Hochwald Ultratrail (HoWUT) 2027

Mandatory gear

3 items166km · 0m D+5 distances

The Hochwald Ultratrail (HoWUT) organisation requires you to carry this gear during the race. Non-compliance may result in time penalties or disqualification. Always check the official rules before the race, as the list may change between editions.

Mandatory gear — Hochwald Ultratrail (HoWUT)

Item	Notes	Qty	Distances
✓ own cup Salomon Soft Flask 250 ml →(opens in a new tab)	Mandatory: no disposable cups at aid stations	1	All distances
✓ 1 L reservoir	In a vest or belt	1	All distances
✓ charged mobile phone Cinturón de running con porta móvil →(opens in a new tab)	Mandatory throughout the event	1	All distances

Which vest do you need for Hochwald Ultratrail (HoWUT)?

With 166 km on the longest distance and this mandatory gear list, you need a 12-15 L vest. These are our picks:

Our pick

Osprey Duro 15View on Amazon

Salomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon

Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 12LView on Amazon

See the full trail running vest comparison →

💡Tip: check your gear several days before the race. Never use anything new on race day.

Check the official rules — Hochwald Ultratrail (HoWUT)

Recommended products to meet mandatory gear requirements

Salomon

Mandatory

Salomon Soft Flask 250 ml

Collapsible 250 ml soft flask with a high-flow valve and a wide 42 mm mouth for fast refills at aid stations. It shrinks as you drink, fits the front pocket of any vest and weighs just a few grams empty.

Strengths

+High-flow valve: quick sips without hard biting
+42 mm mouth, easy to refill and to drop in ice or tablets
+Folds down to almost nothing when empty

Watch out for

−Pricier than generic Amazon flasks
−The valve can drip slightly if not fully closed

View on Amazon

Generic

Mandatory

Cinturón de running con porta móvil

Lightweight running belt with phone compartment and transparent touchscreen window. Quick access to GPS and track without stopping. Adjustable, breathable and bounce-free. Ideal for trail running and hiking.

View on Amazon

Hoka

Hoka Speedgoat 7

The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.

Strengths

+Max Hoka cushioning: protects your legs over long distances
+Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs: reliable grip in mud and rock
+Snug, lightweight Matryx upper
+The most battle-tested model in ultra trail running worldwide

Watch out for

−High stack: less stable for those who want more ground feel
−Toe box a bit narrow for wide feet

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Brooks

Brooks Cascadia 18

An all-terrain trail classic: stable, protective and reliable on any ground thanks to its pivot system that adapts the foot to the terrain. Balanced cushioning for medium and long distances.

Strengths

+Excellent stability and protection on uneven terrain
+Robust, durable build
+Versatile for medium and long distances

Watch out for

−Slightly heavy versus more dynamic models
−Firm ride, less cushioned than some rivals

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Altra

Altra Lone Peak 9

Trail running shoe with zero drop and wide FootShape toe box that allows natural toe splay. 25 mm stack with EGO foam for balanced cushioning without losing ground contact. MaxTrac outsole with 3.5 mm lugs, ideal for non-technical trails, forest tracks and long-distance paths.

Strengths

+Zero drop (0 mm): natural foot posture with no heel elevation
+Wide FootShape toe box: toes splay freely with every stride
+25 mm cushioning: enough protection without isolating from the terrain
+Lightweight (315 g men's, 263 g women's)
+Breathable seamless mesh upper

Watch out for

−3.5 mm lugs insufficient for deep mud or wet rock
−Not suitable for very technical terrain or skyrunning
−Requires adaptation period if coming from high-drop shoes

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Salomon

Salomon ADV Skin 12

Chaleco de hidratación de 12 litros con sistema SensiFit. Dos soft flasks frontales de 500 ml incluidas. Bolsillos de fácil acceso y ajuste ceñido sin rebotes.

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Petzl

Petzl Actik Core

Frontal recargable de 600 lúmenes con batería Core incluida. Compatible con pilas AAA. Modo rojo para preservar la visión nocturna. Ideal para ultras con tramos nocturnos.

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Leki

Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite

The lightest version of the Ultratrail FX.One: 100% carbon foldable pole, fixed length, with a short Aerogon grip (no extension) and a Shark mesh strap. Around 130 g per pole, one of the lightest race poles on the market. Built for vertical kilometre races and short mountain races.

Strengths

+Minimal weight: ~130 g per pole, a benchmark for short and vertical races
+100% carbon and Leki build quality
+Lightweight Shark mesh strap with quick release
+Compact fold for carrying in a small vest

Watch out for

−Short grip with no extension: worse on rolling terrain than the standard FX.One
−Fixed length, no adjustment
−Pricey given how little versatility it offers outside racing

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Coros

Coros Apex 2 Pro

Mountain watch with outstanding battery life: 66 h in full GPS, 26 h in dual-frequency and up to 21 days in daily use, at just 53 g. Free offline maps, multi-band GPS, MP3 music and touchscreen. The light, long-lasting alternative to Garmin for ultras and crossings.

Strengths

+66 h in full GPS, ideal for single-day ultras
+Free offline topo maps onboard
+Dual-frequency multi-band GPS
+Very light (53 g) with sapphire glass
+MP3 music and touchscreen

Watch out for

−MIP display less vivid than an AMOLED
−Smaller app ecosystem than Garmin's

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Nitecore

Nitecore NU25

Frontal ultraligero de 56 g con 400 lúmenes y hasta 45 horas de autonomía en modo bajo. Recarga USB-C, doble haz (ancho y foco) y luz roja auxiliar para no deslumbrar en carrera. Opción de entrada muy competitiva en peso para quien no necesita máxima potencia.

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