Anyone tried the X-TALON ULTRA 260?
Some bargains around and I could do with a replacement for my mudclaws that died after Callow at the weekend.
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Anyone tried the X-TALON ULTRA 260?
Some bargains around and I could do with a replacement for my mudclaws that died after Callow at the weekend.
Aren't these basically the X-claw rebranded? Effectively a cushioned x-talon... (apologies, i've tried neither!)
Yes looks like it. I used to have some X-talon 212s which were good but lacked a bit of cushioning so hoping these might fit the bill.
I've just got a pair of the graphene XTalons (wore them at Callow and was impressed).... But yes cushioning is minimal!
My feet need some cushioning these days. I've just bought a pair so will post a review when I get to try them in earnest.
I see Dave aka fell running guide has done a review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SHViyQSuy0
Pete, what I'd like to know is: how long do the studs last? I've fallen out a bit with inov-8s recently as their studs tend to wear down too quickly relative to other shoes such as VJ irocs.
Shoes arrived today. First impressions are very favourable. Much more supportive than a straight X-talon and the stud pattern is completely different - heading more towards the mudclaw with some bigger central studs. Good thick rand which should offer some protection and they are very roomy in the toe box whilst being nice and snug in the heel and midfoot. Seem to have adequate cushioning and don't feel too dissimilar from the trailroc in that respect.
A bit soon to answer Noel's query but the soles are not graphene and made from the same sticky rubber as the mudclaws so I would assume similar wear and tear there. My last 2 mudclaws lasted reasonably well - lost studs on the first but the latest ones went in the bin when the sole came away from the upper at the toes. We'll see how well these last...
I reckon the way you run has a big bearing on shoe wear. When I was running in LSR-talons, I could have resoled them a second time with no issues with the uppers.
I'd be interested to know how you get on Pete - are these the XT Ultra 260 mk II? They haven't been out long and I'm intrigued to know if they have improved on the mk I which, as was mentioned earlier, is a rehash of the original X-Claw 275 (the sole is identical btw). I've got through about four pairs of the X-Claws and am on my 5th pair of Ultra 260s, but that doesn't really tell the story of what I think is a flawed shoe - the 260 mk I has a sloppy and loose heel that's cut very high, awful for contouring. I buy them because the accommodate my fat feet and the lightweight orthotic I'm obliged to wear, but am hoping the mk II has addressed these issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
I also got through several pairs of 275s - very comfortable, but they had a habit of the upper and the sole parting company quite suddenly when on the fells. I had a couple of pairs of the initial 260s, but they were a bit tight in the forefoot for me. My current favourite is the 255 - just that bit softer on the outside of my little toes. I have 3 pairs at various stages of wear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martyn P
I've noticed that my tread wears very differently on each foot.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
I assume this is due to not having a symmetrical foot-strike, most likely due to the years of doing other sports where i was so heavily dominant on my left foot/leg.
It was not until my recent visits to the physio that I realised the full extent of my lazy left leg. Basically my right one was doing all the work though I have not noticed any real difference in wear between my shoes.
First proper run in the shoes today. 10k around my local bridalways.
Very impressed with the grip - no major hills but coped more than adequately with thick mud and wet grass. Cushioning is fine and certainly good enough for the odd mile or two of tarmac and hard packed farm road. I'll see how they cope with Shropshire hills in a few weeks but on today's performance, I doubt I'll be renewing my Mudclaws.
Thankfully the Worcestershire mud has also taken the edge off the bright yellow....��
I was just about to set off yesterday in my 260 V2s when I noticed that there was a sizeable rift between the upper and the sole on one shoe. I have been wearing them on almost every run since I stretched them - I need to go back and work out how many miles I got out of them.
This is what the 275s used to do.
They have lasted just under 2 months, at an average of about 10 miles a day.
Seems to be the age-old issue with Inov8....
I've had the X-Talon 210 Graphene as my race shoe. I have to say the grip under race conditions has been absolutely superb. But a little over 6 months of fell racing (perhaps 100 race miles), and a cross-country season, and the upper is failing... i'll still use them for short races, but something like Ennerdale last week i wasn't prepared to risk.
Actually bought a pair of those Adidas Terrex fell shoes from Pete Blands. Time will tell whether they are a worthy investment, and i hope the grip is up to scratch... but first impressions are they are simply a much higher quality product overall.
FWIW i am just about to replace a pair of HOKA SPEEDGOATS (wide, they suit my Bunnions perfectly) that I started using around the end of March and they have now covered around 1500Km and they are just showing signs that the uppers are going behind the toebox, but the Vibram soles which I have found to be plenty grippy enough on the Fells in all conditions, i.m.o still have life left in them and I will continue to wear them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
Ok many will condemn the shoes as being too heavy and bulky but for me they have been a revelation compared to the likes of inov8 etc, I have found the HOKA`s to be supremely comfortable straight from the box no blisters, hot spots, twisted ankles, debris ingress. All in all I have found the Speedgoats to be a great allrounder.
I had a pair of Speedgoats a couple of years ago. Agree with almost all you say... they were incredibly comfortable (perhaps even more comfortable and cushioned than Hoka road shoe models!).Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
Very durable.
However as you allude to, i thought they were unsuitable for the fells... too bulky, and i found the grip to be insufficient (i ran a very wet and muddy Haworth Hobble in them and was all over the shop).
Though i do suspect you probably have greater poise and technique on awkward ground than me... and as i'm finding with my current shoes, whatever feels good on your feet and makes you confident is not always the same for everyone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Now that is the key to success with any piece of Kit and if you find that you have discovered something that really represents good value for money then that's a bonus for e.g. I would have gone through three pairs of inov8s doing what the still usable Speedgoats have done, so good for both me and the enviroment;)
2 new pairs of X-Talon ultra 260 V2s arrived in the post today. Lucky me!
Lucky you!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
I recently got a pair of the V2. Pete Bland had an offer on at the LDMT and it seemed rude not to! They feel a little more snug than their predecessors and the tongue is much shorter but otherwise I haven't noticed much difference in terms of grip, cushioning etc.
I noticed Pete Bland was selling these as unisex, whereas other retailers had the usual men's/women's. I contacted Inov-8 to clarify and this was their reply:
"The X-Talon's are only available as either Men's or Women's, but the fit is exactly the same.
Our Men's, Women's and unisex versions are only different in colours and sizes offered. The last is the same, so the same size in Men's will fit the same as a Women's, and there is no difference in how a men's shoe fits and feels compared to the Women's design."
I ordered a pair of the "unisex" shoes from Pete Bland as they were on special - but they arrived without a box and with obvious dirt on the sole. Not impressed. No reply yet from PB to my email.
After an exchange of emails and a phone call from them PB have agreed to exchange the shoes at their postal expense. That's better.
Wore yet another new pair of these today. They were rather tighter in the forefoot than I remember from previous new versions of this shoe, but then I had not stretched/steamed them until just before I put hem on. Grip was excellent. They will now sit in the sun - when available - whilst stuffed with paper, and I will steam them again at some stage.
Both my original pair and the v2 are still going strong, so well chuffed. The grip is by no means the same as a mudclaw in steep/wet stuff but I doubt il be switching back anytime soon.
I was about to put on my old well worn and comfortable 260 V2s when I noticed there was the beginnings of a split between the upper and the sole on one shoe - so I tried on the new pair, and despite having only been stuffed with paper overnight, they felt surprisingly comfortable - and made for an excellent outing.
Splits have developed in the shoes I first wore on 27/2/23, so it was yet another new pair of the 260 V2s today - I had pre-stretched them. I have another pair still in their box from PB.
There is a split appearing in one of these already! grrhh!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
I have been wearing my very comfortable but almost treadless Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max's a lot recently, as it has been so dry and grip has not been a particular issue, with a few exceptions. They do not like gravel, even at a trivial gradient, nor do they like steep (dry, green) grass. I have found a new surface that I need to be careful on - short dry brown grass - like gravel, even with a trivial gradient, they can slip.