Best Gear
Our first picks for 24-hour, backyard and multiday races, chosen for the problems that only show up after many hours: feet that swell, batteries that die at 3 a.m., and a gut that stops accepting sweet gels. Each guide compares current specifications and prices and says who should choose each alternative.
Read our gear review methodology before using these guides for purchase decisions.
Best Shoes for 24-Hour Races (2026): Spec Comparison
First pick: HOKA Bondi 9
Our first pick for most 24-hour runners is the HOKA Bondi 9: plush cushioning, a 5 mm drop, a rocker that helps when you are walking late in the race, and regular, wide and extra-wide versions for feet that swell. Pick the New Balance More v6 if you want a 4 mm drop or need 4E, the Saucony Triumph 24 if weight matters most (8.8 oz), and the Altra Paradigm 8 only if you already run in zero-drop shoes. Buy the size that leaves about a thumb's width (1 cm) beyond your longest toe late in a long run. Specs and prices were checked between September 14 and October 3, 2026.
Best Headlamps for Ultrarunning (2026): Spec Comparison
First pick: Petzl NAO RL
Our first pick for night ultras is the Petzl NAO RL: reactive lighting that dims itself to save battery, a swappable battery, a rear red light, and 1,500 lumens maximum at 145 g. If $199.95 is too much, the BioLite HeadLamp 800 Pro gives 500 regulated lumens for 7 hours at $149.95. Carry a light backup such as the 47 g Nitecore NU25 MCT UL. Plan battery swaps on the setting you will actually run in, never on the boost figure.
Best Ultramarathon Nutrition (2026): Spec Comparison
First pick: Tailwind Endurance Fuel
Our first pick is Tailwind Endurance Fuel: one serving lists 50 g carbohydrate and 620 mg sodium, which matches our hourly defaults of about 50 g carbohydrate and 300–600 mg sodium in a single bottle. Add Maurten Gel 100 (25 g, no water needed) for the hours when you cannot drink much, and Spring Awesome Sauce (28 g, food-style) when sweet gels stop going down. PH 1500 and LMNT are sodium add-ons for heat or salty sweaters, not fuel. Drink to thirst whichever you choose.
Best GPS Watches for Ultrarunning (2026): Spec Comparison
First pick: Garmin Enduro 3
Our first pick is the Garmin Enduro 3: 120 hours of GPS-only recording (60 hours multi-band), maps, a flashlight and 63 g. That covers a 24-hour, 48-hour or 100-mile race with a wide margin, and most 200-mile finishes in GPS-only mode. The COROS VERTIX 2S is the cheaper long-battery pick at $699 launch price. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is rated for 25 hours of Extended Workout, so it covers a 24-hour race with almost no margin and needs a charge for anything longer. Choose a mode rated for at least 1.5 times your expected finish time.