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The 8 Best Shoes for Hyrox in 2025: Chosen for Speed, Grip and Stability
From Puma to Saucony, Brooks to Nike, these are the best trainers to lace up for your next Hyrox
From sled technique to erg efficiency, lap counting to doubles strategising, the key to Hyrox success is in the preparation. But one thing that can make or break your race regardless of how well prepared you are is your choice of footwear.
The best shoes for Hyrox are those that balance speed, stability and grip, pushing you forward on the runs while offering enough traction on the sleds and stability on the lunges, burpees and wall balls.
The difficulty isn't necessarily finding trainers that fit this bill, but matching the right shoe to your race-day goals and foot type. You might even already own a pair.
Best Hyrox Shoes
Ultimately, the best Hyrox shoe for you will come down to personal preference. But if you're looking for some guidance, these are our top recommendations.
Try this Hyrox simulation workout you can do in any gym
Hyrox isn't just a running event. But it does make up half the race. (More if you factor in the 'Roxzone'.) That's why running shoes, with their cushioning, propulsion and speed, are the preferred footwear for Hyrox over styles like cross-training shoes.
But not all running shoes are necessarily appropriate for Hyrox. Super shoes (like the Nike Alphaflys) might seem like an obvious choice, but proceed with caution. With their large stack heights, big heel-to-toe drops and springy carbon plates, they're certainly quick. But those same attributes can lack stability on the weight sections and make it difficult to navigate the bends and turns of a Hyrox course.
Grip and stability are the two other qualities you'll want to consider. The former is key for keeping your footing on the sled push and pull. The latter, while less important given the relatively light weights used in Hyrox, is nonetheless important when it comes to the lunges, burpee broad jumps and wall balls. The key is to find a fast shoe that balances all three elements well.
Thankfully, given the massive popularity of Hyrox and the meteoric rise of running over the past decade, there are no shortage of running shoes that fit this bill.
What to Consider
Unless you're competing for the fastest times, no shoe isn't going to wildly improve your time. That's more dependent on your training. But a bad pair can certainly derail it. Whether you're unsure if your existing trainers are appropriate or you're in the market for a new pair, these are some things to consider before parting with your cash.
Testing
You don't necessarily need new running shoes for Hyrox. The trainers you already own may have all the qualities needed to get you through a race and set a quick time. But it's important to leave nothing up to chance.
Properly test your shoes in the gym ahead of race day by replicating each station as best you can. If your gym doesn't have the same style of sled and flooring as what you'll face on race day, you might want to consider taking them for a spin in a gym that does.
Foot Type
Everyone's gait – the natural movement of your foot as it interacts with the ground when you land – is unique. Runners pay particularly close attention to it, as it can reveal whether or not you might need extra support in your running shoes in order to aid your natural movement.
Hyrox obviously involves a good amount of running – and your training will demand a lot of mileage – but comparatively speaking, it won't be as intense as, say, a half marathon or marathon training block. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to consider your foot type when choosing a Hyrox shoe – and if you haven't had a gait analysis before, you might want to consider getting one done.
Speed
If you're entering a Hyrox race with the intention of setting a fast time, speed on the runs is key. To unlock it, many competitors opt for carbon-plated shoes that provide more responsiveness and energy return compared to standard running shoes.
The problem is that carbon shoes lack stability, which could cause you issues on the lunges, burpees and wall balls. The good news is that there are now purpose-built Hyrox shoes that feature both carbon plate and stability elements integrated into the shoe. These are the Puma x Hyrox Deviate Elite 4 and the Adidas Adizero Dropset Elite.
But a carbon plate certainly isn't the be all and end all. Most daily running shoes now possess enough speed in their high-performance foam midsoles to get your through a Hyrox race in a competitive time. Going without one should also give you more stability and less stiffness in the forefoot.
Grip
It's critical to ensure your shoe of choice allows you to get a good footing on the sleds. That means picking a shoe that has decent grip, which you'll typically get from trainers with a good coverage of textured and patterned rubber on the outsole.
It's also worth checking that the sole of the pair you intend to race in isn't worn down. We've all seen videos of competitor's feet slipping around as they attempt to push the sleds, so make sure you don't fall into the same trap with an old pair of runners.
Stability
Running shoes get their stability from things like the midsole shape, heel construction, size of the toe boxes and height difference from heel to toe. It's up to you to determine how much stability you want in expense of speed, but many fast running shoes will already have features designed to mitigate instability.
Comfort
It goes without saying, but don't forgo comfort just so that you can lace up the quickest shoe possible. At the end of the day, you should choose a shoe that you find comfortable to wear over 8km, running around bends and completing the weight stations. That means tuning in to your foot type and considering attributes like stack height, heel-to-toe drop, stiffness, etc.
How We Chose the Best Hyrox Shoes
We rewarded shoes that meet the criteria set out above, as well as the MH team's collective experience participating in Hyrox events – as pictured, I raced in the 2025 edition of Hyrox Las Vegas testing out the Puma x Hyrox Deviate Nitro 3.
We also considered the brands and models currently worn by athletes participating in the elite competitions this year, plus the most popular shoes that are worn by amateurs.
The 8 Best Shoes for Hyrox in 2025
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather eight shoes that we think are excellent options to lace up for Hyrox. Most of these shoes lean into speed, but there's also a few options here that have been chosen with other racing styles in mind.
In 2024, Puma became the official apparel and footwear partner for Hyrox. The Puma x Hyrox Deviate Nitro line-up has since been adopted by many of the sport's best athletes (many of which are sponsored by Puma), including 2023 Men's World Champion Hunter McIntryre and 2024 Women’s World Champion Meg Jacoby.
Why it makes for such an effective Hyrox shoe lies in its versatility. Puma's PWRPLATE carbon plate and NITROFOAM Elite foam midsole combine to provide a quick and responsive yet cushioned ride, while still retaining a relatively lightweight feel. The 39mm stack height and 10mm drop is high, but any instability is mitigated by a robust heel counter, while the rubber PUMAGRIP outsole offers excellent traction on a range of surfaces.
The Deviate Nitro 3 sits in the middle of Puma's three Hyrox shoes, with a more cushioned and responsive feel than the Velocity Nitro, which is positioned as more of a training shoe. Most Puma-sponsored athletes now wear the 'Elite' version of the Deviate Nitro 3, which is more lightweight and minimalist in order to generate more speed, but this is the shoe that I'd recommend to most people.
As worn by: 2023 Men's World Champion Hunter McIntryre, 2024 Women’s World Champion Meg Jacoby, 2024 Men's Pro Doubles World Champion Jake Dearden.
| Stack height | 39mm (heel), 29mm (forefoot) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
| Carbon plate | Carbon PWRPLATE |
Pros
- Quick and responsive ride
- Lightweight
- Grippy outsole
Cons
- Pricey
- Lacks durability
The Deviate Nitro Elite3 is the shoe of choice of many of the elite Puma-sponsored athletes. As at home on the road is on the Hyrox course, it's a true super shoe, with a highly responsive carbon plate, Puma's most advanced midsole foam and super lightweight build (each shoe weighs just 198.25g).
You make a few concessions in terms of durability in exchange for all that additional speed, so we'd recommend reserving this shoe for race days. It's not something you want to batter in the gym each week. (Unless you have an especially deep wallet.)
With more foam height at the heel and forefoot, it's not as stable as the standard Nitros. But it's nonetheless a plenty supportive shoe for athletes willing to give up a little stability for more energy on the runs.
In terms of grip, the Deviate Nitro 3 Elite features a similar rubber tread to the standard Nitros. The coverage on the outsole is slightly pared back, particularly at the heel, but it still offers plenty traction at the forefoot and has enough grip not to cause you any issues on the sleds.
The Deviate Nitro 3 Elite was recently released in a limited-edition version in partnership with Represent's 247 line in a pretty smart Desert Dust colourway. That's now sold out in both men's and women's, but it's worth keeping an eye out for future collabs. Some of the activewear from the drop is also still in stock.
As worn by: 2023 Men's World Champion Hunter McIntryre, 2024 Women’s World Champion Meg Jacoby, 2024 Men's Pro Doubles World Champion Jake Dearden.
| Stack height | 40mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Carbon plate | Puma PWRPLATE |
Pros
- Super quick ride
- Responsive carbon plate
- Good cushioning
Cons
- Expensive
- Not the most durable
- Nor the most stable
If speed on the runs is your ultimate priority and you're willing to lose some stability as a result, the Cloudboom Echo 3 is a road super shoe that you can get away with wearing for Hyrox.
Like the Deviate Nitro Elite 3, the On Cloudboom Echo 3 is geared up to provide road runners with maximum energy return and speed. With a stiff carbon plate, bouncy Pebax foam midsole and slightly rockered shape, the Echo 3 certainly hits the mark, but with a relatively unstable profile and high drop, it's a somewhat contentious pick.
On the outsole, there's a H-shaped patch of rubber at the forefoot and three patches of rubber at the heel, which should offer sufficient traction on the sleds. However, with there being a lot of exposed foam, you might want to keep an eye on wear and tear after repeated use.
Durability is not something this shoe is bothered with. On the box, it reads, 'Lifespan = four marathons’, which is just under 105 miles. Given that it currently retails at £175, it's a shoe you'll probably want to reserve for race day.
It's difficult to recommend for most people, but if you're competing for the fastest times, the Cloudboom Echo 3 is one to consider.
As worn by: Alexander Roncevic (Austria), 2024 Men's World Champion.
| Stack height | 37mm (heel), 27.5mm (forefoot) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 9.5mm |
| Plate | Carbon Speedboard |
Pros
- Excellent value
- Versatile across different distances
- Grippy outsole pattern with good coverage
Cons
- Not the fastest
The Nike Zoom Pegasus 41 is an excellent option for those wanting a do-it-all trainer that'll give you a good amount of speed to race in, but much more in the way of stability and grip than a super shoe.
The speed and cushioning come courtesy of the ZoomX and ReactX foams in the midsole. The stack height is modest, but the 10mm heel-t0-toe drop gives the shoe a performance-oriented feel.
The Zoom Pegasus 41 also has a pretty aggressive waffle-shaped outsole, which is great news for Hyrox athletes needing traction.
This is essentially a great entry-level shoe. You probably won't be setting any records in it, but its combination of responsiveness, stability and grip will pay dividends on the runs and each of the eight stations.
| Stack height | 34 mm (heel), 24 mm (forefoot) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
| Carbon plate | None |
Pros
- Stiff, responsive plate
- Grippy rubber outsole
- Lightweight, cushioned midsole
- Durable
Cons
- Not a do-it-all shoe
The Adidas Adizero Boston 12 has all the qualities to be a universally appealing shoe for Hyrox. It's light, versatile and geared up for speed, while still possessing a good level of stability and, importantly, a durable and grippy rubber outsole.
The shoe features fibreglass Energyrods embedded in the midsole instead of a carbon plate, which is said to limit energy loss and increase energy return, while also providing a relatively stiff ride. Meanwhile, the ultra-light LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam gives the shoe its cushioning, with the LIGHTSTRIKE 2.0 EVA midsole helping to bolster its durability.
For traction, the Continental rubber outsole is provides the necessary grip, with good coverage across the forefoot and heel. As for stability, the width in the forefoot and layered foam midsole combine to give the shoe a relatively study and balanced feel.
If your foot type matches neutral-style shoes and you want something that's quick, grippy and durable for Hyrox races that you can also use for your weekly tempo and interval training on the road, the Adizero Boston 12 is a well balanced choice.
| Stack height | 38mm (heel), 31mm (forefoot) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Plate | Fibreglass Energyrods |
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 was (and remains) a very popular Hyrox shoe – both among elite and amateur athletes. Unfortunately, it's since been superseded by the Pro 4, which means you'll now struggle to find a pair in stock. I say 'unfortunately' because the general consensus within the Hyrox community is that the Pro 4 is heavier and lacks stability.
However, for a similar experience to the Pro 3, the Endorphin Speed 4 possesses many of the same qualities that made the Pro 3 so desirable. Notably, it's a quick shoe that has a nylon plate, making is a good option for tempo runs. But it's also well balanced, offering a nice amount of comfort and support, as well as good durability thanks to the 2mm rubber outsole. It's essentially a daily trainer that you can also wear for quicker efforts.
| Stack height | 36mm (heel), 28mm (forefoot) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Plate | Winged Nylon |
Pros
- Good value
- Highly versatile
- Stability for overpronators
- Quick and repsonsive
Cons
- Not as fast as carbon-plated shoes
This shoe is all about stability. If you overpronate, require additional support in your running shoes and are not concerned by racing in a super fast shoe, opt for something like the Hoka Mach 6.
Despite it being a stability-focussed daily shoe, the Mach 6 has an energetic feel with a good amount of stiffness for when you pick up the pace. It's a quick, responsive shoe that has great stability and a grippy outsole that you can use for all your training and it'll cost you a fraction of the cost of carbon-plated alternatives.
| Stack height | 37mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
| Carbon plate | N/A |
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable racing upper
- Stiff and responsive carbon plate
- Grippy outsole
Cons
- Very expensive
The Hyperion Elite 4 is another super shoe that's proving popular for Hyrox. Like the Cloudboom Echo 3, it's aggressively quick thanks to the full-length SpeedVault Race+ carbon plate and a minimalist, racing-style stretch woven upper.
The midsole is comprised of a DNA Flash v2 supercritical nitrogen-infused foam, which is there to deliver a bouncy and supportive ride with a good amount of energy return. It's not super stable, which you could find to be an issue on the bends, but the gneeral consensus is that it's among the most stable of the super shoes. As for grip, it has a lattice-style rubber tread, which users report provides ample traction on the sleds.
If you're not so concerned about speed, another Brooks shoe that you might want to consider is the Hyperion 2. Positioned as a daily trainer, it's no super shoe, but it's incredibly versatile, doubling up as a lightweight daily trainer and a fast day option when you need it.
| Stack height | 40mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Plate | SpeedVault Race+ |
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Luke Chamberlain is the ecommerce editor for Men’s Health UK where he compiles expert-led buying guides and in-depth product reviews across gym wear, fitness tech, supplements, and grooming. Responsible for testing everything from the latest gym headphones to the best manscaping tools, Luke also enlists the help of leading health and wellness experts to help readers make informed choices when shopping online – whether it's to debunk the latest viral hair growth trend or to get the lowdown on a new type of recovery tech. He also covers major sales events for Men’s Health, such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, scouting and verifying hundreds of discounts in order to recommend only the most genuine deals on offer. A magazine journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield in 2018, Luke has also worked as assistant editor for Outdoor Swimmer magazine and as an ecommerce writer for The Recommended. When he’s not testing the latest health and fitness products, he’s busy plotting routes for his next trail run or gravel ride out of London. Follow Luke on Instagram at @lukeochamb
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