

Shop Hats & Gloves

Odlo Velocity Ceramiwarm Hat
£30.00 £24.00

Ronhill Beanie and Gloves Set
£23.00 £16.10

La Sportiva Trail Gloves
£35.00 £29.75

Long Sleeve Running Tops

Although some runners, almost as a matter of pride, try to run in vest and shorts all winter, most value a good thermal or wicking base layer with climate control qualities. You may ask why you need your own climate ‘controlled’. Well, a good baselayer will keep body heat in, but wick sweat to the surface to evaporate, so you don't feel hot and clammy. A good racing choice under a vest is a crew neck, with sleeves that can push up easily if you do get a little warm. The classic Helly Hansen is perfect layered under your club vest, as it offers a good balance of fantastic wicking as well as warmth. If you get warm once you start running and just want to keep ‘the chill’ off then the Ronhill Long Sleeved Top offers good breathability without being too warm, plus the Afterlight version is amazingly visible for dark training nights. If you feel the cold, you might be happier with one of our warmer thermal tops.

Shop Long Sleeve Running Tops

Men's Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Baselayer
£60.00 £30.00

Women's Ronhill Tech Afterhours Top
£43.00 £30.00

Water Bottle & Snack

It is important to keep energy levels up to perform well. So, mix your isotonic drink (like SIS Go) and pack an energy bar for pre race, or protein bar for post race, or both!

Shop Running Nutrition

SIS Bottle 800ml
£5.00

Elete Electrolyte Add-In 25ml
£8.00

SIS Bottle 600ml
£4.00

Clif Bar Nut Butter Filled
£2.39

Powerbar Powergel Original
£1.90

Running Jackets & Trousers

Judging by recent weather, a wind/rain running jacket is pretty much essential for anyone doing sports outside! Even if the weather is going to be dry, a windproof jacket like the Ronhill Everyday jackets are great to keep you warm whilst waiting for your race, plus it will fold up nice and small in your kit bag. There are also more expensive fully waterproof options like the Montane Minimus Stretch Ultra Jackets, or the best value waterproof in the Mizuno 20K jacket. If you do a lot of nighttime running and would like drivers to see you out on the road then check out Ronhill’s new Afterlight jacket. It's got a super reflective print and also comes in a non bright fluoro colour so you can wear it a lot easier in the day time! To keep the wind and rain off your legs when you’re not racing there’s the fully waterproof options from Salomon and Montane. For price the Ronhill Everyday Training pant is a great wind pant! It won’t keep you dry in a downpour but as a layer over your tights it works well and also has leg zips to make it easier to get on and off in shoes/spikes.

Shop Running Jackets / Shop Running Trousers

Men's Ronhill Core Training Pants
£42.00 £26.00

Men's OMM Kamleika Jacket
£190.00 £115.00

Women's Montane Minimus Stretch Ultra Jacket
£175.00

Women's Montane Minimus Pants
£100.00 £55.00

Women's OMM Kamleika Jacket
£190.00 £139.00

Compression Tights / Shorts / Socks

You too can be like the stars of the track and cross country with compression clothing to make you look serious! The compression support they provide has been proven to help reduce wear and tear on muscles, and aid recovery from hard training and racing. The SKINS half tights are great for helping the muscles of the hamstrings, glutes and quads. The men's or women’s full tights also give help to the calf muscles. The Compressport Race and Recovery Calf Guards offer the best calf compression and the material is very comfortable.

Shop Compression Running Clothing

Men's Pressio BIO Run Tights
£110.00

Women's Pressio BIO High Rise Tights
£110.00

Compressport R2V2 Calf Guards V3
£32.00 £22.40

Tights

Yes you will need a pair of running shorts, either club issue or at least to vaguely match your club vest. And a pair of lycra tights to keep your muscles warm as you warm up and cool down.

Shop Running Legwear

Men's Brooks Run Visible Tights
£80.00 £64.00

Men's Adidas Saturday Tights
£65.00 £45.00

Men's Ronhill Tech Winter Tights
£65.00

Women's Brooks Run Visible Tights
£80.00

Women's Adidas How We Do Tights
£63.00 £39.00

Women's Ronhill Core Tights
£38.00 £24.00

Black Socks!

If you have faced the utter futility of trying to wash mud out of a white pair of socks after a muddy race go for a dark colour. Thickness of sock is the other choice to consider and opinions vary! Some choose a thin sock as it holds less moisture and is lighter so feels more 'competitive', others prefer a thicker padded sock either for comfort or warmth. For the thicker options try a wool mix sock such as Hilly Off Road which will keep your feet warmer in wet mud. Or for a thinner choice the simple Hilly Lite Anklet has been a long time best seller! In between popular choices are the Feetures and Belega – both available In black.

Shop Black Running Socks

Hilly Supreme Anklet Socks
£13.00 £10.40

Balega Enduro Quarter Socks
£15.00

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