Hyrox punishes kit choices that road running forgives. You alternate eight 1km runs with eight workout stations, so anything that rides up, bunches or holds sweat gets found out somewhere between the ski erg and the sled. This is the full list, from the legs up.
What does Hyrox actually require you to wear?
Very little is mandated. You need your race bib visible on the front, and footwear at all times. There is no rule requiring compression, long socks or a particular short length. Everything below is about performance and comfort, not compliance. Check your event page before race day, because requirements occasionally differ by venue.
Legs: tights or shorts?
This is the decision that matters most, because your legs do all eight stations and all 8km. Tights give full quad and calf coverage and hold graduated support through the sled push, where your quads take the load. Shorts run cooler, which matters because most Hyrox venues are indoor and warmer than you expect.
Our compression tights for Hyrox use 15-20 mmHg medical grade graduated compression in a 225 GSM knit, which is heavy enough to hold shape through sandbag lunges rather than sliding down them. If you prefer shorts, pair them with calf guards to get the same calf support without the full leg.
Feet and calves: socks are not an afterthought
Your calves take a beating in Hyrox. Eight runs, plus the sled pull, plus wall balls. Firm graduated compression at the calf is the single cheapest upgrade most athletes have not made. Our compression race socks run at 25-30 mmHg, which is a firmer band than the tights deliberately, because that is where the fatigue concentrates.
On shoes, most athletes race in a stable trainer rather than a carbon plate. The sled push wants grip and a flat platform. A plated racing shoe built for road running is the wrong tool for pushing weight across turf.
Top half
A fitted technical vest or tee. Loose cotton is the classic first-timer mistake: it holds sweat, adds weight and catches on the sandbag. Fitted matters at the wall ball station in particular, where a loose top gets in the way of the catch.
What to leave at home
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Anything brand new. Race day is not the day to discover where a seam rubs.
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Cotton. Anywhere.
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Loose shorts with deep pockets. They fill with air on the runs and catch on the sled handles.
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A watch you have not tested with a wall ball. Ask anyone who has caught one on the wrist.
A sample race day kit
- Compression tights or shorts at 15-20 mmHg
- Compression race socks at 25-30 mmHg
- Fitted technical vest
- Stable trainers, not carbon plated
- Light gloves if you struggle with the sled handles, though many athletes go without
Everything in that list is available from our compression collection. Free UK delivery over £50.
Frequently asked
Do I need compression to race Hyrox? No. Plenty of people race in normal training kit. Compression is about support and fatigue management over roughly 90 minutes of continuous work, not about eligibility.
Should I wear long socks or calf guards? Either. Socks are simpler and cover the foot as well. Calf guards let you pick your own sock and are easier to adjust between stations.
Is it worth racing in a new kit setup? No. Train in exactly what you plan to race in for at least three sessions, including one that involves a sled.
What to Wear for Hyrox: The Complete Kit List
Hyrox punishes kit choices that road running forgives. You alternate eight 1km runs with eight workout stations, so anything that rides up, bunches or holds sweat gets found out somewhere between the ski erg and the sled. This is the full list, from the legs up.
What does Hyrox actually require you to wear?
Very little is mandated. You need your race bib visible on the front, and footwear at all times. There is no rule requiring compression, long socks or a particular short length. Everything below is about performance and comfort, not compliance. Check your event page before race day, because requirements occasionally differ by venue.
Legs: tights or shorts?
This is the decision that matters most, because your legs do all eight stations and all 8km. Tights give full quad and calf coverage and hold graduated support through the sled push, where your quads take the load. Shorts run cooler, which matters because most Hyrox venues are indoor and warmer than you expect.
Our compression tights for Hyrox use 15-20 mmHg medical grade graduated compression in a 225 GSM knit, which is heavy enough to hold shape through sandbag lunges rather than sliding down them. If you prefer shorts, pair them with calf guards to get the same calf support without the full leg.
Feet and calves: socks are not an afterthought
Your calves take a beating in Hyrox. Eight runs, plus the sled pull, plus wall balls. Firm graduated compression at the calf is the single cheapest upgrade most athletes have not made. Our compression race socks run at 25-30 mmHg, which is a firmer band than the tights deliberately, because that is where the fatigue concentrates.
On shoes, most athletes race in a stable trainer rather than a carbon plate. The sled push wants grip and a flat platform. A plated racing shoe built for road running is the wrong tool for pushing weight across turf.
Top half
A fitted technical vest or tee. Loose cotton is the classic first-timer mistake: it holds sweat, adds weight and catches on the sandbag. Fitted matters at the wall ball station in particular, where a loose top gets in the way of the catch.
What to leave at home
A sample race day kit
Everything in that list is available from our compression collection. Free UK delivery over £50.
Frequently asked
Do I need compression to race Hyrox? No. Plenty of people race in normal training kit. Compression is about support and fatigue management over roughly 90 minutes of continuous work, not about eligibility.
Should I wear long socks or calf guards? Either. Socks are simpler and cover the foot as well. Calf guards let you pick your own sock and are easier to adjust between stations.
Is it worth racing in a new kit setup? No. Train in exactly what you plan to race in for at least three sessions, including one that involves a sled.