Hoka continues to lead in shoe choice at the 2026 Hardrock 100, though its dominance has slightly decreased. Mount to Coast emerged as a strong competitor, tying for second place. The analysis reflects start line shoe choices, not those used throughout the race.

The study analyzed 150 shoes from 24 brands, showing a more fragmented field compared to 2025. Hoka's market share dropped from 28.0% to 22.0%, while Mount to Coast jumped from a single pair to 12.7%. La Sportiva, Salomon, and Altra also saw gains. Read more gear coverage.

Several brands experienced significant shifts. NNormal saw the largest decline, dropping from 7.5% to 0.7%. Inov8, Arc’teryx, and Teva disappeared from the count. New entrants like Mizuno and Kailas Fuga appeared, while unclassified prototypes decreased. Related: Hoka Maintains Lead in 2026 Western States 100 Shoe Analysis.

This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from iRunFar. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.