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.
Pete Shakespeare - U/A
Going downhill fast
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....
Pete Shakespeare - U/A
Going downhill fast
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.
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.
The older I get the Faster I was
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!).
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.
Last edited by Travs; 27-06-2022 at 01:11 PM.
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
Last edited by JohnK; 27-06-2022 at 03:27 PM.
The older I get the Faster I was
2 new pairs of X-Talon ultra 260 V2s arrived in the post today. Lucky me!