The results of shear strength parameters of soils from Bielanka and Bystra near Gorlice are presented in the paper. Determination of the influence of moisture content and shearing velocity on values of shear strength of tested soils was the subject of research. Test results revealed that soils have various shear strength and shear strength parameters, which significantly depends on grain distribution of soil, their moisture content and shearing velocity. It was showed that the increase of moisture content causes decline in shear strength of soils, which significantly depends on changes of cohesion. The influence of shearing rate was significant at higher values of moisture content, higher values of angle of interenal friction and lower values of cohesion were obtained in tests where lower value of shearing rate was used. It was also stated, that obtained shear strength values can be theoretically described using empirical Matsushi-Matsukuura model as values dependent on apparent cohesion, related to the matrix suction of soil.