XC Uniforms & Gear
Necessary Gear
All necessary gear for a student to participate is made available to students for free by the school.
The below items are what is needed for participation.​​
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​Uniform top (tanktop)
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Shorts (black)​
Uniforms
All students on the cross-country team who do not own a uniform will receive one on loan for the season.
The uniform provided by the school will need to be returned after the season ends for the athlete.
The cross-country uniform consists of a tank top and black shorts.
Most athletes either use their black Wilcox PE shorts or purchase their own black shorts.
If an athlete does not have black PE shorts, they can also get ones on loan for the season.
Some athletes have expressed the desire to purchase their own uniform. This is completely optional.
Athletes' purchased uniform may only be used during XC/Track scheduled meets and will then become a keepsake after.
Athletes who purchase a uniform must not wear the uniform to represent the school in unsanctioned events.
Please note that uniforms purchased will not arrive until near the end of the season.
Athletes will typically be able to use them in the last few races or in future seasons.
Optional Gear
The below items are optional, and not required for participation.
We provide this as a non-exhuastive informational list, as we often get questions about gear from athletes and parents​​​
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Runnning Shorts (black can be used for competition, other colors only at practice)
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Running shoes (highly recommended to avoid injury)
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Running Watch / Heart Rate Monitor (Easy way to track mileage and effort)
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Sunglasses (UV eye protection)
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​Running hat (UV protection)
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Open-Ear Headphones (If athlete wants to listen to audio)
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​For more specifics on the above items or items not listed, please talk with one of the coaches. ​
Running Shoes
Running shoes are an optional piece of gear our athletes may consider obtaining.
Athletes can run in any shoes they own, however depending on the shoe they may be more prone to injury if if does not have sufficient support. We highly recommend our athletes get running specific shoes, not just some athletic shoe, and that they replace their running shoes every 300 miles.
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Choosing the right running shoe is not about looks or brands, it is about fit, function, and how the shoe complements your body and training. The right pair can reduce injury risk, improve comfort, and enhance performance.
Here is what to look for:​​
1. Proper Fit​​​​​​
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Snug around the heel, midfoot, and toes
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No rubbing or pressure points
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2. Shoe Structure & Support
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Neutral shoes work for most
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Do not assume you need support unless testing shows it
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Stability shoes may help if you overpronate (foot rolls inward excessively)
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3. Cushioning (Stack Height), Drop Height & Purpose
Stack height is measured from bottom of the outsole to the top of the insole
Drop height is the difference between the heel-to-toe insole heights
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Less cushion provides more responsiveness and ground feel
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Lighter shoes are better for racing
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Lower drop allows for higher cadence and promotes mid and forefoot strike
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Lower drop puts more stress on the foot, ankle and lower leg
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Higher drop allows for heel strike with lower impact
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Higher drop can help with plantar fasciitis, stiff Achilles, and calf injuries
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More cushion can protect joints on longer runs
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General Recommendations for Beginners
(Unless they have had a basic movement & gait assessment performed)
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Look for at least 30mm stack height
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Drop height should be 8-14 mm
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Shoes should not be to firm or mushy
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Get an all around neutral shoe if limited to one pair only​​​​​
Remember, what works for one person may not work for another!
We perform a basic movement and gait assessment at the start of the season to help you understand your biomechanics.
You can then use those results to guide your running shoe purchase.​​
Running Watchs
A running watch is an optional piece of gear our athletes may consider obtaining.
It is very helpful, for athletes to understand how hard of an effort they are performing at during their training to avoid injury, have a better sense of effort, and allow for their training to be optimal. Additionally, a running watch will allow them to easily keep track of their weekly mileage, as well as allow this data to be shared with the head coach.
For data sharing with the head coach we recommend the following brands, and list the lowest models that can do this.
If there is enough interest we can get a team discount!​​​
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Garmin (Forerunner 55 ~$150)
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COROS (PACE 2 ~$200)
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Polar (Pacer ~$200)
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Suunto (5 Peak ~$200)
We know some of our athletes already have Apple Watches, and for those athletes or
those who just use their phone we will provide an option to share running data via a Strava integration.
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​Below we outline what they should look for when shopping.​​
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​Battery life
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GPS tracking
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Resting and activity heart rate monitoring
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Water resistance & durability
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Option to use an external heart rate strap​
if intrested in more in depth metrics
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are an optional piece of gear our athletes may consider obtaining.
Below we outline what they should look for when shopping.​
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No-Slip Grip (Rubberized nose pads and temple grips)
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100% UVA and UVB protection
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Lens Clarity & Tint (Good clarity & amber or rose tints enhance contract)
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Durability (Will not break from tossing in bags, drops, or get damaged by bad weather)
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Light Weight (Reduces bounce and discomfort)
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Suggested Shorts
The following shorts are suggested options athletes can purchase in order to match with their fellow athletes.
Not matching the exact cut or style of shorts does not pose a problem in most cases.
However, if an athlete were to compete with their team at CCS for XC,
or be on a relay team during Track, then need to have matching shorts with their teammates.
This is why we provide a team-suggested short option.
