What’s in my kit bag?

I would say I’m becoming a veteran of the packing game for OCR. At the height of my season, I am doing back to back weekends with 2 or 3 races per weekend. With so much coming up so quickly, I need my bag to be organised. Here is what I usually pack for races:
- Duffel Bag, 75L. – This bag is large enough to carry all my kit. The envogue OCR thing to do is to buy 2 x Kitbrix (note I do have one, but too small for OCR stuff). But two will only come up to 50L and will cost c£90.
TOP TIP – buy a bag that is not black – it will certainly help at bag drop when it comes to reclaiming at the end of the race “The red one” is easier to find than “The black one”.
- Documents – Usually a signed waiver, printed tickets and ID. Some races will take bar codes from a phone, but in this case, paper is always easier. Useful to have a pen handy too.
TOP TIP – if you are using your phone for a ticket. Its easier to screenshot your ticket than try to rely on ropey signal to find your email.
- Trail Shoes – For the more muddier events, trail shoes with grip will certainly help. They dont have to be expensive – Karrimor Tempos are what I started with, whilst More Mile Cheviot are also the choice for the those that are just starting off – Both are priced around £25. Even then, dont bother buying them until you are sure you want to do more races. You can get away with an old pair of trainers for your first race
- Frostfire Moonbag – A great way to carry your wet gear, whilst having something to stand on whilst changing out of it. £15 from Amazon and certainly an upgrade from carrier bags.
- Frostfire Towel Robe – A great towel that you wear whilst changing and keeping a little bit of decency. Not all OCRs have changing rooms! Around £20 from Amazon.
- Dry Robe – The essential purchase for anyone wanting to do more than a handful of OCRs. £95ish but very much a worthwhile investment – saved me from crossing into hypothermia on at least 2 occasions. A massive amount of room to change under whilst the merino wool will certainly keep you warm from the inconsistent weather in the UK.
- Compression base layers – Base layers help to keep you warm. Especially helpful if the weather is inclement or there is a lot of water / mud. Enertor range of base layers will keep you toasty and warm and with “BAWIL there is a 25% discount.
- Race Vest / T shirt – What I really mean is a top made of synthetic fibres which can wick away moisture quickly. Or will dry off quickly.
Note – Not cotton!
- Spare clothes – Well you need something to change into one you have finished.
- Hat – My hair is a mess after races. A hat helps to save my dignity
- Water / Protein Shake / Hydration tablets – It’s always good to stay hydrated, I use SIS hydration tablets with water and slowly sip through the morning before a race. Most races will have water stops and water at the end of the race so you generally wont need to carry any around with you.
- Food – Fuel up at the end of the race. I usually have a banana or bring my own sandwiches for after the race. The burger and chip stalls are too tempting!
- Medicine Bag – By this I mean everything else you may need. In mine I have paracetamol, antihistamines, spare contact lenses, body wipes, haribo and Trek bars from other Tough Mudder.
I’m sure this list of stuff isn’t as extensive as some, and I am sure others may think I over pack (I’m certain the people at the bag drop seem to think so!). If you have any top tips of what you should take, the drop me a line and share!

OCR kit bag
Get more stuff like this
Subscribe to my mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
[…] the race – Check out my post about kit bag here. Bin bag to get your muddy/dirty kit in and not get the rest of the car dirty. Couple of big beach […]