DARIMATI shoes on a rocky Gwanaksan hike: HYROX BR-001 in 240mm

Why I went looking for HYROX shoes in the first place

I like HYROX and I like running, but doing HYROX-style workouts in running shoes always left me wanting better grip.

So I went looking for a shoe that could handle both running and station work in one pair, and ended up buying the DARIMATI BR-001 at the Hyundai Department Store Pangyo pop-up!

What kind of shoe is the DARIMATI BR-001?

Rather than a running shoe built purely around cushioning, the BR-001 is a model focused on structural stability and load distribution.

According to the official description, it uses a Stable Core™ A-TPU midsole and Bridge Mechanics™ construction to help with stable movement across different surfaces.

Inside the DARIMATI pop-up at Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch

When I visited, Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch had a DARIMATI pop-up running.

For shoes, especially running shoes, it's best to try them on in person and check width, length, and heel and ankle stability before buying!

At the pop-up there was also a 30-second rowing challenge, and the lucky draw prizes included actual pairs of shoes! There were seriously so many people who were really good at it 🫢

DARIMATI BR-001 for CrossFit, F45 and running

The DARIMATI BR-001 is also known as the shoe of an athlete who placed first at a CrossFit competition.

HYROX moves through stations like rowing, sled pushes and pulls, and burpee broad jumps in sequence, so you need a shoe that transitions naturally between them rather than one built for just one function.

I'd recommend the BR-001 to anyone looking for a HYROX shoe that can handle both running and strength work. And wearing it, I found the laceless design really, really comfortable, too!

DARIMATI BR-001 sizing: why I chose 240mm

The BR-001 comes in 10mm increments. My feet run a bit wide with a higher instep, so I usually wear 240mm in sneakers and 245mm in dress shoes. I went back and forth between 240mm and 250mm, but once I tried on the 240mm, it fit perfectly with no tightness anywhere.

Hiking Gwanaksan's rocky trails in the BR-001

I wore the BR-001 on a hike up Gwanaksan. Gwanaksan has a lot of rocky terrain, and I got through it safely without any slipping!!!

Climbing up and down the rocky trail, the first thing I noticed was how well the outsole gripped the ground.

I didn't wear separate hiking boots, but I finished the hike comfortably, and personally my feet weren't that tired afterward.

Being able to feel the shoe's stable structure and outsole grip on outdoor terrain, not just on everyday runs or indoor workouts, makes me want to stick with the BR-001 for light hiking or trekking going forward!

DARIMATI BR-001: what I liked and what fell short

What satisfied me most was not needing to switch shoes when the type of workout changes. It seems useful whether you're running and doing high-intensity training or just have a day with a lot of walking.

On the other hand, sizing runs in 10mm increments, so if you usually wear shoes sized in 5mm increments, make sure to try them on first!