Javelina Jundred Gear Guide: Water, Night Running and Drop Bags
Packing for Javelina begins with the section ahead of you. What water will you carry? Will you need your light before your next planned stop? Can you reach a layer without emptying your vest?
This LECAMO independent guide helps you arrange that load. It is a packing guide; consult the organizer for the complete mandatory-equipment list. Read your race's latest instructions before finalizing your kit.
Explore the LECAMO Independent Race Gear Guides for our United States, Canada, Mexico and Hong Kong coverage.
The organizer information that affects packing
The official Javelina page lists October 31–November 1, 2026 at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Arizona, with 100-mile, 100K and 31K formats.
For the longer races, it describes loops with four aid stations and stretches of up to about 6.6 miles between aid. Crew support is restricted to Javelina Jeadquarters. Drop bags are described at Jeadquarters and Jackass Junction. The organizer recommends two water bottles for a specified course stretch; this is a recommendation, not a verified universal minimum water volume.
Those facts inform the plan below. Confirm your distance's final route and instructions: do not assume every format shares the same support arrangements.
Put water where you can use it
Start with your intended next section, expected time between refills and experience from training. A bottle count cannot tell you whether your carried volume is sufficient.
Fill the containers you intend to use and put them in your vest. Check whether you can remove, refill and replace each one without pulling the rest of your kit out. If you use a reservoir, rehearse the refill sequence with your clothing and food already packed.
Keep the first food you expect to use within easy reach. Separate unopened supplies from wrappers so you can see what remains during a stop. Our soft flask versus bladder guide explains the access tradeoffs.
Plan the change from daylight to darkness
Decide when your light needs to move from storage to use. Keep it accessible before you expect to need it, rather than burying it behind your remaining food. Test its controls with the vest on and use the battery arrangement you have practiced.
Pack your intended extra layer so it can be reached without disturbing the water system. Practice taking it out, putting it on and storing it again. If your race includes a costume, repeat the check while wearing it: straps, fabric and pocket openings still need to work together.
See our headlamp storage guide for a practical pocket check.
Give the vest and drop bag different jobs
Your vest carries what you need before the next planned opportunity to resupply. Your drop bag can organize later supplies according to the access your race permits.
For your own rehearsal, divide a bag into clearly labeled groups: food refill, lighting supplies, clothing and spare items. Prepare a short sequence you can follow when tired:
- Check what remains in your water containers.
- Refill and replace the supplies you expect to use next.
- Move the light or clothing you need into an accessible position.
- Clear wrappers and check that every pocket is closed.
- Confirm the vest feels secure before leaving.
Check the organizer's current bag labeling and size instructions before packing. Our crew handoff guide can help you rehearse the sequence.
Javelina drop bag checklist: separate JQ and Jackass Junction
The official event page describes two bag locations for the 100-mile and 100K formats: Jeadquarters, accessed on loop returns, and Jackass Junction. It asks for a name, bib number and station label. The JQ storage area is uncovered; remote bags must stay small enough for transport. Large duffles, suitcases and coolers are excluded from remote transport. Confirm your format’s final handling instructions.
The item choices below are LECAMO planning advice, not extra mandatory equipment.
| Supply group | Jeadquarters planning use | Jackass Junction planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Practiced food | Group supplies by intended loop | Prepare the portion needed after this stop |
| Light and batteries | Make them available before the section where you need them | Include a tested spare only if it fits your plan |
| Clothing or socks | Organize chosen changes so they are easy to identify | Pack only the items planned for this location |
| Protection | Seal supplies that need to stay dry | Keep inner packages compact and labeled |
| Stop card | List actions for the next loop | List onward supplies and items to move into the vest |
Check estimated arrival time before leaving lighting in a bag. Keep equipment already required on course with you. Rehearse taking the planned supplies without emptying the rest of the vest. The ultramarathon drop bag checklist provides a reusable template for each station.
Choose capacity with everything inside
Lay out the complete kit, fill your water containers and pack the vest. Walk, bend and jog with it. Check the shoulder area, side adjustment and any pocket you need to open while moving.
LECAMO confirms that ROOT5 uses YKK zippers. Its included two 500ml flasks provide 1L of container capacity. Neither that volume nor the zipper brand establishes that the configuration is sufficient for your race. Add the water and equipment your plan requires, then review ROOT5’s listed configuration and use our capacity guide to compare options.
If a pocket only closes when you force it, reconsider how you have distributed the load. The useful test is whether the complete arrangement works with your body and your planned access sequence.
Official event page checked October 1, 2026. Check your final runner instructions for current requirements and race-day changes.
For other upcoming events, browse our United States race gear directory and use each event’s own support and equipment instructions.