7 Best Mud Running Shoes in 2024

Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic on
7 Best Mud Running Shoes in 2024
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Tackling muddy trails means your running shoes should have sticky outsole rubber, superb lockdown, and very deep lugs that are placed further apart.. with so many things going on; we want to make this easy for you. 

We went into great detail explaining mud running shoes, the necessary features, how to recognise them, and which shoes to definitely avoid when running over muddy trails 

But we also chose the best picks out of all the mud shoes we tested on our runs and in our lab. Here, we highlight those shoes and explain why they got to be at the top of the list! 

How we test running shoes

How do we know which trail shoes will keep you surefooted when it gets muddy? Through an extensive review process and our shoe lab: 

  • First of all, every tested shoe is purchased with our own funds. We receive no free shoes from brands.
  • We are dedicated runners who take each pair to a rough test on wet trails for at least 30-50 miles.
  • Next to the things that are a priority in mud shoes, like lug depth and outsole hardness, we measure and assess 20+ more parameters in our lab. This is where we translate “breathability,” “durability,” and “flexibility” into comparable data.
  • We also cut the shoes in half and then into pieces to look at what's inside and analyse all the technologies and layers.

Best mud running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Natural running feel
  • Superb value at just $140
  • Flexible and comfortable
  • Heel security
  • Plusher tongue
  • Cushioned insole
  • Rock plate
  • Highly versatile

Cons

  • Limited energy return
  • Somewhat firm
Full review of Saucony Peregrine 14

Mud running shoes with the best grip

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Superior traction on wet, technical trails
  • Ideal for heel strikers
  • Impressive durability
  • Quick mud shedding ability
  • Lightest Speedcross yet
  • Secure lockdown with QuickLace system
  • Enhanced ground feel in the forefoot
  • Agile and responsive in fast corners

Cons

  • Midsole feels like concrete
  • Extremely poor breathability
  • Not suitable for midfoot and forefoot strikers
Full review of Salomon Speedcross 6

Best long distance trail running shoes for mud

What makes it the best?

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. 

Pros

  • Outstanding Vibram Megagrip outsole
  • Easily handles tough trails
  • Performs well on both downhills and uphills
  • Extremely durable upper with numerous TPU reinforcements
  • Suitable for year-round use
  • Loads of recycled, eco-friendly stuff
  • Great for long-distance runs thanks to its cushioning
  • Wonderful for heel strikers
  • Excellent all-terrain shoe

Cons

  • Heavier than expected
  • Actual drop deviates significantly from what's stated
  • Could be more affordable
Full review of Merrell Agility Peak 5

Best waterproof running shoes for mud

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Fully functional Gore-Tex membrane
  • Ample cushioning for long adventures
  • Excels in challenging, technical terrain
  • Rapidly sheds mud
  • Agile and tenacious grip on twisted trails
  • Remarkable durability
  • Ideal for heel strikers

Cons

  • Completely lacks breathability
  • Midsole could feel overly firm for some
  • Exceptionally heavy
Full review of Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX

Best lightweight running shoes for mud

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Fantastic PWRRUN PB midsole technology
  • Ideal for summer runs due to its breathable upper
  • Capable of handling muddy terrain with ease
  • Upper and outsole showcase incredible durability
  • Sufficiently cushioned for ultra-marathons
  • Exceptional cushion-to-weight ratio
  • Sock-like upper provides a fantastic fit
  • Excellent heel lockdown
  • Handles faster paces effortlessly

Cons

  • Tongue design needs enhancement for ultras
  • Lugs could be slightly shorter
  • Price point is probably too high for some budgets
Full review of Saucony Endorphin Rift

Running shoes for mud with the best cushioning

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Insanely protective even without a rock plate
  • Soft cushioning without feeling mushy
  • Solid amount of bounce
  • Incredibly stable
  • Plush and airy upper
  • Roomy fit
  • Good grip on mild to moderate trails
  • Durable outsole
  • Light on the run
  • Really smooth ride
  • Best for easy days and long runs
  • Sustainable

Cons

  • Upper could use more support
  • Not great for technical trails
Full review of New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3

Running shoes for mud with the best foot protection

What makes it the best?

Endorphin Trail is Saucony’s trail killer that lets us run through rocky terrains and soft mud without hesitation. It's built like a shield with its thick and dense midsole, tough and grippy outsole, and bootie upper that prevents anything from getting in. Our runs and lab tests prove it provides the best foot protection for mud running.

Its tall 36.2/31.1 mm stack is max-cushioned for road running shoes and even more for trail shoes that only average 31.8/24.2 mm. It serves as a thick buffer to mute the friction from the ground and to protect the foot from sharp debris. It's surrounded by a mesh to prevent the midsole from wearing out. 

The bottom is lined with a tough 87.5 HC rubber, harder than the 85.1 HC average. We can easily cross muddy puddles since the lug design is super grippy and aggressive. At 4.5 mm, the lugs are 1.0 mm deeper than average.

The top of our foot is hugged by a sock-like bootie upper, providing a snug fit. This ensures small rocks in the mud won’t penetrate in.

The upper is so protective that it blocks proper airflow too, making the shoe feel like a sauna on a hot, humid day. We recommend exploring other pairs for tropical weather.

Pros

  • Amazing grip
  • Sock-like fit
  • True to size
  • Aggressive
  • Peppy midsole
  • Rock protection

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Not breathable
  • Poor draining
Full review of Saucony Endorphin Trail

2 must-haves in mud running shoes

First, it’s the good grip. No, not good, superb! Second, depending on the terrain and weather conditions, you should choose either a very breathable and quick-drying shoe or a shoe with a waterproof membrane. We help you decide which one you need below. 

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Pay attention to 1) the thread pattern and lug thickness and 2) the breathability or waterproofness of the upper 

Outsoles and lugs that won’t get you stuck in mud 

In the world of mud running shoes, having a superb grip means deep lugs (minimum 4mm) that are spaced further apart. This means there are not many lugs but those that exist are deep and aggressive. They are often multidirectional to be able to grip both on uphill and downhill trails. 

mud-vs-nonmud-outsole-running-shoes.jpg
Versatile, light terrain, non-mud outsole (left) vs. a mud-specialised outsole (right)

Outsoles with many lugs placed close together can surely be very grippy, but the distance between the lugs helps with mud-shedding. 

lug-depth-mud-running-shoes.jpg
Measuring the depth of the lugs in RunRepeat lab

In our shoe lab, we use a digital calliper to measure the thickness of the lugs. We consider lugs that are at least 4mm thick, very deep and great for mud.

mud-running-shoes-1.jpg

Of course, this does not mean that some shoes with 3.7mm lugs won’t do well or that other shoes with 4.2mm lugs might be a bad idea for mud. Other factors play a role.

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Ideally, we’d look for a superb lockdown, no extra bulk, and a platform that is not overly flexible. To be fair, most of the mud-specialised shoes deliver on all those fronts!

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Measuring the hardness of the outsole on a mud running shoe: higher numbers describe harder outsoles, while lower numbers indicate it’s a softer rubber

Next, we use a shore C durometer to measure the hardness of the outsole rubber. For mud, we’d look for somewhat softer rubber as it’s stickier. However, softer rubber is also less durable and more flexible. 

Mixed terrain advice: mud and rocks 

If the terrain is mixed, you want to check 2 things: 1) the durability of the outsole and b) whether the shoe has a rock plate. 

The durability of the outsole is actually one of our lab tests. We press a dremel against the outsole, always at the same force, RPMs, and duration, and then look at the outcome. 

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Testing the outsole durability in a mud running shoe

The dent that the dremel has made is what we measure to assess durability. Deeper dents indicate less durable outsoles, just like shallower dents indicate more durable rubber. 

dent-on-the-outsole-mud-shoe.jpg
Damage done by our dremel: we measure the depth with a tyre tread gauge

The rock plate is a great feature that adds extra protection to your feet when running on sharp rocks. It’s not a rare addition to the trail shoes. Some Altra trail shoes, for example, have a rock plate (or StoneGuard) shaped like an insole that can be added or not between the insole and the midsole. 

Upper: breathable or waterproof?

This completely depends on the terrain and weather conditions. 

Choose breathable mud shoes if: 

Choose waterproof mud shoes if:

The water levels might be too high, and the water can get inside of your shoes. In this case, look for quick drainage and breathability.

The water levels are low, so the water can’t get inside your shoes. Otherwise, it will stay there! 

You’re running in warm weather

You’re running in cold weather 

You’re running long distances. Better to prioritise breathability 

You’re running shorter distances when it’s ok to have not that breathable shoe 

To test the breathability of the shoe, we pump the smoke into it and look at where the smoke comes out and at which pace. Based on this observation, we rate the breathability on a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the least breathable and 5 the most breathable. 

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We also look at the uppers under the microscope to understand better what’s going on. 

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Breathable uppers usually have a more loose structure with noticeable ventilation holes, while waterproof uppers have a very tight structure with no vent holes. 

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How breathable (up) and waterproof (down) uppers look under the microscope 

In the world of waterproof running shoes, Gore-Tex membrane is by far the most popular one. There are other waterproof membranes on the market as well, and brands always promote that feature, so you can’t miss it. 

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Little extra for mud running shoes

There are some details worth paying attention to: 1) waterproof gaiters, 2) gusseted tongues, and 3) heel collars. 

First, if you intend to run in very wet weather with a lot of rain or running through the high wet grass, consider getting waterproof gaiters. They will keep the water on the outside which is great especially when it pours down your legs. 

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Second, shoes can have non-gusseted tongues, semi-gusseted tongues and gusseted tongues. It’s all about whether the tongue is attached to the both sides of the upper under the eyelets (gusseted), attached only to the 1 side (semi-gusseted), or free (non-gusseted). 

gusset-types-mud-running-shoes.jpg
Free vs. gusseted tongue in mud running shoes

Gusseted tongues keep the debris out and help with waterproofness, of course. But, they also lower the breathability rating. It’s on you to decide what’s a priority. 

sock-like-heel-collar-mud-shoes.jpg

Third, if you’re really bothered by the debris getting inside the shoes, you can look for mud shoes with a sock-like or gaiter-like heel collar. Sitting on the skin, such heel collar helps with anti-debris action. 

Author
Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic
Whether it's a vertical kilometre or an ultra, climbing in the Alps or exploring local mountains, Jovana uses every opportunity to trade walls and concrete for forests and trails. She logs at least 10h/week on trails, with no off-season, and 4x more on research on running and running shoes. With a background in physics and engineering management, she prefers her running spiced with data.