Top 10 Must Own Spartan Race Gear for Your Next OCR Race

If you’re going into battle, you would never do so without the right equipment — ammo for your gun and something to protect your head are key for success on the battlefield. Likewise in Spartan Race, you need the best Spartan Race gear. Spartan Race shoes, Spartan Race gloves, and proper Spartan Race apparel are all important if you want to make it out alive (or at least with a medal and a smile at the end of it).

We’ve conquered Spartan Sprint obstacles in the rain and Spartan Beast obstacles in the desert to find the very best Spartan Race gear to help you overcome any obstacle and give yourself the best chance for success. You need more than the best Spartan Race apparel to excel on the course! Below is our definitive list of the ten best pieces of equipment to own as you get ready to PR at your next (or first) Spartan Race.

Best Spartan Race Apparel

Best Spartan Race Shorts – Men: La Sportiva Men’s Aelous Running Short

Once we tried these out during a race, we knew we found our best Spartan Race shorts. They are lightweight and repel water easily, and will not catch on any brush or barbed wire. Love these!

Best Spartan Race Shorts – Women: Salomon Women’s Trail Runner Shorts

While a bit more expensive, we love these shorts because they stay in place whether you’re climbing, running downhill, crawling, rolling, or traversing a horizontal wall. They have a great shape, and will hold up race after race, year after year.

Check out more Spartan Race shorts in our dedicated review.

Best Tights: Second Skin Compression Tights

You will see more and more people wearing this brand of compression because it is some of the best on the market and easy to find at most major online retailers. This gear is made for Spartan men and women, and will keep you from cramping up during a race.

Best Shirt: UA HeatGear Armour Compression Shirt

Under Armour is one of the premier companies that makes affordable and practical Spartan Race tops, and their compression shirt is one of the best. The HeatGear technology keeps you dry, and it’s anti-odor protection will keep it from smelling funky year after year. If there is one shirt to wear throughout your Spartan Race season, it might be this one.

Best Spartan Race Jersey – Unisex: Legendborne

The unquestioned leader when it comes to representing a team, country, or cause, Legendborne makes the best quality and most recognized jersey in the game. These will look great after running it through the wash cycle, and you will definitely get some compliments out on the course with this best Spartan Race jersey.

Best Spartan Race Shoes

Best Spartan Race Shoes – Men: Inov-8 Men’s Mudclaw 300

There are a lot of people who swear by Salomon or Ice Bug for their best Spartan Race shoes, but for our money, it doesn’t get any better than Inov-8. Our favorite this year is the Mudclaw 300, while have strong treads for muddy races, but a good toe that will allow you to find grip and balance on technical obstacles.

Best Spartan Race Shoes – Women: Salomon Speedcross 4

While we were tempted to say another Inov-8 shoes for best Spartan Race shoe for women, we also wanted to point out that Salomon makes an incredible OCR shoe. These are some of the most durable shoes on the market, and provide a great mix of comfort on the course with technical specs that will allow you to blaze your way through your next race.

Best Spartan Race Gloves

Best Spartan Race Gloves: Under Armour Men’s Flux Half-Finger Training Gloves

The more things change, the more they stay the same. These were our favorite gloves the last time we listed our best Spartan Race gear, and they still are. They protect your palms while allowing your fingers to still get a grip on obstacles.

Check our our Spartan Race glove reviews.

Mechanix Wear M-Pact Covert Work / Duty Gloves MPT-55

When the weather cools down a bit, your grip tends to weaken. The Mechanix line of heavy duty gloves are great at keeping your fingers warm while allowing you to use your fingers and utilize grip. They don’t do great in water, so don’t use these in races with a lot of water, but for dry runs and cold races, these are perfect.

Best Spartan Race Socks

Best Spartan Race Socks: Dissent Ski GFX Compression Hybrid

Dissent isn’t the most well-known sock brand, but if you prefer long socks that will protect your legs and won’t hold water, these are a great investment. Great in warm and cold weather, these socks keep you feeling good, and the compression will help with circulation in your legs.

Read about more OCR socks in our dedicated review.

MudGear Compression Socks

If you prefer socks with a little more leg protection and don’t mind the compression feel, the MudGear compression socks are a great choice and you will find them all over Spartan courses. These socks also do well in wicking water and blister prevention. They can be a little tricky to put on, learn how in this video:

Best Spartan Race Nutritional Supplement: EndurElite Supplements

The whole lineup of pre-race, post-race, and training supplements are awesome and have taken many OCR athletes to the next level. We especially love their Pre-Workout mix, which has been proven to enhance VO2 max and allows for peak performance during training sessions and on race day.

Best Spartan Race Gear and Accessories

Best Spartan Race Cold Weather Ally: Dryrobe

There are lots of ways to look the part at a Spartan Race before and during the race, but one way to show people you came prepared is to don a Dryrobe after the race. While your friends are shivering waiting for their beer and bag, you’ll be warm and stylish, and ready to cheer on the next wave of racers crossing the finish line.

Best Spartan Race Warm Weather Ally: The Coldest Water Bottle

Fill this bad boy up with ice water when you leave your house or hotel room raceday morning, and it will be just as ice cold when you finish your race and are ready to rehydrate before getting that comped beer.