Best Mud Run Shoes
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Mud Runners are people who go beyond the normal terrain to more challenging terrains. They have a strong drive to overcome whatever obstacle is in their way.
These obstacles could be mud, rock or dirt. Thus, mud runners, unlike their normal track-run counterparts, require sturdier, obstacle-conquering shoes for a successful run.
The best mud run shoes will not only help you in your run, it will also give you all the confidence you need while running on any terrain.
Continue below as we discuss the newest and best mud run shoes on the market today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Mud Run Shoes
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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BEST OVERALL ![]() | BEST OVERALL |
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BEST FOR BUDGET ![]() | BEST FOR BUDGET |
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BEST TRAIL RUNNING SHOES FOR MUD RUNS ![]() | BEST TRAIL RUNNING SHOES FOR MUD RUNS |
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BEST LIGHTWEIGHT MUD RUN SHOES ![]() | BEST LIGHTWEIGHT MUD RUN SHOES |
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BEST FOR MUD RUN OBSTACLE COURSE ![]() | BEST FOR MUD RUN OBSTACLE COURSE |
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Best Mud Run Shoes Reviewed

Obstacle course racing (OCR) is for the strong and determined. To overcome the obstacles and challenges with mud runs, you need to get the best running shoe. With a great pair of shoes, you can thus, turn your race into a stimulating experience.
The best mud run shoes should offer you comfort, traction, stability, low feel, as well as protection underfoot. There is nothing mud runners love more than perfect shoes for their intended terrain. Therefore, the need for a comprehensive list of best mud run shoes is vital.

- Offers great traction
- Well ventilated and dries easily
- Lightweight
- Its innersole molds to the shape of your feet
- Quite expensive
- Some people say it is not highly durable
- Offers great traction
- Well ventilated and dries easily
- Lightweight
- Its innersole molds to the shape of your feet
- Quite expensive
- Some people say it is not highly durable

- Lightweight
- Has a waterproof and anti-debris mesh
- Has an outsole made of mud and snow contagrip
- Not good for wide feet
- Some say it’s not great for long trail runs
- Too skinny and small
- Lightweight
- Has a waterproof and anti-debris mesh
- Has an outsole made of mud and snow contagrip
- Not good for wide feet
- Some say it’s not great for long trail runs
- Too skinny and small

- Excellent choice for running on extreme terrains
- Exceptionally lightweight
- Quickly releases mud and debris with its Dual-C compound
- Runs small and narrow
- Unfavorable heel-to-toe drop
- Poor gluing
- Excellent choice for running on extreme terrains
- Exceptionally lightweight
- Quickly releases mud and debris with its Dual-C compound
- Runs small and narrow
- Unfavorable heel-to-toe drop
- Poor gluing

- Great for navigating all terrain types
- Has an outsole equipped with contagrip traction
- An awesome heel-to-toe drop of 12 mm
- Requires a lot of breaking in
- Some say its too tight
- Great for navigating all terrain types
- Has an outsole equipped with contagrip traction
- An awesome heel-to-toe drop of 12 mm
- Requires a lot of breaking in
- Some say its too tight

- Lightweight
- Protects the underfoot
- Very good grip with TrailProtect technology and Vibram TC5 outsole
- Provides excellent support
- The elastic tongue design is quite challenging
- Not super breathable
- Not extremely durable
- Lightweight
- Protects the underfoot
- Very good grip with TrailProtect technology and Vibram TC5 outsole
- Provides excellent support
- The elastic tongue design is quite challenging
- Not super breathable
- Not extremely durable

- Provides good traction
- Suitable for light trail running
- Lightweight
- The shoe is not super durable
- Not true to size – narrow and tight
- May not be suitable for extreme terrain running
- Provides good traction
- Suitable for light trail running
- Lightweight
- The shoe is not super durable
- Not true to size – narrow and tight
- May not be suitable for extreme terrain running

- Lightweight
- Has rubber soles that stick
- Very comfortable in all terrains
- Has good ventilation
- Narrow toe box
- Not good for low arches
- Quite pricey
- Lightweight
- Has rubber soles that stick
- Very comfortable in all terrains
- Has good ventilation
- Narrow toe box
- Not good for low arches
- Quite pricey

- Quite affordable
- Very good traction provided by pure rubber GEL-Venture soles
- Good cushioning
- Has a good abrasion system
- Not extremely durable
- The laces of the shoe come untied too often
- Quite affordable
- Very good traction provided by pure rubber GEL-Venture soles
- Good cushioning
- Has a good abrasion system
- Not extremely durable
- The laces of the shoe come untied too often

- Lightweight
- Protects feet very well
- Quite sturdy
- Comfortable for mud running
- Not quite durable
- Shoes do not come with insoles
- The sole does not give enough support
- Lightweight
- Protects feet very well
- Quite sturdy
- Comfortable for mud running
- Not quite durable
- Shoes do not come with insoles
- The sole does not give enough support

- Very comfortable in the arch
- Great tracking
- Lightweight
- Not as durable as advertised
- Quite narrow on the feet
- Very comfortable in the arch
- Great tracking
- Lightweight
- Not as durable as advertised
- Quite narrow on the feet
What Are the Components of a Good Mud Run Shoe?
Shopping for the best mud run shoes can be quite tedious. Knowing exactly what to expect of the terrain, should give you an idea of the features to look out for in the shoe.
Therefore, having suitable shoes is paramount to overcoming any obstacle.
You also have to ensure that you are getting worthwhile value for your money. Some of the features to look out for are down below.
- Great Traction – For a mud run, your shoe should have a very good lug system. Bigger lugs are generally better for traction.
- Anti-Debris – Your best mud run shoe should be able to get rid of mud and other debris that might want to stick to it. Dragging debris along as you run may cause fatigue. As a result, this can slow you down tremendously and cost you the race.
- Slip Resistant – Slipping and falling could lead to very serious injuries. It is thus easier to avoid when you use a slip-resistant shoe. Your chosen shoe should have firm and supportive lugs. This because of the slippery nature of some terrains and obstacle courses. So, make sure the shoe comes with slip-resistant qualities.
- Waterproof – Soaked shoes tend to be heavier. You do not need that extra weight when on a mud run. So, the best shoe for a mud run should be water-resistant. Furthermore, they should also have the ability to dry very fast.
- Comfortable – Your comfort is very important in any race. In mud running, every feature of the shoe should scream. The best shoe should have comfortable insoles, midsoles, outsoles and toe box. In addition, even the tongue should offer comfort. The size should also be perfect to avoid blisters, pain, and discomfort.
- Quick-Lace System – Having a shoe with a quick lace system will save you time and prevent risks from laces that just won’t stay tied. Moreover, although you can tuck away some shoelaces, it is more suitable to get a shoe with a quick lace system. Click here to read more about the best barefoot running shoes
- Flexible – Different terrain types will require that you bend your feet in some really weird positions. Having flexible shoes will consequently make it easier to go through some obstacle courses. The best shoe for your obstacle course should be flexible in all the right places.
- Support For Your Feet – Your feet will need all the support you can it in a mud run. Thus, arch support, fitted heel support, and shock absorbance are necessary features to look out for.
- Lightweight – Heavy shoes will make you tire easily. They could also slow you down immensely. As a result, you would exert most of your energy, especially in mud. Therefore, you should get shoes that are lightweight for your feet.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, due to the risky nature of mud runs, there really are a lot of features to look out for before buying the best mud run shoes.
The obstacle courses of a mud run will provide good properties, good traction, stability, flexibility, comfort, lightweight, slip-resistance, anti-debris, etc.
Therefore, we compiled a list of some of the best mud run shoes that will consequently ensure you conquer every obstacle course with a smile on your face.