Inov-8 Terroc 330 toe and ball shock

Step lighter and with more finesse. Size your shoes for superfeet, Inov-8 volume adjusters (flat cushy insoles in 3 or 6mm, I've only tried 3mm), or two pairs of socks (or a combination of these).

Inov-8's and the addition of Superfeet has been discussed several times on BPL before. The consensus, and as a relatively long time Terroc user I agree, is that the excellent "feel" of the shoe is destroyed by the insert. On the most difficult terrain I've never had a problem with consistent 15 to 20 mile days. BTW… I wear almost the thinnest sock I can find, Smartwool Adrenaline LT's.

I'm into the Terroc at about 200# loaded, for 15 – 20 miles per day, comfortably.

The 'Cut to Fit' Superfeet have significant volume and can create issues in the fit of the heel cup and in the toebox.

I'm using a Superfeet 'Custom Moldable' ($70 @ REI), which is a small volume insert that is heated and vacuum formed to your foot. It is intended for low volume shoes like hockey skates and cycling shoes. The forefoot pad is about 1/16, has some squish, and is very flexible.

WAG: If you have collapsing arches and no orthodic, the foot issues you describe would not surprise me. Have a pro take a look at your structure and your gait. (I'm not, and have no vested interest in Superfeet — I just like 'em.)

And if this was your first set of 2 x 20, well …..

I've understood that the consensus on Inov-8's is to avoid inserts or padded socks, to take full advantage of the shoe design and its responsiveness to the foot and terrain. So I was hesitant to even ask question that. But I also wear the lightest possible sock in my Injinji Toe Socks, and thought just maybe there was some kind of padding issue that could shortcut the real problem, conditioning.

And so, I'm accepting this as a basic conditioning issue. But not by suggesting that I need to break my feet in (well, partly). Rather, as Linsey put it, I need to step lighter and with more finesse. Also as Greg noted, this is only my second 20 mile series. Seeing as this is happening around mile 15 of my 20 mile maximum, I think I'm simply tiring out and misstepping. As I condition myself mentally and physically I'll maintain my gait and stance and avoid such undue stress.

thanks folks,
-Michael "sawchuck"

>>a simple injinji merino toe sock

http://www.injinji.com.au/tetratsok/outdoor.htm

Are these what you are using?

exactly

They look crazy but I'll have to try a pair…

Now, I'm not entirely recommending them. Mainly because I can see areas at the ankle where they'll probably wear through sooner than later. And Aaron Sorenson, who initially brought my attention to the sock, complained of the same thing. I'll keep wearing them until I can figure out how many miles it took to wear them out.

But so far, I love 'em! They keep my feet cleaner and fresher because the funk that would normally settle between the toes is completely mitigated by the toe design. And, heck, I feel like a ninja. At a friend's house a guest kept staring at my feet. With the black fabric and the lighting, she couldn't tell if it was a play of shadows or really a pair of toe socks. I call them my "secret socks". HAHA!

enjoy,
-Michael

I use 330s and the 390 boots. They do offer less shock absorbancy (by design) than thicker, heavier shoes.
If a person needs more shock absorbancy, adding an insole such as sorbathane or superfeet would do that; but that reduces two of the advantages of the Inov8s; their dexterious flexibility and light weight.

I was interested in the Inov8 390 boots but now that I hear about their soles' "flexibility" I guess I'll pass. At a 35 lb. (first day of a 7 day trip W/ 5 qts. H2O) pack weight I know even thicker insoles will not protect me from Mojave Desert & Sierra rocks. I detest boot soles that do not protect my feet from rocks.

Too bad. I was looking forward to these boots but I do too much off trail backpacking to trust them after reading these reports.

Once again I see where UL backpacking has a few big trade-offs that are, to me turn-offs. My Contrail tent, WM Megalite bag, SteriPen, REI UL 60 pack are the good UL items. Flimsy rain chaps, kite-like ponchos, tiny cook pots, etc. are not good (for me, at least).

Eric

I love my Injinji socks in both wool and coolmax. Many miles with no problems. Now I no longer get blisters between my toes and don't have to put Body Glide between them.
My F Lite 250s (which are for sale)came with a flat and a slightly arched insole which maintain the shoe's natural flex. I use Superfeet in ALL my other boots and shoes but they destroy Inov-8's special qualities.
I added an arch booster that I ground out of 2 sheets of cork Barge cemented together. This gave me the arch support I crave without compromising the shoe's function.