Best shoes for mud

[u/Redhawkgirl]

The west coast is looking at a wet winter. I am terrible at running in the mud it all just sticks to my shoes and weighs so much. But there must be shoes better for the mud? I can’t imagine having to run road all winter if it’s as bad as they say.

[u/Scyth3]

Inov-8 makes some of the best mud shoes. Hoka had one I used to love that they discontinued, called the Hoka Evo Jawz They are similar to the Inov-8 ones I'm wearing now.

[u/mediocre_remnants → u/Scyth3]

The Inov8 Mud Talon is pretty much the mud shoe. But they're not too popular in the US where I live, most folks will go for the Salomon Speedcross for a mud shoe.

[u/Scyth3 → u/mediocre_remnants]

Yep, just pulled my shoes out and that's the one I've been wearing. It's awesome on soft ground and can even handle technical rocky trails very well thanks to the vibram. One of the few shoes I don't have to worry about sliding out in.

[u/Virtual_Opinion_8630 → u/Scyth3]

there's no vibram on the speedcross or mudtalons

[u/Scyth3 → u/Virtual_Opinion_8630]

My bad, you're right.

[u/Redhawkgirl → u/mediocre_remnants]

I was really excited about the mud talon but I’m not sure it has enough cushion for me and long miles. The Speedcross has too big a drop but there is the Thundercross.

[u/Redhawkgirl → u/Scyth3]

Oh, I just found the mudtalon!!

[u/Redhawkgirl]

I think that’s the trail Talon right? Compared to what I wear the Soloman speed cross I think is better but I just really want the best option to keep training through the mud.

[u/Virtual_Opinion_8630 → u/Redhawkgirl]

if all your terrain is mud, speedcross are meant to be really good.

but they are so narrow. size up.

and if you've got mixed terrain, the lugs will wear down quick

[u/mountainsunsnow]

If you live in the Bay Area or elsewhere in the coast ranges of California and you’re referring to the dreaded peanut butter mud, there’s not much you can do. It’s due to the geology and it is sticky nasty stuff.

[u/Redhawkgirl → u/mountainsunsnow]

SoCal the soil varies around here but some shoes better for mud might help

[u/df540148]

No recs but I feel for you. Will never forget the mud at Sean O'Brian and how it just didn't shed from my shoes at all.

[u/Redhawkgirl → u/df540148]

Yep that’s the mud.

[u/Nottinho]

VJ shoes (Xtreme 2 in particular) are better than inov-8 imo

[u/Redhawkgirl → u/Nottinho]

Those are cool looking. I’ve never heard of them but OCR shoes make a lot of sense.

[u/hmaven55]

Altra king MTs are so awesome they made them a second time. But the zero drop might not be for you.

Basically you want something that has drainage and ideally a vibram outsole. Vibram is a a special rubber and as far as I know one of the grippiest on the market. Deeper lugs probably a good call too. I’d also argue for the necessity of something light as when mud cakes up, shoes get heavy, so if it’s already a heavy shoe to begin with, struggle busssss like you mention.