Survival Race Kit List

What you need to bring

This is a two-day, team-based survival race. You’ll be navigating by map and compass, moving through varied landscapes, and camping overnight.

You don’t need ultra-light gear or military kit — but everything on this list matters.
Some mystery is intentional.

What Each Person Must Carry

Sleeping & Camp

• Sleeping bag – suitable for outdoor nights
  As a guide, a comfort rating of 5°C or lower is appropriate for May–September UK conditions

• Sleeping mat

• Lightweight tent, bivvy bag, or tarp
  (tents can be shared between teammates)

• Hammock (optional – Glastonbury & Wye Valley editions only)
  Hammocks are possible, but suitable trees are limited and shared.
  If you bring one, be prepared to sleep on the ground if needed.

Clothing

• Waterproof jacket (essential)

• Warm layer (fleece, jumper, or insulated layer)

• Trail shoes or walking boots (well broken-in)

• Walking trousers or shorts

• Sun hat or cap

• Warm hat (recommended for evenings and mornings)

• Spare socks (strongly recommended)

• Spare underwear (optional)

• Sunglasses (optional)

• Swimming costume (optional)
  Some routes may pass rivers or the sea. Swimming is optional and entirely at your own risk.
  Only swim where it is clearly safe to do so and does not delay your team.

Food & Water

• Food for 2 days
  Bring enough food to keep you fuelled while walking long hours with a pack.
  As a rough guide, around 2,000–2,500 calories per day works for most people — more if you’re larger or burn through energy quickly.
  Dense, simple food works best.

• Minimum 2 litres water carrying capacity
  Water refills will be available along the route, but you must be able to carry enough between refill points.

• Cup or bowl + utensil

• Tin mug or insulated mug (optional but recommended)
  For hot drinks at camp in the evening and morning.

• Stove and fuel (optional, can be shared within your team)

Important:
You will not be able to light your own campfires at the campsite.
Do not rely on fires for cooking or heating food.
Lightweight hiking meals that only require hot water (e.g. freeze-dried expedition-style meals) are a good way to save weight and simplify cooking.

Navigation & Essentials

• Map case or waterproof bag

• Pen / biro

• Head torch (essential) + spare batteries

• Emergency phone – fully charged
  (this will be sealed away at the start — we will provide the tamper-evident bag)

• Power bank

• Emergency cash – max £10
  (we will provide an envelope for this to be sealed away in)

• Bank card – sealed

Phone & Cash Rules (Important)

• Phones are sealed at the start of the race using tamper-evident envelopes provided.
  Opening or using your phone (outside of a genuine emergency) will result in a significant time penalty or disqualification.

• Emergency cash must be sealed at the start.

• Cash may be unsealed if you choose to use it (e.g. an unplanned pub stop), but opening it carries a time penalty.

This is still a no-phone, no-money race.
These rules exist to protect the experience, not to catch people out.

Personal First Aid

• Personal medication (if required)

• Paracetamol or similar

• Antihistamines (recommended)

• Blister plasters / basic foot care (essential)