Kit & Gear

FIRST LOOK: INOV8 MUDTALON

From MUDROC to MUDCLAW and X-TALON, INOV8 running shoes have ruled the mud for two decades.

Now – using all the expertise amassed over an incredible 20-year journey – they have designed the ultimate foot-shaped cushioned shoe for muddy hills and trails. It’s time to unleash the MUDTALON, the more cushioned sibling to the MUDTALON SPEED.

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The tech

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Less evolution, more revolution

While it retains some of the key DNA that has made the MUDCLAW and X-TALON so hugely successful, the MUDTALON is a new breed of beast ready to meet the next-generation needs of runners who like to play dirty on fells, hills, mountains and trails. It features the biggest and most exciting shoe design enhancements in INOV8 brand history.

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New shape and fits

The MUDTALON's tough upper is made from ballistic nylon. This rugged and robust material will protect against wear from vegetation and rocks when in the hills and mountains.

The brand-new anatomical shape of the MUDTALON hugs the natural contours of your foot, locking in at the heel and widening at the toes for a secure, comfortable feel.

Built into that are two new specific fits for MUDTALON - Precision Fit and Wide Fit. The biggest difference between the two fits is the width at the toe-box, with the Wide fit being wider:

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Go Precision Fit if you have narrow feet or like a closer, more secure feel. It allows for greater nimbleness and agility when running and contouring over steep or tricky terrain.

Go Wide Fit if you have wider feet or like an extra comfortable feel with more wiggle room for toes. It allows for greater comfort when running longer distances, when toes can often swell.

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New cushioning and protection

The MUDTALON benefits from INOV8's lightest midsole foam yet: POWERFLOW PRO. Compared to the MUDTALON SPEED, the MUDTALON has a slightly thicker midsole, to give greater comfort and bounce over long distances. Despite the cushioning, the shoe’s midsole has been designed in such a way that you can still feel and respond to the ground beneath you – something that’s particularly important when running in the hills and mountains.

A secure, locked-in feel at the heel is achieved by a MET-CRADLE. Thick overlay strips connect your midfoot to your heel, which pulls in when you tighten your laces. Underfoot, a flexible ROCK-PLATE protects your feet against sharp rocks and tree roots.

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Improved grip

Built for hills, mountains and mud, the MUDTALON provides superior grip on any terrain you’ll encounter. STICKYGRIP™ rubber Talon-like 8mm studs will gouge through soft mud, but also cling to wet rock for dependable grip and traction. The unique goat's hoof shape of the studs also release the mud just as quick once you push off, keeping you feeling light and in control.

If you're looking for an everyday training shoe for soft and muddy ground, the MUDTALON has all the grip, cushioning and protective features you could wish for.

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Summary of key features

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Ballistic nylon upper

Tough ballistic nylon provides excellent protection against wear and snags. At the same time a gusseted tongue stops debris entering the shoe and a toe guard protects against trail hazards. Thick MET-CRADLE strips connect the midfoot to the heel, creating a locked-in feel when you tighten the laces.

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POWERFLOW PRO midsole

With more cushioning than its cousin, the MUDTALON SPEED, the MUDTALON is a great choice for everyday training or longer races. The super-lightweight POWERFLOW PRO foam midsole provides high levels of cushioning, while still allowing the ground-feel needed for running over uneven, technical terrain.

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BOOMERANG footbed

Preserve your energy on long runs with the BOOMERANG Footbed. The insoles feature hundreds of foam beads that compress and spring back for 40% energy return during your stride. Perfect for longer runs where maximising every bit of energy counts.  

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STICKYGRIP™ outsole

8mm STICKYGRIP™ rubber, talon-like studs deliver exceptional traction on soft mud, while also clinging onto wet rocks or harder trails.

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META-SHANK rock plate

Underfoot a flexible META-SHANK rock plate protects you from sharp rocks, without compromising on ground-feel.

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Choice of fits

The MUDTALON hugs the natural contours of your foot for an anatomical fit. Available in Precision and Wide fits. Go Precision Fit if you have narrow feet or like a closer feel. Go Wide Fit if you have wide feet or would like more room when running longer distances.

Comparing the two MUDTALON trail shoes

20 years in the making, the new 2024 MUDTALON Series boasts the most exciting design enhancements in INOV8's history.

The two new shoes – called MUDTALON and MUDTALON SPEED, both share INOV8's new anatomical foot-shaped fit and boast significant enhancements in grip, cushioning, energy return, comfort and protection. But how do they differ?

In short, the MUDTALON is an everyday training shoe for soft and muddy ground with all the grip, cushioning and protective features you could wish for. It also has a bigger heel-to-toe drop and higher stack heights which means more foam underfoot and increased cushioning. Great for longer runs.

The MUDTALON SPEED is a super-grippy shoe for fast paced training and racing, designed to help you fly over boggy ground or rocky mountain paths. This shoe is lighter and the foot sits closer to the ground with thinner, optimal cushioning for increased agility. Great for faster running.

Both have a flexible rock plate and breathable uppers. Both also come in Precision Fit (for narrower feet and a closer feel) and Wider Fit (for wider feet and extra comfort).

We compare the two styles in terms of tech below;

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