Preparing for The Lap ultra trail race around Windermere? The complete kit list — mandatory gear, clothing layers, hydration, and what to carry for 47 miles of Lake District trail.
The Lap is a 47-mile trail ultra circumnavigating Windermere. It's a stunning route, but the Lake District will test your kit. Spring weather means changeable conditions, wet trails, and the possibility of cold nights if you're running through to the early hours. Pack smart, pack light, pack Lap-ready.
Leave plenty of time to check out the official mandatory kit list before race day. It is common practice to have your kit spot checked at registration. Don't cut corners here.
Mandatory Kit
The guidance below reflects typical requirements and what experienced fell runners carry.
- Waterproof jacket with hood and fully taped seams — Gravitas is built for exactly this. Sub-300g, 3-layer, 20,000HH rated, fully taped and rolls away into a small bag should you be lucky enough to not need it. Mens | Womens
- Waterproof trousers — Parallax weigh about the same as your average sandwich, with an articulated cut they offer full freedom of movement. Just like the waterproof jackets these waterproof trousers have a spec which matches perfectly to trail running - 20K HH and 20K MVTR. Mens | Womens
- Fully charged headtorch (plus spare) — Qark led headtorch is a great choice. Note powerbanks and spare batteries are not permitted - so consider lightweight Ionic headtorch or Graviton as your spare.
- Whistle — Williams Whistle
- Compass — The Lap will be a well marked route around Windermere, however it is a good opportunity to put your navigation skills to the test with a map and compass.
- Emergency shelter — Survival Bag or Kloke
- First aid kit including blister treatment
- Mobile phone (fully charged)
- Minimum 1 litre water capacity - Our Bota 2 litre hydration bladder means you can drink on the move.
- Emergency food
Running Vest and Pack for The Lap
Most Lap runners use a running vest in the 10–25 litre range. You need easy front-pocket access for food and phone, and enough room to stow a jacket that's actually warm enough when the weather turns.
- Artlu 10 — running vest for faster, lighter packing
- Idris 25 — more capacity if you're planning checkpoint-to-checkpoint self-sufficiency
- Keep your kit dry - a lightweight dry bag adds a few graminos to your weight but pays that back in pounds with the reassurance your emergency kit is going to be dry when you need it.
Clothing for the Lake District in Spring
Windermere in spring is beautiful. It's also wet, changeable, and cold on exposed sections after dark. Build your layers around the assumption that conditions will be worse than the forecast.
- Gravitas Waterproof jacket — Mens | Womens
- Parallax Waterproof trousers — Mens | Womens
- Griffon hooded fleece Mid layer — Mens | Womens (synthetic, works when damp)
- Base layer — synthetic Mens | Womens or natural fibre Mens | Womens
- Gloves — Specta running gloves - with pullover mitts for extra warmth should the cold bite.
- Hat / neck gaiter — Merino wool neck gaiter
Hydration and Nutrition
The Lap is a supported race with checkpoints — which means you can plan fuelling around crew stops. But carry enough between points. The Lake District terrain is uneven and distances between checkpoints vary.
- Bota 2L hydration bladder
- Swiglet soft flasks for front pocket access
- Mix of gels, bars, and real food — savoury options become essential after hour six
- Electrolyte tablets or electrolyte sweets for the later miles
Trail Shoes, Socks, and Gaiters for The Lap
47 miles of Lake District trail. Wet ground is almost guaranteed. Your feet will thank you for this prep:
- Trail shoes with proven grip in mud — broken in on long training runs
- Moisture-wicking socks with seamless toe construction
- Spare socks at your first drop bag
- Kantju trail running gaiters for the muddy sections
- Anti-chafing balm and blister kit (tape, Compeed, needle)
Night Running Kit: Headtorch and Layers
Depending on your pace, you may be running through dusk or into the early hours. Prepare for it even if you're aiming to finish in daylight.
- Qark headtorch — minimum 200 lumens, USB rechargeable, fits over a beanie
- Spare headtorch
- Warmer gloves and hat accessible in your pack, not buried at the bottom
More Ultra Kit Guides
This guide covers Lap-specific essentials. For a comprehensive breakdown of ultramarathon kit across all categories, read our complete ultramarathon kit list. For choosing the right pack for race day, see our trail running backpack guide.
Ready to enter? Find out more about The Lap race.