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The 6 Best OCR Mud Run Shoes You Have To Check Out

The 6 Best OCR Mud Run Shoes You Have To Check Out

Are you looking for the best OCR mud run shoes for your next fearless race? If so, then you’re at the right place!

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.

Yikes! Who would have thought people do that voluntarily? Or for fun? I know I could never do it, and therefore I have immense respect for OCR competitors. But, we’re not here so I could pay my respect. We are here to discuss what could be the best shoes for this challenging and muddy race.

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!

What are the 6 best OCR mud run shoes?

Appropriate footwear is a must in any kind of sport, really. Depending on the activity you do, your shoes will determine your performance quality. For example, a light walk around the mall will require different shoes than a morning jog would.

Guided by that logic, every OCR competitor needs a good pair of mud run shoes to successfully survive the race. Being stuck in mud isn’t that pleasant if you ask me. And to avoid that, you’ll need shoes with deep, rubbery, and sticky lugs.

The best OCR mud run shoes should have the following features:

  • They should be lightweight
  • They should have multi-directional deep lugs to ensure traction
  • They should dry quickly
  • They should have a snug fit
  • They should have a sticky outsole for a good grip.

Below, you’ll find 6 pairs of mud run shoes which are considered to be the best shoes for OCR. All of them have the abovementioned features. Check them out and see if any of them suits your fancy.

1. Altra Lone Peak 6

ALTRA Men's AL0A547L Lone Peak 6 Trail Running Shoe, Gray/Blue - 14 M US
$138.58
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03/16/2024 04:36 pm GMT

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

(Source: Hoka)

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

Inov-8 Mens Mudclaw G 260 V2 Trail Running Shoes - Ultra -Durable & Breathable Perfect for Obstacle Course Races - Black/Green - 12.5
$155.81
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03/16/2024 04:40 pm GMT

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

La Sportiva Lycan GTX Running Shoe, Carbon/Apple Green, 41.5
$140.00


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03/16/2024 05:31 pm GMT

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

Salomon Speedcross 5 Trail Running Shoes for Men
$140.00 $132.95
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03/17/2024 08:42 pm GMT

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

Saucony Men's Peregrine 11 Trail Running Shoe, Storm/Gravel, 10
$63.95 $56.47
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03/16/2024 09:35 pm GMT

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.

Final thoughts

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.

If, however, you haven’t fallen in love with either of the 6 selected pairs, it’s not the end of the world. The perfect pair of OCR mud run shoes is waiting for you in your local store. Just make sure to pay attention to those features we’ve mentioned at the beginning that the best OCR mud run shoes have to have, and you’ll be good to go!

Best of luck in your search!

The 6 Best OCR Mud Run Shoes You Have To Check Out
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