F3 Naperville Gear Guide
What you need for the gloom
If you are an FNG you may find out that your worn out jeans or that old high school cotton t-shirt might make you chaff and weigh you down. Here are some recommendations on what to bring into the Gloom and make your experience a thousand times more enjoyable as you make your self miserable with burpees, running, and chest presses.
Table of Contents
Recommended Workout Gear For All F3 Bootamps
Some basic gear that is going to make your F3 workout experience more enjoyable.
Shoes
A good pair of shoes will keep you on your toes. If this is your first time buying shoes we recommend going to a local running store to get properly fitted. Click for some ideas where buy from local stores in the region.
Click on the image to see a list of local shoe stores in the region.
Nitrile or Latex Dipped Work/Garden Gloves.
You can go to Menards and pick up a pair for pretty cheap. We recommend avoiding leather, get something that breathes on the top side of your hand.
Click on the image to see list and links of gear that might help you in the gloom.
Coupons
This is just a standard 36 lb 8 x 8 x 16 Regular Construction Block you can get at Menards and usually receive at your first workout. The pre-blast from the Q in our Slack Channel will tell you if a coupon is being used in the workout or not.
Coupons do break easily (Especially when dropped in a parking lot) so having an extra one or two stashed around the outside of your house doesn't hurt. Have fun customizing your coupon to make it your own, see our Coupon Gallery for ideas.
Click on the image to see list and links of gear that might help you in the gloom.
Headlamps
Headlamps can be handy for early morning runs through the woods/paths that are not lit.
Click on the image to see list and links of gear that might help you in the gloom.
Car Seat cover or a Towel
Sweat, Snow, Rain, Sleet, etc, one way or another you may end up wet and dirty and want to keep your car seat as clean and dry as possible.
Click on the image to see list and links of gear that might help you in the gloom.
Sweat Wicking Workout Clothes
Cotton is NOT a good base layer, it absorbs moisture and keeps your body cold in cold weather, make sure your base layer is moisture wicking, cotton can be second layer though.
We have some loose guides on what may help some guys running hotter/colder than others.
Click on the image to see a list of local and online shopping options.
Spare Clothes
You'll at least want an extra shirt or hoodie especially if you go out for coffeeteria after the workout you may want to change your shirt.
Click on the image to see a list of local and online shopping options.
Workout Gear Layering Guide for The Weather
F3 Workouts are held outdoors regardless of rain or snow, and heat or cold.
These are just some loose guides on what may help some guys running hotter/colder than others. Also keep in mind as you get moving you may want to take off one of your top layers. Adjust for windchill, humidity and personal preference.
Very Important: Cotton is the enemy! Cotton is NOT a good base layer, it absorbs moisture and keeps your body cold in cold weather, make sure your base layer is moisture wicking, cotton can be second layer though.
Outdoor Temperatures Greater Then 50° F(> 10° C)
- Moisture wicking workout t-shirt and shorts make a great base layer.
Outdoor Temperatures Between 40° to 50° F (4° to 10° C)
- Swap out your short sleeve shirt for a long sleeve shirt and/or light pants.
Outdoor Temperatures Between 30° to 40° F (-1° to 10° 4° C)
- Either light workout pants or a set of base layers under shorts and t-shirt.
- Headband/hat especially for those with less hair like me.
Outdoor Temperatures Between 20-30 degrees
- Thermal base layer top/bottom with long pants and long sleeve shirt.
- Thicker Nitrile Gloves or wool liners under your normal gloves.
- Earmuffs/headband/hat especially for those with less hair like me.
- Merino wool socks
Outdoor Temperatures Between 10° to 20° F (degrees
- Base layers top/bottom
- Thicker sweat pants
- Long sleeve shirt and a sweatshirt or hoodie
- Balaclava or Facemask and hat
- Thicker Nitrile Gloves or wool liners under your normal gloves.
- Merino wool socks
- Gortex/Waterproof shoes
Outdoor Temperatures Below 30° F (<-6° C)
- Base layers top/bottom
- Thicker sweat pants or snow pants
- Long sleeve shirt and jacket or hoodie
- Balaclava or Facemask and hat
- Two pairs of socks
- Injinji Toe socks work good as a baselayer sock
- Merino Wool as a second layer
- Wool Liners along with mittens
- Boots or Gortex/Waterproof Shoes
Gloom Workout Laying Guide
If your gonna be miserable in the gloom working out might as well be comfortable doing it in the various weather conditions.
Local and Online Retail Stores to Buy Workout Gear
The official source for F3 gear and apparel.
F3 MudGear Store
MudGear is a new brand of strongly functional performance apparel designed for obstacle racers and athletes pursuing an intense, active, outdoor lifestyle. MudGear is not for jogging on a treadmill next to a plastic fern or impressing a personal trainer. MudGear is for real badasses who like to get dirty and go hard. A portion of the proceeds help the National F3 Foundation.
Here are a list of favorite items and stores that local F3 Naperville PAX have used over the years. Click on an item to check out the website in a new window.
NOTE: MudGear is official store of F3 Nation and everything else is not endorsed.
F3 Naperville Custom MudGear Sales
Twice a year our region’s Gear Q will coordinate with Mud Gear to get select gear printed with our AO’s logo. Please see our NEWS page or follow us on Instagram or keep posted in our Slack channel for the latest region opportunities.
Accessories Ideas
Some recommendations on what to purchase. Below just some of the favorite items that PAX have used over the years (Click the item name to open the link of recommended, NOT Official Endorsed, items)
Coupon
- 8x8x16 36lb Cinder Block
- Don’t forget to visit the Coupon Gallery for ideas on making it your own.
- If you are injured and need to modify there are smaller/half size blocks you can get as well.
Gloves
- Latex Dipped Work Gloves
- Insulated Work Gloves
- Winter Lined Nitrile Dipped Gloves (At Farm and Fleet)
- Wool Glove Liners
- Fleece Lined Mittens
- Three Finger Sherpa Lined Mittens
Socks
Base layers
Head
- Balaclava
- Sweatband/Headband
- Bug Net (The gnats can get annoying in the summer especially during a run)
- Mask Bracket (Makes it much easier to workout with a COVID Mask on)
Lights/Headlamps
- Vont Bike Lights (For Bike Club Workouts)
- Note the headlight is not bright enough for really dark rides, it’s more for visibility for others to see you.
- Vont Spark Headlamp (Inexpensive)
- Black Diamond Headlamp
Hand warmers
There are many to choose from these are just two that I have used and work well for me. They are nice for cold weather coffeteria but also useful as a portable charger for your phone
Ruck Sacs For Rucking
You can start out with an old backpack/laptop bag but if you are going to get into some serious weights you will want a good bag that holds the weight nice and tight to your back especially during any PT.
GoRuck Ruck Sacks are probably the most common you will find in use for F3 Naperville: https://www.goruck.com/collections/rucksacks
There is usually a monthly discount code you can find in the #ruck_hq channel on the F3 Naperville Slack workspace.
Ruck Sacks and Ruck Accessories
- GoRuck Rucksacks
- Padded Hipbelt
- Sternum Strap
- Reflective Straps (Weave them into the molle straps)
- 3L Hydration Bladder
Additional reading about Ruck sacks
Beyond that here are a few articles about what ruck sacks you might consider looking at:
https://taskandpurpose.com/gear/best-rucking-backpacks/
https://abrotherabroad.com/best-backpacks-for-rucking/
