It's no secret this obstacle course will kick your ass. To prep you from head to toe, here's the best breathable, lightweight gear that'll withstand a beating—so you can survive in one piece.
It's no secret Tough Mudder will kick your ass. Here's the gear that'll help you survive in one piece.
Running a Tough Mudder is no joke. You know that. You’re probably training like a madman to whip your butt into shape for the 10-12 mile haul through sizzling electric shocks, muddy sludge, greasy monkey bars, fire pits, and frigid water. And so you should. This isn’t an obstacle course challenge for the faint hearted.
But know this: your intense training won’t matter if soggy shorts, misfit shoes, or cold, wet layers slow you down. Just as you're prepping your body with thoughtfully planned workouts and strategic eating, you better be ready when it comes to gear, too. Here’s our lineup of the best moisture-wicking, quick dry, contour-fitting products that can withstand a beating—so you can cross the finish line in one piece.
Your shoe is arguably the most important piece of mud run gear you’ll buy. If you're wearing a misfit pair, the course will feel much more brutal. But lucky for you, Under Armour teamed up with Tough Mudder to design a series of kicks that are flexible, breathable, and provides extra traction—ideal for an obstacle course. Our favorite? The UA Spine Reflective Storm Running Shoe was engineered to mimic the human spine's twisting range of motion. This running shoe is ultra lightweight at just 9.45 ounces, and like your own spine, it flexes under pressure without sacrificing structural support, at the midfoot and forefoot. Water rolls off of the upper, and a solid rubber outsole provides crucial durability for blasting through Tough Mudder’s obstacles. ($110; underarmour.com)
Think it’s stupid to invest in a high quality sock when it’s guaranteed to get wet and muddy in a Tough Mudder? Think again. Almost equally as important as your shoe, you want a sock that’ll keep your toes warm and support your arches, otherwise, forget running in comfort. The Darn Tough Micro Crew Mesh Ultra-Light 1700 run/bike sock is a blend of Merino wool (for warmth) and nylon and spandex (for a foot-hugging fit). Our favorite feature: seamless knitting around your toes eliminates hot spots and blisters. Imagine getting a whopping red hot spot at mile four, with eight more to go, because your socks couldn’t handle the abuse. Not good.
($17; backcountryedge.com)
As you hurl yourself over Tough Mudder’s massive obstacles blocking your path, there are tons of opportunities to whack yourself where it, erm, really hurts. Lock your junk down with the ultra-comfy Polarmax 4-Way Stretch Performance Boxer Brief. Consider these an insurance policy. Its Acclimate Dry Polyester and Spandex mix are quick drying and moisture wicking to keep temps regulated. Plus, they beat odor away with an anti-microbial treatment. Strong, flat seams eliminate chafing and keep everything in place, no matter how rough the race gets. ($25; polarmax.com)
If you’re the kind of guy who refuses to work out in anything but gym shorts (yes, we know you’re out there), or if you’re worried leggings will get too hot during a Tough Mudder, pick up a pair of the Pearl Izumi Maverick 2 in 1 Short. It’s both a built-in boxer brief and a woven outer shell. The fully integrated inner brief dries 50% faster than regular performance polyesters, and makes sure you’re secure down there. The semi-form fitted outer short guarantees full range of motion without getting in your way. In these bottoms, you’ll be able to shimmy through the course’s plastic piping, kick your legs out for momentum through the greased rings, and sprint hard up the mud cliffs. No problem. ($55; pearlizumi.com)
Squeezing into the UA EVO ColdGear Compression Leggings might take some maneuvering—they're ultra tight, like a second skin. But its compression technology keeps your muscles engaged the whole time for increased power and circulation. Dual-layer fabric keeps you warm in cold temperatures and wicks sweat away. Plus, an elastic waistband stretches with your core as you move so you won’t feel restricted. You’ll be thankful when you climb out of the ice-cold plunge and it takes your legs less time to recover than the guy wearing regular sweats next to you. ($50; underarmour.com)
As your body switches back and forth from cold to warm during a Tough Mudder, it’s important to keep your core well ventilated with a rapid-dry t-shirt so your system doesn’t slow down with temperature shock. Try the UA HeatGear Compression Shortsleeve T-Shirt—it's no ordinary shirt. Trust us. 4-way stretch construction allows the material to sit against your skin without impairing mobility, so you can stretch out to grab monkey bars or fling up a hand to latch on to the top of the half pipe. Flatlock seams prevent chafing and odor-blocking polyester/elastane fabric wicks sweat to keep you cool and dry. In this shirt, bend and dodge how you like. It'll move with you. ($25; underarmour.com)
It’s not available until February, but the Columbia Freeze Degree 1/2 Zip is a layer worth waiting for. New Omni-Freeze ZERO technology literally cools the shirt when it comes into contact with hot, moist conditions. Little blue rings embedded in the fabric contain cooling agents, that when exposed to sweat actually swell (similar to goose bumps) creating a cooling sensation around your core. As you heat up during a Tough Mudder, this is the ideal long sleeve to wear—breathable, and enough coverage to protect your skin from biting wind, cold water, and mud. ($75, available February; columbia.com)
The secret to finding the ultimate hoody perfect for a Tough Mudder? It’s all about the material. Skip cotton, spandex, and polyester, and go for Merino wool, which traps warmth where it counts. The midweight Icebreaker Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hood is exactly what you want. There’s no added bulk like a classic hoody. But don’t be fooled into thinking its semi-fitted shape isn't effective. Even when wet, real wool stays warm. Thumb loops anchor your hands keeping the sleeves from getting pushed up, and eyelet panels ensure ventilation. And of course, like all quality Merino wool, it’s breathable, fast drying, and odor resistant. Plus, its tight stitching is extra durable, so go ahead get rough with it. ($180; us.icebreaker.com)
Though you probably wouldn’t wear it during a Tough Mudder (you’d get too hot), a jacket is a vital layer in your warm up, cool down, and certainly post-race when you’re standing around looking for that celebratory beer. The New Balance Raptor Jacket will keep the chill away without hanging heavily off your frame, allowing you full range of motion—even if you have three layers underneath. Water resistant woven overlays protect your core from getting wet, and moisture management technology pulls sweat away from your skin to the outside. Plus, the jacket’s semi-fitted style keeps it closer to your body than a larger fitting parka, therefore trapping warmth even more effectively. ($72; newbalance.com)
Even if you’re running a Tough Mudder in warmer spring or summer months, you better pack a hat. Why? Because especially when you’re wet, heat will seep out of your head leaving you chilled. The Pearl Izumi Thermal Run Hat ensures warmth but avoids overheating with its Direct-Vent mesh on the bottom. It also wicks moisture from your scalp and has UPF 40+ Sun Protection—crucial for extreme athletes navigating unpredictable weather conditions. And if this hat get’s wet, don’t worry. In just a matter of minutes, it’ll be dry again thanks to its Minerale thermal fabric.
($25; pearlizumi.com)
There’s nothing worse than a gym bag that reeks like B.O. because you can’t seem to wash the smell out. The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag is the solution to that. Made from ballistic laminated nylon (that’s code for practically bombproof fabric) it’s the perfect place to toss all your sweaty, muddy gear post-race, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning up the mess later. Simply wipe it down. Four compression straps allow you to wear it like a backpack or sling it over your shoulder like a traditional duffel. It also comes in different sizes, the largest being 155 L, so you’ll have plenty of room for a change of clothes. Plus, the color scheme is ideal for busy race days—the grey bag camouflages dirt but the yellow straps makes it easy to identify in a pile of other racers’ bags. ($100-170; backcountry.com)
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What to Wear for Tough Mudder: Indestructible Gear for Mud Races