- By
- Resilience Fitness
What gear do real HYROX athletes rely on?
We asked 45 members from our community — including coaches, members, and co-founders Josh and Andrew — to share exactly what they wear and bring on race day. From shoes and socks to tech and apparel we measured what our community packs in their gear bag.
Now, before we kick things off, a quick note on the data. This is a small-sample, community-driven survey — not a global consensus. 66.7% of respondents were female, which definitely shaped some of the results (especially apparel). For example, Lululemon scored high, but mostly among women. These insights are a snapshot of our community, and we’ll keep refining the data as more athletes weigh in.
Best HYROX Shoes 2025
Footwear is easily the most talked-about topic in HYROX circles—for good reason. This isn’t just a road race or a gym workout. You’re running 8 km, stopping to push sleds, lunge, and burpee broad jump. Your shoes have to do it all: grip turf, handle impact, and stay comfortable under fatigue.
In our survey, lightweight design edged out traction as the top priority by a hair. So what attributes make up the ideal HYROX shoe? Based on the data, it seems like our athletes are looking for race-day shoe that feels fast and nimble, but still provides enough grip for sled work with plenty of stability and cushioning.
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So which shoes delivered on those priorities?
Two models from PUMA stood out in our results, especially among athletes training at Resilience. The Deviate Nitro 3 and Deviate Nitro Elite 3 made up nearly 40% of all responses. No surprise here since Puma is an official sponsor of Hyrox. Right next to Puma was Nike with an assortment of favourite models including the Vaporfly 4, Pegasus 41 and others. Rounding out the group was Asics, New Balance, On, and Saucony.
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When we asked members specifically about their choice of race-day shoe, here’s what they had to say:
“Grip and traction made a huge difference on the sled.” says Resilience Member @shellyversoza about her Puma Deviate Nitro 3’s.
“Cushion for the runs, control for sled work.” says Resilience Coach @nikkipfit, about the On Cloudmonster’s she wore at Toronto 2024.
Key Takeways
While the two PUMA models were by far the most popular picks, it’s worth noting that PUMA is the official HYROX sponsor, which gives them an edge in visibility and trust. Ultimately, choice of shoe is going to come down to a little bit of trial and error to find the fit and brand that works best for you.
Now let’s look at another key detail that can make or break your race: socks.
Best HYROX Socks 2025
Getting a blister at the 3rd station can make your next 5 stations a living hell. Translation… Socks matter (well to most anyway).
When we asked our members what mattered most when it comes to a race-day sock, the answers were clear: breathability first, compression second, and just enough padding to take the sting out of pavement.
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While a several members said that “whatever’s clean” was good enough, our Head Coach Andrew Gillis noted that for some racers, socks are a much talked about and debated topic in HYROX and Hybrid fitness circles. When we asked our survey respondents what brands they most preferred, Nike as the clear winner, while more niche brands like Feetures were also considered.
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While a number of our respondents opted for “whatever’s clean,” and “any sock is fine”, our Head Coach Andrew Gillis noted that for some, socks are a much talked about and debated topic in HYROX and Hybrid fitness circles. When we asked our survey respondents what brands they most preferred, Nike as the clear winner, while more niche brands like Feetures were also considered.
“Padding without swamp‑foot” says @jonfrancomonaco about his Feetures Elite Max Cushion
“Breathability” says @jclistro7 is the reason she prefers Lululemon socks for race-day
Key Takeways
So there you have it. For some folks, socks are a non issue, while for others, the right sock is an important part of their race-day gear.
Next up: We’ll take a look at the most important qualities our respondents noted for their race-day apparel and the brands they most loved.
Find out why stretchy, sweat-wicking fabrics are winning the race.
Best HYROX Apparel 2025
If you could design the perfect race-day apparel, what would you include? When we asked our members, sweat-wicking, breathable fabrics were at the top of the feature list.
But that’s not the only feature our respondents felt were important. In nearly all cases, our respondents showed a strong preference for anti-chafe and seamless designs, with storage space for gels, and a stretchy material.
Ideally, our participants felt that the perfect race-day apparel is one that works with you, doesn’t bunch up, or slip down, while keeping you cool, dry and focused on your race, not your clothes.
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As shown in the survey data, in addition to the breathable, sweat-wicking fabric, our athletes also stressed the importance of apparel with cargo space for energy gels that also looked good in photos. When we asked which brands had the best combination of those attributes, we found a somewhat diverse range of answers. While some athletes chose generic Amazon brands, others preferred more niche brands like ASRV or Toronto’s own
Saya The Label. Overall, the majority of our members preferred Nike and Lululemon.
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When it came to preferred race day brands, Nike’s Dri-Fit was quite popular. Leading the group was Lululemon, which as noted is highly favoured by female racers. Some of the other brands our athletes liked were Gymshark, Puma and Under Armour getting honourable mentions.
“I’ve stuck with Lululemon for both my races because how thin and agile the material is. The last thing I want to be concerned about it my shorts rising up anything falling/sliding down. It’s been my tried and true. I’ve heard great things about LSKD and ONER Active for women.” says Resilience Member Sarah Jai
“The fit is just perfect.” – says Resilience Coach and Hyrox Toronto 2024 racer @elleithium about Under Armour
Key Takeways
The overwhelming favorite among athletes was Lululemon, praised for its movement-friendly cuts and breathable fabrics. Nike Dri-FIT came in strong as well, with many citing its ability to wick away sweat and stay dry across stations. Toronto-based Saya also made an impression with its functional-yet-flattering designs. Ultimately, athletes chose apparel that blends performance with comfort—gear that won’t ride up, chafe, or hold them back when it counts.
Best HYROX Tech & Trackers 2025
There’s no shortage of numbers in HYROX. From lap splits and heart rate zones to cumulative time on each station, today’s athletes aren’t just training hard—they’re training smart. And that means tracking everything.
But there’s a nuance here: for many, the Apple Watch is their everyday watch—not their go-to for HYROX prep. Some athletes have picked up a second device specifically for training and race-day. Why? For more accurate interval data, better recovery insights, and tools designed for performance—not just convenience.
Here’s what our respondents are using to track their progress:
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The Apple Watch still topped the list, but it’s clear that many athletes are looking beyond it when it comes to serious training. Some use it to monitor pacing and heart rate, while others are turning to purpose-built tools for deeper performance analysis. A few said they don’t track anything at all—choosing to train by feel and instinct.
Here’s what they told us:
Head Resilience Coach @andrewgillis_ swears by his Amazfit because it was the first brand to have a dedicated HYROX setting built-in to the watch.
New Resilience HYROX Team member Kait McCaul favours the Garmin for it’s advanced fitness and performance metrics.
Key Takeways
While the Apple Watch may be the most common device overall, there are other options like the Amazfit for those looking for HYROX-specific features. Whether it’s a dedicated training watch or your everyday smartwatch, one thing is clear: tech will continue to play a big role in how athletes prepare, perform, and recover.
Best HYROX Accessories 2025
What to pack in your gear bag for race-day is another one of the most frequently asked questions in the HYROX community. Whether it’s Reddit threads or Facebook group chats, athletes are constantly comparing notes on what essentials help them feel ready and race strong.
From knee sleeves to salt tabs, sweatbands to scrunchies, the right gear can be the difference between staying focused or getting thrown off mid-race. These are the tools our respondents rely on most.
Here’s what they told us:
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While some athletes keep it minimal, most bring a curated mix of accessories designed to reduce fatigue, boost focus, or manage minor aches and pains. Nearly 60% of our respondents said they bring some type of energy gel or chew. Brands like Maurten, GU, and Clif were the most frequently mentioned, usually taken right before or during the run stations.
Knee sleeves also ranked high, particularly for wall balls and sleds, where support and joint warmth can make a big difference. Wristbands and sweatbands—often overlooked—were another staple, helping athletes maintain dry hands for better grip on farmer’s carries and pulls. A few even mentioned using SaltStick tabs as a preventative tool against cramping during the later stages of the race.
Here’s how some of our members approach their accessories:
Resilience member @achievewalex packs a Theragun in her race-day bag.
Key Takeways
Many athletes come to HYROX from sports like CrossFit or endurance running, and that background shows in their gear. Knee sleeves, headbands, and sweatbands remain popular add-ons—not because they’re trendy, but because they solve real race-day problems. Whether it’s staying dry, staying supported, or just staying focused, the right accessory can make the difference between a clean station and a chaotic one.
Conclusion
Big thanks to everyone who took the time to respond and share their gear picks with us. This guide is just the beginning.
Gear and trends are always evolving, and we’re already planning follow-ups for later this year and into 2026. So check back soon for more in-depth gear guides based on real athlete feedback.
If you found this helpful, share it with a teammate, coach, or training group. The more insights we collect, the stronger our community becomes.
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