When training for HYROX, choosing the right gear can make a real difference to your performance. This unique race format combines endurance running with functional strength workouts, which means your kit needs to support both speed and stability. The perfect HYROX kit includes sweat-wicking clothing, HYROX-specific running shoes, and a few carefully chosen fitness accessories to help you move efficiently across all stations. 

Whether you're a first-time participant or aiming for a personal best in your next race, we’re here to help you choose the right gear so you can conserve energy, improve grip, and stay focused throughout competition day. Keep reading as we uncover the essential gear you need and give you our best recommendations for top-performing HYROX shoes that will help you hit that PB.

What equipment do you need for HYROX?

If you’re just getting into HYROX, the good news is you don’t need loads of specialist gear to get started. It’s a pretty simple format, with a lot of variation in movements, so the focus is on choosing clothing and shoes that can handle a bit of everything. 

HYROX Shoes

The main thing to get right is your shoes. Choose a pair of HYROX-specific shoes that can handle both running and strength work. They should have good stability and traction to keep you stable in sled pushes and lunges, as well as a good level of cushioning to propel you forward and get you through 8km of running without wrecking your legs.

Keep in mind that too much cushioning can make sled pushes and weighted movements feel unstable, but an overly rigid training shoe can leave your legs feeling fatigued during the run segments. The best HYROX shoe sits somewhere between a race-day running shoe and a cross-training shoe that can handle the rapid transitions between stations. We will go into more detail about the best HYROX-specific shoes further in this blog. 

HYROX Clothing

After you’ve found the right pair of shoes, it’s all about keeping things comfortable by choosing clothing that won’t rub or restrict you. HYROX is a high-intensity event where you’ll be moving continuously, sweating heavily, and transitioning between very different movement patterns. The wrong clothing can become a distraction, so it’s best to opt for breathable, lightweight clothing that is non-restrictive, comfortable, and easy to move in.

Choose materials with sweat-wicking properties to help regulate body temperature and that allow flexibility to prevent discomfort as the race progresses. A pair of leggings or compression shorts that aren’t going to ride up is the most popular choice for staying secure throughout the event and reducing friction.

For tops, a fitted tank top or lightweight workout t-shirt or vest is best, as they minimise excess fabric and allow for unrestricted movement. Socks are often overlooked but can make a huge difference. A decent pair of moisture-wicking performance socks can help avoid blisters and improve overall comfort. 

HYROX Accessories

While not essential, the right accessories can improve comfort, efficiency, and confidence. Some participants like using HYROX accessories like training gloves to get a better grip during sled work or farmer’s carries. Fitness watches are another popular accessory as they can help with pacing if you’re keeping an eye on your splits, and also monitoring your heart rate. 

Other useful accessories include sweatbands, headbands, and hydration options for training sessions. On competition day itself, keeping accessories minimal is usually best, with anything you wear serving a clear purpose so there are minimal distractions.

Ultimately, keeping it simple and sticking with the gear you’ve already trained in is the best approach. If it’s comfortable, reliable, and does the job across both running and workouts, you’re on the right track.

HYROX Training Gear

If you’re training regularly and serious about improving your performance, it’s worth having access to HYROX-style equipment like sleds, kettlebells, and wall balls. Most gyms will already have this equipment available, but understanding how to use each piece properly and what weight ranges you should be training with is key to effective preparation.

Sleds

Sled pushes and pulls are one of the most physically demanding stations, making sled work a priority in training. Train with progressively challenging loads so you build both strength and movement efficiency. For beginners, starting with a light load allows you to develop technique and body position, and for those more advanced, you should aim to replicate or slightly exceed race-day demands. As a general guide, we suggest:

• Beginner: Use your bodyweight to 1.5x your bodyweight 

• Intermediate: Use 1.5x to 2x your bodyweight

• Advanced: Use 2x bodyweight or more

Kettlebells

Kettlebells are essential for preparing for farmer’s carries and building grip endurance. Train with both lighter weights for longer carries and heavier loads for improving grip and core strength. The recommended training weights we suggest are:

• Beginner: 12-16kg

• Intermediate: 20-24kg

• Advanced: 24-32kg

Wall Balls

Wall balls are often the final station in the race, and one of the toughest when your fatigue is high. In the competition, the weight of the balls will vary depending on the division, but you will be expected to do 100 reps. We suggest using race-standard weights to practice the number of reps, but occasionally train heavier to improve power. Our recommended training weights are:

• Women: 4-6kg up to 9ft

• Men: 6-9kg up to 10ft

What shoes are best for HYROX?

When it comes to HYROX, your shoes can genuinely make or break your race. You’re not just running, you’re stopping, starting, pushing sleds, lunging, and carrying weight, so you need something that can handle all of that without causing you to feel unstable. The sweet spot is a shoe that gives you a bit of bounce for the runs, but still feels grounded when things get heavy. Grip is a big one too, especially on sled pushes where slipping can cost you time and energy.

When choosing a HYROX-suitable shoe, there are a few non-negotiable features that can make a real difference to your performance on race day:

• Balanced cushioning - You need enough cushioning to stay comfortable across the 8km of running, but not so much that you lose stability during the strength stations. A moderate level of foam will help absorb impact without making the shoe feel unstable.

• Strong grip - Sled pushes and pulls require serious grip, so a shoe with reliable traction will help you stay steady and transfer power efficiently.

• Lightweight feel - Since you’ll be repeatedly transitioning into runs, a heavy shoe can quickly become tiresome. Look for something light enough to feel responsive, while still offering enough structure for functional work.

• Stable base - A wide, supportive base is essential for lunges, burpees, and carrying weight. Shoes that feel too narrow or overly cushioned can make these movements less controlled and more tiring.

• Secure fit - Your shoe should feel locked in without being restrictive, as heel slippage or excessive movement inside the shoe can lead to blisters and wasted energy over the course of the event.

All of these features combined create the ideal HYROX shoe. Below, we have picked out a few of our best HYROX shoes that will support you through training all the way to competition day.

Deviate HYROX Elite Mens Running Shoes £188.90 

If you’re going all-in on performance, something like the Puma Deviate HYROX Elite 4 is built specifically for race day. It’s lightweight, responsive, and designed to give you that extra boost during the runs, while still adding grip and stability for the functional stations. Features like the carbon plate and high-energy nitrogen-infused foam are all about helping you move faster and more efficiently, especially if you’re chasing a PB.

Deviate Nitro 4 HYROX Mens Running Shoes £119.90

For something a bit more balanced, the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 HYROX sits nicely in the middle. This shoe still gives you plenty of cushioning and responsiveness for running, but with a slightly more forgiving feel that works just as well in training as it does for events. Featuring the iconic NITROFOAM and PWRPLATE technology, these trainers are highly responsive, delivering a snappy ride, with stability from the PUMAGRIP sole.

Velocity Nitro 4 HYROX Mens Running Shoes £109.90

And if you’re newer to HYROX, or you’re just after something comfortable and reliable, the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 HYROX is a solid option. It’s less performance-focused, more cushioned, and ideal if you’re working on building up your confidence across both the running and strength workout elements. Built to handle the full demands of hybrid fitness racing, this shoe delivers a smooth, cushioned ride with its innovative nitrogen-infused foam technology and PUMAGRIP sole for all-surface traction.

Ultimately, there’s no one perfect shoe for HYROX; it all comes down to how you race. If you’re pushing for speed, go lighter and more responsive. If you want comfort and control, go for a bit more cushioned and stable. Either way, the key is to train in whichever pair you choose first and make sure they feel right across both the runs and the workouts, because striking that perfect balance is exactly what HYROX is all about.

What to avoid wearing in HYROX?

With HYROX being unlike any other fitness event with its unique format, there are some common mistakes that first-timers make when deciding what to wear. There are three key things you need to consider when choosing your HYROX gear:

Make sure your shoes have good stability and grip

We’ve mentioned this above, but it’s worth mentioning again as grip is a key element in this training format. Having to switch between running and functional exercises means that you need to choose a shoe that keeps you comfortable when running, but that also has the grip and stability needed for those strength-based movements. Many participants can overlook the importance of choosing a shoe with good grip, opting for a max-cushion option instead, and while this style can support you over distance, they aren’t as useful when it comes to staying steady on certain stations.

Avoid heavy or loose clothing

Keep in mind that HYROX races take place indoors, with hundreds of other participants, and it can start heating up pretty quickly once you get going. It’s important to avoid wearing clothing that is too heavy, which might make you overheat, and choose lightweight clothing made from sweat-wicking materials instead. It’s also better to wear clothing that is more fitted, as loose clothing can get in the way of your movements, restrict you, and might cause chafing.

Don’t wear new gear on race day

Trying out a new pair of trainers or clothing on race day is a mistake you should always avoid. Everything you plan to wear on the day of the race should be tested in training multiple times to make sure it performs as expected, but of course, shouldn’t be completely worn out. There’s nothing worse than trying to hit your new PBs on competition day with a painful blister or uncomfortable chafing getting in the way.

Get ready for your next HYROX with Start Fitness

Whether you’re lining up for your very first HYROX or looking to shave minutes off your next time, having the right kit in place can make a real difference. From supportive, race-ready shoes to comfortable, breathable training gear, it’s all about setting yourself up so you can focus on performing at your best. 

Here at Start Fitness, you’ll find a range of footwear, clothing, and accessories in our HYROX collection that is designed to help you train smarter and race harder. If you’re still getting to grips with the format, or want a deeper dive into how HYROX works, take a look at our beginners guide to HYROX training for everything you need to know so you can hit the start line feeling confident and ready to go.