Kit & Gear

REVIEW: Merrell All Out Crush Tough Mudder

Tough races need a tough shoe. Built to "run through everything like it's nothing", Merrell's All Out Crush is the official shoe of the Tough Mudder series, designed to take a beating on the most punishing of mud runs and obstacle races. Here's our take on Merrell's latest launch.

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GET A GRIP

The first thing you'll love and one of the best things about this shoe is its claw-like grip, designed to help keep you on your feet, no matter how slippery or muddy the surface, or how tough the ascent. 5mm multi directional lugs provide traction and agility on even on the trickiest of surfaces. Hate mud clogged soles? Not a problem - the pin-wheel construction of the outsole is designed to shed mud, so you aren't weighed down by dirt, grit and other debris as you make your way around the course.

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DRIVE OUT WATER

It's pretty much impossible to stay dry during Tough Mudder or any other obstacle course. You'll be wading through deep water, crawling through wet tunnels and dragging yourself through mud baths - basically you're going to get sopping wet. Merrell have incorporated some neat tricks to help counter this and keep your feet as dry as possible. The anti-debris upper features a fully waterproof synthetic upper to help repel water and keep moisture out. For water that happens to get in over the top of your shoe, strategically placed drainage holes allow it to escape fast, so you're not waterlogged with cold soggy feet - or stuck with the blisters that come with it.

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STAY PROTECTED

No matter what the distance you're going to need some shock absorption to help protect the foot from impact. Merrell's modified UniFlyâ„¢ midsole is soft to the ground and helps cushion your foot from the terrain, whether you're running for 5 miles or 10. It's also low profile enough to provide great ground feel and stability. Merrell have also incorporated a TrailProtectâ„¢ pad into the forefoot to help protect against sharp, painful stones and rocks and there's also a handy protective toe cap to help prevent toe stubbing.

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OUR VERDICT?

This is a tough, durable shoe that performs in the worst conditions and will get you round the most difficult of courses as comfortably as possible. We loved its lightweight, protective features, with great ground feel, and all of our team praised its fantastic grip. What's more, it's not just for Tough Mudder. Its intelligent design makes it a thumbs up for any wet and muddy trail run where you need serious grip and protection. Even better, it cleans up quickly and easily, so you're ready for your next adventure.

Shop the Merrell All Out Crush Tough Mudder here

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