Before the runners set off, our colleagues took a stroll through the town of Chamonix to visit this year’s UTMB Mont-Blanc trail running EXPO and see which international brands were on display.

Among these brands, footwear was by far the most prevalent.

As UTMB’s title sponsor, HOKA—not only offering its annual “commemorative merchandise”—again set up a two-level booth across the street, just like last year.

The ground floor was for the public to try and buy new products such as the TECTON X 4 and SPEEDGOAT 7, while the second floor featured a DJ and displays highlighting the brand’s sponsored athletes. Artistic portraits and the athletes’ names were prominently displayed.

China-based KAILAS FUGA appeared with signed athletes like Zhao Jiaju and Guan Yousheng, along with their international signees.

They shared insights face-to-face with trail enthusiasts and showcased experiences with new sock-like designs such as the EX PRO, the YAO (“Yao” series), DU MONSTER and other products.

Other domestic and international brands—adidas, ALTRA, BROOKS, Salomon, LA SPORTIVA and other “major international manufacturers”—also brought new products to this EXPO; smaller but refined brands like Goldwin were present as well.

Some technology “suppliers,” such as the well-known MATRYX fabric technology, also had booths, allowing runners to get hands-on with the materials and products that use them.

Likewise, several “electronics/accessory” brands had booths, including Garmin, SUUNTO, COROS, Shokz 韶音, etc.

In fact, the most enjoyable categories to browse were probably energy nutrition and sunglasses—each represented by more than ten brands.

If you were here, which brand’s booth would you most want to visit?

Interestingly, a few brands didn’t set up at the EXPO, such as nike ACG, NORDA and Satisfy.