Topic

2013 inov-8 Roclite 295s


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) 2013 inov-8 Roclite 295s

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 23 posts - 1 through 23 (of 23 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1301454
    Stuart .
    BPL Member

    @lotuseater

    Locale: Colorado

    I compared a pair of the new Roclite 295s with the 2012 model over the weekend. The updated model has taken a lot of design cues from the TrailRoc, which is mostly as good thing in my mind. However, two changes ultimately caused me to return them to the store.

    Firstly, the Comfort last is no longer anywhere near as generously sized. I wear 10.5s in the 2012 model, and had to upsize to 11s for similar width in the toebox. However the rest of the show is also narrower, and after a few hours wear they were too tight around the mid-foot. No matter how much I adjusted the lacing, there was noticeable pressure.

    Secondly, inov-8 have abandoned the one-piece upper, and there's an additional point of failure in the seam that runs down the inside of the shoe just behind the ball of the foot.

    I'll be wearing out my old 295s soon enough, and I guess then I'll be stocking up on the Trailroc 245s before inov-8 screw up that design.

    #1974090
    JP
    BPL Member

    @jpovs-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2

    Locale: Arrowhead

    #1974902
    Kate Magill
    BPL Member

    @lapedestrienne

    I went through several pairs of roclite 295 and 315, all older–circa 2009, 2010. Tried a pair of the '12 315s in my usual size and was totally dismayed by the build and fit. What I loved about my old inov-8s was how flexible they were right out of the box; no break-in necessary, very unrestrictive fit. With the newer ones, the last does indeed seem much narrower, and the sole and toebox are so stiff! I never had issues with durability with my old inov-8s, so I don't really understand the beefed-up materials. I put them on, walked around, and felt like I was wearing soccer cleats. No dice. Sent them back and now I'm wearing a pair of Saucony Peregrines (with the insole removed) that I picked up on super-clearance. It's a decent, somewhat minimalist shoe with decent traction. I remember when the same thing happened with Montrail after they were bought out by Columbia; what used to be a great shoe became unwearable. But as far as I know, inov-8 is still an independent manufacturer, just making poor design choices.

    #1974923
    Richard Cullip
    BPL Member

    @richardcullip

    Locale: San Diego County

    What a bummer. That's my favorite hiking shoe and I don't have a spare pair waiting around for my current ones to wear out.

    #1983078
    William Chilton
    BPL Member

    @williamc3

    Locale: Antakya

    "[T]he Comfort last is no longer anywhere near as generously sized."
    Looking at Inov-8's website, it appears they no longer use the comfort last. The 295's are now built on the Endurance last, the same as the old Roclite 319s.
    The risk of failure on the seam wouldn't bother me much, since I find the sticky rubber sole wear down long before the uppers start to fail. I have read, though, that the upper material is more tightly woven and less "breathable" on the new model, and this would put me off.

    #1983084
    Jennifer Mitol
    Spectator

    @jenmitol

    Locale: In my dreams....

    Not to derail this TOO much, but my new Salomons came in a few days ago and they, too, are different enough that I'm sad. Why do they do this????????????

    #1983094
    Stuart .
    BPL Member

    @lotuseater

    Locale: Colorado

    "The 295's are now built on the Endurance last, the same as the old Roclite 319s"

    Wow their website leaves a lot to be desired. The text on the product pages still refer to Performance, Anatomic and Comfort, as do the filters to select products by fit. But the Fit page and the symbols on the product pages have switched to the new classification.

    Looks like I'll be sticking with Anatomic last models, and then only buying in person.

    #2001528
    Joseph K
    Member

    @jkifer

    Hey guys, planning on giving the roclite 295s a try. I'm switching from the keen targhee ii mid GTX — find them to be too warm/sweaty and figured I'd give trail runners a shot.

    Any issues using the 295s with a 25-30 lb pack? Open to other shoe recommendations as well.

    Thanks!

    #2001547
    Jeff M.
    BPL Member

    @catalyst

    I like mine and haven't had any issues with them yet but they are still new. I went from the 315's to these so I can't comment on the fit compared to last year's model.

    #2001554
    Diane Pinkers
    BPL Member

    @dipink

    Locale: Western Washington

    I've worn the Roclite 286 GTX for years, and the newest pair I received I sent back as well. I used to put them on right out of the box, and be able to walk out the door. When I put a new boot sole-to-sole with my old boot, the toe box was longer and more narrow, and there was less room in the instep too. When I wrote Inov-8, they said they hadn't changed anything. The shoe shows otherwise. The Roclite 335 for women fits, much, much better, but is a little too roomy–I hope my foot doesn't slosh around and create blisters. It's a woman specific last on their Endurance fit, so it's intended to be more roomy in the toe-box.

    They are also discontinuing the Recolite 190–my boyfriend's favorite lounge shoe!

    I'm guessing Sales has no idea what Development is up to.

    #2022603
    Ken Larson
    BPL Member

    @kenlarson

    Locale: Western Michigan

    This response is directly from the shoe designer concerning the updated Roclite 295 fit:
    "All I can really say is that the last is the same so the volume is the
    same. The stitch and turn construction of the toe box designed to be more
    durable does mean that the shoes in the toe don't have as much give.

    It's always best to try shoes on so I can't say for sure if they should
    size up. We are however reverting back to the old construction for next
    production based on similar fit feedback.

    Thanks
    Graham Jordison
    Design Manager, Invo-8

    #2022612
    William Chilton
    BPL Member

    @williamc3

    Locale: Antakya

    Good news. It's nice to see a company listening to their customers.
    Thanks for posting this, Ken.

    #2022628
    Scott Gadd
    Member

    @tgadd

    Glad to see INOV-8 listens to their consumers and adjusts products to their preferences.

    #2022696
    M B
    BPL Member

    @livingontheroad

    I think all their shoes this year were butt ugly and looked cheap.

    I have older terroc 330s that I love
    I have flyroc 310s that I love. Thank goodness I bought 2 pr.

    All the new ones just look like crap.
    Less breathable fabric instead of open mesh
    Toe fabric doesnt look like it would flex right, looks like it will wrinkle on top
    molded plastic reinforcements on sides of the shoe instead of sewn webbing strips.

    Colors that are pretty much awful for some models.

    I think they make too many models of shoe now as well. Way too many.

    This wasnt a year for subtle changes, they totally changed models that were popular and that people loved.

    There is only one possible reason, to make them cheaper.

    #2022862
    Diane Pinkers
    BPL Member

    @dipink

    Locale: Western Washington

    I did not see any boot design on the web-site at all, in any category. I'm hoping it's a temporary take-down, because they are fixing the mistakes they made in design this year and that they will be back up for 2014–but I'm apprehensive that they are completely going to nothing but running shoes. And, hopefully, fixing the colors on their shoes–yikes!

    #2022883
    Jason Elsworth
    Spectator

    @jephoto

    Locale: New Zealand

    Apparently the grip on the new models isn't great either.

    http://www.nielsenbrownoutdoors.com/2013/07/slip-slip-slipping-away-review-of-inov.html

    I have the last pair of the old style 295s I could find in the air to NZ as I type. Along with my newish current pair I should be OK for some time.

    #2076541
    Stuart .
    BPL Member

    @lotuseater

    Locale: Colorado

    "…We are however reverting back to the old construction for next
    production based on similar fit feedback.

    Thanks
    Graham Jordison
    Design Manager, Invo-8" (sic)

    From what I can see on their website and in stores, inov-8 haven't finished selling that last Roclite 295 production run. They've toned down some of the more garish colours, but have continued down the path they embarked on last year.

    If Altra would make me a shoe with lugs like the old Roclites, I'd be all set.

    #2076677
    Nathan Watts
    BPL Member

    @7sport

    Shameless plug, but I'm selling a pair of brand new 2012 (the previous generation) Roclite 295s in the sale forum. Might be useful for someone looking to replace an aging pair.

    #2076684
    Stuart .
    BPL Member

    @lotuseater

    Locale: Colorado

    1/2 size too small, Nathan, otherwise I'd take them in a heartbeat :-(

    #2167019
    Stuart .
    BPL Member

    @lotuseater

    Locale: Colorado

    At long last inov-8 have replaced the much criticized Roclite 295s from 2013 and 2014. That design, with the stiff vinyl-like upper, poor drainage, and hard rubber lugs (slippery as heck in the wet) is now discontinued.

    The new offroad page shows a number of new and redesigned models. The most pleasant surprise was the Roclite 295:

    2015-295

    I called inov-8 customer service to ask about the changes. They confirmed that it was a return to the original design (2012 and before), but with updated materials. I don't know whether the rand will offer improved drainage, but this seems to be a step in the right direction.

    Note that inov-8 have changed the last – again. They now only offer two – Performance (narrow) and Standard (wider). The new 295 comes in the Standard last. I was advised to order 1/2 size larger than my 2012 model for equivalent fit.

    I have a pair on order, and hope to report back in about a week.

    #2167170
    M B
    BPL Member

    @livingontheroad

    Cant wait to try them. I thought all the new shoes the past couple years were total garbage with regard to construction, and more important, design and fit.

    Im not going to hold my breath though.

    #2167260
    Woubeir (from Europe)
    BPL Member

    @woubeir

    "Note that inov-8 have changed the last – again. They now only offer two – Performance (narrow) and Standard (wider). The new 295 comes in the Standard last. I was advised to order 1/2 size larger than my 2012 model for equivalent fit."

    Actually, there are sub-lasts (so Endurance and Natural are now both Standard) and also there were sublasts before e.g. althoudh both the Roclite 315 and the Roclite 295 had an Endurance-last, the last of the two were different). I know already that the Trailroc 255 and the new Ultra Race 290 have their widest Standard-last (the old Natural).

    #2167443
    Stuart .
    BPL Member

    @lotuseater

    Locale: Colorado

    Yikes! Gotta love Inov-8 for keeping things simple. That would explain why customer service told me the X-Talon 212 is slightly narrower than the Roclite 295, which I was using for comparison purposes.

Viewing 23 posts - 1 through 23 (of 23 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...