Fit Check: What to Wear for HYROX
With HYROX Cape Town just days away, it’s time to finalise your race day outfit. There’s a lot to think about. Not only do you need to consider being comfortable during the running portion of the race but you also need to consider all the different exercise stations and find kit that is up to the task AND that makes you feel confident.
We searched the forums, podcasts, and social media for the best recommendations on kit choices for a HYROX race. From coaches, to first-timers, to pro athletes, here’s the general consensus on what to wear for HYROX.
No distractions
The first thing HYROX coaches say when asked about kit is to minimise distractions, this goes for shoes, clothing, and hair. The last thing you want when you’re out there running or jumping is to have your focus taken away by having to tug at your hair or clothing. Comfort and correct fit is key.
A pair of fitted bicycle shorts or running shorts will ensure you stay cool in the HYROX arena. HYROX races are usually indoors and it gets very hot inside these race areas, so think about your outfit wisely. You don’t want anything too thick, opt for kit in soft, lightweight, quick drying fabric. If you feel more comfortable in full-length leggings you can definitely wear them but just know that it’s usually incredibly warm inside the arena so shorts are a great idea if you tend to overheat.
A good sports bra is another must-have as well as socks that cover your ankle. Every athlete is required to wear an ankle tag around their ankle and long socks will ensure you can put the tag on your ankle without it rubbing on your skin.
When it comes to your hair, sweep it out of the way in a bun, pony tail, or braids. Keep in mind that if you have very long hair, a ponytail could get in the way when you’re doing the ski and also when picking up the sandbag to load it on your shoulders.
Feel confident on race day
For many athletes, clothing that feels comfortable when running a marathon doesn’t always feel functional for HYROX. Picking clothing that offers a good range of movement is important. But, just because HYROX is tough doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with your kit. Comfort is important but choosing something that makes you feel confident will also go a long way to helping you smash it on race day.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone clothing wise and try colours and clothing you might not have considered before. Many women find crop tops or just a sports bra the most functional and comfortable on race day and find themselves willing to try something new they may not have considered wearing before.
Both the ski erg and wall balls incorporate movements where you are reaching upwards. For these movements, you’ll need bottoms with a comfortable waistband that isn’t too compressive, but that don’t budge and irritate you. A wide mid to high waistband is a great choice for this. On the top you want to give your shoulders as much room to move as possible so a top or sports bra with a racerback style is ideal.
If you’re taking part in the doubles with a partner, it’s a fun idea to choose matching kit or colours. A matchy-matchy vibe can give a team feel to your competition. Practically, a matching kit can also be useful when you’re navigating a congested HYROX run course, so it’s easy to spot your partner in the crowd.
Pockets are your friend
When it comes to choosing functional kit for race day, you’ll want to opt for something with pockets. For most people a HYROX race lasts over an hour, it’s common for most athletes to take up to 90 minutes or longer to complete the race. This makes fuelling during your race just as important. Shorts with pockets can be super useful to store your gels, jelly babies or whatever you use as race nutrition.
Take more fuel than you think you’ll need. You never know what could happen on the course and it’s better to have an extra gel just in case that to get caught without it when you need a boost.
The best shoes to wear for HYROX
When it comes to choosing the best shoes for HYROX race day, it’s important to choose a good pair of running shoes that suit you and your running style. HYROX is mainly running, most athletes spend more time on the track than in any of the exercise stations. It’s important to keep that in mind when you’re choosing what to wear. For your footwear, you need something that will allow you to run comfortably but you also want a bit of grip for the sleds push and pull, and a bit of stability for lunges and wall balls.
Many athletes love the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 for HYROX. As an official partner of HYROX, Puma has been designing shoes and training gear specifically with HYROX in mind so it’s a good best if you’re unsure of what to wear. Puma’s running shoes feature the famous Pumagrip textured rubber. It’s arguably the best under sole grip in the running game and a real asset on the sleds.
Visit the HYROX South Africa online store to shop full HYROX x Puma collection.
