inov-8 Men's Mudclaw 300 Trail Running Shoe

Product Information

It needs some faffing with the laces, to lash them down to a secure fit in this size, but at least it doesn’t feel like I will break my toes as soon as there’s any ground impact. A light and comfortable shoe, dries quickly after getting wet and will get you out of trouble when you most need it! This entry was posted in Equipment Reviews and tagged 6mm drop, fell running shoe, fell shoe, get a drip, grip shoes, Inov 8, Inov8, ions-8 mudclaw 300, Mud, mudclaw, mudclaw300, off road shoes, precision fit, shoes for muddy terrain, trail shoes, what shoes is great off road by talkultra. More cushioned and roomy than previous versions but lacks subsequently lacks the tight fitting capabilities of it’s older brothers.

The Mudclaw 300 CL is a Precision Fit, narrower shoe , designed to prevent movement when tackling tricky terrain. So with around 45 miles put through the outsole, the edges of the lugs have started to round slightly. From time to time carriers may deliver earlier or later, or on non working days however this is cannot be guaranteed nor should it be expected.

If you have the previous version of the ‘300’ in yellow and black, don’t be fooled into thinking this is the same shoe. Now boasting the same flatter heel unit as the mudclaw™ 265, but still maintaining its 6mm drop, the mudclaw™ 300 also has an improved, more flexible upper. For a quick thrash around local trails, I’d be looking for something lighter, but for a big day out they are fine. Fit wise, the heel locked in and has been comfortable on all runs, regardless of intensity, terrain or duration.

When I got home I looked at the shoe, re-laced it and then the following day went out and ran the same 8-mile loop. For me, the Mudclaw although precision in fit still had a relatively roomy toe box and this was great on the technical muddy stuff. The yak trax obligatory anti slip device is completely useless comparing the grip we get from the Mudclaw 300 . Yes, they are the best Mudclaws I have worn yet, the most comfortable and the least blister inducing.Perfect for running in the fells and mountains when the terrain is Muddy and the ultimate in grip is needed.

I recently ran an uphill and downhill trail in Ireland that was on the Mourne Skyline MTR race route and the trail incorporates many elements – forest path, tree routes, gravel, stone steps, mud, road and it had rained heavily before the run and drizzled whilst running. The multidirectional stud pattern ensures mud is released quickly from the outsole, so the studs are always able to deliver maximum grip with every step.

Drop is a personal thing but I am a firm believer that 6mm/ 8mm drop shoes provide a great middle ground and if you are running longer, a slightly higher drop is kinder on the calf and legs. Propels fell and mountain runners over the muddiest of terrains by delivering the ultimate grip in mud through an aggressive outsole. Perfect for running in the fells and mountains when the terrain is muddy and the ultimate in grip is needed.

Despite subjecting the mudclaw to ankle deep mud, snow, ice and slush, they self cleaned regardless, to the point outside of sliding now and again, you wouldn’t know there was challenging terrain beneath your feet. I wouldn’t want to run a road marathon or predominantly hard packed trails, however off trail it was still comfortable at mile 25, some 5 1/2 hours on the move. Up to this point the furthest I’d run in the shoe was 5 miles at a time, so the 26ish mile route we would take would be a true test. This is a Limited Edition Trail Center Version of this shoe, meaning you will not find this shoe in major highstreet/online retailers. This has so often been the weak point of inov8 shoes, and it appears to have been fixed on this model.The added cushioning was superb when running longer or when getting off soft ground and on to harder trails. If you are unsure whether the item you are purchasing is classed as PPE please contact KONG Running. A good choice as a racing shoe for intermediate runners and as a training shoe for more advanced runners. They are also the most solid around the toe box and toe crease that I have seen in the mudclaw range, with the rand giving confidence in the construction.