What gear do you need for HYROX?
Quick answer
One of HYROX’s appeals is that it is gear-light: the venue supplies all the equipment, so your kit is mostly about comfort, grip and not surprising your body on the day. The golden rule is simple: race in what you have trained in. This list pairs with the full race-day walkthrough.
The race-day kit list
Sorted by priority, from must-have to nice-to-have. Most racers can fit the lot in a small bag.
| Item | Why | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Race shoes | One pair that runs well and grips the sleds. Your single most important choice. | Essential |
| Breathable shorts/top | Light, non-chafing kit you have already trained and sweated in. | Essential |
| Socks (plus a spare) | Blister-free running socks; a dry spare for the warm-up or after. | Essential |
| Water bottle | Hydrate before your wave; venues get hot and busy. | Essential |
| Chalk or grip aid | Helps the sled pull, farmers carry and wall balls when palms get sweaty. | Recommended |
| Pre-race snack/gel | A familiar fast-carb top-up for the final 30 minutes, tested in training. | Recommended |
| Small towel & warm layer | For the warm-up and the cool-down after you finish. | Recommended |
| Sweat bands / cap | Keeps sweat out of your eyes on the runs and wall balls. | Optional |
| Compression sleeves | Purely personal preference. Only if you race in them already. | Optional |
Shoes: the one choice that matters most
If you get one piece of kit right, make it your shoes. A HYROX shoe has to run comfortably for 8 km and grip the floor on the sleds, a real trade-off worth its own guide. See the best HYROX shoes for the criteria and the three shoe types to choose between.
Chalk, grip and gloves
Gloves are a personal choice: some racers like them for the sled pull and rope, but many find they hurt grip on the kettlebells and wall ball. If you use them, race in the pair you have trained with.
Chalk is the simplest win: a light coat on the hands steadies your grip on the sled pull, farmers carry and wall balls once you start to sweat.
What you can leave at home
- Your own weights or equipment. Everything is provided and standardised on site.
- Brand-new shoes or clothing. Race day is not the time to break anything in.
- A heavy fuel arsenal. For a sub-90-minute race you need far less than you think. See what to eat before HYROX.
With your kit sorted, the real race-day edge is knowing where you lose time. Import your result into the 8stations platform and it pinpoints the runs and stations to focus on next.