The equipment, tools, and gear used in the various forms of orienteering are the focus of this category.
Orienteering requires navigation skills, endurance, and adaptation to varying terrains and conditions. Over the years, several forms of orienteering have emerged, from the classic foot race through natural terrains to those incorporating cycling, horseback riding, or even radio electronics. Although each variant shares the common goals of accurate map reading, course planning, and efficient movement, they demand specialized equipment, tools, and gear tailored to their unique challenges.
Scout orienteering is often an introduction to the navigation world for young enthusiasts. Equipment designed for Scout navigation is durable, simple, and safe, while encouraging learning and exploration. Scouts typically use scaled topographic maps, easy-to-read compasses, and simplified checkpoint marking devices, which combine functionality with a playful approach. As Scouts progress through the ranks, more sophisticated tools may be introduced. The gear is often provided by local scouting organizations or specialized retailers who understand the importance of adapting standard orienteering tools for younger hands. This form of the sport helps instill the fundamentals of navigation, an experience that paves the way for participation in more advanced disciplines later on.
In car orienteering, competitors rely on an optimized blend of traditional maps and digital enhancements. The essentials include rugged vehicle-mounted GPS devices, specially designed maps for motor travel, and communication systems that support long-range coordination. Unlike traditional foot orienteering, the focus shifts from lightweight portability to secure, weatherproof installations and accuracy at driving speeds.
Alongside Scout orienteering, foot orienteering is the most classic form of the sport. The cornerstone of a successful foot orienteering kit is an accurate, detailed map tailored to the environment, paired with a high-quality compass. Modern orienteers have a wide selection, ranging from thumb compasses strapped to the hand for one-handed map reading to plate or baseplate models that offer precision and clarity under intense conditions. Competitors also must equip themselves with lightweight running shoes, suits that minimize friction with undergrowth, specialized gators to protect the lower legs, and electronic punching devices for control marking.
Mountain bike orienteering combines high-speed cycling with complex navigation. Cyclists competing in MTB orienteering require robust, off-road mountain bikes that can handle rough terrains and the proper apparel. One particular challenge is the secure attachment of navigational aids. Many competitors rely on specially designed map boards or chest-mounted map holders that allow for glances while still riding at speed.
Mounted orienteering, where navigation is executed on horseback, requires a different strategic and equipment approach. Ensuring clear visibility and effortless map reading while in motion is crucial for the rider. This is accomplished with specialized, weather-resistant compasses and well-secured map holders that can be operated from a saddle.
Rogaining takes orienteering to the extreme by challenging teams to navigate long-duration courses, sometimes including overnight events, in remote wilderness settings. Here, the focus shifts to ultra-lightweight, multipurpose gear capable of withstanding extended exposure to variable weather. The choice of clothing and equipment revolves around balancing lightweight travel with sufficient protection against hypothermia and fatigue.
Ski orienteering combines the dynamics of cross-country skiing with classic navigation skills. The sport maps that can retain their clarity in cold, snowy conditions, while being readily viewable while the skier is in motion. Competitors may use chest-mounted map holders and compasses that are lightweight, often attaching to the map holder or the skier's arm. Electronic punching chips are designed to operate reliably in winter conditions.
Unlike traditional orienteering, where speed is an advantage, trail orienteering focuses on making precise, deliberate decisions. The equipment consists of high-precision compasses (in thumb or plate formats) and control card systems that verify the accurate hitting of designated points.
Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) integrates traditional navigation with radio technology. ARDF competitors search for hidden radio transmitters using hand-held directional antennas and specialized receivers. The basic kit typically includes a compact radio direction finder, which may be as simple as a modified handheld receiver paired with a purpose-built directional antenna. Many enthusiasts build their own devices using published designs and kits.
Recommended Resources
Based in New South Wales, Australia, Aussiegear is represented at most of the major Australian orienteering events and supplies Australia, via the post, a full range of orienteering gear from Vavry, Vapro, Letro, Trimtex, Orifix, Moscompass, and Siven/Bryzos, along with orienteering pants, shirts, gaiters, socks, compasses, spectacles, and mapboards. Equipment is also available for the conducting of an event, such as flags and punches. Aussieger is an agent for Sportident timing equipment.
https://aussieogear.com/
In business since 2001, The Compass Store specializes in orienteering equipment and gear, including the perfect compass solution for a customer's navigation needs, basic orienteering map compasses, professional sighting compasses, and everything in between. Located in Commerce, Georgia, the site posts its address, telephone number, and email address, along with its product catalog and informational pages. Shoppers can browse all compasses or by application, or feature.
https://thecompassstore.com/
Formline is an orienteering retailer set up by Duncan Birtwistle (organizer of the UK Elite Orienteering League) and William Gardner (co-host of the Run-In podcast). It sells orienteering shoes, accessories, and casual wear alongside original content. Included are racewear pants, tights, gaiters, and socks, as well as compasses, magnifiers, control description holders, and other items. An introduction to the company and its shipping and returns policies is included.
https://formline.uk/
Frenson is a prominent brand in the orienteering world, known for its equipment and activewear tailored for athletes and enthusiasts. The company's product range includes precision compasses such as the Elite Racing and X-Forest series, classic needle control punches for marking control points, and a variety of activewear items, from specialized orienteering shirts and pants to socks designed to wick away sweat. In addition to its Western markets, Frenson has an established presence in Japan.
https://frenson.com/
Based in Ottawa, Canada, the orienteering supply store offers equipment for orienteering athletes, clubs, coaches, and teachers, such as compasses, SPORTident timing equipment, shoes, magnifiers, control description holders, books, and other accessories related to orienteering, including Ski-O and MTB-O supplies, backpacks. For clubs, O-Store has timing equipment, an event clock, flags, punches, stands, map bags, and compass sets. Orienteering kits are also available.
https://o-store.ca/en/
Based in Vienna, Austria, the OL-Shop is an orienteering and outdoor sports retailer offering shoes, clothing, compasses, Sportident cards, headlamps, glasses, bags, equipment, map holders, trail running shoes, and other products designed for various types of orienteering. The Huichang punching system is a timing and punching system for orienteering, and OL-Shop is the distributor of the system. The company can also offer custom team clothing, including complex designs and logos in one process.
https://ol-shop.at/en/
The Scout Shop is the official retailer of Scouting America (previously the Boy Scouts of America), the largest scouting organization. Used for Scout orienteering and other trail orientation purposes, its catalog includes the Silver Starter, the Silva Guide, and the Silva Explorer Pro compasses, a BSA-branded compass pouch, BSA-branded binoculars, and Coghlan's Binoculars for Kids, any of which may be purchased online, along with any of its other equipment and gear.
https://www.scoutshop.org/outdoors/navigation.html
SPORTident is a specialized timing system used in various outdoor sports, including orienteering. It consists of stations placed along a race track and cards carried by athletes, which record their times as they pass each station. The system is known for its real-time results, durability, and ease of use, even in extreme weather conditions. SPORTident also offers mobile applications and configurable hardware to adapt to different sports and event needs. Contacts and other details are provided.
https://www.sportident.us/
Trail Life USA (TLUSA) is a faith-based scouting organization that provides youth mentorship and character development for boys in the United States. Its online store features most of the products needed, such as uniforms and other apparel, flags, banners, awards, badges, program materials, books, gifts, and gear, including compasses used in orienteering, such as the Trail Life Silva Explorer Pro, the Trail Life Silva Starter 1-2-3, and the Trail Life Waypoint compasses.
https://shop.traillifeusa.com/shop/gear/compasses/
