CxM Villa de Casares 2026
Recommended gear
Technical mountain terrain through Sierra Crestellina: limestone ridges, pine forests, and cork oak groves. Concentrated elevation gain over 21K with steep climbs and slippery descents.
Trail shoes, hydration vests, trekking poles, waterproof jackets and the rest of the gear you need. Every recommendation is tailored to the race's specific terrain: high-altitude scree in Sierra Nevada calls for very different shoes than a forest trail in the Basque Country.
Recommended products
Salomon
Race pickSalomon Speedcross 6
Salomon's most versatile trail shoe, ideal for technical terrain and mud. Exceptional grip with Contagrip sole and EnergyCell+ cushioning.
Strengths
- + Agarre excepcional en barro y terreno técnico
- + Protección de puntera reforzada
- + Sistema Quicklace cómodo y rápido
- + Drenaje de agua eficiente
Watch out for
- − Durabilidad media en asfalto
- − Horma algo estrecha para pies anchos
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Ultralight carbon Z-pole foldable trekking poles. 137 g per pole in 110 cm length, 33 cm folded. EVA grip and adjustable strap. The trail running reference.
Strengths
- + High-quality carbon, ultralight (137 g per pole in 110 cm)
- + Compact 33 cm folded length: fits any ultra pack
- + Lightning-fast Z-pole deployment in a single move
- + Non-slip EVA grip even with sweaty hands
Watch out for
- − Fixed sizes, not adjustable
- − Carbon = more fragile than aluminum in hard falls
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
Specific tips for CxM Villa de Casares
- • Trail shoes with good grip: limestone terrain and slippery sections
- • Hydration vest with at least 1L for the 21K
- • Poles optional but useful for managing the 1,094m D+
- • Light windbreaker: the ridge sections can be windy
Similar races
CxM Alfarnat Trail
Alfarnate
23K and 14K through the Axarquía mountains from Alfarnate, Málaga
VIII Trail El Calvario del Dragón
Osuna
23K and 12K through the streams and pine forests of Osuna, final of the Seville Mountain Running Cup
XI Carrera del Espárrago 51
Alcalá del Valle
21K mountain trail in Alcalá del Valle, Sierra de Cádiz