During a HYROX race, keep your gels in secure, close-fitting storage that will not bounce: flat side pockets on race shorts, dedicated rear gel pockets on a half tight, or a heat-sealed zip pocket for anything that must not fall out. As of 2026 the rule is that fuel should sit tight against the body, be reachable without breaking stride, and never swing during running or burpees.
- A HYROX takes 90 minutes to 2 hours, so most athletes take one to three gels across 8 runs and 8 stations.
- THETA's Half Tight has two rear gel pockets, two front pockets and a rear heat-sealed zip phone pocket; the Tech Short v2 uses flat side pockets.
- A bouncing or insecure pocket is the most common reason gels are lost mid-race.
What storage options do you actually have?
Because HYROX offers no personal storage on the course, your only options are the pockets built into the kit you already wear. Race shorts with flat side pockets hold a gel close without bounce, which suits one or two gels taken early, while a half tight with dedicated rear gel pockets, like THETA's Half Tight, secures more fuel against the leg and adds a heat-sealed zip pocket for a phone or anything critical. The Tech line's interior heat-sealed zip pockets are built specifically so gels do not work loose during high-output movement. Choose the storage that matches how many gels your plan calls for, and the rest of your fuelling decisions fall into place.
Where should gels sit so they do not bounce?
The best place for a gel is close to the body and low on the movement chain, where the least motion reaches it. Flat side pockets and rear leg pockets keep gels near the thigh, which swings far less than a chest or waistband pocket during running and burpee broad jumps. Bouncing is not merely an irritation; over 8km it works fuel loose and pulls at your attention exactly when you want to be running relaxed. THETA's shorts and half tights are built around removing this failure point, with flat pockets and heat-sealed zips rather than loose open pouches that let contents shift. A pocket that stays quiet is a pocket you can forget.
How do you reach a gel without losing time?
Plan to take fuel during a run or a slower transition rather than mid-station, and store it where a single hand can reach it while you keep moving. A gel in a flat side pocket or rear leg pocket can be grabbed, opened and taken over a few hundred metres of running without stopping at all. Rehearsal is what makes this smooth: when you know exactly which pocket holds which gel, you never fumble. Fumbling in the roxzone, where the clock keeps ticking, is precisely where disorganised fuelling quietly costs time.
| Storage | Best for | Security |
|---|---|---|
| Flat side pockets (shorts) | 1–2 gels taken early | Close, low bounce |
| Rear gel pockets (half tight) | 2–3 gels, structured plan | Secure against leg |
| Heat-sealed zip pocket | Phone or must-not-lose item | Fully secure |
| Waistband tuck | Emergency only | Unreliable, can drop |
How do you set your fuelling storage plan?
Match the storage to your fuelling schedule first, then rehearse it until it is automatic:
- Decide how many gels your race plan needs based on target time.
- Choose kit with enough secure pockets: side pockets for one or two, half tight for more.
- Assign each gel a specific pocket so you never search mid-race.
- Run a race-pace simulation to confirm nothing bounces or works loose.
- Practise opening and taking a gel while running so it is automatic on the day.
"We see athletes lose their fuel at station three because it was tucked in a waistband. Put gels in a pocket built to hold them, know exactly where each one is, and rehearse taking it on the run," says the THETA coaching team.
Does gel storage change by division or race length?
Storage should be light where the race is short and secure where the race is long. A doubles race or a longer target time means more time on course and often more fuel, which pushes you towards a half tight with multiple secure pockets rather than a single side pocket, while a short, fast solo effort might need only one gel carried easily in a flat pocket. The storage decision follows the fuelling plan, which follows the race format and your target time. As of 2026 the smartest approach is to fix your fuelling schedule first, then pick the kit that carries it securely and lets you reach it without breaking rhythm.
Common questions
Where do most HYROX athletes keep their gels?
In the pockets of their race kit, usually flat side pockets on shorts or dedicated rear gel pockets on a half tight. There is no course storage, so whatever you carry must fit securely in your clothing without bouncing.
Will gels fall out of my shorts during the race?
They can if the pockets are loose or open. Flat side pockets and rear leg pockets hold gels close with little bounce, and heat-sealed zip pockets fully secure anything critical. A gel tucked into a waistband is the one most likely to drop.
How many gels do I need for a HYROX?
Most athletes take one to three across a 90-minute to 2-hour race, depending on target time and fuelling tolerance. Rehearse your exact number in training so your storage and timing are set before race day.
Can I carry a phone during a HYROX?
Only in a genuine heat-sealed zip pocket, such as the one on THETA's Half Tight, so it stays secure and does not bounce. Otherwise leave it in your bag, as a swinging phone is friction across 8km of running.
When should I take a gel during the race?
During a run or a slower transition, not mid-station, so you can keep moving while you fuel. Store gels where one hand can reach them on the run, and rehearse the process so you never stop or fumble.
Do I need special kit just to carry gels?
Not special, but purpose-built helps. Race shorts with flat pockets or a half tight with dedicated gel pockets keep fuel secure far better than kit with no proper storage. If your plan needs several gels, kit built to carry them is worth it.
Sources
- HYROX official race format and rulebook (hyrox.com)
- THETA product development notes and Elite 15 testing, 2024–2026
- Established endurance fuelling principles (in-race carbohydrate intake logistics)
Carry your fuel where it stays put. THETA's Half Tight and Tech Short v2 use heat-sealed zip pockets and flat, close-fitting storage so gels do not bounce or drop across 8km of running. Sort your race fuelling storage in the THETA performance kit range.