For the HYROX farmers carry, wear a fitted synthetic top and shorts with no loose hems, drawcords or bulky side pockets near the hip, because the kettlebell handles swing at hip height and snag anything that flaps. As of 2026 the fix is a clean silhouette that stays flat under load across the full 200m.
- The Open farmers carry is 200m carrying two 24kg kettlebells (women 2×16kg), swinging at hip level the whole way.
- Loose vest hems and unsecured pocket flaps are the most common things that catch on kettlebell handles.
- In THETA's coaching data, most carry fumbles come from adjusting kit mid-lap, not from grip failure alone.
Why do the kettlebells snag on your kit?
The bells hang in your hands just below hip height, and with every stride your forearms brush the sides of your torso and shorts. A running vest that billows, a long untucked hem, a side pocket with a flap: each gives the handle or the bell an edge to catch. Over 200m that catch either yanks a hand off line or forces you to widen the carry, and both cost you seconds and grip. Look at where fabric sits when your arms are loaded, and you see the whole problem: a close-cut top and a short with a flat, structured waist simply remove the material the bells can grab.
What top works best for the carry?
Choose a fitted technical top that sits close across the chest and refuses to balloon at the hem. THETA's Tech T-Shirt Race Team v2 is precision cut per size and built with open ventilation construction, so it stays flat against the torso rather than flapping out where the bells travel. A race singlet is cleaner still because it removes the sleeve fabric entirely and holds a tight line through the shoulders. The principle is quiet but decisive: less loose fabric near the hips and arms means fewer edges to catch.
What shorts keep the handles clear?
Race shorts or the Tech Short v2 are the safe choice because they use a race-specific fit with flat side pockets rather than bouncing cargo-style storage. Loose running shorts lose their shape once soaked and bunch at the hip, exactly where the bells pass. Here the construction earns its keep: THETA's race kit uses reinforced hems and heat-sealed seams, so the leg opening holds its clean line under fatigue instead of curling and flapping. Avoid anything with dangling drawcords, external zips or flapping pocket lids near the waist.
| Kit choice | Snag risk | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fitted singlet or Tech Tee v2 | Low | Flat torso, no billowing hem |
| Race Short / Tech Short v2 | Low | Flat pockets, structured waist |
| Loose cotton vest | High | Hem flaps at hip height, holds sweat |
| Cargo running shorts | High | Pocket flaps and bulk catch handles |
| Long drawcord shorts | Medium | Cords swing into the bells |
"The carry is a grip and posture station, not a wardrobe test. If you're thinking about your shorts while you walk 200m with two kettlebells, your kit has already cost you the station," says the THETA coaching team.
How should you set up your kit before the carry?
Sort your silhouette before you reach the station so nothing needs adjusting mid-lap.
- Tuck or choose a top that sits flat, never a hem that reaches past the hip crease.
- Tie drawcords short and tuck the ends inside the waistband.
- Empty side pockets so nothing adds bulk where the bells pass.
- Chalk your hands before pickup rather than fighting grip on the move.
- Set your carry width so your forearms clear the shorts, not brush them.
Does fabric matter for grip and comfort here?
Fabric will not fix a weak grip, but it changes how the station feels rep by rep. Sweat-wicking polyester and elastane blends keep the top light and dry so it does not cling and drag as you brace, whereas cotton soaks up sweat, grows heavy and flaps more when wet. THETA's fabric system is built not to go heavy when soaked, which matters on a station that arrives after the row and 5km of running. Dwell on that one detail, a hem that stays flat and dry, and you see why it counts: less chance of a wet edge sticking to a bell and pulling your line off.
Common questions
What should I wear for the HYROX farmers carry?
Wear a fitted synthetic top that stays flat at the hem and race shorts with flat pockets and no dangling cords. The goal is a clean silhouette at hip height so the kettlebell handles and bells have nothing to catch across the 200m.
Why do kettlebells catch on clothing?
The bells hang at hip height and your arms brush your torso and shorts with each stride, so any loose hem, flap or cord gives them an edge to snag. Removing loose fabric near the hips and arms prevents the catch that pulls your hands off line.
Is a singlet or a t-shirt better for the carry?
Both work if fitted, but a race singlet removes sleeve fabric and keeps the tightest silhouette through the shoulders and torso. A precision-cut technical tee like THETA's Tech T-Shirt Race Team v2 is a strong alternative because it stays flat rather than billowing.
Can I wear cargo or pocketed shorts?
Avoid cargo-style shorts with pocket flaps or bulk near the hip, as these are prime snag points. Choose race shorts or the Tech Short v2 with flat side pockets that keep their shape under load and when soaked.
Do drawcords cause problems on the farmers carry?
Long or loose drawcords can swing into the bells and catch, so tie them short and tuck the ends inside the waistband before the station. A structured, elasticated waist reduces the need to rely on cords at all.
Does a wet top affect the carry?
A soaked cotton top grows heavy and its hem flaps more, increasing snag risk, while a sweat-wicking synthetic stays lighter and flatter. THETA's fabric system is built not to go heavy when soaked, which keeps the silhouette clean deep into the race.
Should I chalk before the farmers carry?
Yes, chalk your hands before you pick up rather than mid-lap, since stopping to re-grip wastes time and breaks rhythm. Grip and a clean kit setup together keep the 200m smooth from the first stride.
Sources
- HYROX official race format and station standards (hyrox.com)
- THETA coaching data, 2024-2026
- THETA 2026 Race and Training collection construction notes
Carry clean, race faster. THETA's race singlets and Tech Short v2 are cut flat at the hip so nothing snags the bells. Kit up with THETA performance kit, tested by elite HYROX athletes across full races.