I ran 8km and did 1,000+ reps in these leggings. Here's what held up.
If you've ever finished a Hyrox race with chafed thighs, a sports bra that gave up halfway through, or leggings that felt like a sauna by station four, you know that gear matters. Not in a "nice to have" way—in a "this could make or break my race" way.
I've learned this the hard way. So have the athletes in our community. And after countless training sessions, race days, and post-event debriefs, we've figured out exactly what works for Hyrox and what doesn't.
This isn't about looking good in the start corral (though that's a bonus). This is about gear that performs when you're deep in the pain cave, dripping sweat, and still have three stations to go.
What Makes Hyrox Gear Different?
Here's the thing about Hyrox: it's not just running. It's not just strength work. It's both, back-to-back, for an hour or more, with zero breaks and nowhere to hide.
That means your gear needs to handle:
8km of running (impact, sweat, constant movement)
1,000+ reps across eight workout stations (burpees, sled pushes, rowing, lunges, wall balls, ski erg, sandbag carries, farmers carries)
Temperature swings (you'll go from cold at the start to overheating mid-race)
Friction points (inner thighs during lunges, underarms during rowing, waistband during wall balls)
Your standard gym leggings? They're not built for this. And you'll find that out around the sled push when they start sliding down or bunching up in all the wrong places.
Training Phase: What Your Gear Needs to Do
Training for Hyrox is where you test everything. This is not the time to save your "good" gear for race day. This is when you figure out what actually works.
Breathability Is Non-Negotiable
You're going to sweat. A lot. In training, you're doing interval work, long runs, and station practice—often in a gym with questionable ventilation. If your leggings trap heat, you'll overheat before you even get to the hard part.
Look for fabrics with moisture-wicking technology. Our SkinSense™ Technology fabric is designed specifically for this—it pulls sweat away from your skin and allows airflow even during high-intensity work. You should never feel like you're wearing a wet towel by the third station.
Compression Zones That Actually Help
Compression isn't just about looking sleek. Done right, it supports your muscles during repetitive movements and reduces fatigue.
But here's the catch: compression needs to be in the right places.
For Hyrox, you want:
Quad and hamstring support for running and lunges
Glute compression for sled pushes and farmers carries
Core support around the waistband to keep everything in place during wall balls and burpees
Cheap leggings give you uniform compression (or none at all). Performance leggings have targeted zones that work with your body, not against it.
Pocket Placement You'll Actually Use
In training, you need your phone for timing, your gym card for access, maybe your car key. Race day, you might want a gel or your race bib tucked away.
Pockets matter. But not all pockets are created equal.
Side pockets are useless during running—everything bounces. Back waistband pockets work, but only if they're deep enough and sit flat. Our leggings have a secure back pocket that holds your essentials without adding bulk or bounce. Test this in training. If your phone is slapping against your lower back during a 2km run, it's not going to work on race day.
The Sports Bra Reality Check
Let's be honest: most sports bras are designed for yoga or light cardio. Hyrox is neither.
You need high-impact support that holds up through:
Burpee broad jumps (high impact, repetitive)
Rowing (pulling motion, upper body engagement)
Running (constant vertical movement)
Our high support crossback sports bras are specifically designed for this. The crossback design distributes weight evenly, prevents strap slippage, and gives you the support you need without restricting your breathing. Because if you're adjusting your bra mid-race, you're losing time and focus.
Race Day: What Changes (And What Doesn't)
Race day isn't the time to experiment. Everything you wear should have been tested in training. But there are a few things that become even more critical when the clock is ticking.
Chafing Is Your Enemy
In training, a little friction is annoying. On race day, it's excruciating.
The main chafe zones in Hyrox:
Inner thighs (lunges, running, sled push stance)
Underarms (rowing, ski erg, farmers carries)
Waistband (wall balls, burpees, sandbag lunges)
Your leggings need to have flat seams and stay in place. If your waistband rolls down during wall balls in training, it will absolutely do it during the race—and you'll be too focused on your time to fix it.
This is where quality fabric makes the difference. Our leggings are built with reinforced stitching and stay-put waistbands. They've been tested through thousands of reps by athletes like Emma McQuaid, who's put them through everything from CrossFit competitions to ultra-distance events.
Moisture Management Under Pressure
You'll sweat more on race day than in training. Adrenaline, nerves, and max effort all contribute.
Your gear needs to handle it. Fabrics that stay wet will:
Weigh you down
Cause chafing
Make you cold during transitions (especially if the venue is air-conditioned)
SkinSense™ Technology is designed to wick moisture away fast and dry quickly. You'll notice the difference during the ski erg and rowing stations, where you're generating serious heat in a stationary position.
Temperature Regulation: The Forgotten Factor
Most Hyrox venues are indoors, but that doesn't mean the temperature is consistent. You'll start cold, heat up fast, and then potentially cool down during transitions.
Your gear needs to regulate your body temperature without you thinking about it. Breathable fabrics that allow airflow will keep you from overheating during the sled push and wall balls, while still providing enough coverage to avoid getting cold during the row or ski erg.
Real Athletes, Real Testing
We don't just design gear and hope it works. We test it. Hard.
Emma McQuaid, one of the toughest endurance athletes in the UK, has put our leggings through everything from 100-mile races to Hyrox competitions. Her feedback: "I need gear that I can forget about. If I'm thinking about my leggings during a race, something's wrong. With Exsto, I don't think about them—they just work."
That's the standard. Gear that disappears because it's doing its job.
Our community of athletes—CrossFitters, runners, Hyrox competitors, everyday gym-goers—test every product before it goes to market. We ask them:
Did it stay in place?
Did it chafe?
Did it hold up after multiple washes?
Would you race in it?
If the answer to any of those is no, we go back to the drawing board.
Your Hyrox Gear Checklist
Here's exactly what you need, broken down by priority.
Essential: The Non-Negotiables
High Support Sports Bra
Crossback design for weight distribution
High-impact rated (not medium, not "moderate"—high)
Moisture-wicking fabric
No underwire (it will dig in during rowing)
Performance Leggings
Targeted compression zones (quads, glutes, hamstrings)
Flat seams to prevent chafing
Stay-put waistband (no rolling, no slipping)
Breathable, moisture-wicking fabric (SkinSense™ or equivalent)
Secure pocket for essentials
Proper Footwear
Hybrid training shoes (not just running shoes)
Grip for sled pushes and lunges
Cushioning for 8km of running
Recommended: The Difference Makers
Moisture-Wicking Top
Lightweight, breathable
Allows full range of motion for overhead work (wall balls, ski erg)
Anti-Chafe Protection
Apply to inner thighs, underarms, any friction points
Test this in training first
Race Day Socks
Moisture-wicking, blister-resistant
Not too thick (your feet will swell)
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake #1: Wearing Cotton Anything
Cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet. It's heavy, it chafes, and it will make you miserable by station three. Just don't.
Fix: Choose synthetic or technical fabrics designed for high-intensity work. SkinSense™ Technology is specifically engineered to wick moisture and dry fast.
Mistake #2: Wrong Compression Level
Too much compression restricts movement and breathing. Too little provides no support and everything bounces.
Fix: Test your leggings during a full Hyrox simulation in training. Can you move freely through lunges? Do your quads feel supported during the run? Does the waistband stay put during wall balls? If yes, you've got the right level.
Mistake #3: Untested Gear on Race Day
Never, ever wear something new on race day. Ever. I don't care how good the reviews are.
Fix: Wear your race day outfit for at least 2-3 full training sessions. Run in it. Do station work in it. Sweat in it. Wash it. Make sure it holds up.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the Sports Bra
A bad sports bra can ruin your race. Straps that slip, bands that dig in, cups that shift—all of it is a distraction you don't need.
Fix: Invest in a high-support sports bra designed for high-impact work. Our crossback design has been tested by athletes in competitions where support and comfort are non-negotiable.
Mistake #5: Choosing Fashion Over Function
Look, we all want to look good. But if your leggings are see-through during squats or your top rides up during burpees, it doesn't matter how cute they are.
Fix: Squat test everything. Bend over. Jump. Do burpees. If anything shifts, shows, or feels uncomfortable, it's not race-ready.
Why Quality Matters (And Saves You Money)
Here's the math: cheap leggings cost £20-30. They last maybe 20-30 washes before they pill, lose compression, or become see-through. That's about £1 per wear.
Our leggings cost more upfront, but they're guaranteed for 100 washes or 2 years—whichever comes first. Rips and tears are covered. That's our Built for Life Guarantee.
Do the math: if you train 3-4 times a week, that's 150-200 wears per year. Our leggings will outlast three or four pairs of cheap ones, and they'll perform better the entire time.
Quality isn't just about durability. It's about performance. It's about not thinking about your gear when you should be focused on your race. It's about crossing the finish line without chafed thighs and a sports bra that gave up halfway through.
What to Wear to a Hyrox Competition: The Bottom Line
If you're asking "What should I wear to a Hyrox competition?"—here's the short answer:
Wear gear that you've tested in training, that handles sweat and friction, that stays in place during 1,000+ reps, and that you can completely forget about once the race starts.
Specifically:
High support sports bra (cross back design, moisture-wicking)
Performance leggings with targeted compression and flat seams
Moisture-wicking top with full range of motion
Hybrid training shoes with grip and cushioning
And make sure everything is made from technical, breathable fabric—not cotton.
Ready to Race?
Hyrox is hard enough without fighting your gear. You've put in the training. You've done the work. Your gear should support you, not hold you back.
Our leggings and sports bras are designed by athletes, tested by athletes, and guaranteed to last. Emma McQuaid and hundreds of athletes in our community trust them on race day.
Shop our Hyrox-tested gear and experience the difference that athlete-tested, performance-driven apparel makes. Every piece is backed by our Built for Life Guarantee—100 washes or 2 years, rips and tears covered.
Because you've got a race to win. And your gear should be the last thing on your mind.
Ready to gear up? Explore our high support crossback sports bras and performance leggings built for athletes who demand more from their gear.