There are two ways in which a pair of OCR shoes differs from regular running sneakers. The first, and most important one has to do with the very nature of Spartan races, which are mostly done on uneven, demanding trail courses where you’ll be required to go through muddy, wet and slippery terrain before you reach the goal. Naturally, your feet will require a higher level of protection than that which you get from your mesh road runners, which is why this type of footwear is always made with added technology in the upper that’s supposed not only to protect you, but also to ensure you have all the support you need for improved results.

Overall, trails are usually filled with small rocks, twigs and pebbles which could potentially break your shoe and cause injury. To prevent unwanted discomfort, try to purchase shoes with a stronger, anti-debris upper that won’t allow pebbles into the shoes, but also won’t tear if it’s caught on something. Trail-specific models will often include these types of additions, ranging from mud guards, toe bumpers, gusseted tongues and others.

For a higher level of protection, you may even want to look for strong overlays, but be aware that these may influence the shoe in terms of weight and drying speed. Leather is usually unsuitable for OCR, so nylon and TPR should work better. If you know you won’t be going through water, but want to stay dry in rainy conditions, you may even opt for a Gore-Tex upper which won’t allow your feet to get wet.

Nonetheless, waterproof shoes will usually not be the best choice for two reasons. For one, they’re usually heavier than their lightweight mesh counterparts, which will slow you down and cause you to be more fatigued as the race progresses. Second, if you’re ankle deep in a puddle, no amount of Gore-Tex is going to keep water out. In these cases, a shoe that has moisture-wicking and quick-drying abilities is going to perform incomparably better.

Ask any professional athlete what the main thing they want from their gear, and they’ll tell you without thinking: allowing them to perform at their best, without having to think about it. When it comes to shoes, this is most reflected in the comfort they provide. In a perfect world, you wouldn’t even know they’re there, save for the cushioning underfoot, the protection from the rugged terrain, and the support they provide under the arch.

Being made with more durable and tough materials, trail footwear will often disregard comfort factors such as flexibility, softness and breathability. But, the best pairs will offer all of these aspects. Some manufacturers even invest into research that looks at finding the best possible fit, resulting in excellent models such as the Salomon Speedcross and Speedcross CS which will not only mold to the foot, but will even support it in the medial area to offer a feeling that’s locked in and secure.

The most important thing you should look for in your next purchase is definitely the lining. You should try and get a pair of sneakers that are breathable, with moisture wicking abilities that’ll draw swear and water from the feet, letting it evaporate and preventing infections, bacterial overgrowth and blistering.

Secondly, you may want to get a pair of footwear that has some padding in the upper, namely in the collar and tongue area. The collar is important because it’s often the area which can cause the most rubbing, and sometimes even socks aren’t enough to prevent chafing. A padded tongue, on the other hand, can allow you to tightly fasten your shoes without the laces cutting into the top of your foot, making the entire run more comfortable and enjoyable.

Regardless of the type of running you'll be doing, you need to be aware of the fact that this athletic activity puts a force 5 times your body weight on your feet. While for one landing this isn't that much, with a race or daily training, it can add up to quite a bit. To protect your body from such impact, you will want to go with footwear that's got a good amount of shock absorbing abilities which will disperse this force, saving your muscles and joints from pain and fatigue.

Most shoes listed above have some sort of shock absorption, from traditional EVA foam components to Air, GEL or even Wave cushioning. All of these can do a great job, and you should definitely go with what works best for you. But, this is not the only aspect of the midsole you need to look out for.

Flexibility is rather important. If the gear for your feet has no flexibility, then you will be unable to transition to various terrain types with ease. Not only can this slow you down but there is a higher potential for injury if the shoes are not flexible enough, as well. Likewise, on the other side of the same coin, sturdiness must be present. If your shoes are too flexible, they will give in when harder terrain types are faced; thus, causing potential ankle twisting, foot slippage, or some other kind of foot-related injury. Making certain your OCR shoes are balanced well in the realm of flexibility is essential.

Heel-to-toe differential refers to zero-drop, offset, and ramp angle. Zero-drop is when your heel and toes lie flat as you land; or at the very least, there is zero-drop between the heel area and forefoot. An 8mm drop means that is how much it raises your heel in comparison to the location of your forefoot. Understanding the type of race you are facing is extremely important when choosing your heel drop.

More than this, however, is making sure to know your own body. If you are a minimalist and have not been treading around in supportive shoes all of your life, zero-drop shoes might be perfect for you. If, however, you have not been running around barefoot a lot, zero-drop runners are known to cause injuries in relation; that is, many people are not ready for zero-drop footwear and an extreme obstacle course combined. If you truly desire to run in minimalist shoes, try working your way down to zero-drop. In this, you are taking care to protect your health.

Regardless of the type of trail you'll be running on, you need to consider how well a pair of Spartan race shoes is going to aid your feet in getting you to the finish line. For many, this means higher levels of support, namely in the heel and arch areas that can take quite a beating during any running session.

Most models on the list above are made with neutral support, meaning that they're most suited to those with a medium arch, without any pronation issues or arch-related pain. However, they definitely won't be enough for flat-footed runners, nor for those who tend to overpronate, suffer from plantar fasciitis, or pain in any part of the foot. These individuals should always look for footwear that'll hug the foot from below, lifting the arch and ensuring that it isn't working overtime in order to absorb the generated shock.

It's important to note that plenty of support can also be provided by the shoe's lacing system and overlays on the upper. Oftentimes, running sneakers will have internal cages that wrap around the midfoot and are tightened through the laces, ensuring that there's enough stability so that there's no unwanted frontal movement that would lead to a lower level of stability.

OCR footwear and mud run shoes need to give you the ability to traverse multiple terrain types. Furthermore, this transfer of terrain type should be doable with ease of transitional motion. If you find it difficult to transition from one terrain type to the next and you know it is the shoes, then they are not the right kind of shoes for the job. Transition with ease is the characteristic you look for. Lug traction outsoles will allow you to traverse from mud to dirt or vice versa. OCR footgear should have a lug system in place and should be considered aggressive traction.

The tread type will determine your ability to navigate through certain ground surfaces such as wet, dirt, mud, and rocky. If your shoes have a flat waffle-like outsole, they are not going to do very well in the mud. Footgear with a nice lug system is better for mud. The bigger the lug, the more 'aggressive' the traction; generally, speaking.

When determining performance in OCR (obstacle course racing) shoes, the ability to shed dirt, rocks, and mud are critical aspects.  The further you traverse into the course, the more chance there is to gain a more massive load via unwanted hitchhikers. These hitchhikers come in the form of debris and latch onto your shoes. The more substantial your runners become, the more rigorous the course is. Fatigue begins to set in, and the race turns into a more prominent monster than it should be. The correct footwear, however, can shed dirt, rocks, and debris; thereby, allowing you to focus on the course and not on heavy hitchhikers weighing you down.

Look for lug systems which are based upon the type of race you are running; that is, do you need long lugs are shorter ones? Spacing is essential in determining whether or not your footwear will, indeed, shed the monstrous hitchhikers, as it were. If the lugs are too closely situated, then they will hold onto the dirt, instead of letting it go. Spacing is a big factor in whether or not mud will be released when you pick your foot up.