At around 08:00 on a Wednesday morning we ventured out onto the fells of the Lake District. True to form, the weather in the Lakes was rainy, cloudy and generally quite miserable. Perfect conditions for British Military Fitness to test three of the latest offerings from Inov-8: the Trailroc 245, the X-Talon 212 and the Roclite 243. We even filmed it for you to see.
This is the first time I’ve ever been able to test footwear in the environment they were actually designed for. Usually, I’m sat in a warm, comfortable sports shop with only a mirror to check what they look like. It was great. I went from shoe to shoe in quick succession and could really notice the difference in grip, support and comfort.
The Trailroc 245 has three different compounds to form the sole, providing excellent grip on wet rock. They actually feel like they stick to the rock. For full on cross-country over wet grass and marshland, the X-Talon was superb. I felt confident running from trail to steep grassy inclines knowing I would grip and effortlessly glide up the mountain, as long as my lungs and little legs would take me!
After a couple of hours on the hills in the rain, we headed to a local forest for a change of terrain. With the ground a little dryer, and not as rugged, I got some speed up in the Roclite. The shoe is really lightweight, so when terrain is not too demanding and speed is of the essence, Roclite is ideal.
Each shoe has been specifically designed for a different purpose. My recommendation for year-round BMF training is the Trailroc 245.
For the really wet winter months the X-Talon would be a sensible investment.
And for those racing snakes in the greens for whom speed is all that matters, then I’d go for the Roclite.
Inov-8 has a very minimalist approach to running – it’s not quite barefoot, but you will feel every stone and bump through the soles of the shoe. . This does feel a little strange to begin with, but if you start wearing them in short bursts and steadily build up you’ll soon get used to it and really notice that your legs, ankles and feet getting stronger as your technique improves.
The main thing I took away from our day out with Inov-8 was how important the correct footwear is for exercise. Make sure whatever brand you choose that you take the time to try different shoes and be sure they are fit for purpose.
Thanks to our friends at Inov-8 for letting us road test their outdoor training footwear and also for the fantastic 25% discount on footwear they’ve offered our members this month.
Richard Smith