Choose your gear carefully. Conduct research over time, including independent reviews and conversations with experienced hikers. Purchase equipment based upon form and function, versus appearance alone.

I. Essential Gear

Hiking Boots
Boots are your most important piece of equipment. Consider buying a new pair and break them in during training. Buy light-weight boots. As a rule of thumb, a pound on your feet equals about five pounds on your back. Look for boots with ankle support as well. Much of the Bataan March is over raw land. Avoid purchasing boots with Gore-Tex, which is a form of water-proofing. The Bataan March is held in the desert. The chance of rain is slim and your feet need to breathe.

Try on prospective boots and check for a good fit. Be mindful that certain boot models will not fit your feet well (e.g. you are between sizes or the boots are too narrow or too wide). Try walking up and down inclines when considering how well a pair of boots fit. Keep in mind you will walk up and down a small mountain. Your boots need to support you for miles on the way up and again when you hike back down. Consider purchasing boots from a store with a '100% Satisfaction Guarantee' return policy. That can come in handy in the event you realize the fit is not quite right during your first training hike or two.

GTRgear*: I wore Merrell Moab Ventilator Boots on the 26 mile course in 2012 and 2013. I bought a second pair upon returning home in March 2013.

Sports Socks
Socks are another critical piece of gear. Some will get sticker shock at the thought of paying $5-$10 for a pair of socks. Buy quality socks for training and the Bataan March. You will be glad you did. True sport socks are specially designed for extended periods of physical activity. Look for socks that wick moisture from your feet. Socks should also hold their shape and have seams that limit friction on your toes. All of that helps prevent blisters. Look for socks that have cushioned bottoms for added comfort. Carry one or two extra pairs of socks with you on the trail.

GTRgear*: I wear REI CoolMax EcoMade Quarter Socks.

Gaiters
Gaiters seal the top of your boots so sand and other debris cannot enter. I highly recommend using them. Keep in mind that you will be walking through miles of desert trails. There are sand pits towards the end of the course.

GTRgear*: I use REI Desert Gaiters.

Back Pack
Most people carry a day pack on the Bataan March. Make sure it has the capacity to carry your gear and layers of clothing as you shed them (e.g. fleece jacket and nylon shell). Look for a pack with a sternum/chest strap, which adds comfort and helps stabilize the pack. The pack should also have ample pockets to help organize and balance your gear. If you opt for an integrated hydration system, make sure it has an external fill option. Otherwise, it can be difficult to refill without soaking your gear.

GTRgear*: I use the Kelty Redwing 50.

Performance Bars and Gel Packs
Performance Bars are at good source of nutrition along the trail. They are easy to digest and contain a concentrated blend of vitamins, protein and carbohydrates. Gel packs are another good source of energy for endurance sports.

GTRgear*: I like Clif Bar Chocolate Brownies. They are easy to digest. I have had good results with GU Energy Gels as well. My favorite flavors are Peanut Butter and 'Espresso Love'.

Miscellaneous Gear
Wear a wide brimmed hat, sun block and lip balm with SPF protection. Sun glasses are a must too. Bandaids can be used to protect nipples from being irrated by shirt fabric. Vasoline should be used to prevent chafing or irration around the groin. Carry a cloth to cover your face in the event the wind kicks up. Pack moleskin to protect your feet against blisters. Carry hand sanitizer and baby wipes to use in portable toilets along the trail. You also need a small flashlight. It will be dark when you arrive.

II. Recommended Gear

Trekking Poles
Trekking Poles serve three purposes. They can be used to 'pull' yourself down the trail, making it easier to walk. They can also be used to offset your weight. That comes in handy when you have a sore ankle or knee. Finally, trekking poles have utility on unstable ground when you start to lose your balance. Trekking poles have an anaerobic toll so use them later along the trail when your legs start to fatigue.

Look for poles with a comfortable grip, a shock absorbing feature and a snap-closed locking clasps. Consider purchasing caps for the tips to keep them from sinking into the sand.

NOTE: Trekking poles are not authorized in any Military division on the Bataan March.

GTRgear*: I use Black Diamond Shock Poles.

Miscellaneous Gear
Consider purchasing hiking pants for comfort on the trail. Carry an MP3 player to have music at the ready. You will need it on the march.

III. Optional Gear

Compression Socks
Compression Socks prevent blood from settling in your calves and feet over long marches. That results in a modest performance gain because your legs feel less sluggish and heavy. Compression socks also help prevent blisters when you wear sports socks over them. Finally, they provide a significant increase in recovery time (i.e. you should be able to walk the next day). To get the full benefit, leave them on until at least two hours after the event.

Compression socks are an item of preference. Some people swear by them. Others find them too constricting. Be sure to conduct research on this piece of gear especially and form your own opinion. If you decide to use compression socks, evaluate them while training (like all other gear).

GTRgear*: I use SmartWool PhD Graduated Compression Ultra Light Socks.

Orthotic Insoles
If you experience discomfort in your feet or ankles, insoles may provide the support you need. Consult a doctor if you experience pain on an ongoing basis.

GTRgear*: I use Dr Scholls Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts. They measure your feet with 2,000 pressure sensors. Visit their site to find a kiosk location near you.

Fitness Applications
If you have a smart phone, consider using a fitness application to track progress as you train. I have used the free Google My Tracks application. It records hike routes with GPS and mapping software. You can share the route map, mileage, completion time, etc via Facebook. My Tracks also has an aggregate stats feature so you can track progress over time. It also supports integration into Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitors.

GTRgear*: In 2013, I switched to Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro, which is a paid application. Endomondo integrates into a website and has extra functionality such as the ability to pursue goals and share routes and accomplishments with friends.

Heart Rate Monitor
A heart rate monitor is a good piece of safety gear. Monitor your heart rate during training and on the Bataan March. Blue tooth enabled monitors can connect wirelessly to a fitness application running on your smart phone.

GTRgear*: I use the Polar H7 Heart Rate Sensor.

Miscellaneous Gear
Pack a small camera for taking pictures along the trail. Consider carrying a USB battery pack if you intend to listen to music and track your progress with a fitness application. Otherwise, your MP3 player and phone may run out of juice before you complete the march. A dust mask could come in handy in the event of high winds.

Do not add any new gear without using it before the Bataan March. This includes but is not limited to: Boots, socks, backpack, clothing, performance bars, etc. Test everything. You'll be glad you did. A packing list can be found at this link.

This site is meant to complement the official Bataan March site. Read the content on all pages of the Bataan site at least twice, especially 'Survival Tips and Tactics'.

NOTE: Comments in the 'GTRgear' sections are based upon my experiences. They should only be used as a data point. Your mileage may vary. Whether gear is 'good' or not is somewhat subjective, especially when it comes to footwear. Please conduct your own research and make decisions based upon the outcome. I posted these recommendations as a courtesy. When preparing for the march, I could not find anyone that posted the gear they used.