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Inov-8 discontinues their award 370 boot-why?


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Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) Inov-8 discontinues their award 370 boot-why?

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  • #1226695
    Roleigh Martin
    BPL Member

    @marti124

    Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikers

    I emailed Inov-8 this email today. I'm wondering if anybody has comments/knowledge on why they think the Inov-8 Roclite 370 has been discontinued. Have anyone used /known other users of this boot? Feedback?

    To: [email protected]

    Why did you stop making your award winning (by 2 top places) boot, the Roclite 370?

    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/best-of-adventure-2008/gear/forest.html

    Shows it as the best of the year.

    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/inov_8_roclite_370_390_boot_orsm07.html

    Shows it as the favored boot of the publisher for Backpacking Light.

    The 370 has the advantage of being lighter, more breathable, and quicker to dry if the inside of the boot gets wet (these 3 advantages are against the 390 which you still make).

    I was planning on making this boot my boot of choice for my John Muir Trail hike in 2008, but seeing it no longer made makes me think that actual feedback from users is negative enough to counter the awards you won.

    Roleigh Martin
    Edina MN

    #1415846
    Woubeir (from Europe)
    BPL Member

    @woubeir

    Where did you read that this shoe would be discontinued? It hasn't even been released.

    Suggestion: if you do get de chance to buy a pair, try before you buy. I've got a pair of 390's (can live with the gore-tex since I want to use them in the snow) and up to now I'm not entirely convinced.

    #1415859
    Roleigh Martin
    BPL Member

    @marti124

    Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikers

    Good question, Tom. Like I said, I emailed their sales department. I find it strange the boot has already won two awards if it has not been released yet though.

    #1415860
    Woubeir (from Europe)
    BPL Member

    @woubeir

    Afaik, awards are mostly presented at the beginning of the season or at outdoor trade shows where the products are presented. The products are often only available half a year later.
    Do you want to say that you've read somewhere that they will discontinued or were you thinking that they were discontinued because they weren't mentioned on their website or nowhere to be found?

    #1415861
    George Matthews
    BPL Member

    @gmatthews

    Maybe the product was not carrying its weight related to profitability. Award winning does not always make money. It will be interesting to see the reply to your email.

    #1415862
    Roleigh Martin
    BPL Member

    @marti124

    Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikers

    I was thinking "they were discontinued because they weren't mentioned on their website or nowhere to be found?" and because they had won two awards — thinking that at one time they had to have been made available. I'll update you all if I hear from Innv-8. Saddly, I see that REI does not even sell the Inov-8 390 anymore — had the 370 never gotten released, I was going to try the 390s as a fallback.

    What I'm looking for is a very breathable mid-height hiking boot that is close to 1 pound apiece in weight. The MERRELL
    Passage Ventilator Mid Boots I did not like the way they felt on my feet (two many obtrusions from the inside top toe-end of the boot–I like the toe-end ceiling to be relatively smooth of a boot. I wore the Keen Event Mid-height Targhee last year for a 15 day hike in SEKI and it was okay but (a) the seam came loose for about 1" during a 2 week hike and (b) the toe-end ceiling had a bump in it that I had to cover with the teflon shoe-blister pads by Engo that go onto the shoe but not the foot. REI, instead of agreeing to fix the seam, just gave me my money back (I was satisfied with the boot otherwise). I may go back to the Keen mid-height Targhee for 2008.

    #1415872
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi Roleigh,
    From your description of requirements, it sounds like you might want to check out the Montrail Namche. It's a great boot for the type of hiking you describe @ $99.95/pr.
    The Iniv8 390 is a good winter boot for snowshoeing. I've been delighted with them, so far this year. I'll find out how they perform as a wet conditions boot this spring.

    #1415873
    Roleigh Martin
    BPL Member

    @marti124

    Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikers

    Very impressive — and available for $79 here:
    http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?gen=m&pcid=75202
    Actually it is as low as $70 for mens:
    http://www.telemarkski.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=GM2009!mon01
    Lower for women's at Altrec.com

    #1416712
    Roleigh Martin
    BPL Member

    @marti124

    Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikers

    I received lots of information from Inov-8 regarding their Roclite 370. Passing on relevant paragraphs consolidated into one posting here.

    > To: [email protected]
    >
    > Why did you stop making your award winning (by 2 top places) boot, the
    > Roclite 370?
    >
    > http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/best-of-adventure-2008/gear/forest.html
    >
    > Shows it as the best of the year.
    >
    >
    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/inov_8_roclite_370_390_boot_orsm07.html
    >
    > Shows it as the favored boot of the publisher for Backpacking Light.

    Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:06:24 -0500
    From: "Thomas Mikkelsen"
    Hello Roleigh,

    Thanks for your interest in the 370 and for getting in touch with us
    about your concerns!

    Fear not, the Roclite 370 is in full production, and will debut in
    Spring this year. In the meantime, I can share with you the extremely
    positive feedback we've been getting about the 370's cousin, the
    Roclite 390 GTX.

    That boot has done extremely well, and was used by both US based teams
    in the recent X-Alps competition in Switzerland.

    As for why the boot was featured in Backpacking Light and NG
    Adventure, both of these magazines attend the Outdoor Retailer show
    which offers a showcase of all the new products coming from the
    industry. Sometimes, they simply won't wait to cover a product if they
    are really excited about it, and this sometimes leads to what you are
    experiencing now.

    > I'm curious why REI stopped selling your 390 GTX. Do you know why it is no
    > longer listed at their web site?

    REI is definitely selling the shoe, it's simply an artifact of their
    system: when the sell out of a style, it is removed completely from
    their portal system until they get new stock in.

    >
    > But my interest in the 370. I'm curious how long the boot would take to dry
    > if it got completely wet (say you slipped into the stream when crossing the
    > stream). I would imagine the 370 would dry a lot faster than the 390 GTX.

    Yep, without a doubt, the 370 will dry faster since it doesn't have
    the GTX liner. By the way, this boot is rooted in para-gliding, and
    the GTX is used as much for warmth at altitude as it is for water
    proofing.

    > As an avid backpacker, the ideal mid-height backpacking boot would have the
    > following features

    > 1. A size 9 boot would weigh less than or equal to 1 pound.

    I think you just described the entire 30 style line from inov-8.
    >
    > 2. The boot would be mid-height. It would provide adequate ankle support
    > for someone packing with less than 15 pounds of base gear weight in their
    > packback (food and water ignored).

    I *personally* don't necessarily agree with this conventional wisdom.
    We've had many through hikers used the ultra-low-heeled Flyroc 310
    quite successfully. The line as a whole provides ankle support by
    bringing the heel lower to the ground, unlike a big traditional,
    overbuilt boot which typically has a large heel lift. That heel lift
    increases the risk of turned ankles and thus enforces the ankle
    support requirement.

    >
    > 3. the boot would be highly breathable enabling the foot to stay cool and
    > could be worn all day long, even at night at camp, eliminating the need for
    > camp sandles.

    Check.

    >
    > 4. the boot would have inner material that is comfortable but quickly drys
    > if the boot falls into the water during stream crossing. Ideally, if
    > towel-damping the inside of the foot, and wearing dry socks, the boot could
    > dry off within 1-2 hours of walking in the hot, dry sun.

    Check.

    >
    > I would think any boot meeting these measures would grab the attention of
    > backpackers.

    It has: Scott Williamson, 2-time PCT Yoyo, second time in Flyroc 310,
    and won't use anything else. Andrew Thompson, AT Speed-hike record
    holder, also in the 310. Jonathan Basham, Colorado Trail Speed Record
    Holder, did it in the Roclite 315.

    Also, as you can see from coverage such as NG and Backpacking Light,
    the 370 is getting a lot of attention.

    > Personally, I think ultra-breathablility, along with full support, rapid
    > dryness, and dual use as hiking/camp shoes are the most desirable features.

    I think you've described the Flyroc 310. It's not a boot, but meets
    all of your requirements. There is also a GTX version, though I
    understand your preference for eVent.

    >
    > Anyway, thanks for responding. I wish your company much success. I'd love
    > to see a company design and sell the dream shoe that backpackers dream for.

    Thanks for the wishes, give that Flyroc 310 a try. I know it isn't a
    boot, but it does sound like something you'd enjoy. Just be sure to
    ease into them as the lower heel can cause some muscle and joint
    soreness for a few weeks. If you've been wearing typical boots and
    shoes, you haven't been fully utilizing them and they'll need some
    time to adapt.

    Roleigh, just a follow on thought: I suggested the Flyroc 310 as an
    alternative to the 370 because it is available now, that's all. The
    370 is of course, that much more in line with what you describe as
    your ideal boot since it is, after all, a boot. ;-) Cheers, -Thomas.

    > Thomas, any idea what part of the Spring 2008 the 370 will be out?

    Roleigh, I believe it's scheduled for April. -Thomas.

    #1603157
    Keth Comollo
    Member

    @bleemus

    Locale: Vermont

    I know this thread is quite old but I did notice that this boot is no longer available on their site. 390 is still there though.

    #1604802
    mega name
    Member

    @meganame

    Yeah. If it were still available, I'd have ordered them last night. Can't find a size 10 anywhere.

    #1604821
    Mark Verber
    BPL Member

    @verber

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    Zombie Runner has some Inov-8 370 in stock

    I don't know the current situation with the 370… but I do know that Inov-8 made a corp. commitment to continue to manufacture shoes without functional change until they were no longer profitable. I am greatful that the Flyroc 310 that I purchased a month ago are functionally the same as my first pair purchased in 2005.

    –Mark

    #1605030
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    "Zombie Runner has some Inov-8 370 in stock

    I don't know the current situation with the 370… "

    I suspect they are still discontinued because Zombie Runner doesn't have the very popular size 10, which is exactly the situation I encountered last fall with Inov-8 when I was trying to order them at the source. I talked with them and they said that no more size 10's would be forthcoming because the line had been discontinued. That still seems to be the case. A phone call to Inov-8 would resolve the question, I guess.

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