Inov8 and Timberland Delerion Shoes

[Craig Shelley]

I read the articles on this site and decided to purchase some new shoes to try them out. This first posting I have just received and weighed the shoes. It might be interesting to start a discussion on them.

I weigh everything to the nearest gram when I receive it. I’m listing some other shoes I use to get perspective on the weight.

661g Salomon Pro TechAmphibian 10.5
745g Inov8 Flyroc 10.5
760g Timberland Delerion Size 10.5
766g Salomon XA Comp Size 11
802g North Face Ultra 102 Size 11
884g Salomon XA Comp XCR Size 11

As one can see, the shoes are not especially light. They are comparable to many other shoes on the market.

The North Face Ultra shoes are designed for a special gaiter. I use these gaiters a lot for the substantial off trail travel I do. I’ve modfied the XA Comp shoes to take the same gaiter.

There are other benefits claimed in the articles on this site. We’ll see how revolutionary the shoes are.

My first thoughts on wearing them. The Flyroc is very comfortable. The Delerion’s strip of plastic that holds the gaiter on pushes slightly against my ankle and are less comfortable.

Craig Shelley

[Mark]

I was surprised at how heavy the Inov8 Flyroc 310 model is, after all the sensationalism about ‘trail slippers.’ Not that I don’t like them, I really really, really do. The fit is fantastic and the feel is sensitive, kind of a cool change. I also think they ‘feel’ a little bit lighter than they are. Maybe it’s the way the weight is distributed around the foot?

I haven’t had many miles in the 310s yet, but we’ll see how they turn out long-term. So far, I’m glad I own them, and I’ll definitely be using them some more.
-Mark

[Alex Orgren]

Are these weights for one shoe or two?

572g Dunham Waffle Stomper Nimble Mid (10, 1 shoe)

I got these discontinued shoes at 50% off three weeks ago and wear them with custom orthotics. They are very comfortable and the soles are surprisingly tough for the weight. I’ve never had such such good support from such a light shoe.

[Ron Stoecklein]

I just bought a pair of the Flyrocs as well–they felt instantly–good! I run trails but I’m going to use these on an outing to Mt. Langley next week as well–trying to get things as light as I can.

I saw the report under reviews–but was just wondering if anyone on the forum has used them for Bpacking?

thanks
Ron

[David C. Menges]

They may be exactly what we don’t need, but I thought I’d mention them:

Nike Free 5.0, at 8.6 oz

http://niketown.nike.com/niketown/catalog/pdp.jsp?productId=88963&productGroup=71460&origin=null&categoryId=303409&_requestid=1212141

Then there are my Waldies, which are so light I haven’t a scale to weigh them. They’re sold under another name now, and come with a back strap.

;^)

[David Targan]

Where do you buy the INOV8 shoes?

[Alex Orgren]

>Then there are my Waldies, which are
> so light I haven’t a scale to weigh
> them. They’re sold under another name
> now, and come with a back strap.

The version with the strap are Crocs. Mine weigh 310g (2 shoes).

[Ron Stoecklein]

The Inov8 shoes can be found at
http://www.inov-8.com/

I was able to buy from a local running store in Eninitas, CA “Movin Shoes”

Their shoes have received some pretty good accolades for a relatively new shoe company–like new record for the AT
Trail runner mag’s Editor’s choice, etc.

[Mark]

Two models of Inov8s are also available at REI.com. I picked up my pair at a local REI store here in Atlanta. They only had one pair, looked like they were clearing inventory.
-Mark

[Mark Verber]

I am on my second pair of the inov-8 flyroc (310). My size 11 shoes weights 350-354g each. I agree that while lighter than most shoes, the weight is not what makes these shoes particularly interesting. It’s the combination of the flexibility and a gripping sole that makes a big difference.

David posted a link to a pair of Nike shoes. There are actually a number of very light weight running shoes (especially those designed for sprinters on tracks)… but most don’t have soles that would provide adaquate traction in the back country. The Flyroc on the other had has a very aggressive sole pattern.

As to long term durability… I am somewhat disappointed. Pair one was getting pretty ratty after around 500 miles and pair two is already looking a bit old after around 200 miles.

I picked my Inov-8 shoes up at our local REI store. I hope REI keeps carrying them, but it sounds like they haven’t been selling well in the sf-bay area stores.

–mark

[Ron Stoecklein]

Hey Mark,

Are you running in your Flyroc’s or backpacking? or both? Just curious.

Also I would second your statement–what makes the Flyroc work is the aggressive sole pattern for trail use and the flexibility of the shoe combined with “slipper like feel” and lightness.

And–comparing the shoes to lightweight running shoes is apples to oranges.

REI in my area doesn’t carry them.

[Craig Shelley]

The weights I posted are for a pair, not just one shoe. There were differences in weight between the right and left (e.g., 12 grams for the Inov8 Flyroc between right and left.)

I purchased the Delerion direct from Timberland online. They have a no cost (return shipping) exchange policy. I purchased the Inov8 from REI online. I had them shipped to my local store. I tried out the shoes at a much larger REI in Salt Lake City but they didn’t have the best size for me in the Flyroc. I haven’t been able to find a source for the Inov8 Mudroc 280 or the new Mudclaw 270.

My interest in the shoes is for backpacking and hiking. My normal backpacking shoe is the North Face Ultra 102. I’ve only used them for a couple day hikes thus far.

They are very comfortable right out of the box but that is also true of my other trail running shoes, like the North Face 102.

[Craig Shelley]

I used the Delerion for a 5 mile day hike today. The plastic strip that I mentioned in the first post didn’t bother me or cause a “hot spot” near my ankle.

Craig Shelley

[Craig Shelley]

The tread on the Flyroc is the deepest of any of these shoes. The Salomon TechAmphibian Pro has a very agressive tread too. The other shoes are similar.

There is a grove on the tread to allow the Flyroc to flex. It is labelled “meta-flex”. The Delerion also has two groves much like the Flyroc to allow the shoe to flex better.

Of all my shoes and sandals, the Delerion flexes by FAR the most with the same pressure.

The North Face Ultra 102s flexes next most. The Flyrocs flex about the same but a little harder. The Salomon XA Comp seems somewhat harder than the Flyrocs to flex.

The Salomon Tech Amphibian Pro and some Teva TerraFi Sandals I have flex with great difficulty in comparison.

[Peter Engelbrecht]

One thing I find interesting when choosing shoes is how well they deal with water. A couple of straightfwd tests might be to weigh each of the shoes before and after submersing them completely in water (to see how much they absorb), and then again weigh them at regular intervals after the submersion (to see how quickly they dry). Since you bought that many shoes I figured you might be interested in conducting these tests :-) (I for one would be much grateful).

Peter

[Craig Shelley]

Guess what, I started conducting just this kind of test and then came back and saw your message.

I filled all the shoes with water in the bathtub. The first test was to see how well the shoe drained sitting upright after filling them with water.

Salomon TechAmp Pro drained. Delerion and XA Comp still had a puddle in the bottom. The Flyroc had a significant puddle. The NorthFace held water like a nice container would.

The second test was to keep all shoes submersed in water. Pull them out holding them upside down to drain for 1 minute. Then weigh the shoe (I’m only using lefts for the water test). I will weigh them again periodically after they dry sitting upright for x hours.

I’ll report the results of this test tomorrow.

[Ben Thompson]

For those interested, I’ve also been looking for a U.S. retailer for Inov-8 footwear. I have no affiliation with this retailer, nor have I purchased anything from them.

Mudroc 290 $84.95
Flyroc 310 $89.95
Terroc 330 $89.95

http://www.schnees.com/inov-8.html

1-888-922-1510

Schnee’s Boots and Shoes
121 West Main Street
Bozeman, MT 59715

[Mark Verber]

I am using the Flyroc mostly for backpacking (carrying loads which have varied between 12-32lbs) and a little trail running. For a short bit I helped someone out and was carrying 60+ lbs. I don’t recommend using the flyroc with that sort of weight.

–mark

[Craig Shelley]

The numbers reported are (wet/dry)-1 reported as a percent.

Added % weight after 1 minute drain
Salomon TechAmp Pro 22%
Timberland Delerion 28%
Inov8 Flyroc 34%
Salomon XA Comp 45%
Northface Ultra 102 46%

Added % weight after one hour air dry
Salomon TechAmp Pro 21%
Timberland Delerion 27%
Inov8 Flyroc 33%
Salomon XA Comp 40%
Northface Ultra 102 42%

Added % weight after five hour air dry
Salomon TechAmp Pro 17%
Timberland Delerion 24%
Inov8 Flyroc 28%
Salomon XA Comp 35%
Northface Ultra 102 35%

The Flyroc is better than I expected. Visually, it looks like it would have absorbed a lot of water and held it. However, it is much better than the two trail running shoes, the Northface and XA Comp.

I’ll give more info tomorrow.

[Craig Shelley]

By the way, the Mudroc 290 is an older shoe (original Inov8 shoe according to the Inov8 web site). The 280 is the newer shoe that is discussed in the article on Backpackinglight.com

Craig.

[Craig Shelley]

Summary: The Salomon Tech Amphibian Pro shoe clearly dries the fastest of all the shoes tested. It also drains well in the upright position. The Timberland Delerion dries fastest of all the shoes not specifically designed for water travel. The Inov8 Flyroc dries much faster than my other trail running shoes and is surprizingly close to the Delerion even though it doesn’t look like it will dry fast.

I should also make it clear that the Delerion shoe I’m testing is called “Delerion Pro Low Grey w/Orange” on the Timberland web site. The same shoe that was covered in the article posted on this web site.

Below is the data.

Added % weight after five hour air dry
Salomon TechAmp Pro 17%
Timberland Delerion 24%
Inov8 Flyroc 28%
Salomon XA Comp 35%
Northface Ultra 102 35%

Added % weight after 15 hour air dry
Salomon TechAmp Pro 8%
Timberland Delerion 15%
Inov8 Flyroc 17%
Salomon XA Comp 25%
Northface Ultra 102 19% (I think I may have written this weight down wrong.)

Added % weight after 20 hour air dry
Salomon TechAmp Pro 5%
Timberland Delerion 12%
Inov8 Flyroc 13%
Salomon XA Comp 21%
Northface Ultra 102 19%

Our house has an evaporative cooler. I moved them outside to dry faster. They were in a shaded area.

Added % weight after 24 hour air dry
Salomon TechAmp Pro 2%
Timberland Delerion 5%
Inov8 Flyroc 4%
Salomon XA Comp 13%
Northface Ultra 102 9%

[Andrew Browne]

Interesting results Craig
Also interesting would be in vivo tests, where with the same socks used, you wore the shoes, totally immersed them and your feet in water and did the same 1 mile walk for each pair. You could then compare the weight of the shoes at the end of the walk to their dry weight prior to the walk….I suggest this to see what active dispersment of the water from the shoe is encouraged by the actual shoe design.

[Craig Shelley]

Excellent idea Andrew. This will take a little more time to complete but I will try to complete it this week.

I hiked a Colorado 14er (Mt Sneffels) today with the Flyroc’s. They were very good. The only disadvantage was the lack of a gaiter to keep the scree out of my shoes a little better. I felt the flexibility and the grip/tread of this shoe was a big plus.

I used the Delerions on some day hikes earlier in the week. They worked out well.

Another test I’m considering is walking through “cheat grass” about the same one mile for each shoe and see how many of the “stickers” are in my shoes.

If others have ideas for tests, let me know.

[David Targan]

I just received my Timberlands, and will test them out on the next rainy day on the mountain where I work as a park ranger. During a thunderstorm a month ago i used water shoes and appreciated the quick dry properties- was able to put my socks on after the shoes dried for about an hour. The only problem with a lot of the quick dry sandal type shoes I’ve found is that they don’t seem to have the best traction on wet rock. I’d be curious about the experiences of others in these situations. It’s ironic but a lot of manufacturers of shoes with XCR in them have souls that aren’t that great in the wet.

[Ryan Jordan]

Craig, Andrew, great data and ideas.

The BPL review staff has been conducting similar tests on trail runners since we got back from OR. Basically, hiking in wet shoes and noting the dry time. Look forward to comparing results and can’t wait to see your data. It certainly gets at the heart of making decisions on trail runners for me.

[Author]

Posts