Inov8 - MudTalon Speed

I don’t have answers, but I’m with ya! Have run in the X-Talon 200’s and lighter options for years. They are all gone now. I’m trying the Mudtalon Speeds now. Beefier shoe than I’m used to, but not terrible, 4mm drop, which is at my upper limit. Main complaint so far is that the material is starting to tear on both sides where my foot bends. Low miles on the shoes. …so it appears durability has decreased as well. It’s very disappointing.

Inov-8 Mudtalon Speed is what I’m in at the moment for this type of terrain.

I moved away from altra for the same reason. I have a wide forefoot so that was my main reasoning behind them. Ibe since got the Inov8 mudtalon speed wide and its like they were shaped for my feet!

Another vote for inov8. I got the mudtalon speed wide after being disappointed by lone peaks and it was like they were made for my feet.

Mudtalon speed are less awful. I favour Altra King MT - not as aggressive as true fell shoes but not far off, I've done a few 2 day MMs in them.

Yeah, the speeds feel 'sloppy'. I have v wide feet and wear the wide version of the mudtalon. The wide version of the speed is wider still, to the point that my forefoot moves around. Saucony Peregrine might work for you. I find they size a bit small so even the largest size doesn't fit me.

I've had problems with the durability of the mk1 mudtalons (upper splitting away from the sole). The speed are sloppy feeling but seem to be more durable.

I've had problems with the durability of the mk1 mudtalons (upper splitting away from the sole). The speed are sloppy feeling but seem to be more durable.

Just for statistics: I still really like them. After the updates to all the product lines they fit my feet even better. Luck of the draw I guess. First used the Trailtalon 235 in 2019 followed by two pairs of the Trailfly G270 V1 and a Trailfly G300Max. So I never wore the fell running models of the glory days everyone seems to miss so much. Now using Mudtalon Speed, Trailfly Speed and Max Models. They fit loose in the heel which you can counter with adjusted lacing. All of them are extremely durable with good grip. I also like the wider toe box. The look is quite dated and uninspiring though.

Some shoes to consider for muddy uk hills: Ronhill Reverence - great value. Big Michelin lugs, matryx upper and last for ages. More cushioning than you’d think too. Vj maxx 2 or vj irock wide - if you want the grippiest rubber vj is the best. Maxx 2 more of a trail shoe (similar to Hoka tecton). Irock better for wet rock and off road. Merrell long sky 2 could be worth a try too. Decent lug pattern and foam. I run in inov8,mudtalon speeds from my house to the park and the insole/midsole combo is surprisingly okay on the roads and excellent once I get to the mud! Not tried but maybe worth looking into La sportive prodigio pro too. Agree with above comments US brands that talk about being grippy are most often useless in the mud over here! They normally mean grip for dry rocky trails 🤷‍♂️

I've been running in the mudtalon speed v1 for the past year and a half, just nudged over 1000 km in them according to Strava. Mostly on Lakeland fells, all year round. Absolutely no complaints from me, I've loved them, found them surprisingly comfortable and excellent in wet, muddy conditions. Less good on (wet) rock, but what isn't. I've recently bought another pair of the v1s on sale. Current pair not finished yet but just starting to come apart a bit, and am happy to just stick with the same shoe.

Mudtalons seem really divisive. I love mine (Mudtalon speed v1, precision fit). I've found them super comfortable, excellent grip and have got 1000 km out of them over a variety of lake district ground. Have since bought a second pair on sale.

Thanks, was just looking for this shoe to come out. Big fan of the speed v1

If it's going to be seriously muddy and very limited hard surfaces, You might want to consider the mudtalon speeds, they have huge 8 mm lugs, drain well and are offered in two widths.

Saucony Peregrine 15 has drainage holes in the outsole Inov8 mudtalon speed also drains well but you may not be interested in shoes designed specifically for mud VJ shoes are popular in OCR so they must have proper drainage. I have VJ Sparks and I have no drainage issues with them except that I once noticed that sand stays inside after the water has drained. But I did an OCR race with approx 10 full submersions last week and didn't have that issue at all.

It's always a compromise, shoes like the Mudtalon with huge 8 mm tractor lugs or Salomon speedcros do well in deep mud, but they're not nice for running on tarmac or slippery hard surfaces. Running in trickery conditions is about confidence and feel and it sounds like you don't need the biggest lugs but good grip and good ground feel. Like others said there are many shoes that would fit your use case. My personal suggestion would be to check out the VJ Maxx2, VJ Ultra 3 and various models from La Sportiva, Inov8, Salomon and Scarpa.

The dull foam comment hits true on the trailfly for sure. I do really like the Mudtalon speeds for the fells in winter months but I'd go with another brand for a long race.

If you don't care about the cost get the V2. The heel cup lockdown and overall fit was a lot better than v1. The V1 personally felt really sloppy and all over the place. The rubber is supposedly softer but I don't notice it, it's not as big of a difference as the jump to the vj butyl rubber or even the terrex continental (though this isn't as good as the vj rubber). Depending on what you want them for inov8 has just re-released the x-talon 212 and the Adidas terrex speed pro SG are amazing for race day!

If you don't care about the cost get the V2. The heel cup lockdown and overall fit was a lot better than v1. The V1 personally felt really sloppy and all over the place. The rubber is supposedly softer but I don't notice it, it's not as big of a difference as the jump to the vj butyl rubber or even the terrex continental (though this isn't as good as the vj rubber). Depending on what you want them for inov8 has just re-released the x-talon 212 and the Adidas terrex speed pro SG are amazing for race day!