Inov 8 F lite 195

I'm really excited, I am sitting in the office and have just taken delivery of my new shoes. Thanks to Pete Bland Sports for getting them to me so quick. I was not expecting them until next week! I unpacked them and they are soo light and supple, I'm hoping no customers come in as although they look great they don't really go with a suit! I was not planning on running today, but I don't think I can resist a quick one when I have finished. I just hope all that cushioning is not too much for my deformed feet!

James

Well I have now done 2 runs in them.

After work yesterday, having battled through the hoards of emmetts in Moushoule I ran the coast path from Mousehole to Lamorna and back again. It was lovely, Sunshine, blue sky with white fluffy clouds, the sea was bright blue and it was really nice and warm. I only came accross a dozen people on the coast path which I thought was amazing for a sunny Saturday afternoon in August. Evidently the number of fat people in the world is increacing, and they were the ones blocking up the village, not out on the coast path!

It was really strange running in shoes, for over a month now I have been running barefoot carrying a £5 pair of Tesco beach shoes which I slip on when my still girly feet start feeling a bit worn. Before that, since February I have been running in a pair VVF flow treks. The 195s don't feel any more supportive (that in my book,, by the way, is a good thing!) or shoe like than the VFFs. In the dry dusty conditions the grip was great, I cannot yet comment on grip in the wet as I only took 6 paces in mud where a small spring crosses the path just out from Mousehole.

I was surprised to find that the shoe was a bit looser than I expected. I have had a pair of 285s, again in a 10 1/2 which seemed a bit tighter.

There was a seam in the 285 which ran up from the arch of the foot which was not really uncomfortable but I could feel it. They seem to have done away with this in the 195, so it is for me a more comfortable shoe.

The only place which was not spot on was the heal cup, which again was not really uncomfortable, but I could feel it. I remember someone (I think on this forum) saying you could steam the heal cup and then go for a run and they will mold to the shape of your heel. I guess I will give that a go at some point.

Inov 8 insider, does a shoe which is this light and unsupportive really need reinforcement in the heelcup? I would imagine that if you were able to leave the bit of plastic out it would feel more like a sock with a sole on it?

This morning I got up and went for a quick blast on the road in them. I replaced the 3mm insole with a 6mm insole and they seemed to fit much better, even noticed the heal less.

I really like these shoes and when I feel I need to put a pair on, these will be my shoe of choice, even I think over my VVs. The good news is they are nearly half the price too! When the trails start getting a bit muddier I will get a pair of the X Talon 190s.

James.

Sounds good James - I agree with you about the heel cups, I've always wondered that. Even to the point of having cut them out of an old pair of RX terrains to see what would happen..... (The answer is that they're comfier to run in, but slightly less stable on rough contouring).

I don't think I'm brave enough to take a knife to my nice new shoes yet! That is my only slight niggle with them though.

I have now been for a couple of runs in them, no dust in the last 2! Some light rain before Thursdays and Fairly heavy rain before todays, I found the grip pretty good, main slip was on a wet root in one of the woody bits of the run.

I am enjoying running in them so much I am finding myself finding excuses to go for a quick blast in them!

Hi,

I need some help here. I just want to clarify if Inov 8 F lite 195 and Inov-8 F-Lite 230PK are the same? I bought Inov 8 F lite 195 online on Ebay last 2 weeks ago and when the shoes finally arrived, the box says 195, which is correct, but the model is F-Lite 230PK. I checked on the Internet and they look the same. Here's an image of 230PK found at this site http://barefootrunningshoes.org/inov...8-f-lite-230pk. Should I return the product? Any help is greatly appreciated

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Originally Posted by tamarabialle

Hi,

I need some help here. I just want to clarify if Inov 8 F lite 195 and Inov-8 F-Lite 230PK are the same? I bought Inov 8 F lite 195 online on Ebay last 2 weeks ago and when the shoes finally arrived, the box says 195, which is correct, but the model is F-Lite 230PK. I checked on the Internet and they look the same. Here's an image of 230PK found at this site http://barefootrunningshoes.org/inov...8-f-lite-230pk. Should I return the product? Any help is greatly appreciated

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As far as I can see, they are two different products

http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detai...050973125&L=26 - F-lite 190pk
http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detai...1&P=5050973023 - F-lite 230pk

They are different shoes, the links in the post above show it well, I think the only difference is the amount of cushioning. The link that you have looks different to the ones on the inov 8 site. Maybe it is an old model. If you look at the back of the shoe, the 195 will have one chevron, the 230 will have 2. Hope that helps.
James

Ordered a pair of these off Pete Bland last night, looking forward to running a few miles in them! :)

There is no F-Lite 230 PK in the Inov-8 footwear range.

I have a pair of 230pk's, got em off fleabay brand new for £40. They appear genuine inov8 but I wonder if they are pre production? They have 2 arrows for the cushioning on the heal.

The f-lite 230pk is an old shoe which is identical to the blue f-lite 230 just in black and was aimed at the parkour market, freerunning. An excellent shoe but now discontinued i think.
both have 2 arrow cushioning.

I would send them back. if the sale was for 195s, thats what you should get. The 195s are new and would cost more. 1 arrow and more minimalist

First run out in these tonight and have to say very impressed.

Love the minimal feel to them, which is helped by the glove like fit.

With such little cushioning, they force you to run correctly and keep good form throughout, which can only be a good thing!

Can't see myself straying from these shoes for a while!

190s on the order list for my fell shoes :)

I agree UKHurstry, I've had mine for just over 1 week and have worn them for all but my 20+ mile run. I love them! I've been wearing VFF on and off for the last 18 months and the feel of the 195 is very similar but without the embarassment of wearing toe gloves. I plan to get the 190 for the fells too and can't see myself changing back to clumpy road shoes any time soon. I've had quite a few people comment on the 195 too, all positive.

I'm still really enjoying mine too. I resolved the heel issue by steaming the heel cup and then going for a run in them, they are now much more comfy. It really hosed it down this morning, so the trails had a thin layer of mud ontop. I found a couple of times my foot slipped just a wee bit, Much more rain and I'll have to swop them for the x taoln 190s that I have on my birthday list!

Oh and the new big laces are fantastic, massive improvement from the thin ones.

I ran 13 miles in mine last night, the furthest I've done in them so far. This included a 5 mile race partly along a sodden footpath with deep unavoidable puddles. My lovely shoes are now a bit damp but they even felt nice to run in when soaking wet! Had another load of comments on them last night (do Inov8 pay commission?). I'm now debating whether they are a) suitable for the full Yorkshireman on Sunday and b) whether it'd be stupid to wear them for that distance.

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Originally Posted by Dru

I ran 13 miles in mine last night, the furthest I've done in them so far. This included a 5 mile race partly along a sodden footpath with deep unavoidable puddles. My lovely shoes are now a bit damp but they even felt nice to run in when soaking wet! Had another load of comments on them last night (do Inov8 pay commission?). I'm now debating whether they are a) suitable for the full Yorkshireman on Sunday and b) whether it'd be stupid to wear them for that distance.

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I did a 40 mile race in the French Alps in them almost straight out of the box and they were great.

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Originally Posted by nikalas

I did a 40 mile race in the French Alps in them almost straight out of the box and they were great.

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Yeah but I've been wearing serious orthotics for 4 years so am a bit concerned that 26 miles without them might be pushing it......

Yep deffo head turners, had all the RAF PTI's drooling over them yesterday lol.

I think they need more PR / Advertising as not many people have heard of Inov8, yet they'd heard of VFF and such like?

Widen your marketing :p

I ran 23 miles on the road in my 195s yesterday. Feet/ankles were a little sore but they held up better than I had been expecting. Will prob wear them for my road marathon next month now.

Well, I did wear them for the marathon and had no problems at all. Managed a 6 min PB too!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video....50106169915558

My! That's a pretty good endorsement for them!

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Originally Posted by Fly

The f-lite 230pk is an old shoe which is identical to the blue f-lite 230 just in black and was aimed at the parkour market, freerunning. An excellent shoe but now discontinued i think.
both have 2 arrow cushioning.

I would send them back. if the sale was for 195s, thats what you should get. The 195s are new and would cost more. 1 arrow and more minimalist

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That said, if anyone knows where to get hold of some of the old 230pk then i'd be really interested. Love to know whos selling them on ebay as well.

The UK version was discontinued about 12 month ago; it was identical to the blue (which i use and love) but came in a completely stealthy black finish which would have been wearable at work. I think the 230PK that you've got is the USA market version, again identical to the blue in construction.

Surprised that the 195 has a noticeable heel cup, the 230 doesn't (well, not so you'd notice) and i've had no heel problems with it. That said, i'm used to (and are happy with) the mudclaw so maybe my heels are a bit tougher than most!!

Does anyone know of a reason for the f lite 195s being unobtainable at the moment? Done a few searches on the internet and can't seem to locate them!

Also, if I currently wear size 9 roclite 320s and they are a perfect fit, should I change down half a size or go for the same size? I know they are going to feel very different so didn't if a snugger size might be wise!!?

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Originally Posted by Joe G

Does anyone know of a reason for the f lite 195s being unobtainable at the moment? Done a few searches on the internet and can't seem to locate them!

Also, if I currently wear size 9 roclite 320s and they are a perfect fit, should I change down half a size or go for the same size? I know they are going to feel very different so didn't if a snugger size might be wise!!?

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I wouldn't go smaller to get a snugger fit; they'll be a snugger fit anyway, at the same size. If anything you may find you need a half size bigger!

I use a mudclaw330, size 11 is fine with a inov8mudsoc or Hilly trail sock.

I also use the f-lite 230 (which i'm guessing is the same fit as the 195), size 11 is very snug and i can only use a thin liner sock. I could take the insole out in exchange for a thicker sock if need be though.

I'd recommend getting the same size, but be prepared to remove the insole if need be.

Incidentally if you can get it instead, i'd rate the 230; it feels really sharp and 'connected' to the road. I've used it for all my road running and racing for the last 12-18mths, also used it for Pennine Bridleway (Leg3) and for 3 peaks. If you've never used a minimalist racing flat kind of shoe before then it might be a better bet. Pete Bland have it at 20% off at the moment.

The colour is really ace too!!

Correction; PB are out of stock of these too!

It does all look a bit odd doesn't it?

Come on Insider; what's going on??

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Originally Posted by AndyA

Correction; PB are out of stock of these too!

It does all look a bit odd doesn't it?

Come on Insider; what's going on??

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We have shipped out stock of both styles this week to most dealers .
Any queries please PM me.

Just wanted to ask if anyone has compared these to the 190's... The reason I ask is that over my last two long runs in the 190's, over frozen ground, I found that the old blister issue I had with the 212's has resurfaced. The problem is that the 190 isn't designed for hard pack running so I was thinking about getting the 195, but I don't want to fork out on a shoe that may cause me blisters as well. It seems that the blisters happen due to my big toe, rubbing the edge of the shoe.

I know others had the same issue as me with the 212's and 190's. Perhaps a half size up is the answer? Perhaps my feet just don't suit the f-lite last? (I'm perfectly okay with roc-lites over distance, but don't want to go back up to the 285...Far too heavy!)