In the OCC category — roughly 60 km long with about 3500 m of cumulative ascent — runners displayed a diverse mix of shoe choices.
The two most popular brands were HOKA and Salomon.
Among them, the models we saw most were HOKA's new Tecton X 4 and SPEEDGOAT 7; for Salomon it was the S/LAB Genesis first generation and the Genesis 2.
As a UTMB sponsor, HOKA's origins are closely tied to the trail running culture around Mont Blanc. The fact that so many elite and recreational runners chose their shoes is strong proof of a broad grassroots foundation.
Salomon also claimed the runner-up positions in both the men's and women's OCC categories this year — achieved in the more elite-focused S/LAB Pulsar 4. The Genesis series, by contrast, is more runner-friendly for the general public, offering reliable long-distance cushioning and stability.
Next, KAILAS FUGA, ASICS, LA SPORTIVA and NNORMAL were all brands that surpassed the 100-pair mark.
ASICS's recently released METAFUJI TRAIL 2 took third place in both the men's and women's OCC races, while more recreational runners were wearing the TRABUCO 14.
Among KAILAS FUGA wearers, most recreational runners opted for the EX PRO and EX 330. LA SPORTIVA athletes were almost uniformly in the Prodigio Pro (the "sub-9 Pro") and the not-yet-released Pro 2 — this top-level plate-less trail shoe has a low barrier to entry and a high performance ceiling, with virtually no obvious weaknesses.
Beyond those and household names like adidas and Nike, several niche brands also attracted attention.
For example, MERRELL, while not worn in large numbers, popped up from front to back in the field. Frederic's victory in the OCC men's race helped bring this "hidden gem" brand to more people's attention.
It's worth noting that Xtep is the brand's domestic operator — could this mean that "Chinese competitive running" will expand beyond road racing?
In addition, relatively niche brands such as Britain's JV SPORT, Spain's JOMA, and SCOTT — which also makes road bikes — made appearances in the UTMB main races.
The appeal of top-level races lies not only in elite performances but also in the lively "marketplace" at the athletes' feet — the many competing brands and models make for compelling conversation.