With a new wave of suspension forks all featuring redesigned arches, Fox’s fork lineup requires a fresh batch of mudguards with mounting points to suit. Mudhugger is one of the first brands to create a compatible bolt-on mudguard for the 2026 Fox 36, and although it’s taken some work, mudguards don’t come more solid and secure than the Shorty 2026 Fox 36 Bolt-On Mudhugger Evo. However, its coverage, understandably, isn’t quite complete.
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Mudhugger Shorty 2026 Fox 36 Bolt-On Mudhugger Evo – Technical details
Mudhugger has enjoyed a long-standing status in the UK (at least) for being the go-to mudguard for many, and with good reason, too. The brand has further cemented itself as exactly that, being one of the very first to create a third-party mudguard to work with Fox’s range of generatively designed arches.
For the most part, this mudguard follows the same design as Mudhugger’s modern and well-received Evo range, but there have been a couple of changes. Namely, that’s how it mounts to Fox’s new forks, and there’s what the brand dubs the ‘extended mud deflector’, which is a little tab on the underside of the guard, that’s shaped to catch spray before a bike’s front wheel flings it up and in front of the rider.
Elsewhere, there are all of the usual facets that we’ve come to expect from the Mudhugger Evo Shorty, including a small kick at the rear of the guard to fend off spray while keeping the mudguard small, clearance for the crown while the fork’s at full compression, and greater mud clearance than previous models.
Made of recycled polypropylene, the Mudhugger Shorty 2026 Fox 36 Bolt-On Mudhugger Evo MTB Mudguard (there’s got to be a shorter name!) measures 390mm in length, and the brand claims it weighs less than 100g.
In the pack, you get everything you need to bolt the guard onto a new-gen Fox 36, and the brand offers brace hole covers – small stickers that cover the holes in the arch – for a fiver, or half price if purchased with a guard.
The Shorty Evo is joined by the Long version that measures 525mm in length, which should provide more complete coverage.
Mudhugger Shorty 2026 Fox 36 Bolt-On Mudhugger Evo – Performance
Installing the mudguard is as straightforward as it gets. Everything you need is included in the pack, and it’s merely a case of bolting it in place. Once torqued down, I was very impressed with how solid it is. It almost becomes a part of the fork itself; it’s so stable.
That stability shone when riding, too. The mudguard doesn’t flap or move while riding technical and lumpy sections, running perfectly quietly and under the radar, as all the best kit should. As expected, the guards’ increased crown clearance means that the guard doesn’t foul on the fork’s crown, either.
When it comes to protection against spray and mud, the Fox 36 version of the Mudhugger does an excellent job. General spray while riding through puddles just doesn’t get flung, keeping it well out of my face. However, as this is a smaller version of the Mudhugger Evo, there were the odd occasions when a bit of mud would land on my glasses or on my face. It rarely happens, which is a great thing for the Shorty Evo, but given its comparatively smaller size, it’s somewhat understandable.
However, the addition of the mud deflector that sits between the mudguard and the tyres is a powerful one. You wouldn’t think that such a small tab of plastic would bring such big gains in directing the flow of spray so it’s not flung so high, and out in front of the rider. This kind of thing is most noticeable when riding down a wet fireroad at speed, and even some of the best mudguards struggle here, but that little tab works wonders in keeping spray low.
Mudhugger Shorty 2026 Fox 36 Bolt-On Mudhugger Evo – Verdict
There aren’t many mudguards around that can bolt on to Fox’s new range of fork arches. Fox’s own compatible mudguard XL will set you back £31.95, but even then, it’s not as large as the Shorty Evo. Then, with Shorty’s neat little deflector tab and its rather attractive looks, I’d say that the extra few quid is well worth the investment.
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from picking up something like All Mountain Style’s Mud Guard, but coverage isn’t as good, they’re not bolt-on options and won’t be as stable as Mudhugger’s offering.
As expected of Mudhugger, the Shorty 2026 Fox 36 Bolt-On Mudhugger Evo MTB is a belter of a mudguard. It’s stable, quiet, keeps spray out of sight, and keeps vision clear. A little length would enhance its coverage, but if that concerns you, buy the long version.
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road.cc test report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
Mudhugger says, “Updated Mudhugger EVO bolt-on mtb mudguard specifically for the new 2026 FOX 36 and 34SL forks. Utilises the 4 threaded bolt holes for ultimate secure fixing.” It’s super secure.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
Polypropylene build, four bolt fixing for modern Fox forks. 390mm total length
Any further comments on quality?:
No issues at all.
Any further comments on performance?:
Doesn’t provide complete protection, but does a solid job.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:
Lower than other bolt-on options
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
This fits modern Fox forks, is super stable, and does a good job of fending off mud and spray. Though, coverage isn’t 100% in very wet conditions.
