Guide

Equipment tips for backyard ultras and long runs

15-5-2025

Translation: Megan Cornish

Running’s seen as a straightforward sport. But if you want to tackle a marathon or even longer distances, you’ll need some serious kit. Here are my top tips for your first backyard ultramarathon.

Considering a backyard ultra? A race where you complete a 6.706-kilometre loop as many times as you can in an hour. This type of race is ideal for anyone who wants to get used to ultra distance running and find out how far their feet can carry them.

I recently finished my first backyard ultra (website in German). Read on to find out what I experienced during the longest and craziest race I’ve ever run.

Background information
Backyard ultra: the craziest, funniest and longest race I’ve ever run
by Siri Schubert

Equipment plays a crucial role in a race like this. Here are my favourite items that I highly recommend and I’ll definitely be bringing to my next backyard ultra.

Race belts and running vests

If you regularly participate in fun runs, half marathons, or marathons, you’ll get the whole bib number thing. And the holes in your T-shirt caused by the safety pins. It annoys me every time.

At the backyard ultra, I wore a race belt for the first time – just for my bib number. It was super practical: no more holes in my shirt. I found it even more handy that the quick-release fastener made it easy to remove and put the racing belt back on whenever I changed into a fresh running shirt, jacket, or vest. You can also attach energy bars and gels to it using the elastic loops. I haven’t tried that, though. I’ll be taking this belt with me to all future running events.

Running accessories

Compressport Race Belt

I also wore Compressport’s wider running belt – the Free Belt Pro – for the first part of the race, using it to store a 500-millilitre water bottle, as well as energy gels and bars.

Running accessories

Compressport Free Belt Pro

As the evening got cooler, I switched to my running vest. It has space for drinks, energy bars and a lightweight wind and rainproof jacket that I can easily stow away when I no longer need it.

Backpacks

Nnormal Race Vest

5 l

Sunglasses for better vision

Until now, I’ve generally found glasses annoying while running. They either fogged up or were too tight. My previous pairs didn’t handle the transition from light to dark particularly well either. This time, I wore the superlight Piuma glasses by Out Of. I barely felt them, yet I still had a clear view – stay tuned for a more detailed review.

Sports glasses

Out Of Piuma

Carbon, Grilamid, Loto Photochromic

Illuminating headlamp

I enjoy running in the dark. I like how everything’s quieter, allowing me to focus on running and the sounds around me. Depending on your start time, you’ll run part of an ultramarathon in the dark. My favourite headlamp’s the Silva Trail Runner Free 2. It’s bright, stays in place thanks to the silicone strip and takes both rechargeable and standard AAA batteries. There’s now also an ultra version with an even longer battery life.

Headlamps

Silva Trail Runner Free 2

450 lm

Size-adjustable high-vis vest

If you enjoy running at dawn or dusk or at night, a high-vis vest’s a good idea. It was mandatory for the backyard ultra. I ran in the Connect LED vest. The red LED lights on the back give you additional visibility. Plus, the Velcro fasteners make it easily adjustable, so I can also wear it over my running vest with a hydration bladder.

High visibility jackets

Connect LED

One size

Socks for almost blister-free feet

In a normal marathon, you probably won’t have the luxury, but during the backyard ultra, you can change socks during breaks. It was a real treat for my feet to put on fresh, dry socks every few laps. I had almost no blisters after 60 kilometres. It also helped me mentally, because feeling fresh gives me new motivation. I know not everyone likes toe socks, but I like to alternate between running socks and toe socks.

Socks

Mikasa Tough Runner Zehensocken toe socks, 394061

40 - 43

Running shoes to swap

When the distances get longer, feet like variety. Almost all the runners at the backyard ultra wore several different pairs of shoes. I thought it was great to slip into different running shoes after a few laps. This way, my feet, muscles, and joints weren’t put under quite so much strain. I ran in various Mount to Coast trainers, which were developed specifically for ultra running but which we currently don’t have in our range. I also ran in the Prodigio shoes by La Sportiva, as they offer me the right mix of cushioning and stability. I’ll also be reviewing the successor model – the Prodigio Pro – soon.

Running shoes

La Sportiva Prodigio

Blister plasters and anti-chafing sticks

Speaking of feet, I didn’t need them this time, but I was still glad I had blister plasters with me – just in case. If you develop painful blisters, you can treat them immediately and prevent infection. To prevent chafing, I rubbed my feet with the Body Glide anti-chafe stick as a precaution – and it seems to have worked.

Lubricants

Body Glide Foot

Shirts and shorts

We set off in beautiful weather. For the first few laps, it was important to me to wear a light, moisture-wicking t-shirt. I chose the Odlo Zeroweight Chill-Tec shirt. After three laps, I felt the need for a fresh top. This time – for motivation as well as comfort – I put on a t-shirt from a past competition that meant a lot to me. Later, when it got cooler, I opted for two layers. The X-Bionic Invent 4.0 functional shirt was a particularly important pick for me. It regulates temperature and feels soft and very comfortable against the skin. I opted for the X-Bionic Run Speed shorts because they offer light compression and don’t rub.

Functional undershirts

X-Bionic Invent 4.0

Wind and rainproof jackets

Temperature management was one of the challenges of the run. It was especially important not to get cold during breaks and at the start of a new lap. So I brought the Vertical Wind jacket from Dynafit, which, at around 100 grammes, is easy to stash in my running belt or race vest. It was a breeze to put the jacket on and take it off as needed during the race. Although it wasn’t raining this time, I also brought the running jacket from the Mac in a Sac Venture series just in case. I’d already tested this jacket and other Mac in a Sac products.

Camping chairs for the break

Admittedly, chairs aren’t part of my typical running kit. But I like to have them in my car when I want to rest my legs after a long run. They weren’t essential at the backyard ultra, but they were very welcome. I enjoyed putting my feet up and relaxing between laps.

You might be wondering why I haven’t said a word about food and drink. That’s because nutrition’s very personal. I opted for a mix of gels and solid foods like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, rice pudding and gluten-free pretzel sticks. Something else might be right for you – you’ll have to experiment.

In any case, I hope my kit list’s given you some useful tips.

What running gear can’t you live without? Let us know in the comments.*

Header image: Siri Schubert

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Siri Schubert

Senior Editor

Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.ch

Research diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.

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