When the world’s toughest trail runners gathered in Chamonix for the 2025 UTMB, the weather had other plans. Rain, wind, and even snow turned the legendary course into something closer to an extreme survival challenge. Yet through the storm, one thing was clear: LEKI poles were the go-to choice for the sport’s best.
All of the men in the Top 10 and eight of the Top 10 women raced with LEKI poles — a staggering show of confidence in the brand at what many call the “Olympics of trail running.” Add to that the growing popularity of LEKI gloves among the world’s best, and it’s safe to say that the brand has become the gold standard for mountain racing.
Photo Copyright Nils Charles Odoux
A rainbow of LEKI innovation
The champions told the story best. Kiwi star Ruth Croft delivered a masterclass in patience and grit, staying warm with her PRC Thermoplus Shark Women gloves through the freezing night until she only used the Ultratrail FX.One SL 2026 at dawn to storm into first place. On the men’s side, Britain’s Tom Evans completed his redemption arc in style, racing to victory with his trusted Ultratrail Storm Shark gloves.
Behind them, the podium was a rainbow of LEKI innovation – Camille Bruyas sporting the sleek Neotrail Pro FX.One SL in grey, Ben Dihman flashing a one-of-a-kind pink prototype, and both Katharina Hartmuth and Josh Wade running strong with the classic Ultratrail FX.One SL in red. Different styles, same outcome: LEKI helping the best stay at their best.
A Leki Pole quest in Chamonix
While athletes battled the mountains, LEKI added some extra fun to the week. Five LEKI athletes hid five brand-new pairs of poles across Chamonix over five days, teasing clues on reels. The result? Five days of fun and five happy winners who walked away with a sneak peek at the Summer 2026 collection – long before it hits the shelves. Talk about bragging rights!
Your partner for peak performance
At Mountain Adventure, we’re proud to be the exclusive distributor of LEKI here in New Zealand. Seeing the world’s best athletes rely on LEKI gear in the harshest conditions is not just impressive — it’s a reminder that when the going gets tough, the right gear really does make all the difference.
And if UTMB 2025 taught us anything, it’s this: the mountains may test your limits, but with the right pair of poles, you just might have the upper hand.