You may unsubscribe at any time. Obstacle course runs are hotter than ever, and shoe manufacturers have started developing shoes specifically designed to help participants slog through mud and cruise over obstacles. Runner's World got a hold of new models from Under Armour and Reebok and put them through our Shoe Lab to see how they fit and what features manufacturers added to help runners conquer a course.What makes an overweight, out-of-shape person spend upwards of $60 to endure 3.5 to 10.1 miles of physical activity they have been avoiding for years? And not just mud, but a mud run event, where the appropriate mindset requires participants to dress as if it were Halloween to tackle a military-inspired obstacle course. That, and the irrational goal of putting mud, sweat and tears between yourself and a free beer. Who in their right mind would pay for this? As it turns out, hundreds of thousands of people, all dressed like they're going to Burning Man, pay a premium to do just that every year.

More: 5 Running Tips for Beginners So, what is the allure of a mud run? A mud run is a mix of whimsical fun and physical exertion; Adjustable Curtain Rod Spotlightit's the perfect event for a person who is ready to make a change but needs a cloak to do it under. Under Counter Washer And Dryer DimensionsIt's also the perfect reminder for a lot of people that they're not in as good of shape as they think they are—and that they're not getting any younger either. Mixer Tap Cartridge SparesHow would I know this? Because I'm that person. More: Mud Run Training Plan My wife and I signed up for the Warrior Dash last year after a few inspired but ultimately failed attempts at running. I think we had an unspoken agreement between each other that we had to do something before all of these years of being busy parents and sitting in office chairs caught up with us.

It's pathetic what an office chair will do to your health. We needed something that was extreme, and what better way to throw ourselves into that fire pit than to willingly sign up for an event that ends by literally jumping over a line of burning logs and ankle-singeing flames? We didn't train for the event beyond a few P90X workouts over a couple of weeks, and we weren't exactly ready for the altitude although we've lived in Colorado for decades. More: Running Tips for Newbies So when race day came, we made our way to Copper Mountain, lined up with the rest of team "not in shape," and ran for the hills. The starting line jockey had the crowd bouncing up and down like a Limp Bizkit concert as the horn sounded. It was at this moment that one of a few things became very clear: Tip 1: When at an event with more than 1,000 people, no one really "takes off" from the starting line like you see in movies. Everyone just kind of tiptoes forward until they find enough space to take a full step.

It's really anticlimactic, and a bit of a buzzkill. Tip 2: Once the race starts, any nerves you had about the event melt away in the first quarter mile. The reason your nerves regain their composure after a quarter mile is because you realize that the first obstacle is almost a half-mile from the start line. Nobody mentioned that part, and by the time we finished the initial run, we were looking up a large hill with a tire obstacle staring right back at us. This was immediately followed by a few other overcrowded obstacles and one last decline before we hit "the pit." The reason we were all here was then right in front of me: When I got to it, I jumped in with all I had, landing feet-first in two feet of filthy glory. It's awesome and it was absolutely worth the effort to get there. At that point, a couple more things became very clear: Tip 3: Don't jump feet-first into the mud pit. As it turns out, the top is a manageable liquid, but the bottom is a bit more like the pile of industrial glue that Wile E. Coyote would find himself in after almost catching the Road Runner.

I was ankle-deep in mud so thick that the only way I was getting my foot back was to loose my shoe. I spent the next 60 seconds chest-deep, fumbling in the muck, searching for a shoe that would never be the same again. I did manage to dig it out finally and slosh through the remainder of the pit with one bare foot, but found I was now missing my sock and couldn't even fit my foot back in the shoe because it was so full of mud. Indestructible Gear for Mud Runs Running a mud race or tackling an obstacle course is no joke. You train like a madman to whip your butt into shape for the sizzling electric shocks, muddy sludge, greasy monkey bars, fire pits, or frigid water. And so you should — most mud runs aren't 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. Tough Mudder’s 20 Most Badass Obstacles >>> Topics: adventure racingdistance runningNot long ago, I took an informal poll of what the trail runners in our office look for in a trail shoe. “Zero to 8mm drop, minimalist to mid-cushion, softer stiffness,” said one. “Can’t stand minimal shoes!” said another. “I prefer shoes with a 4 to 6mm differential, adequate but not overdone cushioning—something that can take a beating but isn’t so bulky as to inhibit a natural gait cycle—and on the stiff side,” said a third. “Hmm, not sure about flex and stuff, but I need a lot of arch support,” said a fourth. If describing a shoe preference can seem as complex and individualized as ordering a drink at Starbucks, the good news for trail runners is that there are almost as many varieties of trail shoes on the market today as there are permutations of latte.

Our spring 2015 roundup has just about anything you could dream up: super-stable mountain runners with monster tread; a super-flexible mud runner with monster tread; agile, low-drop models with just enough cushion to go long; a max-cushioned model light and responsive enough to go fast; and tried-and-true classics with middle-of-the-road appeal. Whatever your trail running goals are this spring, it won’t be hard to find a shoe that fits. La Sportiva Mutant 11.3 oz | An aggressive mountain runner with a super-stable ride.  Altra Superior 2.0 9.5 oz | A slipper-like fit with a tread that can handle most anything you throw at it.  HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR 8.6 oz | A max-cushioned shoe that's speedy, light and agile on technical trails.  Adidas Terrex Boost 11.5 oz | Aggressive and bomb-proof for the nastiest conditions Asics GEL-FujiRunnegade 9.2 oz | Light and flexible, with monster lugs that bite into loose dirt and muck Brooks Cascadia 10 11.6 oz |