- Mudder Guide: Chapter 3.1 -
How do I find the right running shoes for Tough Mudder?
Good shoes are essential to master obstacle runs such as Tough Mudder. You already have good running shoes? Forget them!
You need special shoes for Tough Mudder. You’ll constantly jump into the water in full gear, wade thigh-deep in mud, and generally be in a dirty environment for all the race.
That’s not what conventional running shoes are made for. It’s like wearing flip flops to go ice skating.
How do you find running shoes that are well suited for Tough Mudder? Look for these features:
Your shoes should be:
- As light as possible. After 12 miles, you’ll feel every ounce of weight you’re carrying.
- Providing good grip on wet and muddy terrain.
- Water resistant and fast drying.
- Comfortable, but fit firmly. Make sure you won’t lose your shoe when you’re stuck in the mud.
- Sturdy and easy to clean, so you can use it for many runs.
- Looks don’t matter much. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt if your shoes would be eye-catchers in addition to providing great functionality.
All in all, these are some tough requirements for any running shoes. Since Tough Mudder and other obstacle races are still a niche, there are only few products that fulfill all requirements. Most of them aren’t even available in sports stores. You have to order them online.
Remember to always order running shoes 1-2 sizes larger than your street shoes. During running, your feet swell up and you need the additional space.
Our winner: The Reebok All Terrain Super
The Reebok All Terrain Super* is a favorite of many mudders, and we can only agree. We had great expectations, but the results were even better.
The shoe is so light, you hardly know you’re wearing it. The H2O-Draining-System quickly siphons any water out of the shoe.
Additionally, the shoe is made from dirt-repellent material, which makes cleaning easier and keeps the shoe light, even after walking on muddy ground for miles. For an all-terrain mudder shoe, that’s a big plus.
The Reebok All Terrain Super is super comfy and fits tightly. On firm ground and on mud, it provides secure grip; at climbing obstacles, it will provide reliable support.
The only little weakness is the reduced grip on slippery surfaces. On EVEREST, we were slipping and sliding quite a bit with this shoe. Nonetheless, that’s complaining at a high level.
Luckily, the shoe isn’t just functional. With its bright colors, it’s also quite a looker. Both the men and the women version are available in multiple colors, so there’s something for everyone.
For us, the Reebok All Terrain Super is the perfect running shoe in general and especially for Tough Mudder. After washing the shoe, it looks as good as new, which means that you can use it for a long time and that you’ve spent your money well.
The following video will show you the most important features of our test winner:
Unfortunately, availability is an issue with this shoe.
The easiest and most reliable way to get the shoe is to order directly from Reebok. Alternatively, we provide you links for Amazon. Experience shows, though, that most sizes are sold out quickly.
The alternative: The Inov-8 Mudclaw 265
Alternatively, you can also get the Inov-8 Mudclaw 265*. This shoe was specifically designed for obstacle courses, which makes him a good alternative.
Compared to the Reebok All Terrain Super, the Mudclaw is a little bit heavier, but equally comfortable.
The Inov-8 Mudvlaw 265 has the advantage on tarmac and slippery surfaces, which makes it a little better suited for everyday use. If you’re looking for an all-rounder, this is definitely a plus.
If you’re primarily focused on Tough Mudder, though, the Reebok All Terrain Super’s integrated water draining system makes it the slightly better choice.
All in all, both models are highly recommendable.
The Inov-8 Mudclaw 265 is a beauty with a pretty design. It comes as a unisex model with only a few color schemes.
To give you a detailed impression, we’ve found a video that presents the entire Inov-8 series, including the Inov-8 Mudclaw 265:
Click here to check out the Inov-8 Mudclaw 265 on Amazon:
The agony of choice
Regardless of whether you choose the Reebok All Terain Super* or the Inov-8 Mudclaw 265*, order soon.
If you’re trying to order one week before the race (like probably many other Tough Mudder participants) and your size is sold out or the size you ordered doesn’t fit, which isn’t unlikely, you’ll be in serious trouble.
Additionally, we highly recommend to break in your shoes to get a good feeling for them and avoid blisters on the big day. That’s not just a recommendation, that’s a must!
We hope these models will work great for you. We’d love to get some from you!
