So, you’ve entered the Macpac Motatapu… but are you race-ready? There’s so much more to preparing for a race than training – you need to be ready for every scenario, and that’s where your gear can make the difference. With that in mind, we’ve put together a Macpac Motatapu essential gear list! Conditions around Queenstown in March are generally pleasant, but they can be unpredictable. This is an alpine environment after all, and both freezing and sweltering temperatures are not unheard of in the Autumn months. If there’s one thing we’ve learned in our years of competing in some of the toughest races in New Zealand and beyond, it’s that conditions can quickly turn nasty, and you should always be confident that your gear will not only keep you comfortable, but safe too.
There is an official mandatory Motatapu gear list – but treat it as the bare minimum you’ll need for safety. You can never be too prepared. Make sure you check out the full list of mandatory gear for each event (available on the Motatapu website) before you start to build out your kit. There are different gear requirements for each event, so scan the list for your event carefully. If you don’t tick everything off at the gear check pre-event, you won’t be allowed to race.
Baselayers (top)
Our softest performance tee, the Eyre is designed to be moisture wicking and breathable — plus it’s engineered with Polygiene® odour control technology to keep you feeling fresh on the trails.
Baselayers (bottom)
Caples Trail Shorts – Men’s and Women’s
Light, moisture wicking and fast drying, the Caples Shorts are designed for trail running. Made from a 100% recycled polyester outer fabric, these shorts feature an internal knitted mesh brief for extra support and moisture-wicking coverage. A secure zipped pocket on waistband and two waistband stash pockets are perfect for small essentials.
Fast Track Shorts – Men’s and Women’s
Named for the fast-intensity adventures they’re designed to thrive on, our Fast Track Shorts are an ideal choice for triathletes. Made with a lightweight blend of nylon and elastane, these shorts are tough and optimised for freedom of movement. The fabric is also quick-drying, so they’re perfect for sweaty runs or drying out any residual moisture after the swim leg. They feature zipped pockets with reflective detailing for safety and visibility, and have a comfortable regular fit.
Trekker Pertex® Equilibrium Softshell Shorts — Men’s & Women’s
Doing the Mountain Bike event? Look no further than the Trekker shorts, designed for protection and comfort on fast-paced rides. Made from Pertex® Equilibrium fabric, they move moisture away from your skin to keep you dry on high intensity rides. They’re also optimised for freedom of movement with a generous four-way stretch so you’re not restricted on tough sections of the race.
Waterproof layers (top)
Macpac Tempo Pertex® Rain Jacket — Men’s & Women’s
In competitive multi-sport, we know how a good fast-and-light rain jacket can make all the difference when the weather turns sour. The Tempo features innovative Pertex® Shield Air fabric technology for highly breathable, waterproof protection on the go, ideal for highly active adventure racers.
Waterproof layers (bottom)
Mapcac Nazomi Pertex® Rain Pants – Men’s and Women’s
You don’t want to be carrying extra weight in your race pack, so these lightweight, windproof and waterproof pants are a great option. Designed for harsh environments, these pants were designed in partnership with the New Zealand Alpine Team, to balance performance, durability and weight. To save space and for easy portability, you can tuck the pants into their internal mesh pocket.
Packs
Amp Ultra Vest (Coming soon!)
Designed to suit the specific needs of technical trail running, the Amp Ultra Vest has a 6 litre capacity, and fits snugly against your body, with dual ‘hook and loop’ bungee chest straps, so you can better secure the vest to your body during activity. A large back pocket fits your hydration bladder, while a wrap-around pocket is perfect for stashing extra layers and snacks. The vest also comes with two HydraPak 500 ml soft bottles. Note: this product will be back in stock in mid-Feb.
Multi-sport athlete and Macpac ambassador Braden Currie shows us how he packs his Amp Ultra running vest for race day:
