Advice for Tough Mudder Clothing

MSeel1984
MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
So I'm looking around at prices for t shirts for my team (we're doing the Tough Mudder in the fall) and want to look for something that dries quickly...It's pretty darn warm out here in the fall (doesn't usually cool off until mid November). So I'm not worried about bein cold, but I've been told to avoid fabrics like cotton that stay damp for a while...

Any advice from people who have done TM before with regard to fabrics for shorts and shirts? Thanks!

Replies

  • tlcarolinagirl
    tlcarolinagirl Posts: 1,700 Member
    I am interested in an answer to this as well, though not sure we'll get much here in the Chit-Chat section.

    I haven't done a TM yet, but I've done other mud runs (my first TM is in 6 weeks), and I will say, make sure to not have one that's loose fitting. I made the mistake of wearing a loose fitting tank on my first mud run and it was so heavily weighed down, I ended up in just my sports bra at the end. The second run, I wore a tight fitting Under Armour Heat Gear tank and it worked perfectly. It wasn't cotton...it's like a mesh material. I'm too lazy to go see what it's made of.

    For shorts...Spandex. Something tight fitting on your legs so you don't get mud and sticks in your panties. Be careful of your knees, though. My biggest issue on mud runs is tearing up my knees. I literally bleed the entire run from all the crawling on my knees. So painful during the run and the day after.

    Good luck!
  • rm33064
    rm33064 Posts: 270 Member
    Why not just wear the runner gear that wicks away moisture?
  • JenniCali1000
    JenniCali1000 Posts: 646 Member
    Why not just wear the runner gear that wicks away moisture?
    [/quote

    That's what I have done on mud runs. No matter what, you end up a complete mess, so just go with it ;)
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    I am interested in an answer to this as well, though not sure we'll get much here in the Chit-Chat section.

    I haven't done a TM yet, but I've done other mud runs (my first TM is in 6 weeks), and I will say, make sure to not have one that's loose fitting. I made the mistake of wearing a loose fitting tank on my first mud run and it was so heavily weighed down, I ended up in just my sports bra at the end. The second run, I wore a tight fitting Under Armour Heat Gear tank and it worked perfectly. It wasn't cotton...it's like a mesh material. I'm too lazy to go see what it's made of.

    For shorts...Spandex. Something tight fitting on your legs so you don't get mud and sticks in your panties. Be careful of your knees, though. My biggest issue on mud runs is tearing up my knees. I literally bleed the entire run from all the crawling on my knees. So painful during the run and the day after.

    Good luck!

    Hey, thanks for the advice. Looks like I'll need to go shopping :)

    Yeah-I was hoping to have some shirts custom made for our team "The Cobra Kai"...but I may end up having everyone get like yellow under armor and then get the iron-on emblem for the shirts.
  • eganita
    eganita Posts: 501 Member
    My team ordered these! :)
    http://www.customink.com/styles/badger-b-dry-ladies-performance-shirt/160900 (this is the women's style, but there is also a men's style). We had great luck with that company... came earlier than scheduled and the design looked great. Any similar style shirt would work well I think. This kind of fabric dries pretty quickly.

    I wore compression capris on the bottom. That seemed to work pretty well for me... they dried out reasonably fast and helped protect my knees and such without being too hot like full pants may be (it was a pretty mild-ish weather day for summer in Pittsburgh for our TM)

    I got fancy toe socks which I think may have been this brand... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZFN4YK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004ZFN4YK&linkCode=as2&tag=la0ef-20 They seemed to work well in combination with the SPEEDCROSS 3 shoes. :)

    Make sure to bring a change of clothes!! I was able to rinse MOST of the dirt off.... and then put on a fresh set of clothes (including underwear!! That felt good!!!) Flip flops also may be a good idea.... it gets really gross near the showers due to all of the water/mud. Granted, flip flops may even get stuck in the mud...

    Let me know if you have any questions for me!
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Tight, sleeveless and preferably something moisture wicking. You want as little fabric as possible because the mud will start to weigh you down pretty quickly. For ladies, sleeves may be less of a problem, but for dudes, sleeves can lead to nipple chafing, which is torture at the end of a mudder. Definitely bring a change of clothes, a towel and a bag for muddy clothes. Some food for after (I like clif bars, personally) also helps. I was able to get pretty much all of the mud out of everything I wore to the mudder.

    ETA: A good pair of gloves can also be a life saver on some of the climbing challenges.
  • T_R_A_V
    T_R_A_V Posts: 1,629 Member
    I have done it 3 times

    Guys - shirtless and short running shorts

    Girls - tight shorts like the ones girls wear for volleyball....and a tight tank top or sports bra
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Tight, sleeveless and preferably something moisture wicking. You want as little fabric as possible because the mud will start to weigh you down pretty quickly. For ladies, sleeves may be less of a problem, but for dudes, sleeves can lead to nipple chafing, which is torture at the end of a mudder. Definitely bring a change of clothes, a towel and a bag for muddy clothes. Some food for after (I like clif bars, personally) also helps. I was able to get pretty much all of the mud out of everything I wore to the mudder.

    ETA: A good pair of gloves can also be a life saver on some of the climbing challenges.

    I do have the gloves, great shoes for trail/mud/pavement (I bought those last summer-figure there's no point in buying brand new shoes only to ruin them in the mud).
    Change of clothes-good call.

    And I'll DEFINITELY be packing snacks. As geeky as it is I may need a fanny pack or something packed with snacks (or at least glucose shots) because I have type I diabetes so I don't want to be getting low blood sugar the whole time.
  • ilfaith
    ilfaith Posts: 16,769 Member
    Adult diapers?

    Public Health Officials Link Tough Mudder Races to Getting Explosive Diarrhea
    ...

    http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/05/02/tough_mudder_diarrhea_cdc_report_indicates_popular_events_might_be_races.html
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Adult diapers?

    Public Health Officials Link Tough Mudder Races to Getting Explosive Diarrhea
    ...

    http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/05/02/tough_mudder_diarrhea_cdc_report_indicates_popular_events_might_be_races.html

    .......