Kit & Gear

The Best Trail Racing Shoes for Soft and Muddy Terrain 2024

Spring is here and Summer is on the way, but our UK trails are muddier than ever.

Therefore, aggressive lugs and an outsole designed to shed the mud is essential for staying on your feet.

Ranked in order of price, here are our top 5 picks for the best lightweight trail racing shoes 2024, specifically designed to tackle soft and muddy terrain.


SHOE	PRICE	DESCRIPTION
Brooks Catamount Agil	RRP £170.00	Perfect for tackling technical mountain trails and races under 50k.
Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx	RRP £169.99	Made for trail and sky runners to excel on the most technical mountains and rugged trails in the world.
SCOTT Supertrac Speed RC	RRP £139.99	Your go-to shoe for anything from fell running, to mountain running, to obstacle course races.
adidas Terrex Speed SG Trail	RRP £139.99	For lightweight speed on slick terrain and rocky terrain.
INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED	RRP £129.99	The ultimate fast-feel shoe for running and racing on soft and muddy ground.

1. Brooks Catamount Agil

Don't let your fast times be just on the road.

Ultra-lightweight and aggressive, the Catamount Agil is Brooks' fastest trail shoe yet — ideal for short races on technical terrain. This is a shoe designed with nitrogen-infused midsole cushioning to help you move faster and provide incredible grip for confidence on the trail.

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Find out more here


Weight	218g
Drop	6mm
Lug depth	5.7mm
Key features	A SpeedVault Trail Plate offers protection, stability and propulsion, nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH v2 midsole technology creates a lightweight, responsive ride and a lightweight mesh upper reduces weight whilst increasing breathability.

2. Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx

Introducing Merrell’s lightest and fastest trail running shoe. Made for trail and sky runners to excel on the most technical mountains and rugged trails in the world.

A grippy, lightweight design and secure fit gives athletes more confidence on technical terrain and an advantage on shorter, steep trails.

The MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx edition is built for elite-level performance.

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Read the review of the MTL Skyfire 2 here

merrell-skyfire-2-matryx


Weight	210g
Drop	6mm
Lug depth	5mm
Key features	Matryx Upper which is lightweight, breathable and abrasion resistant, plus Vibram MegaGrip and 5mm for supreme grip.

3. SCOTT Supertrac Speed RC

You’ll never lose your grip thanks to a new tough and rugged outsole that has been created specifically for this shoe. Mud or rock, rain or snow, you will be covered whatever the weather. One thing is for sure, you’ll be fast when you hit the ground running in this robust trail shoe.

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Find out more here


Weight	Men's: 215g / Women's: 195g
Drop	3mm
Lug depth	7mm
Key features	Aggressive grip with deep lugs to provide maximum traction on soft and muddy ground, lightweight & breathable Cordura Mesh with TPU upper and AeroFoam+ in an ERIDE Midsole for cushioning.

4. adidas Terrex Speed SG

Designed to provide a lightweight feel to help you move quickly on technical terrain. Lightstrike midsole cushioning complements full-length impact coverage to handle rocks and roots underfoot. A Continental™ Rubber outsole grips it all, wet or dry.


Weight	225g
Drop	4mm
Lug depth	7mm
Key features	Continental rubber outsole with aggressive 7mm lugs for grip, open mesh upper for breathability and drainage, Lightstrike midsole for an optimal balance of lightweight and responsive cushioning.

5. INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED

It’s time to unleash the INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED. With exciting new enhancements in grip, cushioning, protection, durability, shape and fit, this new breed of beast is ready to meet the next generation needs of runners who like to play dirty on fells, hills, mountains and trails.

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Find out more here


Weight	260g
Drop	4mm
Lug depth	8mm
Width	Available in Precision (thin) and Wide
Key features	STICKYGRIP rubber outsole with THE most aggressive 8mm lug for grip on extreme terrain, a lightweight and breathable upper, POWERFLOW PRO foam midsole for bounce and cushioning, plus a a flexible META-SHANK rock plate for protection.

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