Design:

The outward design of this model is pretty simple, however, it is available in a lot of different color options such as blue, orange, gray, and yellow. It has a bulky and rugged design that looks like a tank. If you wanted something stylish that will look good on the sidewalk or while you are shopping at the mall- this isn’t the sneaker for you. If you plan on getting them down and dirty- this is what you want.

Performance:

Where this model shines is out there on the trails. It has a really deep and rugged treads that make it so that you are able to scale the bumpiest or muddiest trails that mother nature can whip up for you. While the treads are really impressive, that is not the best feature of this product. The part that extreme racers really appreciate is the water-resistant exterior shell. You really won’t have to worry about soggy socks when wearing this design because it is made to keep feet comfortable and dry.

Value:

The cost of these is a little bit more than the average price of these types of trainers- but surprising they are still reasonably priced. If you are looking for something that is built for these types of courses in mind- this is going to be well worth the price tag.

Summary:

If you need something that was built specifically for the needs of the extreme runner that isn’t held back by mud or rain or obstacles- the Salomon Speedcross 4 is going to be a perfect addition to your training.

Design:

The exterior design of this model is incredibly sharp and has a lot of bright accents that will make you stand out from the crowd. Of course, if you prefer, it is also offered in a solid black design. It sits a little higher than most on your foot, which will offer you just a little bit more support.

Performance:

Just like any other Salomon trainer, where this design really shines in in the traction. The tread aggressively digs into the dirt and the mud so that you will always have a firm grip on the trail ahead of you, and you don’t need to worry so much about slipping. It’s important to note, however, that unlike a majority of the Salomon designs out there- these aren’t waterproof. That isn’t to say that they are great about draining water, but they just cannot repel water like some of the others.

Value:

The cost of these shoes is a little bit more reasonably priced, and run about in the middle of the road. What’s even better is that they come with a 2-year warranty in case you find that there are any components that are defective or don’t live up to your expectations.

Summary:

If you are in the market for something tough and don’t want to spend as much money as some of the higher-end models- this is an excellent solution that will meet all of your needs as you train for the competitions.

Design:

No matter what your personal style, there Merrell makes a design that is sure to match your style. There are colors that are more muted such as white, black and gray, and more fun colors such as green, red, and electric blue. It sits very low on the foot to give you the feeling as if you aren’t even wearing anything at all.

Performance:

Staying quick and nimble on your feet is the key to be able to quickly scale obstacles, and this shoe offers such a lightweight design that you will feel like you aren’t wearing anything at all. Despite the lightweight and easy design, it still offers ample traction support for those difficult and rocky trails. The exterior shell is made from a really lightweight and breathable mesh that will keep your foot cool and comfortable when the pressure is really on.

Value:

While these aren’t the most expensive units out there on the market, they are just slightly higher than the average price that consumers are willing to pay. Considering how much past users have loved this design- it is well worth the slightly padded price tag.

Summary:

If you are something that wants something that feels like you aren’t wearing anything at all, but still offers excellent support and traction- these will be well worth it when it comes to training and competing.

Design:

A down point about this design is that it doesn’t come in many different varieties of colors. It does sport a sharp red, orange, and yellow stripes against the black fabric. It sits lower down on the foot and has really great treads for effortless traction.

Performance:

These were designed specifically for engaging in outdoor activities that require you get a little down and dirty. The exterior shell is made from a material that is water-resistant so that you can run in the rain or through muddy trails and you don’t have to worry about finishing out with soggy socks. It has significantly deeper treads than regular trainers that will give you a lot more traction on rocky trails so that you are always in control and you never have to worry about a steep climb getting the best of you because you can’t find the right footing.

Value:

What’s great about this design is that it gives you all of the benefits of a trainer designed for extreme trails, but it comes in at a significantly lower price point. The cost of this might run you about the same price that you would spend on a regular pair of trainers that you might use at the gym.

Summary:

If you are in the market for something that is specifically designed for obstacle courses and treacherous terrain, and you don’t want to spend the higher price tag of some of the other designs- this will be an excellent choice that won’t break the bank.

Design:

There aren’t a lot of different designs offered by the MT410V4 design. It is only offered in various shades of light and dark gray, and each model hosts the classic New Balance logo. It sports a serious-looking sole that has ample treading and simple shoelaces.

Performance:

This design is made to fit your foot as comfortable as possible. It has a lot of padding on both the tongue and the heel to prevent rubbing and blistering when worn for longer periods of time. AS every runner knows, there is nothing worse to toy with your performance than footwear that is causing uncomfortable blisters. The very thick sole has a lot of treads so that you won’t have to worry about awkward transitions between different types of terrain.

Value:

New Balance has made quite a name for themselves in the athletic world, and one of the top reasons that runners love their products is that they come at a reasonable price point. This model is no exception. While it is still made from high-quality materials that will keep up with whatever you throw at it, it also costs significantly less than a lot of others out there on the market.

Summary:

If you are looking for a design that is just a little bit more structured than some of the others out there on the market, and want to use a brand that is familiar and trusted- these will be an excellent addition to all of your training.

Design:

The design is what makes them really stand out from the crowd. They are offered in really wild colors with complicated designs that almost look like flames coming off from the front. There are many different color combinations available such as orange, blue, gray, and black.

Performance:

If you were looking for something that can cradle your foot in comfort as you push your body to its limits- this is the design that you will need. The sole isn’t too thick, and still, offers a good deal of flexibility. It has a toe overlay that prevents water from penetrating the front of the foot, and nice and soft tongue that doesn’t have a lot of extra padding. Sometimes the padding on the tongue can cut into the foot when you lace it up tightly, but that won’t be the case with this design.

Value:

The cost of these are a little bit more than some of the other more affordable options out there on the market, but if you wanted something that made you really stand out from the crowd as well as keeping your feet comfortable while training- these are well worth the slightly padded price tag.

Summary:

For those that want something a little bit more flashy, and that also offer some support to the foot without limiting flexibility too much, these are going to be a really great addition to all of your rigorous training leading up to the big day.

Design:

The design of this model is just a little bit different. The sole is a neon yellow with brown and black splotches on it that resemble mud or paint splatter. The top sole has a yellow underlay and a black mesh cover on top giving it almost a glow. It sits pretty low of on the foot, and don’t really have any extra padding around the tongue or the collar.

Performance:

What makes this model special is that the sole is made out of Kevlar. Kevlar is a material that is used in the manufacturing of tires, gloves, and vests. It is incredibly durable and perfect for trails that are a little treacherous. The sole has incredibly deep tread to ensure that you always keep your footing no matter how muddy and rock the course gets. It also doesn’t have traditionally tied shoelaces- which is always a plus. It also has drainage ports to ensure that you will never be running with water sloshing around by your feet when the trail gets wet.

Value:

This pair is going to set you back a little bit of money. It is not the most expensive pair out there on the market, but it is far from the least expensive. If you are looking for something that will really help you perform and train at your best without holding you back- this is the perfect solution.

Summary:

For those that want something from a trusted company- and are willing to pay a little bit more money than most of the other options out there- this is a great solution to help you get ready for the big day.

Design:

There aren’t a lot of color options available with the T330, but what they lack in style they make up for in durability and performance. There are some subtle design options available that change the colors of the laces and offer some sleek neon accents and are applied to the black base.

Performance:

Where this design really shines in the traction department. The sole of this trainer is really thick and comfortable and has really deep treads that will allow you to really grip the earth to move your way through obstacles without losing your footing on slippery mud or gravel. It also sports a high top design that will keep debris from infiltrating the top of the shoe and distracting you from the task at hand.

Value:

If you have spent all of your money on traveling to the competition, and don’t have a lot of money left to spend on pricey trainers- these are going to be a perfect fit for you because they are one of the most affordable options out there on the market- while still being made from superior materials.

Summary:

If you are in the market for something that is a little bit more affordable because you have spent a lot of your funds traveling to the course- these are going to be a really great choice that won’t break the bank.

Design:

It’s the design of these that makes them really stand out from the crowd. The soles are made to be thick and sturdy, but they are also incredibly flexible. These are designed to be high tops, but the top of the design is soft and stretchy so that it adheres tightly to your ankles. This design is offered in many unique colors such as burgundy, white, tan, and various shades of grays.

Performance:

When you are training, or it’s time for race day, you want something that isn’t going to give you any trouble- and these will not hold you back in the slightest. When dealing with obstacles you want something that is lightweight and that will feel like an extension of your foot. The tight cuff will ensure that they will stay snuggly in place no matter how difficult the terrain becomes. The thick, sturdy sole conforms to the shape of your foot over time and is incredibly flexible so that it will feel like you are wearing nothing at all. When it comes to obstacle course racing, you want to make sure that you have a little holding you back as possible.

Value:

Adidas is a trusted brand that seasoned runners know are made from top quality materials and innovative designs. With that being said, this model packs quite the price tag. You will be paying quite a bit more than you would for basic trainers, but if you need something that will work in almost any type of condition, these are well worth the price.

Summary:

For those that want to get the best gear to train and compete in, and who are willing to spare no expense- you simply cannot go wrong with these superior trainers. Past users that have tried these have instantly fallen in love.

Design:

Sleek and understated are the words that come to mind when describing this model. It isn’t as bright and flashy as many of the modern designs that could probably be seen from space. It comes in simple matte gray tones with a kick of color around the soles and on the laces. It sits on the foot somewhere between a high top and a low top, to give you a little bit of ankle support without limiting your range of motion.

Performance:

There isn’t a whole lot of extra padding on the tongue of along the collar, because these trainers were made to fit securely right up against your foot. This means less of a change for trail debris and water to infiltrate through the top to make your socks wet. Where this model really shines is in its traction. It has incredibly deep and tough treads that make it really easy to keep your footing on muddy trails, or trails that are incredibly rocky or uneven. When you don’t have to worry about slipping, you can focus on performing faster.

Value:

These will likely set you back a good deal of money, as they land on the higher end of the price scale for these types of all-terrain trainers. However, if you need something that can really dig into the ground to keep you firmly upright as you scale some difficult obstacles, these are well worth the money.

Summary:

If traction is something that you are looking at for your next big competition- these are really going to make all of the difference. Plus, they are incredibly comfortable and sport a sleek design that will never go out of style.