Kit & Gear

FIRST LOOK: 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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The tech

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Product tech and benefits

New shape and fits

The new shape which will feature on all new INOV8 footwear in 2024 hugs the natural contours of your foot, locking in at the heel and widening at the toes. This brings more comfort, greater confidence and unhindered performance. Incorporated within the new shape are two new fits. Go Precision Fit for a closer feel and extra nimbleness over tricky terrain or go Wide for a relaxed feel and extra comfort over longer distances.

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Improved grip

Renowned STICKYGRIP rubber has been enhanced with even more stickiness. It means the newly shaped 8mm long lugs not only gouge through mud but also cling better to wet rocks. The lugs are carefully positioned, pointing in multiple directions to shed all mud, improve toe spring when skipping uphill and aid faster heel-breaking when hurtling downhill. Underfoot flex grooves, including a new vertical one beside your big toe, give even more uphill spring, while bigger shaped lugs in high-wear areas enhance the outsole’s lifespan.

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Better protection

Dance over technical ground and sharp rocks knowing the bottom of your feet are protected by the addition of a flexible META-SHANK rock plate. Thanks to its flexibility, the plate still allows your feet to move naturally and enjoy a feel for the terrain underneath. At the front of the shoe, a toe guard adds further protection when you inevitably kick a rock.

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New cushioning

A bouncy, cushioned ride that retains high levels of responsiveness is provided by the new superlight POWERFLOW PRO foam midsole. This amazing underfoot comfort and propulsion is built in a way that still allows for the ground-feel you need when running over uneven, hazardous terrain. A new, lighter version of the 6mm thick BOOMERANG footbed features hundreds of expanded TPU beads that compress and spring back for more energy return and cushioning. This footbed now features more perforations to help water evaporate and transfer out of the shoe.

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Greater durability

A new super-tough yet flexible ripstop material forms the upper, giving excellent durability, breathability and drainage. Any water that enters the shoe, exits again almost just as fast, meaning your feet remain comfortable. Zig-zag shape MET-CRADLE material overlays connect the midfoot, the lacing system and the heel. It means that when the laces are pulled tight, the midfoot and heel pull in too for a brilliant locked-in, secure hold. A gusseted tongue stops any debris slipping down past the laces and into the shoe.

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 SPEED and MUDTALON 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?

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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.

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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.

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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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Interested in the latest shoes, apparel and technology? Then head over to our Kit & Gear category for more reviews, tips, advice and product releases.