It’s the most crucial piece of kit for anyone tackling an obstacle course race (OCR) or mud run. Make the wrong footwear choice and you’ll potentially slip and slide your way to an injury. Get it right and, as we’ve heard from many first-time testers of INOV8 shoes at OCR or mud run events, “it feels like you’re cheating.”
So, what makes a good shoe for Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, Total Warrior and similar events?
GET A GRIP
Most importantly you need excellent underfoot grip that will not only keep you upright when running up, down and across muddy hills but also prevent you from falling on slippery, often wet, obstacles.
Aggressively studded, super-sticky rubber outsoles are what you should look for. We have been the masters of grip for 15 years now and have plenty of shoe options for you to choose from.
WEIGHT AND DRAINAGE
Then you need to think about the weight of your shoes and how quickly they drain water. Given they are almost guaranteed to get a soaking, you want footwear that is lightweight and allows water to escape through a breathable upper material… no-one likes running with that sloshing feeling inside their shoes!
Don’t bother experimenting with waterproof footwear – the water is going to get in over your ankles anyway and, in the case of waterproof shoes, it will then struggle to get back out.
FIT, COMFORT AND PROTECTION
Finally, you need to think about fit, comfort and protection. Snug-fitting, narrower shoes will hold your feet securely and allow you to react with agility to changes in the terrain. Wider-fitting or more cushioned shoes will increase comfort levels, especially if you’re running long distance courses.
Add in protective toe-bumpers as standard, and we have all options covered in our footwear range.
MUDCLAW SHOES WITH GRAPHENE
If you want a shoe with the ultimate grip to tackle the thickest mud imaginable, then our MUDCLAW range is the one for you. Featuring 8mm rubber studs, that are more like fangs or claws, the shoes literally claw through the mud whilst clinging to wet slippery obstacles.
Top of the range is the MUDCLAW G 260 V2, one of our pioneering graphene-enhanced G-SERIES shoes that uses the wonder material to make the rubber outsole 50% stronger, 50% more elastic and 50% harder wearing while retaining the stickiness our footwear is renowned for.
Weighing in at a super lightweight 260g, the MUDCLAW G 260 is fast and reactive, featuring a breathable super durable, non-absorbent upper. Snug-fitting, keeps your foot locked in and secure as you navigate tricky terrain and obstacles.
X-TALON SHOES WITH STICKY GRIP AND GRAPHENE
The X-TALON shoes were first introduced to the range in 2008 and are iconic in sports like obstacle course racing, fell running and orienteering. All feature fierce 8mm rubber studs, which not only scythe through mud and soft terrain but also grip firm on harder ground or wet rock.
The newest additions to the X-TALON range are X-TALON G 210 V2, X-TALON G 235 and X-TALON 260 ULTRA V2 (the numbers represent the weights of the shoes in grams). These three shoes all feature either our STICKYGRIP rubber compound or Graphene grip on the outsole, delivering the best possible traction.
The narrower-fitting X-TALON G 210 V2 and X-TALON G 235 offer light, fast options, with the 210 excelling in quick-drainage and the 235 providing a bit more protection and cushioning.
The wider-fitting X-TALON 260 ULTRA V2 is slightly heavier than the 210 and 235 but has high levels of protection and cushioning, plus a roomy toe-box, that all add up to offer a really comfortable ride.
X-TALON SHOES WITH CLASSIC INOV8 GRIP
The two other shoes in the X-TALON range are the long-serving X-TALON 212 and the new X-TALON 255, both of which feature our classic INOV8 rubber compound on the outsole.
The 212 is a narrower-fitting shoe with a feel most alike to the 230, while the 255 is similar to the 260 ULTRA if you’re looking for a wider-fitting shoe but with less cushioning and greater ground feel.
QUICK GUIDE TO PICKING THE RIGHT SHOES
The two other shoes in the X-TALON range are the long-serving X-TALON 212 and X-TALON 255, both of which feature our classic INOV8 rubber compound on the outsole.
The 212 is a narrower-fitting shoe with a feel most alike to the 230, while the 255 is similar to the 260 ULTRA if you’re looking for a wider-fitting shoe but with less cushioning and greater ground feel.