School athletics season brings early mornings, long days at the track and plenty of nerves. Having the right athletics kit packed the night before takes one worry off the list, so your child can focus on their events rather than on a missing vest or a forgotten water bottle.

Need kit for your team or have a question? Call Ronex on +27 11 830 1072.

This guide covers the basic kit checklist, vests and shorts, shoes and spikes, warm-up layers, and a packing list for meeting day.

The Athletics Kit Checklist

Most school athletes need the same basics.

•      Running vest and shorts in school or club colours.

•      Running shoes, and spikes if your child's events and school allow them.

•      A warm-up layer, such as a tracksuit or light jacket.

•      A water bottle.

•      Safety pins for race numbers.

•      Sunscreen and a hat for long days outdoors.

•      A snack for the gaps between events.

•      A bag to keep everything together, ideally one with a separate pocket for shoes.

•      A towel for hot days or wet weather.

Check the school's instructions before the meeting, since some schools have specific rules on colours, shoes or what athletes may bring.

Vests and Shorts

A running vest and shorts are the core of an athletics kit. They should be light, breathable and comfortable enough to forget about during a race.

Ronex stocks running and athletic vest and short sets in three versions, according to the product pages: Pre-Junior (from 6-8 years), Youth/Junior and Adult/Senior. The product page for the adult set describes breathable performance fabric, taped edges for durability, a high-visibility reflector band, and 100% polyester construction, with one vest and one pair of shorts in each set. The sets come in many colour combinations, such as gold and black, emerald and gold, navy and white, and royal and yellow, which makes it easier to match school or house colours.

Here's the thing about sizing: children often grow during the season, so if your child is between sizes, the larger size usually lasts longer.

Shoes and Spikes

Shoes matter more in athletics than in most school sports.

Running shoes suit most track and cross-country events for younger athletes and are fine for field events at many schools.

Spikes are lightweight shoes with small spikes in the sole for grip on the track. Many older athletes use them for sprints and jumps. Rules on spikes vary by school and age group, so ask your child's coach or teacher before buying.

To be clear, Ronex does not list athletics spikes on its website. Ronex does list running shoes, such as the A655 and F-52 running shoes. Check the product pages for sizes and details.

Warm-Up Layers

Athletics meetings often start early, when it can be cold, and athletes spend a lot of time waiting between events. A warm layer helps keep muscles warm and reduces the chance of feeling stiff before a race.

A tracksuit is the most common choice. Our guide to tracksuit materials explains the options, from light polyester to warm cotton fleece. Ronex also stocks kids' tracksuits in age sizes from 3/4 years up to 13/14 years.

The Week Before a Meeting

A little preparation during the week makes meeting day much calmer, for you and for your child.

•      Check the kit early. Try on the vest, shorts and shoes a few days before, so you have time to replace anything that no longer fits.

•      Break in new shoes. If you have bought new running shoes, let your child wear them at training first, not for the first time on race day.

•      Confirm the events. Ask which events your child is entered in, so you know whether spikes, extra layers or field-event kit are needed.

•      Plan the morning. Early starts are common, so decide the night before when you will leave and what your child will eat.

If you are a coach or teacher organising a team, a short kit reminder to parents a week ahead usually cuts down on forgotten vests and borrowed shoes.

Packing for Meeting Day

Packing the night before saves a stressful morning. A simple checklist:

•      Vest, shorts and spare socks

•      Running shoes or spikes, plus the spike key if needed

•      Tracksuit or jacket

•      Water bottle and snacks

•      Sunscreen, hat and a towel

•      Safety pins

•      A plastic bag for damp clothes

Label everything with your child's name. On a busy day with hundreds of athletes, unlabelled kit goes missing quickly. A small bag inside the main bag for pins, sunscreen and snacks also saves a lot of searching between events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colour vest should I wear for school athletics?

Usually your school or house colours. Check your school's instructions before the meeting.

Are spikes allowed for young athletes?

Rules vary by school and age group. Ask your child's coach or teacher before buying spikes.

What size athletics vest should I order?

Check the product's size options. Ronex's vest and short sets come in Pre-Junior, Youth/Junior and Adult/Senior versions.

What should an athlete pack for a meeting?

Vest, shorts, shoes, a warm-up layer, water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat and safety pins.

Ready to Race

On meeting day, the athletes who perform best are usually the ones who arrive calm and prepared. When the kit is packed, labelled and ready the night before, all that is left to think about is the race itself.