Inov8 Mudtalon V2 Review – The Mud Digger!

Article by Kurt Biesemans

Inov8 Mudtalon V2 (140USD, 140EUR, 120GBP)

Introduction

Inov8 is a British model based in 2003, constructed with one mission: create footwear that performs within the harshest, wildest terrain. Born within the English Lake District — one of many wettest, muddiest, and most technically demanding areas in Britain (I felt this myself when working the George Fisher Tea Spherical) — the model’s DNA is formed by that surroundings.

Grip comes first. All the things else is secondary.

From day one, Inov8 got down to design footwear that present most traction, management, and precision on pure terrain, particularly in sloppy, muddy, moist, and unpredictable circumstances typical of fell working.

As path working grew globally, Inov8 expanded past conventional fell footwear and began creating footwear for path and mountain working. Right now, the model is understood for performance-driven design, distinctive grip, responsive platforms, sturdiness, and pure foot motion.

Inov8’s path lineup revolves round three core households:

Trailfly: cushioned, distance-oriented footwear for hardpacked trails and ultra-distances
Trailtalon: versatile all-rounders for combined terrain
Mudtalon: pure mud specialists designed for comfortable, moist, sloppy floor

In line with Inov8, the Mudtalon V2 represents the fruits of 20 years of expertise with icons just like the MUDROC, MUDCLAW, and X-TALON — now reimagined as the last word foot-shaped, cushioned mud shoe.

Execs

Excellent gripLow weightExcessive stabilityResponsive experienceStrong, sturdy higherEfficient drainage holesComfortable, exact match (my pair is the Precision Match)Obtainable in two widthsConsRestricted lateral heel assistNot cushioned sufficient for longer runsStatsApprox. weight: males’s EUR43 – 268gPattern weight: males’s EUR44 – 278grStack top: 33mm heel , 27mm forefoot, 6mm dropPlatform: heel 75mm, midfoot 60mm, forefoot 110mmMost comparable footwear

First Impressions, Match and Higher

The Mudtalon V2 has the traditional Inov8 aesthetic: minimalistic, technical, and performance-focused. The brilliant blue higher with its black accents and outsole seems to be sharp and aggressive. The low weight is instantly noticeable — at 278 g (EU 44), it’s impressively gentle for a mud-oriented path shoe.

Like with most Inov8 fashions, I don’t get a real sink-in sensation. As a substitute, it feels as if my foot sits on prime of the shoe slightly than being cradled by the midsole. Within the midfoot and forefoot that is fantastic, however within the heel I constantly battle to discover a stable lock-in. Even utilizing the runner’s loop (the additional eyelet) doesn’t fully clear up it.

I believe the thick Boomerang insole contributes to this sense. Once I take away it, the heel feels barely safer and built-in into the shoe.

The higher is rugged and constructed for quick drainage, supported by a MET-CRADLE overlay that provides midfoot construction. Drainage holes on the edges assist water escape rapidly — extraordinarily helpful for moist and boggy terrain.

The toe bumper is sturdy and fairly agency. On the within, nonetheless, there is no such thing as a additional comfortable safety. As a result of the toebox top is comparatively low, some runners could expertise rubbing on the large toe. I didn’t discover this, although it might rely upon foot form.

The absolutely gusseted tongue has sufficient padding and, mixed with the lacing system and doesn’t create strain factors on prime of the foot. The eyelets are bolstered with overlays for higher sturdiness.

The heel collar has ample padding to really feel comfy, however as a result of I don’t sink into the shoe and the collar isn’t very excessive, reaching a correct heel lock stays tough for me — even with the runner’s loop. This additionally reduces lateral heel assist.

I’d like to see Inov8 elevate the heel collar barely to create a safer, enveloping match.

The Mudtalon is offered in two suits:

Precision Match: shut, safe, performance-orientedExtensive Match: extra quantity and toe splay

My Precision Match pattern platform width measures 75 mm heel – 60 mm midfoot – 110 mm forefoot, which supplies it a tapered rearfoot however beneficiant toe width. If in case you have a wider foot, I strongly suggest selecting the Extensive Match. 

Inov8 gives a useful sizing and becoming information on their web site.

Midsole and platform

The Mudtalon V2 makes use of Inov8’s up to date POWERFLOW PRO midsole — a light-weight foam that gives a mix of cushioning, floor really feel, and responsiveness. It’s barely firmer than earlier variations, which ought to enhance sturdiness.

I examined the shoe at totally different paces, and it performs surprisingly properly at larger speeds. The froth’s power return makes it a viable choice for shorter to mid-distance races in muddy terrain.

On prime of the midsole sits the Boomerang TPU footbed. It’s bouncy, responsive, and compresses below impression earlier than releasing power ahead. It enhances the shoe’s liveliness noticeably and provides you a energetic experience.

Outsole

The outsole options Inov8’s new STICKYGRIP rubber, which they declare provides 36% extra traction than the earlier model — on each moist rock and thick mud.

The Mudtalon’s signature is its aggressive 8 mm lugs. These are designed to chew deep into comfortable terrain and ship most traction when circumstances are messy. They excel off-trail, the place the bottom is free, moist, or unstable.

My native winter Belgium trails rapidly flip into mud pits after heavy rainfall, so I had loads of alternative to check them — sadly for me, as a result of it additionally means hours within the rain!  The Mudtalon V2 carried out extremely properly. Even in deep mud the lugs continued to search out traction, permitting me to maneuver with confidence the place most footwear would merely slide.

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

The Inov8 Mudtalon V2 is a extremely specialised, high-performance mud shoe that delivers precisely what it guarantees: distinctive grip, precision, and confidence in comfortable, moist, and unstable terrain. In case your winter trails flip into muddy trenches, or when you recurrently run via bogs, forests, farmland, or sloppy mountain routes, this shoe seems like a weapon.

The mix of POWERFLOW PRO cushioning, Boomerang footbed, and eight mm lugs creates a experience that’s responsive, steady, and aggressive. It’s not designed for lengthy distances or hardpack trails — and it doesn’t attempt to be. Its goal is evident: enable you keep upright and quick when the bottom is messy.

The Precision Match works properly for narrower toes or runners who desire a locked-in forefoot for technical terrain. Nonetheless, heel lockdown stays a weak level, and runners who want extra rearfoot safety might want the Extensive Match or a special mannequin altogether.

Regardless of these caveats, the Mudtalon V2 stands out as top-of-the-line pure mud footwear in the marketplace. It’s gentle, grippy, agile, and purpose-built for the worst attainable circumstances. When every part turns to soup and different footwear begin to slide, the Mudtalon V2 comes alive.

If you would like a reliable mud specialist for winter or soft-ground path racing, this shoe is totally value contemplating.

Kurt’s Total Rating: 8/10 – 😊😊😊😊

Trip (30%): 8
Match (30%): 6,5 (penalty for heel lock)
Worth (10%): 9
Fashion (5%) 9
Traction (15%):  10
Rock Safety (10%): 8

1 Comparability

Inov8 TrailFly Max (RTR Overview)

The Inov8 TrailFly Max encompasses a high-stack FlySpeed™ Professional foam infused with nitrogen for a bouncy, energized experience. Paired with a Boomerang™ insole, it gives long-run consolation.

The TrailFly Max is available in with a narrower profile (Heel 85 mm, Midfoot 60 mm, Forefoot 110 mm) in comparison with the Cloudultra 3 and shaves off a little bit of weight at 306 g. It doesn’t function a rock plate, and it feels barely much less responsive underfoot. The place it actually shines, nonetheless, is in traction — the aggressive 4 mm lugs ship excellent grip, making it a wonderful selection for muddy and technical terrain.

The TrailFly Max is extra fitted to arduous path and lengthy to extremely distance.

The Mudtalon V2 is offered now

INOV8 SHOP HERE

Tester Profile

Kurt Biesemans: Belgian (Path)runner in his early 50’s. Professionally the founding father of Copilr, a startup studio.

His early sports activities background was in Triathlon: 3 x full Ironman distance, 10 or so half distance, numerous 1/4 and 1/8 distance. On account of accidents, I targeted extra on biking. He bought again into (critical) working in 2017.

Kurt runs round 60K per week and averages 10 hours of sports activities per week, together with biking, swimming, and power coaching. His playground is 70 % street and 30% path with the path typically muddy as a consequence of our moist local weather.

Operating outcomes to this point: 5K: 22min, 10K: 45min 15k: 1:10 Half Marathon: 1h40min, Marathon: 3:41. I ran the Tour du Mont Blanc this spring  in 4,5 days.

He additionally enjoys mountaineering. In 2024 he hiked Path du Mont Blanc in 9 days along with his spouse and a couple of daughters (14 and 16). His weight is 77 kg and measures 1m86cm. Typical shoe measurement is EUR44; UK 9,5; US 10.

Comply with Kurt on Instagram Evaluations – Private and Strava

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Samples had been supplied at no cost for assessment functions. No compensation was supplied by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are totally the authors’.

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