Inov 8 F lite 195

[jhb0510]

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

[jhb0510]

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.

[PaulE]

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).

[jhb0510]

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!

[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

[alanr]

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

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

[jhb0510]

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

[ukhursty]

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

[Spyros76]

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

[lookmanohands]

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.