Inov-8 is releasing a new line of trail shoes based on their anatomic last - a last with a wide comfortable toe box (finally!). What is particularly interesting about this line is that all models are based on the same last and sole, but feature varying thicknesses of midsoles allowing a custom feel according to personal preferences. You can go as minimalist as you like, and or slowly work your way down in heel drop. Listed from left-to-right: TrailRoc 150 (0mm drop, 0mm cushion), TrailRoc 235 (0mm drop, 6mm cushion), TrailRoc 245 (3mm drop, 6mm cushion), TrailRoc 255 (6mm drop, 6mm cushion). The various colors of the midsole represent different rubber formulas, allowing for more wear resistant compounds in high abrasion areas and stickier compounds where it counts. What remains to be seen is whether or not retailers will want to handle all the myriads of SKUs that will be required to stock the complete line in multiple sizes. Even though more choice is becoming available, will consumers really be able to find what they are looking for?

I think you're spot on with your questioning.

From a consumer perspective...I have only recently accepted the 'challenge' from my old way of thinking (heavy hiking boots) to the prospect of trail runners for hiking. As such, I have read a plethora of articles on the various brands...which are good, which are not etc. etc.

I am also led to believe that Innov8 are a fantastic brand, and would like to purchase some online (noone seems to have them here in Australia) however I am already lost on which one to get.

The more variations they bring out, the more I question which is the right one for me....it's fast becoming a 'too hard basket'.

Jase in Australia

The Shoeologist in Sydney carries Inov8 although not a wide range. That may not help you in Melb though :-)

The Inov-8 range is certainly becoming rather large. Here in NZ the main stockist only carries part of the range, so my choice is simplified. These certainly look promising. Not sure if the sole would be grippy enough but looks pretty good.

Just to clarify, where 0 and 6mm are noted as amounts of cushion, this actually refers to the insole thickness, ie. the 150 doesn't have one. The midsole thickness isn't disclosed on the Inov-8 website could be they even don't have one?

Dave

It may seem confusing, but Inov-8 is actually working towards simplifying their line. For this particular model the only decision you need to make is how much midsole and how much heel you want. If you are moving from hiking boots for the very first time, you might want to go with the beefiest version, and gradually work your way down the line (lighter and less cushioning) as you buy new shoes.

In my blurb, I specify 2 numbers: the drop (in mm) and cushion (in mm). The drop is the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot. The cushion is the thickness of the midsole. So the 150 has no midsole and no heel - incredibly minimalist. The 255 has 6mm of drop and 6mm of cushion which means the total midsole thickness is 6mm at the forefoot and 12mm at the heel.

Edited by dtougas on 08/08/2012 05:56:12 MDT.

@ Damien Tougas

Great advice...couldn't agree more.

I was planning on having the highest drop and cushioning, with a view to bring that down over time. I also think the process will do wonders for my ageing, problem feet.

I'm still yet to explore what this 'anatomical last' is, and determine whether it is right for me. I have a narrow foot, very straight last, with a reasonable amount of over-pronation.

So, which is right for me...the Flyroc, Rocklite, TrailRoc?? :-) I'm looking for high breathability, good cushioning, good drop....in a good all-rounder for grip (for all terrains), with a narrow heel box (I have narrow feet) that can accommodate thicker socks if need be (for colder climes & snow etc).

Anyways, back to the OP thread, I'm glad they're responding to an emerging concern. Smart.

@ Dale Whitton
Yeah, bummer. I did notice that Sydney did have a store that stocked Inov-8...perhaps it won't be long then until they hit Melbourne...if they haven't already got some sort of arrangement in the pipes. Although, it's a good excuse to get to Sydney for a weekend! :-)

Cheers
Jase

@jase

The anatomic last is one of the many good things that has come out of the minimalist footwear movement (of which I am a big proponent - see my site http://www.toesalad.com for more details). Many manufacturers - New Balance, Merrell, Inov-8, Altra - are starting to do it. Basically, an anatomic last means that it has a toebox that allows your toes to splay on impact rather then crunch together into a point like more traditional running shoes.

Inov-8 has three lasts: Performance (i.e. pointy and narrow), Comfort (i.e. less pointy and narrow), and Anatomic (i.e. the roomy toebox). Generally they all hold well in the heel (from my experience). A wide toebox isn't just for wide feet, it is actually optimal for foot health, so I personally try to steer people in that direction whenever I can. So, based on my personal bias, I would steer you in the direction of the TrailRoc 255 with it's anatomic last. If however you want more cushioning and heel than that, then I would say go with the Roclite with the Comfort last. Either 295 or 315 (the beefiest of the bunch).

Running Warehouse has available now the 35 / 45 / 55 TrailRoc's.

Looks like a good shoe!

Damian, have any impressions of the volume of the anatomic last? I can't wear the comfort-lasted Inov8s because my feet are too thin top-bottom, I max out the laces without ever getting them tight.

The last volume seems similar in volume to the NB Minimus last (or the NB MT-110), if you have tried either of those before. Inov-8 does make a 6mm insole that you can purchase separately for most of their shoes if you need to take up some volume (the standard one is 3mm). One option for you (if you don't purchase a thicker insole) might be to just cut out a piece of something the same size as the insole and put it underneath?

No matter how great those shoes are I would never buy any of them just based on the colors!

the color of the 255 doesn't look bad to me.

I just got a pair of 255's in the mail from Zappos. They are very similar in fit to the Roclite 295 which used to be my favorite shoe. But the 295 was always too narrow in the midfoot for me. The anatomic last solves this perfectly in the 255's. The 255 will probably be my go-to trail shoe. It's actually not that minimalist and offers a pretty reasonable amount of underfoot protection. My size 10.5 US weighs 10.6 oz on my scale. I did have to go up half a size from my Roclite 295 size.

Andrew

Mine came from Running Warehouse today too. These are my first pair of Inov-8s, but I've tried on all three lasts, and this one is my favorite by far. I could handle the Comfort Last, but it was just a little narrow for my tastes. The anatomic last fits much more nicely for my foot.

I too sized up a half-size from the Roclite 295. My 12.5 US weighs 11.96 oz (339 g).

Dave, what size do you wear?

Andrew and Clayton,

How did you figure out you needed to go up 1/2 size vs Roclite 295s? Order two pairs and send one back? Or is there another shoe on the anatomical last that you used as a benchmark? The shoe is so new the fit comparison tool has no data for it.

I'm a 10.5 in the Roclite 295 and F-Lite 195, but a 10 in the Terrafly 303. I would have ordered the 10.5 in the TrailRoc 255 but now I'm leaning toward the 11 based on your comments.

The Running Warehouse fit-sizing thing recommended the 12 for the Roclite 295 based on a previous shoe, which is my usual size. It felt just a tiny bit small, so I guessed and upsized based on others experiences with Inov-8 Roclite 285s, which I found to be small by half a size. Honestly, it was a guess but it worked for me.

If you're iffy, just order both sizes from Zappos or Running Warehouse where you get free return shipping.

My OROC 280s (performance last) are 11.5s, same as most shoes for me. I'm most interested in the 150s when they emerge.

I tried the TraiRoc 235 and 245 at zombierunner and have now taken the 245 out for their first run. For me, they size the same as the RocLite 295 and Flyroc 310. I expect I will know for sure in a couple hundred miles, but so far, I am thinking the 245 is going to replace the Flyroc as my go to trail shoe.

Edited by verber on 08/09/2012 11:44:08 MDT.

@ andrew fahrland

Sounds like a winner of a shoe.

How is the breathability of the shoe? Does it feel/look like it will allow for quick drying?

Cheers
Jase in Australia