Walsh v Inov8 trail shoes...

[Roland]

Can anybody out there compare these two shoes...

Walsh Spirit Lites..
Inov8 Roclite 305...

Thanx in advance...

[L.F.F.]

I can comment on the 305s if that helps..

Excellent basically. Have done 5 mile events and 50 mile event in them and they were great. Comfy, not too heavy at all, absolutely fine to run in, they've lasted really well.

Have now got some 285s which are also great and a lot lighter (a lot more than 20g lighter) and are just as comfy.

Hope that helps. Think there is some info on the Spirit Lites if you search thread titles.

[Roland]

Have tried the Roclite 285`s but for some strange reason Inov-8 gave this shoe quite a long pointed toebox (see photo) , once my foot was inside I could feel my big toe rubbing so didn`t go with them... X-Talons have a much more rounded toe box as do the Flite 230`s....

I also remember trying on a pair of 312 GTX some time ago and found them VERY comfortable, will never buy a gortex trail shoe so they stayed on the shelf aswell..

Is the Roclite 312gtx just a 305 with the gortex bits...???

[plodding bear]

I've got some Walsh spirit lites. Pretty good, basically, a trail shoe that's coming from the 'fell' end of the spectrum, as opposed to a beefed-up road shoe. The grip is good in most conditions (not wet limestone, mind, but then what is!), they are comfy to wear, and supportive enough for long days out on hard tracks and bits of road, too. I just did the Fellsman in a pair, and it took me 20 hours. Not greatly impressive performance from me, but the my feet had no blisters or sore spots at the end of it, so that's an endorsement for the shoes!
My only gripe is that the fabric inside the heel cup has worn away, but that happens with most of my shoes. In fact the only ones it hasn't happened with are Walsh PB ultras, and possibly my fave all rounders, the Mizuno Wave Harriers.

[martmason]

I have the roclite 285 which I now use for most of my running, fortunately I have long thin feet so the shape suits me perfect, still have to use some duct tape over the inner heel to stop blisters after 2hrs use?? Just done the 3peaks in my new Walsh enforcer boots and found them great, albeit mostly just fast walking today.

[Jez Hellewell]

Roland, I don't think the 305's are 312's without goretex. I think the achilles protector at the back is shorter. I got a pair a couple of years back & was in agony after 11 miles. Switched back to my trusty 312's & have never had a moments bother with them.......apart from the ridiculous price of course ! Like you say, they are extremely comfortable. I wear them for all my off road marathons.