Choosing your shoes for the UTMB®

As part of the preparation of your race bag for the UTMB® the choice of your shoes will be essential. They are certainly the most important component of your trail running kit and you absolutely must be used to the model you will be wearing! Here are some tips on how to select the perfect trail shoes for your race.

A lightweight trail shoe

The UTMB is a long distance event and the weight of your shoes will be a determining factor as the kilometres go by. There are no secrets and extra grams add up and create fatigue. So the first piece of advice is to choose a shoe that is light enough to cope with long distances.

A specialised pair of trail shoes

It seems obvious, but you should not set off on these types of events with a pair of classic sports shoes. Manufacturers have all made great progress and now offer shoes specially designed for trail running. They usually combine comfort, lightness and solidity to face the kilometres and obstacles. Don't neglect the investment you can make a few months before the event by choosing a real trail shoe, technical and really designed for your performance and your well-being over long distances. Get used to your shoes over the months and you will see the difference on the day!

Optimise your stride

Your stride is the engine of your progress on the trails and if you can optimise it, all the better! In order to reconcile health and performance, Cimalp has created a revolutionary shoe to adopt a natural, less traumatic stride with the first progressive drop trail shoe. The 864 Drop Control is the first progressive drop shoe concept to help runners achieve a more natural, less traumatic stride. This shoe is delivered with 3 pairs of soles (corresponding to progressive drops of 8mm - 6mm - 4mm). You can therefore progressively move towards a low drop without the risk of short-term injury. And you will be able to run more efficiently and with less trauma over time. A support program designed by sports and health professionals is provided to help you progressively move towards the 4mm drop (natural stride with less trauma). The 864 is a very versatile trail shoe, which combines flexibility, dynamism and grip to rack up the kilometres, while preserving the integrity of the runner and the life of the shoes by means of reinforcement and protection zones. It features VIBRAM soles for certified grip and durability, reinforced and ultra-resistant stone guards, a breathable mesh upper for optimal ventilation, a seamless upper construction and a lycra tongue with lace storage. 

A spare pair of shoes

Don't forget to bring a spare pair of shoes in case you have a problem with your main pair of shoes (you never know). It is also a good idea to bring a comfortable pair of shoes to the start area for the time before the start. The same goes for the finish area where you'll be happy to wear a pair of casual shoes or simply flip-flops to air out your feet and recover. Plan to put these pairs of shoes in the bag that stays with you during the event.