Best Sneakers for a Tough Mudder?

dxtra30
dxtra30 Posts: 498 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
This will be my first time running in a Tough Mudder. What's the best sneakers to use? I was thinking of using Vibram Five Fingers with Injinji socks.. If Vibrams are good what kind is the best to use? Or do you recommend a different brand ?
Any advice would be great.. Thanks!
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Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Old ones you don't care about anymore. They're pretty much done by the time you finish.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    <BUMP> for later
  • dxtra30
    dxtra30 Posts: 498 Member
    Searching Amazon I stumbled across these -> http://www.amazon.com/Salomon-Mens-Speedcross-Trail-Running/dp/B007SK9V64/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

    Seems a lot of GOOD comments for using for the Tough Mudder.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Used my new balance trail minimus, it was a life saver. I could easily walk up hills that people in old dead shoes were struggling up/sliding back down. Plus, they are machine washable. Good as new the next day.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Used my new balance trail minimus, it was a life saver. I could easily walk up hills that people in old dead shoes were struggling up/sliding back down. Plus, they are machine washable. Good as new the next day.
    THIS. Trail shoes are a must.

    I used Vivobarefoot Women's Breatho Trail Shoes and yeah, amazing traction and good as new the next day.

    I did see a lot of sneakers abandoned at the TM. As for Vibrams, I heard a few people complaining on the course that they were not the right shoe for the event.
  • Factory_Reset
    Factory_Reset Posts: 1,651 Member
    What about socks? Wear them or go without?

    Good to hear the New Balance Trail Minimus were good, it's what I plan on running my Tough Mudder if I don't get the Salomons I've been eyeing.
  • Trigrl83
    Trigrl83 Posts: 11 Member
    I used old sneakers but I wrapped them with duck take around my foot so they would not come off in the mud. When going through mud pits the weight of the shoe increase and so does the liklyhood of the shoes coming off your feet.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    What about socks? Wear them or go without?

    Good to hear the New Balance Trail Minimus were good, it's what I plan on running my Tough Mudder if I don't get the Salomons I've been eyeing.

    I wore dryfit socks, and they kept my feet from getting soggy.
    OH and my shoes did not get heavy or ever feel like they would come off my feet, and I never slipped in the mud and fell.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Used my new balance trail minimus, it was a life saver. I could easily walk up hills that people in old dead shoes were struggling up/sliding back down. Plus, they are machine washable. Good as new the next day.
    THIS. Trail shoes are a must.

    I used Vivobarefoot Women's Breatho Trail Shoes and yeah, amazing traction and good as new the next day.

    I did see a lot of sneakers abandoned at the TM. As for Vibrams, I heard a few people complaining on the course that they were not the right shoe for the event.

    listen to 1CG, she knows whats up. Another person remarked that their standard regular trail shoes were ok, but a more minimal shoe would have been better for the obstacles that were narrow...i.e., having a little more foot control could have helped him not fall off a narrow beam into a pool of freezing water.
  • dxtra30
    dxtra30 Posts: 498 Member
    What about socks? Wear them or go without?

    Good to hear the New Balance Trail Minimus were good, it's what I plan on running my Tough Mudder if I don't get the Salomons I've been eyeing.

    I'm eyeing the Salomons as well :) for the Tough Mudder.. For socks would these do for the mudder -> http://www.amazon.com/Nike-Mens-Dri-Fit-Socks-Black/dp/B00AQ1622I/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1361307515&sr=8-9&keywords=dri+fit+socks
  • RenewedRunner
    RenewedRunner Posts: 423 Member
    You guys/gals with the New Balanaces, how is the impact on sharp rocks? I am sooo torn on the Minimus versus the SpeedCross. But the Speedcross seems like my foot would feel the sharp rocks less.

    On the other hand, the Speedcross I want-113 after discount. The minimus-$53.

    Is it worth shelling out the extra $60ish????
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    You guys/gals with the New Balanaces, how is the impact on sharp rocks? I am sooo torn on the Minimus versus the SpeedCross. But the Speedcross seems like my foot would feel the sharp rocks less.

    On the other hand, the Speedcross I want-113 after discount. The minimus-$53.

    Is it worth shelling out the extra $60ish????

    I love my minimus, and i have the 1010, which has something called 'RockStop' in the tread, I think its some sort of extra material, but I don't feel sharp rocks one bit.
  • dxtra30
    dxtra30 Posts: 498 Member
    Check out reviews on Amazon and see what people have to say.. So far I see good thinks on the Salomon Men's Speedcross 3 Trail Running Shoe..

    These will be my first "REAL" trail shoes so I still havent' decided yet but leaning towards the Saloman shoes..
  • Pimpmonkey
    Pimpmonkey Posts: 566
    bump
  • Factory_Reset
    Factory_Reset Posts: 1,651 Member
    Check out reviews on Amazon and see what people have to say.. So far I see good thinks on the Salomon Men's Speedcross 3 Trail Running Shoe..

    These will be my first "REAL" trail shoes so I still havent' decided yet but leaning towards the Saloman shoes..

    I have the new balance 1010 minimus and LOVE them. Haven't had a issue with the rocks either. I went and tried on the Salomon XR Missions since they claim to go from road to pavement. Liked how they fit, but think for the tough mudder I want my minimal shoe. I just started trail running and enjoy it way more than the road.
  • AJ_MotherRunner
    AJ_MotherRunner Posts: 175 Member
    Ones that you will be willing to throw out...
  • bkelley32148
    bkelley32148 Posts: 279 Member
    Columbia and Merrell both make great shoes for this. They have screen on the bottom to let the water out.
  • dbaumgarn
    dbaumgarn Posts: 111
    OLD ONES, dont ruin good shoes...I donated mine after doing Warrior Dash.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Check out reviews on Amazon and see what people have to say.. So far I see good thinks on the Salomon Men's Speedcross 3 Trail Running Shoe..

    These will be my first "REAL" trail shoes so I still havent' decided yet but leaning towards the Saloman shoes..

    My brother has these and is seriously in love with them, but he uses them dry. Minimus shoes are definitely preferable for any situation where you're getting them wet and muddy, because that stuff just weighs down the bigger shoes.
  • juliemouse83
    juliemouse83 Posts: 6,663 Member
    Good info...Bumping for later...Doing a mud run in April and don't want to screw it up after all this training by wearing the wrong shoes. :smile:
  • Erica262
    Erica262 Posts: 226 Member
    I've heard horror stories about people's feet ending up shredded after they wore Vibrams and other shoes like that. Most people have said they just use old running shoes. But those trail shoes sound like an excellent idea, so I'm going to look into that. Thanks!
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    I used old sneakers but I wrapped them with duck take around my foot so they would not come off in the mud. When going through mud pits the weight of the shoe increase and so does the liklyhood of the shoes coming off your feet.

    This is what I did for mine
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    You guys/gals with the New Balanaces, how is the impact on sharp rocks? I am sooo torn on the Minimus versus the SpeedCross. But the Speedcross seems like my foot would feel the sharp rocks less.

    On the other hand, the Speedcross I want-113 after discount. The minimus-$53.

    Is it worth shelling out the extra $60ish????

    I love my minimus, and i have the 1010, which has something called 'RockStop' in the tread, I think its some sort of extra material, but I don't feel sharp rocks one bit.

    I am intrigued by this. I want to start running trails/outside more to train for my Mudder next year...I've been doing research too as I'm on the lookout for some new shoes and would like to get ones that will be good for training in the mud/trails.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    I used old sneakers but I wrapped them with duck take around my foot so they would not come off in the mud. When going through mud pits the weight of the shoe increase and so does the liklyhood of the shoes coming off your feet.

    A friend of mine did a Spartan. He said to just tie the shoes extra tight even if it's a little uncomfortable. That way they won't come off your foot.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Old ones you don't care about anymore. They're pretty much done by the time you finish.

    false. i've kept every pair of sneakers after all my tough mudders and spartans.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Used my new balance trail minimus, it was a life saver. I could easily walk up hills that people in old dead shoes were struggling up/sliding back down. Plus, they are machine washable. Good as new the next day.

    these are what i've used. amazing sneakers for trail running and tough mudders.
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    bump
  • 1PatientBear
    1PatientBear Posts: 2,089 Member
    I lost a shoe 3/4 of a mile in on my first Warrior Dash. Ran the last 2.5 miles with one shoe. I do not recommend it. And I agree that an old pair of running shoes is best. Will your shoes be salvageable after TM? Possibly, but I'd rather just donate them and be done with it. I always keep a spare pair of old running shoes in my closet for my next mud run.
  • 18guyhornet
    18guyhornet Posts: 195 Member
    You old pair of shoes you have trained with - the average shoe is really only good for 500 miles and if you've been training for any length of time it's time to get rid of of them. Wear them in the Mudder then donate them at the end.

    I think more important is the socks you choose - get some trail sock that will drain water and sand/mud so you aren't slogging so much.

    Good luck!!

    <I'm a 2 time Tahoe Mudder>
  • lstod
    lstod Posts: 1
    definitely solomons!!!! and you won't need to chuck them out at all!!! just wash them out in the shower (take out the insoles too), dry them in the sunshine, and they are ready to wear again for next time!! i've done three tough mudder races in my pair and they are so comfy. if you get blisters/hot spots, i wouldn't recommend not wearing socks... and put tape on problem areas because the trail running is totally different to road running, so your foot will probably move a little differently (hence different friction points/motion) in the shoe. have a blast!! p.s. definitely don't wear cotton clothes/socks... and wear tight fitting stuff, even if it's a little unflattering, there will be less soggy clothing to drag/get snagged!!!

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