Inov-8 Roclite 370’s are here

John,

I'd get a pair of 370s if I felt the soles were at least as durable and stiff as river sandals' soles. I don't want to backpack teh Grand Canyon in a boot that would let me feel every darn large pebble.

I feel if the 370s sell well then other companies will take research on truly light boots seriously and we'll have a better selection.

Eric

Eric,

Like you I don't want to feel every knot and pebble on the trail. However, these might work. I have heard that they are comparable to the Namches by Montrail, possibly even more sturdy. I hiked a long hike in them last summer fearing when I started out that they might not be enough boot but they turned out to be the most comfortable hiking boot I have worn. These 370s look like they would match the support provided by the Namches.

It will, indeed, be interesting to see how the Roclite 370's match up with the Namche. I've been using one pair of Namches for 2 years now, ~300 miles of trail and off trail abuse, and they are still going strong. They're a pretty tough, and comfortable, pair of shoes. The Roclite specs say they weigh 370 grams(~13 oz)/shoe in UK size 8 which corresponds to a US size 9. My size 10 Namches weigh ~16 oz/shoe, which would translate to ~15 oz for a US size 9. My question will be whether the extra 2 oz of material in the Namche translates to increased support/durability. I also have been using the Roclite 390, which is the GoreTex version of the 370 this winter and have been very impressed with its performance. If the Roclite 370, at 2 oz less, measures up and compares well with the Namche in support and durability, they'll be one hot shoe, and I'll have 2 brand new pairs of Namches listed in Gear Swap.

I'm still in search of the perfect trail shoe/boot. I have feet which are slightly wide and flat, thus many shoes don't fit me. Merrells and Keens have fit well, but sometimes they don't have the features I am looking for.

How do the Inov-8's run? Are they good for wide feet like mine?

I've got wide and flat feet size 9 and usually have to get size 10 so the front of my foot is not squeezed. I often get a blister on my right outside toe (right foot is a little wider). I've been wearing New Balance in 2E till now. Like you, I also find that Keen fits me well.

I bought some Inov-8 terrocs (330) over the winter and just did a backpacking trip with them last weekend and I found them great. I even like them more than the New Balance shoes I'd been wearing in the past. Different Inov-8 shoes have different lasts however, so I can't speak for other models but I really like the terrocs. I bought them in size 10 by the way.

Tom,
I can not even come close to wearing any Montrail shoe.
They have the narrowest toe-box out there.

I won a pair and my pinky toe ripped through the right shoe the very first time out, (on an 8 mile run).

Hi Aaron,
I've got to think it depends on your feet. I've blackened a couple of toenails coming down steep stuff when I forgot to tighten my Namches before starting the descent, but that's about all. Then again my feet are not super wide, either. Maybe a tad on the wide side, but not much. My feeling is that both the Namche and the Roclite 390(and 370??) are good enough boots to at least be worth trying on before eliminating them from consideration.