What's in my bag?

Some people love the freedom of fell running, being able to head out with no kit and just go run. I like the freedom too, but I'm a bit of a stickler for being prepared. It has nothing to do with being a girl guide (which I was), but everything to do with being self-sufficient on the hill, come what may. So, you might wonder what I take out with me on a run. If you do, read on.

Unless my run is only half an hour, in good conditions and staying low, then I'll always take out a full load of kit as shown below. Even on short runs I still take a bivi bag, gloves, buff and phone, and a jacket to suit the day. I'll also be wearing my Suunto Ambit watch and have some money/credit card if on a long run or away from home, and of course the house/car keys. For runs in warm weather or over a couple of hours I take a bottle of water, and more food to keep me fueled for the duration. This is all in addition to what I'll be wearing - often a pair of gloves or a buff will be worn but soon taken off and added to the bag contents.

Here's extra equipment I take on longer runs, or when the weather is a bit gnarly (or if rain forecast). 

On all guided runs I always have a first aid kit with me and a 2 or 4 person bothy bag (a group shelter).

I've reviewed a couple of bits of gear shown here, if you want to read more then click on the links below:
Mountain Equipment Ultratherm Jacket - review just after it was bought.
Mountain Equipment Ultratherm Jacket: Review
The Humble Buff - equipment review
Bumbag review: OMM Ultra Waist Pouch 6L

The Humble Buff - equipment review

I've been a massive fan of the humble buff for a long time. In fact on checking my driving license to see when I passed my motorbike test (2001) it transpires that my very first buff would have been bought for my bike lessons in the autumn of 2000. That's a total of 14 years that I've owned this one....

My very first buff

and I still use it.

If you don't know what a buff is, the simple answer is a neck warmer-come-head-gear-item that will quickly become an indispensable item of your gear for the outdoors (and sometimes indoors if you're saving on heating bills).

Since 2000 I've steadily grown a collection of buffs....

standard buffs

headband buff

peak-cap buff....and a bit I chopped off to make another headband
I won this one for coming 2nd in my age category in the Dark & White Mini Mountain Marathons in 2012

I've also got a couple of special buffs too...a winter one with fleece (red/black one shown on left below) and a windstopper one which has a panel at the front to keep really gnarly weather off you (blue/black one on right).

This pair are too hot to run in!

The beauty about buffs is their versatility. I have long hair, and when running I really don't like any of it flapping around my face, so on with a buff and it's all held back in place. There are loads of options for wearing your buff....here's my usual options:

My default option...I start with one as a neck warmer and within 5 or 10 mins of starting my run it's folded over to make a headband...which can then easily be pulled over my head/ears when it's really cold.
Pictured here on the 2013 Glossopdale Christmas social run....hence the tinsel around my bumbag.

Worn as a cap with my long hair tucked up at the back during Kinder Downfall fell race 2012. After the climb up William Clough and onto the Kinder edge path the buff was pulled over my ears to keep the wind off.

Headband keeping the sweat off me on a hot run
Pictured here with friend (also wearing buffs as headbands) at Mermaids Pool near Kinder Downfall

My collection definitely has a red and grey theme going on, though I don't deliberately set out to buy red things! If anyone wishes to help me balance out the colour scheme with purples, greens or other colours I won't object ;-)

Here's the official Buff image for the various ways you can wear your buff:

As you can see, I'm a fan. Recently I discovered the slim fit buff and will be buying this version where possible as it is a much better fit for my little head, especially when worn as a balaclava. I think the diameter of standard buffs is my only critique. After using one for a while (I'm talking months and years) they do start to go a little baggy....I'm hoping the slim fit ones will remove this minor issue! Apart from that, I love buffs :)