SHOE GUIDE WITH HOKA ATHLETE KIERON DOUGLASS

Well, it’s that UTA time of the year again where you’re starting to get your gear together and work out what kind of running shoes, you’re going to take with you to the start line in beautiful downtown Katoomba. As you sit there on your bed staring at your shoes all scatted on the floor whilst scratching your head, let me leave you with my top UTA shoe recommendations.

1. CHALLENGER 7 - I recently competed in a 100km Ultra Trail Race in Sunny Queensland and for me, I like to put shoes that I’m unfamiliar with to the test. I call it ‘building my tool kit’. And I’m glad I did. I found these shoes to be incredibly comfortable on both soft single trails and hard fire trails. Different from previous models, Challenger 7 sneakers comes lighter and well-stacked giving you complete comfort for the longer mileage that will look after your legs in the later stage of your race.

2. TECTON X 2 - If you want to run fast… this is the shoe for you. The Tecton X 2 is super lightweight, fast, and incredibly flexible. I have found that it handles best on dry and smooth terrain, but it can still handle itself on wet trails.

3. SPEEDGOAT 6 - Having run in Speedgoats for many years now, the Speedgoat 6 does not disappoint. Similar to the Tecton X minus the Carbon Plate, the Speedgoat 6 is a fast-racing shoe and is somewhat noticeably lighter than previous models. It is incredibly grippy with newly structured lugs and handles really well on all technical single trails.

Happy packing and see you at UTA Australia.