Obstacle Course Race (a.k.a. OCR) is not your usual race. It is no walk (or should I say jog?) in the park, for sure. As the name suggests, competitors in OCR travel on foot, overcoming various physical challenges as obstacles.
Activities included in these courses may involve climbing over walls or up ropes, using monkey bars, carrying heavy objects, crossing water or mud, crawling under barbed wire, or jumping over fire.
So, without further ado, let’s jump into the list of the 6 best OCR mud run shoes I’ve selected for you in this article. Ready, set, go!
1. Altra Lone Peak 6
Starting strong, this Altra Lone Peak model is considered to be one of the best OCR mud run shoes and is well-loved by many people.
These shoes are true to their size. They feature comfort or long-distance fit, meaning that they have more than enough room in the toe box for feet to swell during the run, without impacting the security of the heel cup.
These shoes are highly durable and flexible and they provide an amazing ground feel. They feature Altra Ego midsoles which are designed to mimic the natural form of the human heel.
For their outsoles, this brand uses a tread pattern called TrailClaw and a long-standing rubber compound called MaxTrac. With these features, these shoes have increased traction and impressive performance on any terrain.
All in all, these shoes can be an incredible option for you and a great mud-fighter pair of footwear you never knew you need.
2. Hoka Evo Jawz
The second one in the line of the best OCR mud run shoes are these Hoka Evo Jawz ones. They are light, close-fitting shoes designed for fast running on loose, muddy, or technical terrain.
Hoka shoes are usually very cushioned, but this model steers away from that tradition. However, that doesn’t mean that comfort is compromised. It just means that these shoes are extremely lightweight and suitable for long runs.
These shoes feature Hoka’s ProFly midsoles which are firm enough and don’t feel overly soft or sloppy. The upper of these shoes is very thin, supportive, and durable and their outsoles are exceptionally grippy.
They will surely take you through knee-deep, peanut butter-consistent mud without any trouble whatsoever.
3. Inov-8 Mudclaw G 260
Someone once described this model as, “The world’s toughest shoe for the world’s toughest muddy mountain runs and obstacle course races.” Pretty impressive description, if you ask me. And what makes it even more impressive is that this quote is no false advertising – these shoes are really that good!
In OCR fields, Inov-8 is a sort of synonym for amazing grip, this model being no exception. The ‘G’ in the name stands for graphene outsoles – because of them, the studs of these shoes are 50% stronger, 50% more elastic and 50% harder to wear down than others on the market.
As you can probably guess, the grip of these shoes is insane! Even though mud tends to stick to the outsoles of these shoes, it doesn’t compromise the run.
These shoes are extremely lightweight and have enough underfoot cushioning. Their fit is also great – it has proven to be exceptionally secure, without any slips and wobbles. So the comfort of these shoes is unmatched!
No wonder these are considered to be one of the best OCR mud run shoes on the market!
4. La Sportiva Lycan GTX
These shoes are considered to be the best OCR mud run shoes for foot protection. With them on, jagged rocks and bumpy roads won’t be able to cause any harm to your feet since they’ll be maximally shielded.
The ‘GTX’ in the name stands for a Gore-Tex membrane which is a waterproof and breathable fabric membrane. Shoes made out of this membrane are extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear.
These shoes have an amazing grip on various surfaces and provide great traction. They have a roomy toe box which ensures comfort during the hefty races. They offer a snug fit and stability and don’t require any breaking-in. Truly an incredible pair of mud run shoes if you ask me.
5. Salomon Speedcross 5
These ones are often referred to as “the beast for rugged trails.” They are the pair you need to confidently run across muddy areas.
Featuring highly aggressive and deep lugs, these shoes are a great pick when you want an excellent shoe for traction. And a Contagrip TA rubber compound makes their outsoles stickier than ever.
Due to SensiFit, these Salomon Speedcross 5 shoes wrap around your feet and feel like a glove. This ensures maximum support, especially on uneven terrain. When it comes to comfort, these shoes feature OrthoLite insoles which deliver great cushioning, breathability, and durability.
These shoes are great when it comes to foot protection, too. With these ones, no sharp rocks will ever harm your feet.
Another interesting thing about these shoes is that you don’t have to break them in. They will be your comfiest option straight out of the box. Their only drawback is these shoes have limited use. So, it’s hard to wear them anywhere else besides OCR. But all in all, they are among the best OCR mud run shoes.
Another drawback is that this model is not waterproof. But, if you wish to have a waterproof addition to your closet, you should check out Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX.
6. Saucony Peregrine 11
And last but certainly not least on our list of the 6 best OCR mud run shoes are these Saucony Peregrine 11 ones.
This model features the right amount of trusty Saucony’s PWRRUN cushioning and a FormFit upper which protects and secures the foot. With these ones, your feet will be comfortable and safe from any external stimuli.
The outsoles of these shoes provide strong protection from sharp rocks and good traction on various terrains. Whether it be slick mud, snow, or dry and rocky grounds, these shoes simply conquer everything that gets in their way.
They have two drawbacks, though. First, they are not that breathable. What a bummer, right? And second, they are a tad bit too narrow, so if you happen to have wider feet, these ones might be too tight for you. But if not, they will be a perfect addition to your closet.
This brand also came out with the next model of these shoes, the Saucony Peregrine 12. This model is recognized as among the best cross-country shoes.
I hope this article helped you find the best OCR mud run shoes for you. The selected options were very versatile and, in my humble opinion, feature a bit of something for everyone’s preferences.