For rough field racing, the best landing gear is usually the lightest setup that still keeps your camera, battery, and props out of the dirt when you come in hot or misjudge a landing. In practice, that often means low-profile skids or TPU bumpers rather than tall, rigid gear. Tall gear can look helpful, but on a racing quad it usually adds drag, weight, and leverage that makes cartwheels worse when you tip over. On uneven grass, the higher the landing gear, the more likely it is to catch on a tuft, fold, or snap.
If your field is truly rough, I would think in terms of two goals: protect the bottom of the frame and avoid hanging up in grass. A flat bottom plate with small TPU feet or simple skids is often better than a full “landing gear” setup. The feet should be wide enough to spread impact a little, but not so wide that they snag. TPU printed parts work well because they flex instead of cracking, especially if you’re touching down at odd angles. For most 5-inch race builds, something that gives you just enough clearance for the battery strap and solder joints is usually enough.
Battery placement matters just as much as the gear itself. If your battery hangs low, you’ll drag it long before the frame actually lands. Strapping the battery tighter and keeping it centered helps more than adding taller gear. The same goes for your antenna, XT60 lead, and camera tilt. If any of those protrude below the frame, they will take the hit first. I’d rather see a clean bottom with replaceable TPU bumpers than tall legs supporting a heavy pack.
For rough field racing, durability beats elegance. A slightly heavier TPU skid that saves repeated crashes can be worth it, but keep it minimal. Avoid metal landing gear and anything spring-loaded. Those parts can bend, resonate, or create odd bounce on touchdown, which is the last thing you want when racing through grass, ruts, or dirt patches. Also, test your setup by dropping the quad from a few inches onto soft ground and hard-packed soil. If it tips onto the props easily, the gear is probably too tall or too narrow.
If you often land in tall grass, one smart compromise is removable landing feet for practice days and a stripped setup for actual racing. Some pilots even run no dedicated gear at all and just accept that the bottom of the frame will take the abuse. That works surprisingly well if the arms are strong and the battery mount is secure.
So my short recommendation would be: keep it low, use TPU skids or feet only if you need them, and focus on protecting the battery and bottom plate. For rough field racing, simple usually lasts longer than fancy.
