[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.]
Conventional wisdom tells us that different race courses demand different kinds of shoes. When it comes to trail running, the Hardrock 100 is about as different from the Western States 100 as it gets. The Hardrock 100 is mountainous and rough, and the Western States 100 has far less elevation gain and loss on much smoother trails.
Interestingly, though, in the first complete analysis of the shoes worn at both races this summer, we now understand that when it comes to the most popular shoe brand on the start line, Hoka, and notably their Speedgoat line, takes the top spots at both events. Whether the field is taking on the runnable trails of the Western States 100 or the slower, high-altitude routes of the Hardrock 100, nearly a third of runners turned to Hoka.
The top 15 shoe brands worn at the Hardrock 100 Mile. Photo: TRAILRUNNINGReview
This article is the first time that the speculation on what types of shoes people are wearing at the Hardrock 100 has been turned into qualitative data. We did the same analysis at the 2025 Western States 100. Our methodology was slightly varied at Hardrock. We used photos and video of most of the participants during the first 15 miles of the race to identify their shoes. For a few participants we missed, we asked them post-race by email. It’s common for runners to change their shoes once, or multiple times, during an event like Hardrock, so we want to point out that this data set doesn’t take into account shoe swaps.
Clearly, as of 2025, Hoka has grabbed the lion’s share of the trail running shoe market when it comes to ultras. Potentially, the more interesting part of this analysis, then, is the rest of the brands that make up the top five, as there are a couple that didn’t feature at the top of the shoe leaderboard at the Western States 100.
Most Common Shoe Brands at the 2025 Hardrock 100
In our recent analysis the shoes of the 2025 Western States 100, we found that Hoka shoes of various models made up nearly a third of the shoes on the start line, and now we’ve done the same analysis of the shoes at the Hardrock 100, a significantly different race. Like Western States, Hardrock is one of the most followed events in the U.S, and it may be as difficult a race to complete as it is to secure a bib for. Only 146 runners are invited to run each year, and many people wait many years for a chance to attempt the 102-mile loop around the Colorado San Juan Mountains that has 33,197 feet of climbing over technical terrain, rough trails, and a high point over 14,000 feet.
This style of race is significantly different from Western States, which has a net downhill profile and relatively smooth trails. Hardrock also has significantly slower finish times than Western States, with Ludovic Pommeret winning for the second time in a row this year with a time of 22:21 and Katie Schide winning the women’s race with a new course record of 25:50. That said, the shoe choices of runners only partially reflected the difference in speed and terrain.
Ludovic Pommeret wore shoes with features similar to the Hoka Rocket X Trail on his way to winning both the 2024 and 2025 Hardrock 100. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Like at Western States, Hoka once again reigns supreme at Hardrock, making up 28.0% of the shoes in the field. Their plush midsoles, grippy Vibram Megagrip outsoles, and secure uppers are features that make them versatile shoes over a variety of terrain types. These are the same features that may also have helped the brand to gain such a large share of the overall market, in that they are attractive to runners of all kinds.
La Sportiva shoes make up the next highest percentage of shoes at 12.2%. The Italian brand’s mountain pedigree — with shoes offering FriXion rubber, rock-shield protection, and precision fit — shines on the relentless climbs and technical descents.
French stalwart Salomon places third at 8.4% with several shoe models made for rough terrain like that found at Hardrock.
Just behind Salomon, Altra and NNormal tie at 7.5% each. Altra’s zero-drop FootShape platform appeals to those craving natural ground feel, while NNormal’s newcomer status and stiff, rocker-style chassis have won over a growing band of runners chasing efficiency on the toughest trails.
Topo Athletic rounds out the top five with 5.6%. Their low-drop shoes have a roomy toebox design that continues to attract fans of more traditional trail shoes.
Zach Miller running through the streets of Ouray wearing The North Face shoes during the 2025 Hardrock 100. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Just outside the top five, we find a trio of familiar names — Brooks, Nike, and Saucony — all at 3.7%. Just behind them are Speedland and The North Face at 2.8% each. These brands each bring their own blend of stability, traction, protective upper material, and experimental concepts, but none have gained the popularity of the more specialized mountain shoes above.
Most Common Shoe Models at the 2025 Hardrock 100
Regardless of the race and the terrain, the Hoka Speedgoat line takes the top spot for the most common shoe model at the 2025 Hardrock. It was by far the most popular choice and was found on the feet of 15.9% of the runners. Over the years and the various versions, it’s proved to be a versatile shoe. While some of the features of the shoe change from model to model, the Vibram Megagrip lugs, ample midsole, and reinforced upper all remain consistent and strike a good balance between protection and comfort.
In second, but still significantly ahead of the next most popular shoe, the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro claimed 6.5% of the field. Runners praised its new concept, with a significant midsole and with some rocker to provide cushioning, and a grippy outsole made of the brand’s FriXion White rubber, which is the stickiest of their options. The shoe doesn’t have a carbon plate but seems to create enough pop to power through steep ascents while providing a forgiving ride underfoot for punishing descents.
Katie Schide wears On shoes as she ascends the first climb of the 2025 Hardrock 100 on her way to the win. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Somewhat unexpectedly, the NNormal Kjerag accounted for 4.7% of shoes in Hardrock. Unlike the Hoka Speedgoat or La Sportiva Prodigio Pro, it has a relatively low stack height and is quite a light shoe at 7.8 ounces (220 grams) for a U.S. men’s 9 that seems more oriented, in our opinion, for short to mid-distances up to 50k. With that said, our analysis shows that runners like them for at least part of a 100-mile race.
Rounding out the top five were the latest models of two trail shoe stalwarts, the Brooks Cascadia and Altra Lone Peak models, each at 3.7%. Brooks Cascadia devotees love the shoe for its stable chassis, rock plate, and reliable lug pattern, while fans of the Altra Lone Peak appreciate it for its zero-drop design and spacious FootShape toebox that provides comfort as the miles add up.
Silverton, Colorado, local Jeff Rome (right) runs through the town of Ouray during the 2025 Hardrock 100 wearing a pair of Brooks Cascadias on his way to a 10th-place finish while his pacer wears Hokas. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Call for Comments
- If you’ve had the chance to run the Hardrock 100, what shoes did you use and why?
- If you could design the perfect shoe for Hardrock, what features would you include?
