HYROX Race Day Kit: The Complete Packing List

HYROX race day kit comes down to five groups: what you race in (shoes, socks, shorts or tights, top, optional gloves), what you wear before and after (warm layer, change of clothes), what you eat and drink (rehearsed breakfast, a top-up, in-race fuel if used, post-race snack, water), what you need to get in (confirmation, ID, bib and pins or belt), and recovery and comfort items (towel, tape, spare socks, phone charger). Pack it the night before, use a bag you can drop at the venue, and leave anything that needs a decision at home. This guide covers each group with what to look for and ends with a checklist.

Independent guide; not affiliated with HYROX, DEKA or Spartan.

Race kit (what you wear)

Shoes. The decision that affects your time. Tested on sleds and over distance. See best shoes for HYROX.

Socks. Technical running socks you have raced or trained long in. Pack a spare pair.

Shorts or tights. Something that stays put through lunges and burpees: lined shorts, half tights, or tights. See what to wear for HYROX.

Top. Close-fitting technical top or singlet. Not cotton. Consider shoulder coverage for the sandbag.

Gloves or grips (optional). Tested on rope and kettlebells; permitted under the current rulebook. See grip and gloves.

Headband or hat (optional). Keeps sweat out of the eyes for wall balls.

Watch (optional). For run pace alerts. Charged, configured, not relied on for anything the race clock does better.

Supports (optional). Knee sleeves or similar if you train in them and they are permitted.

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Before and after

Warm layer. A hoodie or jacket for the start pen and for after. Venues can be cool before you move and you will be damp afterward.

Change of clothes. Dry top, dry bottoms, dry socks, comfortable shoes.

Towel. A small one for the face mid-warm-up, a larger one for after.

Flip-flops or slides. For the walk from bag drop to car with wet feet.

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Nutrition and hydration

Breakfast. Eaten at home ideally; if your wave is early or you are travelling, bring the rehearsed breakfast with you.

Top-up. A banana, bar or sports drink for the last hour if you use one.

In-race fuel. A gel or chews if your race will run beyond about an hour and you have practised with them. Confirm carry rules.

Water bottle. For before and after. Water stations are on the course.

Post-race snack. Something with carbohydrate and protein for the first hour.

See race-day nutrition.

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Admin

• Registration confirmation (on your phone and, as a backup, printed).
• Photo ID if the event requires it.
• Bib and timing chip if sent in advance; otherwise collect at check-in.
• Safety pins or a race belt for the bib. Events usually supply pins; bring your own in case.
• Cash or card for food, parking and merchandise.
• Parking or transport details.

Recovery and comfort

• Spare socks.
• Athletic tape and a small blister kit.
• Lip balm; venues are dry.
• Anti-chafe balm for thighs, nipples and under the arms.
• Phone charger or power bank; results and photos drain the battery.
• Headphones for the journey (typically not permitted during the race).
• A small foam roller or massage ball if you like them for warm-up.

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The bag itself

A duffel or backpack large enough for the above, with a separate compartment for wet kit and shoes. Bag-drop areas are busy; a distinctive bag or a tag with your name helps. Check the event's bag-drop rules; some restrict bag size.

Look for: a wet/dry compartment, a shoe pocket, a secure zip and comfortable straps if you are walking from distant parking.

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What to leave at home

• Anything new.
• Valuables you do not need.
• Large bottles and heavy food.
• Multiple shoe options; decide at home.
• Anything you have not tested.

Doubles and relay

Same list per athlete. Pairs and teams sometimes share a bag drop; agree who carries what. In doubles, matching or distinctive tops help you find each other in a crowded Roxzone. See HYROX doubles.

Travel

If you are travelling to the race:

• Carry race shoes and kit in hand luggage; checked bags go missing.
• Pack breakfast food you can prepare in a hotel room (oats, bread, bananas).
• Bring your own water bottle and some familiar snacks.
• Arrive the day before if the wave is early.

Browse the events directory for upcoming events.

Weather and venue variables

Indoor venues remove weather from the race itself but not from the journey. If you are walking from a distant car park in rain or cold, pack a waterproof layer and keep race shoes dry in the bag; wet shoes before the start are miserable. Inside, halls vary from cold (early-morning waves in winter) to very warm (afternoon waves with a full crowd). A warm layer for the pen and a change of top for after cover both cases. If the venue is known to be hot, take an extra top and more fluid for after.

Floor surface matters for shoe choice, so if you can find out whether the run course is concrete, carpet or matting (past event photos usually show it), pack the shoe that suits it. See best shoes for HYROX.

Spectators

If friends or family are coming, pack for them too: a printed wave time and the venue address, a note of where the spectator entrance is, and something warm. Tell them which station is easiest to watch from (the wall balls and the sleds are usually closest to the barriers) so they are in the right place when you arrive there. Spectator tickets, where required, are listed on the event page.

The night before

Pack the bag completely. Pin the bib if you have it. Lay out race kit. Charge the watch and phone. Check the venue address and parking. Set two alarms. Then stop thinking about it. The first HYROX checklist has the full timeline.

Checklist

Race kit

• Shoes
• Socks (plus spare)
• Shorts or tights
• Top
• Gloves or grips (optional, tested, permitted)
• Headband or hat (optional)
• Watch (optional, charged)
• Supports (optional, permitted)

Before and after

• Warm layer
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Slides or flip-flops

Nutrition

• Breakfast (if eating at venue)
• Top-up snack
• In-race fuel (if used and practised)
• Water bottle
• Post-race snack

Admin

• Confirmation
• ID
• Bib and chip (if sent)
• Pins or race belt
• Cash or card
• Transport details

Recovery and comfort

• Spare socks
• Tape and blister kit
• Lip balm
• Anti-chafe balm
• Charger or power bank
• Headphones (for travel)

FAQ

What should I bring to a HYROX race?

Race kit you have trained in, a warm layer and change of clothes, rehearsed food and drink, your confirmation and ID, and small recovery items. The checklist above covers it.

Do I need gloves for HYROX?

Optional. If you use them, test them on the sled pull rope and kettlebell handles and confirm they are permitted.

Can I bring my own water onto the course?

Carry rules are in the rulebook and event information. Water stations are provided on the course.

Is there bag drop at HYROX events?

Typically yes. Check the event information for size limits and location.

What do I wear in the start pen?

Race kit plus a warm layer you can hand to a spectator or leave at bag drop before the start.