Which should you buy?
Choose the Mudtalon V2 if you run fells and muddy woods and want a lighter, lower, more stable mud shoe, or need a wide fit.
Choose the Speedcross 6 if you prefer a higher drop and a long-lasting shoe for mud, snow and steep, soft trails.
The Mudtalon V2 is 30 g lighter than the Speedcross 6. Its drop is 6 mm against 10 mm. It costs £20 less at full price.
Side by side
| Spec | Mudtalon V2Inov8 | Speedcross 6Salomon |
|---|---|---|
| Review score | 77/100 (1 review) | 87/100 (2 reviews) |
| Type | Trail | Trail |
| Weight (men's UK 8.5) | 268 g | 298 g |
| Heel stack | 33 mm | 32 mm |
| Drop | 6 mm | 10 mm |
| Cushioning | Firm-ish | Firm-ish |
| Bounce | Lively | Calm |
| Plate | No plate | No plate |
| Support | Inherently stable | Neutral |
| Fit | True to size | True to size |
| Widths | standard, wide | standard, wide |
| Waterproof version | No | Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX |
| UK RRP | £120 | £140 |
Weights are for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5. Prices are UK RRPs; shops often sell for less.
What the critics say
The reviews comparedReviewers praise both for mud grip, but neither offers a soft ride. Road Trail Run's Kurt Biesemans rated the Inov8 Mudtalon V2 one of the best pure mud shoes around, though its heel lockdown was weak and cushioning modest. iRunFar's Kristin Zosel praised the Salomon Speedcross 6's improved grip, while RunRepeat's Carlos Sánchez liked its lockdown but found the midsole very firm.
Mudtalon V2
- Outstanding grip in mud and on soft ground
- Light, stable and responsive
- Durable upper that drains well
- Weak heel lockdown for some feet
- Not enough cushioning for long runs
Scores from Road Trail Run.
Speedcross 6
- Outstanding grip in mud, snow and on wet roots
- Durable upper and midsole that last hundreds of miles
- Secure Quicklace lockdown for steep, twisty descents
- Very firm, high-drop ride that feels harsh on hard ground
- Upper breathes poorly
Scores from RunRepeat, Road Trail Run.
Paraphrased from published reviews.
What's new in each
Inov8 Mudtalon V2: A slightly firmer, more durable POWERFLOW PRO midsole, new StickyGrip rubber that Inov8 says grips 36% better on wet rock and mud, and a Boomerang footbed.
Salomon Speedcross 6: Drops under 300 g for the first time, with a lighter, faster-drying and more breathable upper, a roomier toebox and improved grip on mud, wet rock and roots.
About each shoe
About the Mudtalon V2
Soft, muddy and technical ground is the territory of the Mudtalon V2, which Inov8 describes as the most cushioned shoe in its Mudtalon series. The brand lists trail, fell and orienteering, longer training runs and racing on muddy ground among its uses. The lower Mudtalon Speed V2 is the faster option and the Mudtalon Zero V2 removes the drop entirely, while the Trailtalon has shallower lugs for mixed terrain.
The headline change for the V2 is STICKYGRIP rubber on 8 mm lugs, which Inov8 says gives 36% better wet slip resistance than the original Mudtalon it replaces. The POWERFLOW PRO midsole has been reformulated for durability over longer distances and sits under a 6 mm BOOMERANG footbed. A quick-draining ripstop upper with ballistic nylon protection and a MET-CRADLE overlay locks the heel and midfoot. Precision and Wide fits are offered, and the listed weight is 268 g.
Specs and features from compasspoint-online.co.uk, sportsshoes.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
About the Speedcross 6
Mud is the brief for the Speedcross 6, the sixth version of Salomon's soft-ground trail shoe. Its Mud contaGRIP outsole uses deep, sharp 5 mm lugs, and Salomon says this version grips the ground better and sheds mud faster than before. Compared with the Genesis 2, which adds an activeCHASSIS for mixed and rocky mountain terrain, the Speedcross concentrates on traction in sloppy conditions.
Underfoot sits an EnergyCell+ midsole, which Salomon describes as a high-rebound compound, set at a 10 mm drop, higher than any other trail model in the brand's current range. The welded synthetic and textile upper combines anti-debris mesh and ripstop fabric, with SensiFit construction and one-pull quickLACE lacing for foothold. A wide fit is available, and a Speedcross 6 GTX adds a waterproof membrane for wet, muddy trails.
Specs and features from salomon.com, runrepeat.com, sportsshoes.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Mudtalon V2 vs Speedcross 6
In short
The two specialist mud shoes. The Mudtalon V2 is about 30 g lighter, £20 cheaper and lower to the ground with a 6 mm drop, and it comes in two fits. The Speedcross 6 has a 10 mm drop, a famously durable build and outstanding grip, but it feels harsh on hard ground.
- Better reviewedSpeedcross 6
- LighterMudtalon V2
- CheaperMudtalon V2
- BouncierMudtalon V2
Get the full story
Inov8Everything on the Mudtalon V21 video review, scores from 1 published review, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Mudtalon V2
SalomonEverything on the Speedcross 61 video review, scores from 2 published reviews, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Speedcross 6More comparisons
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