Inov-8 Shoes

I'm looking to purchase a pair of trail running shoes, though I will be using them almost exclusively for hiking/backpacking. I'm interested in preserving the athletic shoe feel and minimal toe-drop while maintaining durability, etc. Inov-8 seems like a company with a growing reputation.

Does anyone have a recommendation on which model I should try? I've looked closely at the Mudclaws and X-Talons, but I'm unsure.


Thanks!

Everything depends on fit, fit, fit. That's the overriding criterion. If the shoe doesn't fit your feet, you'll be miserable. Everyone's feet are different, which is why I can't recommend any specific shoe. What fits my feet will undoubtedly not work for you! For the same reason, I don't pay much attention to others' recommendations.

I suggest you try on lots of different models, lots of different brands. When you find a pair that feels good, "hike" around the store (on their carpet) for about an hour with a pack. If the store has a ramp, go up and down it a lot. If not, stand as long as you can on the sloping part of the stool the clerk uses. Do a similar but longer trial at home on your carpet while you can still return the shoes.

Sometimes, even with these precautions, you'll find out down the road that a specific pair of shoes that felt great at the initial try-on doesn't work out for you, and will have to chalk up to experience the expense of donating a relatively new pair of shoes. I've had to do that a number of times. In fact, right now I have two pair of shoes, which felt wonderful out of the box but became painful after about a dozen wearings, in my box to go to Goodwill.

The worst is that many shoe companies completely change their lasts every year or two. (That's what happened with the two pair I'm getting rid of--it was just a slight change in a model I had worn for several years. When you find the perfect shoe, immediately buy several pair!

I use the Roclite 315. Seemed to me to be the best of lightness, durability and sole protection. If you won't be on rocky trails or you already wear shoes without a rock plate then you could go with a lighter model.

But I agree, fit is the most important thing for any shoe you try. Not sure how many other brands do this, but you can heat the heel cup with steam then put them on and walk to get a better heel fit at least.

Hey,

While I can't speak from the experience of using Inov-8s for backpacking or hiking, I wI'll say that I have loved the two pairs I've owned. One pair was my daily wearing shoe for two years (x-lite 210) and I've worn a hole in the sole. The other was my running shoe (f-lite 230) all last season with a lot of pavement and some cross-country mileage on them and they are still going strong. I've found the brand to be the best made minimalists I've managed to try (relative to NB and another brand I can't think of the name of atm).

It does sound as though you know enough about minimalists that this next bit is most likely unneeded but... If you haven't worn minimalists before make sure you take the time to convert yourself slowly. It is a very hard transition for a lot of people. It was totally worth it for me but often people will just start running/trekking their normal mileages in them without transitioning and it can easily result in injury.

Anyways, hoped this helped even though it's not directly answering your question.