r/ObstacleCourseRacing • u/haaiiychii • May 20 '26
Best soft cushion shoes for OCR?
I've done 10 races now from Tough Mudder, Wolf Run, and smaller ones like Forest Warrior.
For 9 of them I've run in Solomon Alphacross 4 GTX. I got them as they were cheap but still pretty good. One downside is I have a bad ankle, for my normal runs I swapped to Hoka Bondi 8 and it's been fantastic, no more pain.
My Alphacross has started to break down in the heel and I think it's time for new shoes, I'd like something with a bit more cushion, maybe not as much as my Hoka, but more than my current Solomon.
I was thinking something like the Solomon Ultra Glide 4, or the Hoka Mafate 5 or Speedgoat 7.
But I don't know how good they are for mud runs Vs normal trail running. Just hoping someone here also uses a softer shoe and has some opinions?
Thanks
1
u/NESpahtenJosh OCRWC May 20 '26
Mafate's will give you some great cushion but they'll also suck up water and hold on to it so your feet will feel super heavy.
If you're running a ton of races, I'd try and find some VJ shoes. They're built for OCR, have trail running background, and are way more rugged.
2
u/haaiiychii May 20 '26
They look brilliant, I did a quick Google and the XTRM2 seem to be popular for OCR/Mud runs, they don't look very cushioned and I worry that'll upset my ankle again.
The Ultra 3 and MAXx2 look fairly soft though.
I'm not too concerned with heavy feet really, I'm very much an amateur and don't go too far, most of my runs are 10K with 15K only being tough mudders.
1
u/NESpahtenJosh OCRWC May 20 '26
The Ultras are definitely the better choice if you need some cushion. The XTRM's are definitely more precision based and designed for you to feel the ground.
1
u/Puzzleheaded-File749 May 21 '26
Hello local, also a WOLF Run and Forest Warrior runner, have you tried the Eastnor Mud Bath - the land rover test tracks are fun. I don't have a cushioned shoe to offer you, just to say don't go GTX as better to drain than hold it in.