Choosing the right trail shoe isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision, and so for this review of the INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED V2, I asked the super guys at INOV8 (thanks Lee!) for two pairs of shoes to be tested. This allows us to bring together insights from both a male and a female reviewer to give you the fullest picture possible. Different biomechanics, foot shapes, running styles and terrain preferences all influence how a shoe performs in the real world, so instead of relying on a single perspective, we’ve put this model through its paces from two angles.
Across long training miles, steep climbs, technical descents and the kind of mud the MUDTALON is built for, our reviewers Dan and Clair have compared fit, ground feel, grip, stability and overall comfort, showing us where this updated V2 shines. The result is a more balanced, genuinely useful review to help you decide whether this shoe fits your running, not someone else’s.
Clair’s Review
The MUDTALON line from INOV8 has always had a loyal following among runners who thrive on challenging terrain, but I’ll be honest, my previous experience with them left me a bit unsure. Earlier versions felt heavy underfoot and never quite delivered the agile, responsive ride I wanted from a mud-focussed shoe.
The new INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED V2, however, is a very different story.
Features
- Footbed: 6mm BOOMERANG Footbed
- Lugdepth: 8mm
- Midsole: POWERFLOW PRO
- Midsole Stack: Heel: 11mm Forefoot: 7mm
- Sole Compound: Powerflow Pro
- Vegan: Yes
First impressions
Straight out of the box, the MUDTALON SPEED V2 strikes you as unapologetically minimal. Everything about it signals purpose: stripped-back upper, aggressive outsole, and a silhouette that makes it clear this shoe is built for performance rather than comfort cruising. It’s clearly called SPEED V2 for a reason.
My initial concern was the upper, though, it’s noticeably pared back, and I was worried about how it would cope with debris, rocks, and general trail abuse. Surprisingly, that lack of bulk wasn’t a drawback at all. It felt light and unobtrusive, and instead of missing protection, I enjoyed the freedom and nimbleness it offered. Plus it somehow still felt nice and secure. I feel like INOV8 managed to hit the best of both worlds; a great example of smart material use rather than simply reducing for the sake of reduction.
On the trails
I took the MUDTALON SPEED V2 onto wet, muddy, and technical trails, the kind of conditions that typically expose any weakness in grip or stability.
This is where the shoe absolutely shines.
The combination of lightness and grip is the standout feature. I’m a naturally tentative runner when things get slick; if it looks slippery, I slow down. But the MUDTALON SPEED V2 gave me an unusual sense of security. The outsole bites into wet mud with confidence, and even when the terrain changed quickly from boggy patches to uneven rocky ground, the grip remained consistent and trustworthy. For me, that’s a big deal.
The shoe’s low-strung design, though, is something to be aware of. The ankle collar sits noticeably low and offers no real support or structure, which meant I started to feel rubbing during longer efforts. This isn’t a stability shoe, it’s a stripped-back, fast, technical tool. If you’re used to more ankle hold or a more cushioned collar, you’ll feel the difference immediately.
Ride and performance
Underfoot, the MUDTALON SPEED V2 feels lighter and more agile than other MUDTALONs. That “heavy” feeling I previously associated with the range is gone. Instead, you get a direct connection to the ground, quick reactions, and a sense of immediacy that encourages speed, as long as you have the confidence to handle it.
But here’s the key point: this is a specialist shoe.
Runners who excel on muddy, technical terrain, the ones who dance over roots and rocks with precision, will get the best out of it. The MUDTALON SPEED V2 expects you to know how to place your feet. If you’re not naturally fast and sure-footed on tough trails, you may find it pushes your limits rather than helping you settle in.
Who this shoe is for
The MUDTALON SPEED V2 is not for the fainthearted. It’s for runners who:
- Love fast, technical running
- Want a lightweight shoe with exceptional grip
- Prefer minimal upper structure
- Don’t rely on ankle support
- Are confident movers on mud and uneven terrain
It’s less suited to those who want more protection, a touch more stability, or something forgiving for long, slow slogs through winter.
Conclusion
The INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED V2 impressed me more than I expected. It combines the kind of grip that gives nervous runners (like me) a real confidence boost with a light, responsive ride that experienced technical runners will absolutely love.
But it’s a demanding shoe, honest about what it’s built for, clear about who it’s built for. For me, it might be a step beyond my natural comfort zone, but that doesn’t make it a bad shoe. On the right feet, moving at the right pace, across the right terrain, it will be exceptional.
Clair’s Scores
- Design 8/10
- Features 7/10
- Performance 9/10
- Value 8/10
About the author: Clair Heaviside lives in the Peak District, runs a marketing agency and is host of the Create Brave podcast. She has been an avid trail runner since 2018, completed her first 100 miler this year, and co-founded High Peak Runners with RunUltra’s very own Robin Leathley.
Dan’s Review
I eagerly opened up the new MUDTALON SPEED V2, laced them up, walked into the kitchen and immediately stuck to the floor. It wasn’t a particularly scientific test, but it was a promising sign for the performance of the STICKYGRIP rubber outsole. Not a huge amount of fell running happens in my kitchen, of course, but as we were stepping firmly into winter it was the perfect time to take them out into the peat bogs of the Peak District.
I already own a pair of the first-generation MUDTALONs, so I’d opted for the MUDTALON SPEED V2 this time. As you’ll see from the pictures, the version I received was what INOV8 call black/green. It may be my failing eyes, but these look more like yellow than green to me. The other colour available for men is a striking red, or a purple for women, but whichever colour you choose they’ll likely end up a rather murky brown once they’ve had a proper outing.
The MUDTALON V2 are available in three variations; the standard MUDTALON V2, the MUDTALON SPEED V2 (the one reviewed here) and the MUDTALON Zero V2, which features zero drop to give a more natural, minimal feel. You can choose between the standard “precision” fit or the wide fit. With previous INOV8 shoes I’ve always sized up from UK 9.5 to UK 10, but with the wide fitting I could probably get away with a 9.5, though the pair I tested is a 10.
Features
Here are the key specifications from the INOV8 website:
- Ideal for muddy ground
- 4mm drop
- Designed for shorter races and training runs
- STICKYGRIP rubber outsole
- Boomerang footbed
- 266g
- RRP £130
At first glance they appear similar to the original MUDTALON SPEED, however there are some alterations to the design of the main body pattern, particularly around the middle of the shoe. This follows the contours of your foot, which helps with a better lock when lacing. The toe cap has additional drainage holes close to the front of the shoe and INOV8 also claim that the updated STICKYGRIP rubber on the outsole increases slip resistance by 36%.
Pros: What’s good about the INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED V2
As the name suggests, the 8mm lugs are great for running through muddy terrain. I’m training for a race called The Trigger (Marsden to Edale). I’ve been recceing sections of the route and it always reminds me of a comment made by John Kelly who said that the mud in the UK was “water with a bit of dirt”. The 8mm lugs and STICKYGRIP outsole are fantastic over this type of terrain and provide a good solid grip as you drive into the mud. Quantifying whether this is truly 36% better than the previous version is difficult, but I was happy with the performance of the original MUDTALONs, and I can’t really say I noticed a huge amount of difference between the two.
I did encounter some icy flagstones (nothing short of microspikes was going to help there) but over wet slabs and rocks the grip felt reliable. Drainage seemed good and whilst the shoes stay wet (obviously) they didn’t feel heavy, which is what matters.
Compared to the original MUDTALON, the midsole feels noticeably more flexible when running over varying terrain and is a great improvement. This really feels like a “fast” racing shoe, responsive and with enough ground feel and grip to feel confident on boggy terrain, including fast downhills.
The cushioning around the heel seems quite similar to the original MUDTALON, but the tongue has noticeably less padding. I didn’t really find this to be a problem in use – they felt perfectly comfortable throughout any run.
Whilst this comment relates more generally to modern INOV8 releases, the choice of a wide fit is fantastic for me and has allowed me to experience far more of their running shoe range.
Cons: What’s not so good about the INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED V2
I have very few negatives for the MUDTALON SPEED V2. They work for what they’re designed for. Personally, I preferred the look of the red version rather than the black/green (but come on INOV8, it’s yellow isn’t it?) but this is just being a little picky. They certainly are unmistakably INOV8.
They come in at about 6g heavier than the previous MUDTALON SPEED, and whilst this is not going to be noticeable in use, it would be nice to see the weight going the other way alongside the developments in tech.
Conclusion
The MUDTALON SPEED V2 seems to have a number of positive developments over the original version, rather than a wholesale redesign. This is no bad thing; the updates to the upper, midsole and outsole feel like beneficial evolution rather than a revolution.
Which model to choose will depend on personal preference and type of use. Whilst the MUDTALON SPEED V2 is suggested for shorter races and training runs, I wouldn’t have too many qualms about doing longer runs in them – especially given the extra width from the wide fitting.
This seems like another solid release from INOV8 at a reasonable price in today’s market and, like many of their shoes, solidly fulfils the function that it was designed for. If you need something for lots of hard-packed trail, road sections, or mixed terrain, you may be better served by the multiple trail running shoes out there, but this will be a good solid choice for fell runners – they’d currently be my first choice for any races over moorland, hills or fells.
Whilst it may not be a positive for this particular release, when a new version of a shoe hits the shelves, any bargain hunters out there may be able to pick up the older version at a reduced price (I’ve already got a second pair of the original MUDTALON stashed away somewhere from a previous flash sale).
Dan’s Scores
- Design: 9/10
- Features: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Dan Stinton is a former Editor of RunUltra. He’s a Peak District based runner collecting mud and scrapes in and around Glossop, and he likes nothing more than escaping into the Dark Peak and then writing about how difficult it was.
Comments from the Community
Fell Running Guide: “Got both the original and V2. Great for wet, muddy conditions. They are lightweight , quick draining and very flexible. I’m not a great fan of the wider toe box that INOV8 have used recently, I preferred the X-Talon shape over these.”
Join us!
Have you tried INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED V2? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment below this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.
Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community. Share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.
We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. Each product is tested thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown. Some links in this review are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we might earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks for your support!
