New to HYROX or experienced and fed up with a lack of grip on the Sled Pull or instability on the Farmer Carry?
I found out first hand on the Sled Push what can happen if you don’t have the right shoes (It wasn’t pretty)
50% of a HYROX race is running and the biggest failure on Sled Push and Pull is lack of footwear grip, so getting your footwear right is essential!
Imagine smashing each stage of the HYROX, with shoes that feel like an extension of you. Shoes that offer the perfect blend of grip, comfort, speed, and stability.
Through research, trial and error during my 5 year HYROX obsession, that is exactly what I’ve narrowed down for you. The best shoes for HYROX that will give you that critical edge.
Once you’ve picked your shoes the next focus should be on the best clothing and training equipment to get you race ready.
Deviate Nitro 2
The best allrounder. Worn by the record holding HYROX Champion Hunter McIntyre
9.3/10
Endorphin Pro 3
Grippy, bouncy and great for the running sections. Worn by HYROX Men’s Doubles Champion Michael Sandbach
9/10
Hyperion Tempo
Lightweight with great stability. Worn by HYROX Coach and Elite 15 Athlete Beau Wills
8.75/10
What is HYROX?
HYROX is a unique bled of 1km runs and 8 functional fitness stations. This setup puts you through a variety of motions including running, pushing, pulling, jumping, lunging and squatting.
The best shoes are ones that won’t let you down in any of these areas.
The Best Shoes for HYROX
1. Puma Deviate Nitro 2
Puma Deviate Nitro 2
JJR Rating: 9.3
Stability: 9
Grip: 10
Response: 9
Durability: 9
Key Benefits
- The most complete all rounder for Grip, Stability, Response and Durability
Features
- NITRO Elite Foam: Provides high-level responsiveness in an extremely lightweight package.
- PWRPLATE: An innovative carbon composite plate designed for maximum energy transfer and optimized running efficiency.
- PWRTAPE: Offers targeted upper reinforcement for added support and durability.
- PUMAGRIP: A durable rubber compound ensuring traction across all surfaces, which is especially beneficial for the sled push and pull.
- Breathability and Design: The mesh upper ensures your feet remain cool.
- Heel-to-toe drop: 6mm, creating a more stable platform than the higher heel-to-toe drops
- Cushioning Level: Max cushioning ensures comfort throughout the 8km+ running segments of HYROX.
Price Range
Approximately £145
Pros
Cons
Overview
These are the No.1 ranked shoes and for good reason. They pack all the essential features for your HYROX race including; responsive, light weight foam and carbon plate for the 1k runs, rubber compound grip to get you through the Sled Push, Sled Pull and Burpees Broad Jumps and a 6mm Heel to Toe Drop for better stability through the Lunges and Wall Balls.
They are the shoes worn by the HYROX Champion Hunter McIntyre, who said in Sept 2023: “I wear them not because I get paid to, I wear them because they are the best shoes for the job.”
2. Saucony Endorphin Pro 3
Saucony Endorphin Pro 3
JJR Rating: 9
Grip: 9
Stability: 8
Response: 10
Durability: 9
Key Benefits
- Excellent responsive foam and high heel-to-toe drop means these are brilliant for the running sections.
Features
- SPEEDROLL Technology: This innovative feature propels the runner forward, translating to effortless strides.
- PWRRUNPB Foam Cushioning: An advanced super foam that maximizes running comfort for long distances.
- S-Curve Carbon-Fiber Plate: Perfectly designed for the right amount of spring and pop, offering unparalleled propulsion.
- Lightweight Breathable Mesh Upper: Ensures the foot remains cool, promoting better performance during rigorous exercises.
- FORMFIT Design: Adapts to every contour of the foot, ensuring a personalized fit and feel for every athlete.
- XT-900 Outsole: Provides exceptional grip, ideal for HYROX’s sled push and pull exercises.
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm
- Weight: Approximately 204g
Price Range
Approximately £210
Pros
Cons
Overview
These shoes are both grippy and bouncy and give great forward momentum. They offer more than enough grip for the sled work. They are less stable than the flatter soled shoes in this list. Overall the added speed it gave me on the running sections more than outweighed the mild instability on the Sandbag Lunges and Wall Balls.
HYROX Men’s Doubles Champion Michael Sandbach races in the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3.
Additional Details: With a sustainability focus, the Endorphin Pro 3 is vegan and incorporates recycled materials. The shoe falls under the neutral category.
3. Brooks Hyperion Tempo
Brooks Hyperion Tempo
JJR Rating: 8.75
Grip: 9
Stability: 10
Response: 8
Durability: 8
Key Benefits
- Huge stability offered from a lightweight and grippy shoe. The stability is a blessing when you’re pushing up through the Lunges, Burpees and Wall Balls.
Features
- DNA FLASH Foam: Nitrogen-infused to offer an ideal mix of energy return and lightweight cushioning, adapting to every stride.
- Lightweight Design: Crafted from ultra-light materials, including the DNA FLASH, ensuring agility during runs.
- Responsive Cushioning: DNA-based cushioning technologies that react to each runner’s unique stride, offering an unparalleled responsive ride.
- Performance Fit: Ensures a snug and efficient fit, with a breathable stretch-woven upper optimising comfort and reducing heat build-up.
Price Range
Approximately £84
Pros
Cons
Overview
A great lightweight shoe that offers huge stability due to it’s small sack height. It has great grip that will stand up to the test of the sled work. It lacks the carbon fibre plate that other racing shoes offer but don’t be fooled, this is still a great shoe to run in.
Tom Hogan (HYROX Elite 15 Athlete) and Beau Wills (HYROX Coach and Elite 15 Athlete) choose Brooks Hyperion Tempo as their HYROX racing shoe of choice.
Essential Features of the Best Shoes for HYROX
To get through all stations of the HYROX race, without problems, you want shoes with the following qualities;
Grip and traction
You need good grip on different surfaces, including the running circuit floor and Sled carpet to avoid slips and wasted time.
Stability and support
For the burpees, lunges, and wall balls, you want a stable shoe that you can push through that provides support and prevents ankle rolls.
Cushioning and responsiveness
You’ll need a balance of cushioning for comfort and responsiveness to quickly get through the 8x1km runs.
Durability
HYROX puts a lot of physical demand on your shoes so you need them to be tough and durable to avoid shopping for a new pair every 3 months.
Tips for Choosing the Best HYROX Shoes
When trying on your shoes you’re looking for ones that feel comfortable, springy, stable, grippy, lightweight and well built (Won’t split and fall apart after one race)
The main takeaway is there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer; your personal preference and your foot shape play a big role in choosing the best footwear. Any from the list above will serve you well.
How Can the Best HYROX Shoe Benefit You?
The right lightweight shoes allow you to confidently smash through the 8km+ run, knowing discomfort won’t slow you down. Equally, when it comes to the sled push and pull exercises, great grip on the shoe ensures good traction and efficiency and prevents injury as a result of slips and falls.
The shoe with a solid base allows you to grind through the Wall Balls, Lunges and burpees with minimal energy burnt on stabilising. The right shoe, tailored to your personal preference can shave seconds off your finish time.
When talking about the performance of his Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 shoes, Michael Sandbach said they take 2-5 seconds per km off his HYROX time.
Buyers Guide: How We Conducted Our Research
When doing our research to find the best product, we determined using these factors:
- Pricing: We looked at how much each shoe costs and weighed it against its features and benefits.
- Features: We closely examined the unique features of each shoe, from grip and stack height to comfort and weight.
- Negatives: We took note of any potential drawbacks or issues raised by HYROX participants.
Wrapping Up
So there you have have it. Puma Deviate Nitro 2, Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 and Brooks Hyperion Tempo leading the way for the best shoes for HYROX.
Remember shoes are not the be all and end all. If you already have trusted trainers with enough grip for the sled work and are comfortable running 8 x 1km in them, they will still serve you well.
If you are definitely in the market for a new pair of HYROX shoes, the most important things to keep in mind are;
Speed in the runs – Boosted by bouncy foam and aggressive rockers.
Grip – Without the right grip your feet can slip, making the the sled work a nightmare.
Stability – A Good stable base the push through on the lunges, burpee broad jumps and wall balls.
Comfort – You don’t want your focus to be on blisters and discomfort instead of the exercises.
Once you’ve run a HYROX in your new shoes, check your times and compare to see the difference they made.
The most important thing is getting yourself out there and grinding through the training sessions to smash your next HYROX Race!
If you’re new to HYROX and want a HYROX training plan to follow, we have you covered.
And don’t forget to think about the rest of your race outfit.
FAQ’s
What is the HYROX workout?
HYROX is a one-day fitness competition event that combines functional training exercises and running. Designed to challenge both endurance and strength, participants go through a series of workout stations followed by a 1km run – a format that is repeated eight times.
The workout stations are 1km SkiErg, 50m Sled Push, 50m Sled Pull, 80m Burpee Broad Jump, 1km Row, 200m Farmer’s Carry, 100m Sandbag Lunge and 100 Wall Balls. The event is often dubbed the “World Series of Fitness” and is open to athletes of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
What do you wear to HYROX?
You’ll want to wear sportswear that is comfortable and allows for a full range of motion since you’ll be engaging in a variety of exercises;
- Top: A moisture-wicking shirt or tank top. Some prefer to wear compression tops for muscle support.
- Bottom: Flexible shorts or leggings that allow for running, squatting, and other movements.
- Shoes: Trainers that provide the support and grip needed for functional exercises and the cushioning needed for the running portions.
- Accessories: Consider wearing gloves for grip during certain exercises, such as the sled push or pull. A sweatband or headband can help keep sweat out of your eyes.
How fit do you have to be for HYROX?
HYROX is designed to accommodate participants of varying fitness levels. While elite athletes may compete for the best times, many participants view HYROX as a personal challenge. That said, the event is demanding, combining 8km of running with functional exercises.
It’s beneficial to have a foundation in both cardiovascular fitness (From running or other cardio exercises) and strength training. If you’re a beginner, it’s recommended to train for several months in advance to prepare. You can find tips to improve your fitness here. Always consult with a fitness professional before embarking on a new fitness challenge.
