Desert Kit List: Clothing

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Clothing for Marathon Des Sables and similar races

Many people wonder what the best option for clothing is when running in a hot desert environment. The reality is that it is much a matter of personal preference, however, we do believe that the following is important:

• A well-constructed garment that has seams placed strategically in order to minimise chafing
• A quality, lightweight material that wicks away your sweat, breathes well and that is comfortable against the skin

Below you will find a few popular clothing choices for races such as the Marathon des Sables. Also, see the Q&A for further information and check out our full range for further options. We recommend browsing the following brands to find your ideal clothing options for the Marathon Des Sables:

• Shirts and Bottoms: La Sportiva, X-Bionic, Raidlight, Compressport
• Down jackets: Yeti, Raidlight
• Mid Layers and Wind Jackets: Haglofs, Montane, La Sportiva, Raidlight

Common questions we get include:

Is it best to wear black or light colours such as white in the desert?

You may have seen Bedouins in the desert wearing long black robes and automatically assuming that black, therefore, may be a natural choice for the desert. In 1980, Scientists from Harvard and Tel Aviv University ran an experiment and wrote a study called Why Do Bedouins Wear Black Robes in Hot Deserts?, published in the journal Nature. They concluded that “The amount of heat gained by a Bedouin exposed to the hot desert is the same whether he wears a black or a white robe. The additional heat absorbed by the black robe was lost before it reached the skin.” They also noted that cooling under the loose robes wore by the Bedouins happen through convection, as hot air rises between the skin and the robe, or as the robe flows in the wind. If you dig into this subject you will probably find that it is a complicated matter and that the best choice may depend on the thickness of the garment worn, whether it is loose-fitting or tight-fitting, whether you are in the shade or in the sun, and what the wind conditions are. We have raced the MDS and similar races in white, black, blue, yellow, pink and green, in tight fitting and loose fitting clothes, and frankly, we have not been able to notice a difference. It gets very hot regardless!

Should I have tight-fitting or loose-fitting clothes?

Further to the question above, white or light colours are probably a better choice if you opt for tight-fitting clothes. A loose fitting T-shirt can be comfortable in a hot dry climate as it dries quickly and you get some airflow through. However, loose-fitting clothes are not always ideal with a backpack as the fabric can gather up in places or ride up on your back due to the movement of the backpack. This, in turn, can be annoying and also cause rubbing. Therefore, a tight-fitting shirt may be more practical to wear with a backpack. Whether a loose fitting shirt will be problematic is dependent on the shirt, the backpack and the wearer. No combination will work the same on two different people as it comes down to how well the backpack fits and the movement of the runner. We have tried both tight and loose fitting shirts and both work well. Go with what you feel more comfortable in.

When it comes to shorts many may prefer loose fitting for modesty reasons. Just consider that loose fitting shorts may cause some chafing between the thighs with movement. This can be prevented by using a good anti-chafing product such as Gurney Goo. Just bring a small tube or two and apply in the morning on risk areas.

Do I need long sleeves for sun protection?

The short answer is no. Unless your skin is extremely sensitive to sunburn. A long-sleeved shirt may be warmer though the Raidlight Desert Top offers an excellent, very thin alternative and with UPF25 protection built into the fabric. A very flexible middle ground can be to use a T-shirt with separate arm sleeves. This wat you can use the arm sleeves for sun protection, and you can also use them to complement the T-shirt if you get cold during the night of the long stage or in camp at night. If you were thinking of bringing a long-sleeved shirt as an extra warm layer, then a T-shirt plus arm sleeves will be a lighter solution. Check out the Outdoor Research Active Ice cooling arm sleeves with UPF25 or the X-Bionic Energy Accumulator Summerlight. Both are great options. If you are very worried about sun protection you can also consider Outdoor Research’s Chroma Sun Gloves. They work particularly well for walkers using poles as gloves protect the hands from getting blistered.

Should I have a shirt with sun protection factor?

All clothing offers some degree of UV protection, however, a fabric that has been treated to specifically protect from UV radiation will offer more protection. For example, a normal, untreated white T-shirt may offer UPF or around 7, whereas a treated T-shirt typically offers around UPF25 to 30. If you have a history of skin cancer or if this is a concern, you may want to consider a UV protection treated fabric. It is also possible to wash or spray in UV protection in a garment and there are several products on the market for this. The majority of people don’t opt for UV protection treated garments for a race like the MDS. We recommend that you use a quality sun cream such as Tingerlaat.

What spare clothes do I need for the evening?

During the evening the temperature drops. We recommend a lightweight down jacket and you can also sleep in this in your sleeping bag. Down offers the best weight to warmth ratio which means that you can pack very light and still be warm. Most people then wear their running clothes in the evening. If you would like something to change into then a spare pair of lightweight shorts and/or a lightweight T-shirt could be options. Cold is really only a concern for the upper body and long cover for the legs is normally not needed. If, for ethical or budget reasons you don’t want to consider a down jacket, then a lightweight base layer plus a wind jacket could be a good option to stay warm at night.

Should I wear underwear?

Whether you go commando or wear underwear is much a matter of personal preference. If you opt for underwear, make sure it is of good quality in order to avoid chafing. Boxershorts can cause chafing on the inside of the thighs and it is often better to go for briefs. X-Bionic offers a great range of underwear which minimises the risk of chafing. It has been tried and tested in MDS by us. We recommend the briefs for men or the briefs or thongs for women (go one size up from your normal in the thongs as they run quite small). If you bring some soap leaves or a small piece of soap you can wash at the end of the day so if you bring two pairs and alternate, you can stay clean. X-Bionic garments have odour control and they stay fresher longer than other garments without this, which is also worth considering, not just when it comes to underwear.

Suitable Running Tops

*Weight is size M and either manufacturer stated weight or a sample weighed by us. There may be small variations in weight between individual garments and weight may change due to manufacturer product updates.

Suitable Shorts & Tights

There are many choices for running legwear. Tights might prevent sand from entering and causing chafing but loose-fitting shorts can provide good ventilation. Ultimately it is about your preferences and what matters to you. We recommend a short-length for the desert but you can opt for 3/4 if you want more coverage. Or, combine with calf guards for that extra coverage and enhanced recovery for your lower legs. Marathon des Sables MDS at myRacekit

Also, see the underwear section. If you invest in a good pair of tights it would be a shame if you got chafing because you didn’t consider the suitability of your underwear for long days of running and sweating!!

*Weight is size M and a sample weighed by us, there may be small variations in weight between individual garments Marathon des Sables MDS at myRacekit

Suitable Underwear

To wear or not to wear underwear that is the question! Only you can decide but we think it’s a good idea for two reasons: firstly (and especially for the men) it reduces the risk for chafing significantly and secondly it is much more hygienic. At least if you change or wash at some point during the race. If you want underwear then we cannot recommend X-Bionic highly enough. The fabric is soft and moisture-wicking and made primarily from Skin NODOR® they stay fresh for longer. No unnecessary seams. Marathon des Sables MDS at myRacekit

*Weight is size M and a sample weighed by us or manufacturers information, there may be small variations in weight between individual garments Marathon des Sables MDS at myRacekit

Clothes for Camp

How much clothes you bring to stay warm at night is a choice entirely based on your required level of comfort and your race ambitions. We recommend where possible to keep weight down and focus only on what you really need, however, if your aim is just to finish and you want that extra comfort then we have some lightweight options available (freezing all the time is not so much fun though you can always snuggle up in your sleeping bag). A windproof is good under any circumstances as it will also serve as a protective layer in the event of a sand storm or for the colder hours of running during the night of the long stage. Marathon des Sables MDS at myRacekit

Temperature can vary from year to year and from day to day during the week. If you are unsure how much clothes you will need, then pack a couple of options and use the first night in camp before the race to make a call. What you don’t need can go in your main luggage that you hand in the following day. Food also helps to keep you warm, therefore with a combination of minimum kit and minimum calories you can expect to feel a bit cold. Note that if you are taking part in a 4Deserts event or Grand to Grand, there will be mandatory requirements on warm clothing, be sure to check their kit list. If your race requires a waterproof jacket then browse our range of waterproof jackets for men here and for women here.

*Weight is size M and a sample weighed by us, there may be small variations in weight between individual garments Marathon des Sables MDS at myRacekit

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