HOKA athletes stamped their authority at this year’s biggest trail week of the year, with Jim Walmsley storming to victory in the OCC® and Francesco Puppi taking top spot in the CCC®.
Their performances, backed up by a string of other top-10 finishes across both men’s and women’s races, made it a landmark week for the brand on trail running’s biggest stage.
And it wasn’t just the athletes who felt the buzz. Katie Brown, who travelled to Chamonix with SportsShoes.com to support HOKA, described the week as “like nothing else in the running world” – a mix of grit, weather-beaten drama, and pure festival atmosphere.
From the pounding music on the start line to the deafening support and carnival atmosphere at iconic checkpoints like Notre Dame de la Gorge (above), the energy of the crowd carried athletes and fans alike into the mountains.
The weather also played its part. Heavy rain and even fresh snow high on Mont Blanc made conditions brutal, but they also suited many of the British runners more accustomed to mud and rain back home. Kris Jones, for example, thrived in the OCC® with a fifth-place finish behind Walmsley, while others battled through the elements with equal grit.
Among them was SportsShoes ambassador Juliette Denny, who tackled her first 100km in the CCC®, climbing an epic 6,000m of elevation along the way. In the equally punishing TDS, Darren Agnew pushed through more than 30 hours on the trail — and 9,000m of climb — to complete one of the hardest races on the calendar, supported every step of the way by a dedicated crew.
Both stories underlined what this world series is really about: extraordinary athletes doing extraordinary things on the sport’s biggest stage.
And while the athletes stole the headlines, it’s worth remembering: during races such as UTMB®, CCC® and OCC®, what’s on your feet matters almost as much as who’s on the start line. From the proven race-day favourite Tecton X 3 to exciting newcomers like the Rocket X Trail, HOKA shoes were everywhere in Chamonix.
Here are six stand-out models that helped carry runners – from elites to first-timers – through the mud, snow and mountains of the races.
HOKA Tecton X3
A fast shoe with carbon-plated speed to take on the technical 10,000 elevation challenges of the longest run of them all. Jim Walmsley not only helped develop the shoe – he then wore it during his incredible first-place finish in the OCC® at this year's event. SHOP NOW
HOKA Rocket X Trail
Brand new this year and designed as the trail counterpart to the Rocket X 3 road shoe. The Rocket X Trail 3 excels on smooth trails and road-to-trail transitions, featuring a carbon plate and a focus on speed. Used by many runners in the OCC® and CCC® this year, while HOKA elite Fu-Zhao Xiang also used it during her second-place run at the 2025 Western States 100. SHOP NOW
HOKA Mafate X
Another new entry to the trail scene in 2025, the Mafate X brings cushioning and carbon plate technology to create a plush option that adds dynamism and energy to long-haul efforts. This shoe made its debut in both the CCC® and main UTMB® race this year. SHOP NOW
HOKA Mafate 5
The latest upgrade to an already iconic trail shoe, the Mafate 5 has dropped some speed and is now set up more for more plush comfort on longer-haul efforts over multiple days. Francesco Puppi used this shoe to prepare for his victory in the CCC®. SHOP NOW
HOKA Speedgoat 6
A workhorse shoe predominantly used in training, but also a reliable option for athletes needing durability and comfort that won't let them down. The Speedgoat 6 was used by runners in the ETC race – a 15km event with 1,200m of ascent, offering a shorter, more accessible way to experience the Chamonix atmosphere. SHOP NOW
HOKA Challenger 8
The Challenger 8 is the perfect shake-out run option for less challenging terrain. It is designed as an elite athlete training option built at the intersection of road and trail. SHOP NOW