I recently purchased a pair of Vasque velocity 2.0 shoes, and while it has the requirements for a good trail shoe (good tread, breathable, lightweight), the toe box is narrow, and the heal although locking, is a bit narrow and unforgiving. My foot just felt all cramped even when wearing a thin merino liner sock ( I have a “normal” width foot, and if I went with a wide it would have been way to sloppy) heal pocket is hard and gave me trouble on a recent 6 mile hike. So, back to the drawing board I went.

I was in the market for a new hiking shoe and after extensive reading and pontificating I decided to at least try a pair of Inov8’s to see what all the good and some bad hub-bub was about.

Just received my first pair of inov-8 Roclite 309’s. All I can say is…WOW! I normally wear a size 10, but upon reading recommendations on BPL I ordered a USA size 10.5 (weighs 12.80oz each) they fit me great with plenty of room to wear a thicker wigwam hiking sock of which I like to do. The shoe is actually the same overall length as my Vasque and my New Balance shoes in a size 10. Toe box is roomy (but not sloppy) with foot swelling room and downhill room so that the toes don’t rub the front of the toe box on downhill descents. No heal slippage when tied properly. This shoe also has the max 4 arrow cushing, which I like.I’m a mild supinater and, in looking at these shoe from the rear, they appear to cant inward, Which I'm told is good for people that supinate.

Quality of manufacturing seems as good as any. The tread is aggressive and grippy. The factory insole is adequate with a slight arch support, so will try these with no expensive replacement insoles right now. I like the toe box and side protection armor, should be no problem edging in snow fields. From what I understand this is a newer shoe from Inov-8 and it melds the great sole of the 295 with the wider fit of the Teroc 330. Overall extremely happy with the shoe.

I was informed by the Invo 8 staff that the 309 and other shoes that had SHOC-ZONE™ 4 were being disconinued.

SHOC-ZONE™ definition: Midsole system that measures the amount of underfoot protection from 1 to 4 arrow and allows you to select according to the style and distance.

4 Arrow Shoc-Zone provides maximum underfoot cushioning with a 12mm heel-to-toe drop. This is Inov8's highest level of cushioning on their 0-4 arrow scale were being discontinued.





The ROCLITE™ 295 is the same shoe but not as stiff in the mid sole with a SHOC-ZONE™ 3.

3 Arrow Shoc-Zone provides moderate underfoot cushioning with a 9mm heel-to-toe drop. This is Inov8's 2nd highest level of cushioning on their 0-4 arrow scale.

Bummer, as I also thought the 309 were great shoes. If you like the 309 you better get them while stores have a supply.

Edited by KENLARSON on 06/27/2012 15:00:25 MDT.