7 Best Mud Running Shoes in 2024

We conquered muddy tracks with confidence in the Peregrine 14. With a seamless combination of reliable traction and a compromising midsole, all in a lightweight package, we felt like we could run all day on any pavement with this pair. In the lab, this Saucony proves its versatility and emerges as our top mud running shoe.

The key to ensuring safety on the trail is having deep, sticky rubber lugs. Peregrine 14 goes beyond the 3.5 mm average with lugs measuring 4.7 mm deep. This didn’t go unnoticed in our runs since the outsole bit through slippery trails, effectively preventing mishaps. What’s awesome about the pattern is that it prevents the mud from getting stuck in the outsole.

Helping us lift our feet off the soil easily is the shoe’s light weight of 9.4 oz (266g). With a similar feel to road running shoes, it stands 9.5% lighter than the average trail shoe. 

We felt nimble with the low-to-the-ground and resilient midsole that easily adapted to our natural strides and uneven terrains. We stayed in control since the shoe didn’t give much resistance, confirmed by our flex test with an average result. 

With its humble cushioning, Peregrine 14 feels harsh for long distances. We recommend checking other options if plush comfort is a priority.

We ran with ease through muddy tracks and dirt trails with the Salomon Speedcross 6. It’s our top performer in terms of grip among mud-running shoes, excelling in soft and wet conditions with its robust lugs and outsole. It satisfies our need for speed in difficult terrains with its highly agile yet stable platform.

Speedcross 6 features the reliable Contagrip outsole, confirmed by our durometer at 93.9 HC, one of the hardest we've measured. Its exceptional grip is evident even on the slickest and softest surfaces, thanks to its 5.8 mm deep, aggressively spaced lugs that provide unquestionable traction and effective mud shedding.

Tackling technical terrains is a breeze with its fluid and loose nature. In the lab, it emerged 37.7% more flexible than average, validating the sense of nimbleness in our runs. Not only does this boost comfort for longer efforts, but it allows us to adapt quicker to unpredictable trails too.

The firm midsole offers stability and ground sensitivity, measuring 44.7% denser than average per our durometer, shielding us from sharp debris. The insole is curved so that we sit inside it for added support, rather than balancing on top.

With a thin 22.4 mm cushion separating our forefoot from the ground and a steep 14.1-mm drop, we find Speedcross 6 more suitable for heel-strikers.

Our adventures with the 5th Merrell Agility Peak truly felt delightful as gruelling miles rolled by without us counting. Its soft and substantial stack offers immense comfort and exceptional muscle protection, while its first-class Vibram outsole delivers unwavering traction. Through rigorous testing in the lab, this trail shoe cements its position as the ultimate long-distance mud running shoe.

Our heels are caught by a plush and generous 39.2 mm stack, 7.0 mm above average. Other than immense comfort for long runs, the cushion protects us from debris underfoot. Providing additional protection is the rock plate in the mid-to-forefoot areas. The platform's remarkable softness, which registers 16.3% softer than the average, fuels our motivation to chase more miles.

Underneath is the stellar Vibram Megagrip outsole, which we believe is the best rubber for trail running based on our lab tests. It further reinforces its tailored for technical terrain with its 4.5-mm deep and sticky lugs, widely spaced apart to be able to shed off the mud. It displays unquestionable traction in puddles and proves it’s built to last as it performs better than average in our brutal Dremel test.

Unfortunately, the heel drop is a steep 13.4 mm because of the modest forefoot. This pair may feel uncomfortable for mid-to-forefoot strikers. 

Our quest for the ultimate waterproof mud running shoe concluded with the discovery of the Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX. Lab results confirm our verdict: it fulfils the adventurer’s needs with unmatched grip, complete protection from moisture and cold, and a secure ride.

Starting from the top, our microscope reveals a tightly knitted upper with a full Gore-Tex membrane. Even as we traversed through wet mud, our feet remained warm and dry. In our smoke test, it trapped the air inside and received a 1/5 breathability rating, confirming its protective nature.

In the midsole, we find a firm cushion with exceptional torsional rigidity, enhancing stability. Our durometer confirms the foam is 23.7% harder than average, preventing bottoming out. On uneven paths and inclines, we felt remarkably surefooted, with minimal risk of rolling our ankles. Its rigidity was evident in our manual twist assessment, earning a perfect 5/5 score.

Speedcross boasted unquestionable grip even on the softest and most slippery grounds we tested. The outsole is lined with 5.0 mm chevron-shaped lugs, 1.4 mm deeper than average, and serves as our brakes on steep descents. What’s even more impressive is its ability to shed mud effectively due to its spacing.

Unfortunately, the shoe weighs a heavy 11.5 oz (325g). Those who prefer a lighter option should explore further.

We effortlessly navigated the mud with Saucony's Endorphin Rift. Our lab tests confirm it's the top lightweight mud shoe, capable of going fast and far with its responsive cushioning, adaptable midsole, and deep, adhesive lugs. Its array of features ensures agility across diverse terrains, giving us a sensation akin to flying. 

Its airy build enhances our speed. At 9.0 oz (255g), it exhibits unmatched lightness, making it quicker to move than carrying the average trail shoe (10.4 oz/294g). It features the well-loved bouncy PWRRUN PB cushion and the brand’s Speedroll technology which promotes smooth forward transitions and higher cadence. This combination feels undoubtedly energetic and maintains our momentum.

Endorphin Rift has a nonresisting midsole that keeps us nimble on sticky ground. It’s easy to manoeuvre with its 9.9% more flexible-than-average midsole as per our bend test. This means it needs less effort to bend the shoe as we stride. Even twisting our feet feels effortless as our manual assessment reveals a 3/5 torsional rigidity.

Its PWRTRAC rubber outsole has stable traction, inspiring surefootedness in our runs. Lined with 4.5 mm lugs that bite the ground, we didn't slip on puddles. Amazingly, the chevron lugs are spaced enough for mud shedding.

The thin and ultra-breathable mesh upper isn't ideal for running in deep, wet mud, as it is more susceptible to getting the feet wet.

As seen in its name, Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 is all about more foam and luxurious comfort. It delivers a solid amount of bounce, combined with a flexible midsole and reliable outsole that allows us to stay agile on muddy tracks. Our lab and run testers wholeheartedly agree — this shoe wins the best cushioning among mud running shoes.

Its very thick 38.6/31.5 mm slab of foam in the heel and forefoot rises 6.8/7.3 mm above the average trail shoe. Our durometer says it’s one of the softest trail shoes we’ve tested — sitting 45.6% above average. This combination makes it a solid impact dampener, protecting our legs from feeling beaten up. The shoe is also surprisingly stable with its wide base.

The midsole doesn’t resist our movements, allowing us to manoeuvre through the mud. Our flex test in the lab confirms it’s 11.4% more malleable than average. 

Its Ecostep outsole and chunky lugs help us cruise through tracks by providing good grip on soft dirt and moderate trails. Its lugs are 1.5 mm deeper than the average trail shoe, making it more capable of biting into mud.

This shoe isn’t the best option for technical trails since its mega-stack gives us less ground feel.

Armed with a low profile, a roomy fit, and a grippy outsole, the Altra Lone Peak 9 kept us agile and secure through our muddy encounters. Our lab results support it’s the best zero-drop shoe in the mud running category with its enhanced ground sensitivity and grippy base that allows us to adapt to various terrains. 

Immediately, we felt LP9’s low and levelled platform. This gave us a lot of control as we navigated tricky and uneven slopes. Our calliper reveals its grounded 23.3/23.3 mm stack, ultimately leading to a very evident zero drop.

We had generous room for natural toe-splaying, allowing us to run confidently and comfortably. Using our gel mould, it’s already clear how non-tapered the toebox is. Our calliper further confirms it’s a massive 85.3 mm in the big toe area vs. the 74.8 mm average.

Note that we tested the Lone Peak 9+ version’s outsole and it features the highly reliable and grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole. It clings excellently on various surfaces with the help of its arrow-shaped 3.8 mm lugs, keeping our strides smooth and controlled. They supported us as we traversed muddy tracks and wet rocks with a pattern that served as our brakes on steep slopes. 

Unfortunately, at 10.9 oz (309g), the shoe is too heavy for its size. Those who prefer a more natural and weightless ride should try other options.