Mandatory Kit - What's Required
Community Jacket Picks
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For footwear, clothing and poles: where possible, try before you buy - visit a specialist running shop, borrow from a friend, or try kit at an event. Fit and feel matters enormously over 70 miles and no online description replaces trying something on.
Montane Minimus Ultra Jacket
One of the most popular race jackets in British ultra running. Extremely lightweight (around 100g), packs tiny, fully waterproof and breathable. Meets the waterproof requirements for The Wall. Worn by multiple Wall runners - it's the benchmark packable waterproof for events like this. Pricey but genuinely excellent.
Inov-8 Raceshell Pro FZ
Inov-8's race-specific waterproof shell. Very lightweight, packs small, full waterproof and breathable. Designed specifically for mountain and ultra running. Popular among Wall runners who want Montane-quality performance at a slightly more accessible price point.
Rat Race Event Waterproof Jacket
Rat Race sell their own branded waterproof jackets designed specifically to meet the mandatory kit requirements for their events including The Wall. If you're buying from Rat Race at registration anyway, this is the no-hassle option - it's designed to pass their own kit check.
Buy from Rat Race Store →
Salomon Bonatti Race WP Jacket
Salomon's dedicated trail race waterproof. Very lightweight and packable with full waterproof protection. Good fit over a running vest. Popular in the ultra community generally and mentioned by Wall runners who already use Salomon kit.
OMM Halo Jacket
OMM (Original Mountain Marathon) makes some of the lightest race waterproofs available. The Halo Jacket is under 100g and meets the waterproof spec for events like The Wall. OMM kit is popular in fell and ultra running circles. A proper waterproof that disappears in your vest pocket.
Decathlon Kiprun Run 500 Waterproof Running Jacket
For first-timers or budget-conscious runners, the Kiprun Run 500 meets the mandatory kit requirements for The Wall at a fraction of the cost of specialist race jackets. It has a 10,000mm waterproof rating and 10,000 breathability - matching the Rat Race spec - plus a hood and packable construction. A solid, practical option that passes kit check without the premium price.
Disposable Ponchos (Community Tip)
A pack of cheap disposable ponchos is a surprisingly useful bit of kit. When a 10-minute shower comes on, throw one over your vest rather than unpacking your main waterproof - it covers your pack too, keeping kit dry. When it passes, scrunch it into a pocket. They get sweaty fast (you're basically running in a plastic bag), so not for prolonged heavy rain - but for short showers when stopping isn't worth it, they're brilliant. Your main jacket stays dry and packed. A pack of 10 costs next to nothing.
What to Look For in a Wall Jacket
Fully Waterproof, Not Water-Resistant
The mandatory kit check requires a fully waterproof jacket - not a windproof, not a water-resistant softshell. Look for a waterproof rating (measured in mm hydrostatic head) - 10,000mm+ is a good standard. The jacket must also have a hood. Check the seam tape - ideally fully taped seams, not just critical seam taping.
Packable and Light
You're carrying this jacket for 70 miles. A jacket that weighs 100–200g and packs into its own pocket is far preferable to a 500g hardshell. Most running-specific race waterproofs are packable - hiking waterproofs often aren't. Target sub-200g if possible.
Breathability
When you're working hard on climbs, a non-breathable jacket traps sweat and soaks you from the inside. Look for a breathability rating (MVTR) of at least 10,000g/m²/24hrs. Running-specific waterproofs are designed for exactly this use case - they breathe much better than hiking or everyday waterproofs.
Fit Over a Running Vest
Check that the jacket fits comfortably over your running vest fully loaded. Some race jackets are cut very close and can be tight over a 12L vest. Try the combination together before race day - you want to be able to get the jacket on and off easily even when tired.