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10 Best Shoes For Spartan Races (Review) In 2022

Best Choice
new balance men’s nitrel v1 fuelcore
New Balance Men’s Nitrel V1 Shoes For Spartan Races
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Best Value
-reebok women’s trailgrip rs 5.0
Reebok Women’s Trailgrip RS 5.0
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Premium Pick
inov 8 men’s terraclaw 250
Inov-8 Men’s Terraclaw 250
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By Shoe Hero
Published 12:50 pm
Show contents
Contents
  1. 1. New Balance Men’s Nitrel V1 FuelCore Shoes For Spartan Races
  2. 2. Inov-8 Men’s Terraclaw 250 Shoes For Spartan Races
  3. 3. Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3.5 Shoes For Spartan Races
  4. 4. Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 CS
  5. 5. La Sportiva Men’s Wildcat
  6. 6. Reebok Women’s Trailgrip RS 5.0
  7. 7. Inov-8 Men’s X-Talon 212
  8. 8. Inov-8 Women’s X-Talon 212
  9. 9. Reebok Women’s All-Terrain Thrill
  10. 10. Salomon Men’s S/Lab Sense Ultra 2

You might be wondering what shoes to wear for a Spartan Race, especially if you’ve never done one before and both words strike fear into your very soul – although, admittedly, that’s kind of the point. If you want to smash your goals and cement yourself as the greatest endurance athlete of all time (or at least in your circle of friends), you need the right gear to ensure you can make it from start to finish in one piece. The best shoes for Spartan Races give you that extra edge over everyone else, providing the comfort, grip, and durability to handle whatever the course has to throw at you.

Much like the best trail running shoes for men and trail running shoes for women, finding the right shoes for you will keep you going throughout even the most intense parts of your mud run. Regular running shoes just can’t cut it, and you need a pair of shoes that are just as tough, if not tougher, than the course you want to conquer.

With this in mind, let’s get pumped up and ready to see which Spartan Race shoes are the perfect ones for you.

The Best Shoe For Spartan Races

Best choice

1.
New Balance Men’s Nitrel V1 FuelCore Shoes For Spartan Races

new balance nitrel v1 fuelcore
Key Features

    Improved rugged all-terrain outsole

    Revlite midsole with NB 2.0 Performance insert

    No-sew material application eliminates chance of fraying

    Toe Protect design saves injuries on hard and tricky ground

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Our best and first pick of the best shoes for Spartan Race are these New Balance Men’s Nitrel V1 FuelCore. A versatile pair of mud run shoes, they’re ideal for a variety of intense and demanding terrains with the improved rugged all-terrain outsole.

You’re also protected from sharp ground and the toe cap protection system prevents injury. The no-sew construction also prevents fraying, while the stretch fabric ensures a comfortable fit that’s wide enough for most Spartans to prevent strain and discomfort. If you are into running, make sure you also check our guide to the best neutral running shoes.

Pros

Wide fitting to suit most Spartan Race runners

Comfortable stretch fabric

Excellent price for top-quality performance

Cons

Shoe laces are a little too long for some and could cause problems

Premium Pick

2.
Inov-8 Men’s Terraclaw 250 Shoes For Spartan Races

inov-8 terraclaw 250
Key Features

    Lace-up mesh upper for centralized support and comfort

    Layered lightweight toe cap offers protection

    Diagonally sewn tongue helps keep debris out

    Triangular lugs release grit and gravel to maintain consistent traction

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If you’re looking for one of the most superior OCR shoes around, the Inov-8 Men’s Terraclaw 250 fits the bill entirely. Our premium pick of the top Spartan Race shoes, these deliver everything you could ever need from your trail footwear.

Despite having a traditional lace up design, you’re still getting an excellent and secure fit that’s bound to support you across uneven and treacherous terrain. As for protection, the layered toe cap keeps you from bashing your toe on rocks and The Wall, while also ensuring you don’t tread on sharp rocks or sticks when wading through water.

Pros

Lightweight but durable construction provides reliability

Superb drainage when battling wet terrains

Aggressive treat performs excellently with a variety of obstacles

Cons

Slight rear flex in back of shoe when leaning down to retie them can cause stones to get inside

3.
Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3.5 Shoes For Spartan Races

altra afw1755f lone peak 3.5
Key Features

    Designed to improve natural foot positioning, toe splay, and comfort

    Fully cushioned Zero Drop platform with foot shape toe box

    Moderate cushioning protects soles from strain and pains over long distances

    MaxTrax rubber outsole with TrailClaw lugs

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The Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3.5 boast a thick, solid sole for enhanced cushioning and protection and is great for all shapes and sizes of feet. It performs superbly in a variety of situations and also helps you improver, too, with a design that improves the natural foot position, toe splay, and comfort.

For long, treacherous races, this is essential for durability, and the absence of a break-in period ensures you can use them as soon as they arrive at your door. It’s MaxTrax TrailClaw lugs provide security, and the Zero Drop platform is gives you greater balance by keeping you as close to the ground as possible. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best Zero Drop running shoes.

Pros

Comfortable yet high performing shoe perfect for all types of feet

No break-in period allows for immediate use and results

Ideal for both trail running and hiking

Cons

Toe seam may dig into toe and cause discomfort

4.
Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 CS

salomon speedcross 4 cs
Key Features

    Speedcross lug pattern eats up soft and technical trails with ease

    ClimaSalomon strategically placed weather-resistant functionality protects in all conditions

    Anti-debris mesh keeps shoe clear of stones and dirt

    Quicklace system maintains fit and ensures stability

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The famous lug pattern is the staple of the Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 CS and ensures you can tackle and overcome both soft, casual, and more technically demanding terrain like you’re running on air. They’re suitable for a variety of environments, and use strategically placed weather-resistant to keep you dry, while the anti-debris mesh ensures breathability and keeps stones and debris out the shoes.

Its quicklace system provides a consistent snug fit to offer better stability and give you the best grip necessary. The large toe box also ensures excellent comfort even on longer trails. However, anyone buying this should remember they’re a little too narrow compared to standard fits, so half a size up may be the best place to start.

Pros

Keeps feet dry even in sodden conditions

Plenty of space in toe box to prevent cramping and increase comfort

Superb grip on gravel and loose terrain to guarantee safety and prevent slipping

Cons

Not true to size and slightly narrow

5.
La Sportiva Men’s Wildcat

la sportiva wildcat
Key Features

    Well-cushioned, stable, and neutral to perform well in moderate and technical terrain

    Shock absorption delivers all day comfort for hikes, marathons, off-road races, and backcountry runs

    Grippy FriXion AT Sole with Impact Brake System and X-Axis puts you in full control

    TPU transkinetic heel stabilizers provides support and reduces risk of injury

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With perhaps the coolest name on the list, the La Sportiva Men’s Wildcat are an excellent pair of Spartan Race shoes suitable for both moderate and technical terrains to ensure you can use them all year-round.

They are well-cushioned to ensure comfort but also incredibly stable to provide the vital protection from over-pronation during when hitting your stride. For hard ground, they also boast shock absorbing capabilities to protect your sole whether you’re running marathons, off-road, or backcountry courses, and the FriXion AT sole gives you greater grip when racing over less-than-reliable surfaces. You may also like to check our guide to the best approach shoes.

Pros

Suitable for both wide and narrow feet to ensure versatile appeal

Top tier construction maintains quality and provides durability even through more demanding races and trails

Excellent back ankle support to ease strains and prevent injury

Cons

Tongue is a little too low and could cause debris to spill in

Best Price

6.
Reebok Women’s Trailgrip RS 5.0

rebook womens trailgrip rs 5.0
Key Features

    All-terrain mid-foot stability ensures easy movement over any surface

    Active traction lug pattern provides superb grip on flat and inclines

    Synthetic and closed-weave mesh upper provides protection and breathability in hot environments

    Low-cut design helps stabilize on uneven terrains

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The Reebok Women’s Trailgrip RS 5.0 is our choice for the finest and most appealing shoes for a Spartan Race if you’re looking for superb value. There’s all-terrain stability to keep you secure and prevent injury across a variety of surfaces. This is made possible by the active traction lug tread pattern that allows for excellent grip on both flat and inclines to maximum safety.

The low-top style may not protect your ankles as much as other options around, but it actually ensures better stability on uneven ground. The closed-=weave mesh upper ensures protection but also breathability, which is essential for the intensity you need to deal with.

Pros

Super lightweight design eliminates risk of fatigue on long treks and trails

Durable construction lasts longer than standard trail runners

Provide great foot protection on uneven and sharp surfaces

Cons

Moderately wide fitting

7.
Inov-8 Men’s X-Talon 212

inov-8 x tačpm 212
Key Features

    Designed to perform on all soft, muddy, and hard terrains across a variety of environments

    Iconic 8mm studs claw through soft ground and hold strong on harder ground

    Lightweight design ensures comfort and reduces fatigue

    Excellent flexibility complements foot’s natural movement to increase speed

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If you’re searching for a shoe that offers speed and flexibility, the Inov-8 Men’s X-Talon 212 is an ideal option for your next Spartan Race. It’s designed to perform in a plethora of harsh environments and across all terrains while the lightweight construction and design will reduce fatigue and increase comfort.

Despite the light materials, it’s still sturdy and durable enough to cope with the most intense obstacle courses around, and the no break-in period allows you to get outside immediately. However, if you run on hard ground with little give, you may have troubles with lesser padding, at least compared to similarly priced options. For more sporty footwear check out our guide to the best stability running shoes.

Pros

Phenomenal traction across all kinds of surfaces and terrains for maximum reliability

No break-in period required for immediate use

Durable construction keeps them at high performance for a long time

Cons

Not as much padding as other runners provide

8.
Inov-8 Women’s X-Talon 212

inov-8 womens x talon 212
Key Features

    All-terrain design with abrasion-resistant construction

    X-Talon outsole with deep cleats to ensure tough and reliable traction

    Heel pull loop makes it easy to pull shoes on and take them off

    Lightweight construction improves speed and prevents foot and leg fatigue

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Much like its male counterpart, the Inov-8 Women’s X-Talon 212 is a speedy, flexible option for different terrains however, it doesn’t seem to suffer from the same padding issue. The all-terrain purpose ensures versatility, and the abrasion-resistant construction provides that crucial level of durability you need to tackle arduous and demanding courses.

The deep cleats provide reliable traction on both soft and hard ground perfect for unstable terrain and protects you from slipping or injury. However, while they’re great on the ground, the drainage system is slightly lacking, which could pose a problem.

Pros

Awesome grip keeps you confident on more slippery and unstable terrains or surfaces

Easy to clean to maintain quality performance

No break-in period to eliminate risk of discomfort when wearing for first time

Cons

Do not drain water as sufficiently as other options available

9.
Reebok Women’s All-Terrain Thrill

reebok womens all terrain thrill
Key Features

    Heel clip delivers locked-in fit style for excellent support on variety of terrains

    Built-in mid-foot drainage allows water release on cross-country runs

    Medial and lateral forefoot lugs on midsole enhance stability

    Underfoot Rock Guard protects against hard and sharp objects underfoot

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Our final women’s shoe is the Reebok Women’s All-Terrain Thrill, which delivers on its name over and over again. Using a locked-in style, the heel remains on place to provide support and security, preventing injury whatever the terrain.

To keep your feet dry (or as dry as they can be) the built-in drainage system is one of the best we’ve come across, and the underfoot Rock Guard ensures protection when racing across backcountry and cross-country trails and keeps your foot from looking something akin to a mangled chicken once you take the shoe off. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best non-slip shoes.

Pros

Excellent traction across flat, slanted, loose, and firm ground

Vibrant colors give you something a little different to other options

Ideal for both intense activity and casual everyday wear

Cons

Difficult to tighten laces, especially when on the move

10.
Salomon Men’s S/Lab Sense Ultra 2

salomon s lab ultra
Key Features

    Profeel film challis engages during transition phase to support foot and improve rolling during toe off

    EnergyCell Plus midsole provides exceptional energy return and cushioning

    Minimalistic Quicklace system is strong and keeps shoes snug on long trails

    Sensifit cradles foot to provide customizable fit for all wearers

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The Salomon Men’s S/Lab Sense Ultra 2 aren’t the most expensive pair of shoes available, but they’ll still cost you quite a bit. For top-quality Tough Mudder shoes, you can justify such an expenditure, though, and just a glimpse at their features will raise more than a few Spartan Eyebrows.

The Profeel film challis supports the foot during energy transfer, while the EnergyCell Plus midsole design provides a more comfortable transition from heel to toe. Its Quicklace system is also reliable and minimizes stoppages to tighten or re-tie, while its toe box is spacious enough to handle downward slopes without cramping your feet.

Pros

Perfect size toe box won’t cramp or chafe toes

Lots of control over different terrains to increase confidence and speed

Comfortable and durable construction for long, all-day trails

Cons

Price exceed some people’s budgets

Spartan Race Shoe Buying Guide

How We Chose Our Selection Оf Mud Run Shoes

We wish we had the stamina and the determination to battle Spartan Races every day, but unfortunately, we couldn’t do it to ourselves. Instead, we considered these 3 important factors to help us determine which mud run shoes are the top options available.

Reviews - Reviews are the best way of helping us discover everything the product descriptions can’t (or won’t) tell us. They let us peek behind the curtain at how the shoes fit, and how comfortable they are while also telling us any problems you might encounter while wearing them. As we’re not able to test them out ourselves, these reviews are vital to finding the most effective and reliable products for you.

Brand - While many people will claim brands don’t always mean anything, we know you’re more likely to put your money towards a brand you know than the one you’ve never heard of before. That being said, taking a punt on a brand you’ve never looked at before can prove highly beneficial. To ensure we found a satisfactory range of products for both men and women, we sought out as many brands as possible.

Prices - Nobody wants to pay too much or too little for their Spartan shoes, so we were careful to ensure we didn’t find products that were insultingly cheap nor ridiculously expensive. To ensure our list appealed to the widest audience as possible, we looked for prices that appealed to both experienced Spartans and those just about to dip their toe in.

shoes for spartan race

Features To Look For In Spartan Race Shoes

Before making your final decision on which Spartan running shoes are the right ones for you, check out these essential features to ensure you maximize your potential and achieve the optimal performance for your next run out.

Use - You won’t always need your mud shoes for muddy trails, so think about the other possibilities you might need them for. If you’re a frequent trail runner, Spartan Race shoes are an ideal investment as they provide much of the same benefits. That being said, some shoes may not be as appropriate for other activities as you may think, and things such as flexibility, breathability, and weight are all important features to consider when planning for multi-sport uses.

Grip - OCR shoes require a reliable and consistent grip to ensure you can overcome a variety of different obstacles. You will encounter a variety of terrains, so having the proper purchase will help you hit the targets you’ve set yourself at the start of the day. However, you should be careful not to find a grip design that can get clogged up with stones and sticks, as this can lessen the effects and could cause you to slip.

Sole - Along with substantial and reliable grip, the sole should also protect you from sharp rocks and stones you’ll step on along the trail. This can be helped with extra cushioning to ensure better protection and finer comfort. However, a sole that’s too thick can affect your stability, so it’s important to find the right balance.

Lace System - You can choose between traditional lace-up systems and a more modern quick lace design. This system will vary from brand to brand and is often more about preference. That being said, traditional lacing systems can hinder progress and wreck your momentum if you need to re-tie them during the race, whereas the quick lace option is easy to fix should they feel loose.

spartan race obstacles

Fit - A secure, snug fit is vital for ensuring the proper control during the most intense courses around. This helps to prevent the risk of injury while also providing optimal mobility for tackling different terrains and inclines. This fit also ensures comfort, and breathability, as a shoe that’s too tight can cause pains and strains while also leading to overheating, which is one of the last things you want when doing a Spartan Race.

Durability - Tough Mudder footwear is designed to be - well - tough, and so they should be as durable as possible to handle whatever environment you are in. This means they shouldn’t fall apart after just one race to ensure you get plenty of future races out of them. This durability will also keep you better protected against hazards along the trail to ensure you make it from start to finish in one piece.

Comfort - Mud race shoes need to be one of the most shoes you’ll ever wear so they can withstand the abuse your feet will suffer during the course. Comfort is one of the most essential features that can help keep you going, and the right cushioning can prevent your feet from feeling the burn. Even when the rest of your muscles are struggling.

Support - The variety of terrains and incline means you need top-quality support to prevent the risk of injury. Properly fitting shoes will go a long way towards helping this, but also consider the design for both your ankles and arches, as poor support means your feet with hate you the next day, and likely a few days after that, too.

mud race shoes

Materials - The proper materials are essential for your Spartan Race shoes. For the best results, they should be lightweight but also tough, and if they are waterproof, this is even better. Not all shoes can be waterproof, though, as this often comes at the cost of weight. Instead, the best shoes have a built-in drainage system to release the water when running through rivers.

Would you look at that, we got the whole way through the guide without saying This is Sparta, well done, us.

Sources:

  1. How to Choose the Right Shoes for an Obstacle Race - Running Shoes Guru
  2. Spartan Race Checklist - Optimize Yourself
  3. Benefits of speed laces for your next race - The Triathletic You

 

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