I assume you are ignoring my question but it still stands.Originally Posted by Inov-8 Insider
I don't understand the relevance of the metal dobs (think that what you called them, on any shoe of this type not just inovs) what is the advantage and in what conditions and what, when and how might they cause a disadvantage( again the metal dob not the inov shoe) - if you cannot answer is there someone into orienteering on here that can?
TRY HERE
Thanks Ian just wondered how you found them used in anger. "Too heavy for the serious racer though " . Not a problem for me then. I used to wear orienteering shoes with dob spikes in, the grip was good in mixed terrain , particularily on wet wood (orienteering) BUT on any hard surface they killed the bones in my feet eventually gave them up for that reason. Also as you said on flat greasy rock they can be lethal ( you would expect them to grip but you just get a nasty screech as you skid (like fingernails on a blackboard). The extra weight penalty is probably not worth it in my opinion ( can't get on with the talons , too narrow) if other shoes are similar in grip . As you said may be excellent for winter icy paths..
antosocial.
there is some comment here http://forum.nopesport.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10808 about dobs esp onov,s. really reiterates what i have said. main advantage is on wet wood ( brashings), which you can get a lot of on o courses.
As a swedish orienteerer I can say that "no dubs" shoes like the 212 are getting more and more popular. But I stil belive that most orienteerer have a metal dub shoe as well.
Depend on the terrain what you use.
The biggest advantage is on dead fallen trees, like this:
All non metal dubs shoes are deadly on this. If you run without dubs you need to think all the time: do not step on dead trees. Yes, in swedish forrest you see fallen trees a lot.
Mainly an ex-orienteerer here. I use Jalas Blacks, a Finnish o-shoe, with metal tips, or dobs to use the bloody effeminate terminology! In addition to grip on trees, these are invaluable at running on ice or hard-pack snow. I was out running on icy paths this winter with confidence while all around were on the treadmills. A hard ride underfoot when the ice melts though!
On polished stone, yeah you might so flying in Dobbed shoes, but they are great for wet rough rock slabs up the hills or rock hopping. You know if you put your foot on a rock/tree that the foot will stay put and not fly off in some random direction. And yes they were brilliant during the cold snap! They are also a good on roots on trails.
If the Dobbs hurt your feet have a look at the Icebugs as their Dobbs retract a little so you dont sound like a tap dancer running down a road. Dear though.
Do you have a UK link for the icebugs?
I used/use the original Inov-8 dobbed shoes over the winter, found the grip on ice and snow to be fantastic and a potential lifesaver on the high fells. I can't say I noticed much disadvantage once below the snow line in them either.
Only problem was many of the tungsten spikes fell out ripping the studs, I should return them, it's supposedly cured on the new ones.
I wouldn't be without a pair for winter now though.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote