[Editor’s Note: This article was written by guest author Aran De Mingo of TRAILRUNNINGReview. The data for this article was collected by iRunFar and analyzed by TRAILRUNNINGReview.]
Typical knowledge tells us that completely different race programs demand completely different sorts of footwear. In the case of path operating, the Hardrock 100 is about as completely different from the Western States 100 because it will get. The Hardrock 100 is mountainous and tough, and the Western States 100 has far much less elevation acquire and loss on a lot smoother trails.
Apparently, although, within the first full evaluation of the footwear worn at each races this summer season, we now perceive that in relation to the most well-liked shoe model on the beginning line, Hoka, and notably their Speedgoat line, takes the highest spots at each occasions. Whether or not the sector is taking over the runnable trails of the Western States 100 or the slower, high-altitude routes of the Hardrock 100, almost a 3rd of runners turned to Hoka.
This text is the primary time that the hypothesis on what forms of footwear individuals are carrying on the Hardrock 100 has been become qualitative knowledge. We did the identical evaluation on the 2025 Western States 100. Our methodology was barely diversified at Hardrock. We used photographs and video of many of the members throughout the first 15 miles of the race to determine their footwear. For just a few members we missed, we requested them post-race by e-mail. It’s frequent for runners to vary their footwear as soon as, or a number of instances, throughout an occasion like Hardrock, so we need to level out that this knowledge set doesn’t have in mind shoe swaps.
Clearly, as of 2025, Hoka has grabbed the lion’s share of the path operating shoe market in relation to ultras. Probably, the extra attention-grabbing a part of this evaluation, then, is the remainder of the manufacturers that make up the highest 5, as there are a pair that didn’t function on the prime of the shoe leaderboard on the Western States 100.
Most Widespread Shoe Manufacturers on the 2025 Hardrock 100
In our current evaluation the footwear of the 2025 Western States 100, we discovered that Hoka footwear of varied fashions made up almost a 3rd of the footwear on the beginning line, and now we’ve finished the identical evaluation of the footwear on the Hardrock 100, a considerably completely different race. Like Western States, Hardrock is likely one of the most adopted occasions within the U.S, and it could be as troublesome a race to finish as it’s to safe a bib for. Solely 146 runners are invited to run every year, and many individuals wait a few years for an opportunity to aim the 102-mile loop across the Colorado San Juan Mountains that has 33,197 toes of climbing over technical terrain, tough trails, and a excessive level over 14,000 toes.
This type of race is considerably completely different from Western States, which has a internet downhill profile and comparatively easy trails. Hardrock additionally has considerably slower end instances than Western States, with Ludovic Pommeret successful for the second time in a row this 12 months with a time of twenty-two:21 and Katie Schide successful the ladies’s race with a brand new course document of 25:50. That stated, the shoe decisions of runners solely partially mirrored the distinction in velocity and terrain.
Ludovic Pommeret wore footwear with options just like the Hoka Rocket X Path on his option to successful each the 2024 and 2025 Hardrock 100. Photograph: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Like at Western States, Hoka as soon as once more reigns supreme at Hardrock, making up 28.0% of the footwear within the discipline. Their plush midsoles, grippy Vibram Megagrip outsoles, and safe uppers are options that make them versatile footwear over quite a lot of terrain varieties. These are the identical options that will even have helped the model to realize such a big share of the general market, in that they’re engaging to runners of all types.
La Sportiva footwear make up the following highest share of footwear at 12.2%. The Italian model’s mountain pedigree — with footwear providing FriXion rubber, rock-shield safety, and precision match — shines on the relentless climbs and technical descents.
French stalwart Salomon locations third at 8.4% with a number of shoe fashions made for tough terrain like that discovered at Hardrock.
Simply behind Salomon, Altra and NNormal tie at 7.5% every. Altra’s zero-drop FootShape platform appeals to these craving pure floor really feel, whereas NNormal’s newcomer standing and stiff, rocker-style chassis have gained over a rising band of runners chasing effectivity on the hardest trails.
Topo Athletic rounds out the highest 5 with 5.6%. Their low-drop footwear have a roomy toebox design that continues to draw followers of extra conventional path footwear.
Zach Miller operating by the streets of Ouray carrying The North Face footwear throughout the 2025 Hardrock 100. Photograph: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Simply outdoors the highest 5, we discover a trio of acquainted names — Brooks, Nike, and Saucony — all at 3.7%. Simply behind them are Speedland and The North Face at 2.8% every. These manufacturers every deliver their very own mix of stability, traction, protecting higher materials, and experimental ideas, however none have gained the recognition of the extra specialised mountain footwear above.
Most Widespread Shoe Fashions on the 2025 Hardrock 100
Whatever the race and the terrain, the Hoka Speedgoat line takes the highest spot for the most typical shoe mannequin on the 2025 Hardrock. It was by far the most well-liked selection and was discovered on the toes of 15.9% of the runners. Over time and the assorted variations, it’s proved to be a flexible shoe. Whereas among the options of the shoe change from mannequin to mannequin, the Vibram Megagrip lugs, ample midsole, and bolstered higher all stay constant and strike an excellent stability between safety and luxury.
In second, however nonetheless considerably forward of the following hottest shoe, the La Sportiva Prodigio Professional claimed 6.5% of the sector. Runners praised its new idea, with a big midsole and with some rocker to offer cushioning, and a grippy outsole product of the model’s FriXion White rubber, which is the stickiest of their choices. The shoe doesn’t have a carbon plate however appears to create sufficient pop to energy by steep ascents whereas offering a forgiving trip underfoot for punishing descents.
Katie Schide wears On footwear as she ascends the primary climb of the 2025 Hardrock 100 on her option to the win. Photograph: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Considerably unexpectedly, the NNormal Kjerag accounted for 4.7% of footwear in Hardrock. In contrast to the Hoka Speedgoat or La Sportiva Prodigio Professional, it has a comparatively low stack top and is sort of a lightweight shoe at 7.8 ounces (220 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9 that appears extra oriented, in our opinion, for brief to mid-distances as much as 50k. With that stated, our evaluation reveals that runners like them for a minimum of a part of a 100-mile race.
Rounding out the highest 5 had been the most recent fashions of two path shoe stalwarts, the Brooks Cascadia and Altra Lone Peak fashions, every at 3.7%. Brooks Cascadia devotees love the shoe for its secure chassis, rock plate, and dependable lug sample, whereas followers of the Altra Lone Peak respect it for its zero-drop design and spacious FootShape toebox that gives consolation because the miles add up.
Silverton, Colorado, native Jeff Rome (proper) runs by the city of Ouray throughout the 2025 Hardrock 100 carrying a pair of Brooks Cascadias on his option to a Tenth-place end whereas his pacer wears Hokas. Photograph: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Name for Feedback
- In case you’ve had the prospect to run the Hardrock 100, what footwear did you utilize and why?
- In case you might design the right shoe for Hardrock, what options would you embrace?
