HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB 2026
Recommended gear
High-mountain Pyrenean terrain in July. Mandatory gear varies by distance. The VDA 163K requires full mountain equipment.
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.
Based on historical data from the last 10 years
🌧️ 67% chance of rain — a waterproof jacket is a must.
Mandatory gear required by the organisation
The HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB organisation requires this gear. Check official rules before race day.
- ✓ mochila 30l — 30L minimum pack for the VDA (Required for: VDA 163K)
- ✓ frontal — Two headlamps mandatory for VDA and CDH, one for TDL and PDA (200+ lumens recommended) (Required for: VDA 163K, CDH 110K, TDL 75K, PDA 55K)
- ✓ bivvy emergencia — Emergency bivvy 2.0m x 0.9m minimum for long distances; survival blanket 1.4m x 2.0m for short ones
- ✓ chaqueta impermeable — Sealed seams, minimum 10,000mm water column
- ✓ camiseta termica — Long-sleeve thermal layer, minimum 180g, non-cotton
- ✓ pantalon impermeable — Full waterproof leg coverage (Required for: VDA 163K, CDH 110K, TDL 75K)
- ✓ guantes impermeables — Mandatory for all long distances
- ✓ silbato
- ✓ telefono — With international roaming and LiveTrail app activated
- ✓ vaso — Personal cup, 15cl minimum
- ✓ reserva agua — 1.5L for VDA/CDH/TDL, 1L for PDA/EXP
- ✓ reserva comida — 800 kcal minimum food reserve
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
Salomon
Race pickSalomon 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.
Petzl
Race pickPetzl 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.
Salomon
Race pickSalomon Bonatti WP
Chaqueta cortavientos impermeable ultraligera (135 g). Costuras selladas, capucha ajustable y ventilación trasera. Se pliega en su propio bolsillo.
Leki
Race pickLeki Ultratrail FX.One
Foldable trail running poles in 3 sections (110-130 cm). Ultralight carbon (175 g per pole), compact 38 cm folded. Speed Lock 2 locking system.
Specific tips for HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
- • The VDA 163K requires a 30L minimum pack and two headlamps
- • Emergency bivvy mandatory for all long distances
- • Poles highly recommended given the cumulative elevation
- • July can bring storms: waterproof jacket with sealed seams is mandatory
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