7 Best Mud Running Shoes in 2025

From its heavy-duty construction to the reliable lugs that provide confidence-inspiring traction over sloshy trails, the KEEN Seek is our most durable mud running shoe. It proves to be an armour in and out of the lab, without losing the fluidity needed to adapt to various terrains.

Starting from the top, the shoe includes an “abrasion-resistant” knit upper, and it held up well in our Dremel test, resulting in a high 4/5 toebox durability score. Surprisingly, it doesn’t lose ventilation and earns a remarkable 4/5 in breathability. 

The shoe’s 4.2 mm lugs are a mud runner’s dream. With butterfly-shaped and trapezoid lugs, we found them grippy enough for conquering technical terrain. On top of that, the outsole served as our shield underfoot; it had only a tiny 0.6 mm dent in our abrasion test compared to the 0.9 mm average, cementing its longevity.

Despite its sturdy build, its midsole retains flexibility. In our bend test, it emerged 22.6% more malleable than average, boosting its comfort and versatility even for hiking.

We recommend runners who prioritise speed and agility to look elsewhere. With its tank-like build, the shoe weighs a heavy 10.8 oz (305g), 5.5% above average.

We conquered muddy tracks with confidence in the Salomon Speedcross 6. With a seamless combination of reliable traction and a compromising midsole, all in a highly stable platform, we felt like we could run all day on any pavement with this pair. In the lab, this shoe proves its versatility and emerges as our top mud running shoe.

The key to ensuring safety on soft ground is having deep, sticky rubber lugs. Speedcross 6 goes beyond the 3.5 mm average with lugs measuring 5.8 mm deep. This didn’t go unnoticed in our runs since the outsole bit through slippery trails and mud, effectively preventing mishaps. They are spaced generously to give room for mud-shedding.

Helping us lift our feet off the soil easily is the shoe’s resilient midsole, which easily adapts to our natural strides on uneven terrains. We stayed in control since the shoe didn’t resist us, confirmed by our bend test with a flexibility score 12.4% above average.

But when it comes to twisting our ankles or excessive lateral motions, the shoe has no give. The curved insole effectively contains our feet inside the shoe, creating a highly stable ride. Moreover, we proved its opposition to twisting with its high 4/5 torsional rigidity score.

With zero ventilation, we can only recommend this pair in cold weather. Runners who sweat and overheat a lot should find more breathable shoes.

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, its first-class Vibram outsole delivers unwavering traction, and its rigid structure enhances controlled footing. Through rigorous testing in the lab, this trail shoe cements its position as the ultimate stability mud running shoe.

Agility Peak 5 offers surefootedness through its broad 93.0 mm heel and strong lockdown. It firmly resists twisting, proven by its 5/5 torsional rigidity score. Moreover, the heel counter feels secure, proven by its 4/5 stiffness rating.

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 to shed off 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.

Our heels are caught by a plush and generous 39.2 mm stack, scoring impressively high at 125 SA in our shock absorption test. We also found a rock plate covering the midfoot to forefoot, providing additional protection and stability. 

Unfortunately, the steep 13.4 mm drop may feel uncomfortable for mid-to-forefoot strikers. Agility Peak 5’s construction is more beneficial for rear 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 through the mud with Salomon’s S/Lab Genesis. Our lab tests confirm it's the top lightweight mud shoe, capable of going fast and far with its agile build, adaptable midsole, and deep, adhesive lugs. Its array of features ensures control across diverse terrains.

Its airy build enhances our speed. At 8.8 oz (249g), it exhibits unmatched lightness, making it quicker to move than carrying the average trail shoe, which weighs 10.2 oz (289g).

S/Lab Genesis features a free-flowing midsole that keeps us nimble on sticky ground. It’s easy to manoeuvre, with our bend test verifying it’s 4.8% more flexible than average. 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 Contagrip 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. The lugs are angled in different directions and are well-spaced in the midfoot for mud shedding.

However, we felt frustrated finding out that it features an EVA foam with limited responsiveness. Runners seeking a high-performance shoe should try elsewhere.

On every run, the HOKA Tecton X 3 surrounds us in luxurious comfort. It delivers a solid amount of bounce, combined with a fatigue-reducing midsole and a reliable outsole that allows us to stay agile on muddy tracks. Our lab results wholeheartedly agree—this shoe wins in shock absorption among mud running shoes.

Its very thick 37.8/30.9 mm slab of foam in the heel and forefoot rises 5.2/5.9 mm above the average trail shoe. Our shock absorption test shows it's one of the most protective trail shoes we’ve tested at 139 SA, with 13.9% better impact protection than average. This combination makes it highly cushioned, protecting our legs from feeling beaten up. The platform feels surprisingly stable with its wide base.

We had no dull moments in this shoe, with the midsole springing us forward with every stride. Testing for energy return, we recorded high scores of 69.9% in the heel and 70.2% in the forefoot.

Its Vibram outsole and chunky lugs help us cruise through tracks by providing good grip on soft dirt and moderate trails. Featuring the Traction Lug technology, they measure 4.0 mm deep and are chevron-shaped, making them more capable of biting into mud.

With its mega-stack giving us less ground feel, Tecton X 3 isn’t ideal for runners who prefer a stronger surface connection.

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.