Which Innov 8?

I would normally have highly recommended the Terroc 330's, but Inov-8 seem to have skipped anything more than mild over-pronation (as in the 330's and 310's). If your feet are that over-pronated, you may have to look elsewhere. AND…you definitely don't want to stick an insole into an Inov-8 that would hamper the normal feel and flexability.

My main point is that those two models are the closest to what you're looking for. I hope that they're close enough. BTW… I completed the Long Trail wearing 330's. Great shoe.

Jeff –

I recently completed a 1200 mile hike. During the first half of the hike I wore the Inov8 Flyroc 310s and the second half I sported the Terroc 330s. The shoes are extremely similar in design (if they weren't different colors they would actually be hard to tell apart).

The differences are minimal. The 330s have a stiffer shank and are better suited for hiking than running. They also have a tougher mesh fabric on the sides which helps them to withstand brushes with rocks and other trail debris better.

I personally felt more comfortable in the 330s however I am leery that this may have come from my growing comfort with hiking 20+ mile days in the second half of my hike as opposed to the first half. The 330s also seemed to hold up better to 500+ miles than the 310s but this could (and probably does) have something to do with the nature of the terrain I was hiking in the first half versus the second (lots of bushwhacking and rough trails first and dirt roads and trails second).

I had sprained my ankle roughly two months previous to my long hike (testing a pair of GoLite Spiketails) and had been wearing Montrail Vittesse shoes otherwise. Unfortunately I can't find Vitesses anywhere so I opted to trust in the excellent reviews of the Inov8s here on BPL and was extremely pleased with the results.

Here are some photos of the 310s with something like 650 miles on them (remember this type of shoe is only designed for around 500 miles but I had an ordering SNAFU and had to hike an extra 125 miles before I could get the next pair).

Sam,

Is the flyroc 318 a new model? I looked on the Inov-8 website today and did not see it listed.

Are available at Zombie Runner

http://www.zombierunner.com/store/brands/inov-8/#1010

and at innov8 website

http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?PG=PG1&L=27&P=5050973156

I am trying out the 390 boots at the moment, so far so good

Roger,

I checked the URL you provided and they list a roclite GTX 318 but not a flyroc 318. At first I thought that Sam might have been confused about the name but I doubt he used a gore-tex shoe for his hike.

youre not too far from mountain crossings at neels gap. they sold innov8 last time i was up there, but only 2 models :(. Wenton is really helpful and has had a few pairs of them to thru-hike i believe. His looked like skis, size 13 i think. i doubt if they have wide sizes. My feet are normal but were a bit tight in innov8's.

PS, GO DAWGS!

I was looking at the Inov8 website, and it appears that there is more cushion in these than the flyrocs or terrocs. Anybody tried them?

These are very lightweight shoes designed mainly for actual trail running/racing. I hiked for several days with a guy wearing these on the Long Trail. He completed the trail, but was having some foot problems. I have a pair of the 315 Roclites and they have a narrow toe box compared to my much wider toe boxed Terroc 330's. This is the main reason I went with the 330's to begin with on a long hike.

I have to post on this thread again as I see the level of confusion over my original post. I've been going around referring to this shoe I was wearing which I thought was called the Flyroc 318 and but which is in actuality the ever-popular Terroc 330.

I was on the trail when this shoe was ordered and my dad was tasked with the ordering process. My instructions called for him to order me another pair of Flyroc 310s which ended up being out of stock. The outfitter suggested the 330s as a substitute and as my dad couldn't get ahold of me to confirm my agreement or disagreement he took it upon himself to make the decision.

It ended up being a good call as you can see from my first post I was more happy with the 330s than the 318s. I've been looking at Inov8s new lines and I may try yet another pair as my next set of shoes. (The 330s I'm wearing now have 600 miles on them and are still in good shape.)

I believe early next year a new model, the Roclite 295, will be released which look very similar to the Terroc 330. The last should be the same as the Terroc (if the infirmation here on BPL in the OR Summer 2007 section is correct) but it has a bit more cushioning and the sole of the Roclite. I like the trailfeel of the Terrocs but recently, due to plantar fasciitis, I seem to need the extra cushioning of the Roclite 315. The Roclite 295 could be an ideal compromise.

Extra question: are people having trouble with the grip of the Roclite sole on wet terrain (compacted earth in forests, rocks, …). I don't seem to have very little grip with them lately. The profile of the sole is practically worn off so that could be the problem but I wonder if others have experienced something similar.

The only thing I could find to try on were the Terroc 330's or the Roclite 315's. Liked the cushion too much on the 315's to pass them by. Thanks for all the help!!

After being warned that wearing orthotics in these sublimely flexible shoes (I've got mudrock 280's and mudclaw 270's–extra flexible full race [read not very durable] shoes that stick like magic) would defeat the purpose, but I'm happy to report that this combination is heaven for my feet–they still feel plenty sensitive. From the ball forward, my orthotic itself is very flexible, so maybe that's the difference.

You might want to hop over to http://www.zombierunner.com and check out Innov 8's new Roclite 390 GTX lightweight trail boot. It just hit the market at $149, has a lot of techy innovations, and it's a least worth your consideration. Plus you can email the zombies with your problem and they'll probably have an answer.
bobf

REI has Inov8 Roclite 390s for $150.00 as opposed to the $149.95 at zombierunner, has cheaper shipping, and of course rebates you.

I'm kind of surprised at the love the 330's get. I had two pairs rip on me. Both in the same spot, inside the shoe at the back where your heal meets the mesh. The mesh ripped all the way up on both pairs, both feet. When I shot an email with pics to Innov USA it bounced and I was never able to get the email to work.

Maybe it was my feet?

I love the design and feel of the shoes though. I'd love to go back but I'll never trust the brand again. I'm wearing a inferior pair of NB 873's that I dislike but they stand up to everything.

I had two pairs rip on me. Both in the same spot, inside the shoe at the back where your heal meets the mesh. The mesh ripped all the way up on both pairs, both feet.

Brian –

How many miles did it take for this to occur? Both the 310s and 330s that I've owned have ripped in various places but I had put over 500 miles on each pair.

– Sam

Both pairs ripped before the 25 mile mark. I purchased them through http://www.backcountry.com/ when they had them on sale. Needless to say I was very surprised with all of the good word of mouth on them. I was even more surprised to find that the USA Innov website email didn't work. I figured I'd drop them a line in case of a wide spread problem.

The rips looked very much like what you posted in picture number 2 in the above post. Only lower inside the heel and larger, running the length of the shoe.

Shame. I really did like the feel and fit of the shoe but I'll never purchase the brand again…