maybe I'm lucky but I've been running in them for the last few years (Mudclaws and Roc-Lites) and haven't had any problems... probably just not doing enough running!
maybe I'm lucky but I've been running in them for the last few years (Mudclaws and Roc-Lites) and haven't had any problems... probably just not doing enough running!
My 330s got me round the BG this year with no problems - not a blister in sight.
I use my 270s for most races (never train in them). My current pair have done about 30 races and they're about wrecked, now. (Studs worn out, broken off, sole splitting, uppers starting to show some wear.)
To be fair my Walshes don't last that much longer than my Inov8's used to. But with the innov8's the sole actualy snapped. Same place is 4 pairs in a row, but supposedly there wasn't an issue according to Inov8.
Anyway with Walshes I find the grip wears down very fast, 200-300 miles generally. But that's with daily use in Snowdonia on rocky ground. I also can put new soles on them, and the grip wears down because it's soft rubber, so quick wear is unavoidable.
As a goal keeper a new pair of £50 gloves will show heavy wear inside 3 games. It's just an unavoidable issue when you use soft rubber, upside is good grip, down side is rapid wear.
The main issue with Walshes is washing them after use, as peat just rots them rapidly.
Anyway they are two different fitting makes, so I think that's why both types will stay popular. The montrails don't fit, but they seem to be picking up a loyal following.
not a big fan of innov 8 to be honest but ive noticed my last 2 pairs of walsh pbs the studs have worn rapid.
ive not yet tried the 270s but i will
my flyrocks have been okay for training but the mudclaw 330s just seemed heavy.
personally i think some people just naturally wreck shoes faster than others.
it amazes me when people talk of shoes wrecked after 2 outings.
ive just purchased some rocklites for training in
No complaints from me for the Mudrocs. My flyrocs upper's became 'holey' as i notice have others. the mudclaw did the same but Innov8 replaced straight away. This pair of Mudclaws nips my right tendon.
Lol we're never happy are we. I liked my old New Balance Rx until the sole fell off.
As a hard trail shoe roclites are superb, until it rains when they are ice skates. On wet grass they are deadly. Comfy trail shoe though. I use the thin footbed in mine (3mm?) from inov8 which stops my toes from banging against the front.
only tried them twice on the local trail but they seem okay to me as well, both times dry so i will keep in mind the problems in the wet.Originally Posted by IainR
Mostly if im going out over the hills and its wet i will put my walsh's on.
I have had words (phone and e-mail) with Wayne, the MD of Inov-8 on several occasions about various bits of kit, including their shoes. As a light runner who can normally get away with wearing shoes for ages, I was shocked at the nature of the faults on a pair of Flyrocs (as it could only be bad build quality, not wear). I was also a bit insulted by the way that Ryan spoke to me on the phone ("you weren't wearing your flyrocs off the trails were you?")
Whilst you may get somewhere to resolving the issue with your one shonky pair of runners, you'll not get far with them about how long shoes should really last (given the price), or the variability in the quality of their products.
I find it a bit sad that a company so outwardly geared towards a niche market such as our weird and wonderful sport has such difficulties in delivering products to satisfy their core customers. I have a lot of time for Wayne- he's a nice guy. But I can't help feeling that his company might eventually end up producing lovely shoes for walkers who want to be part of the fellrunning image without actually having to do it.
But it is also true that as active fellrunners, we're a tiny proportion of the running shoe market, and as consumers with a specific need, are in a very vulnerable place. Walsh seem to be quite variable, Inov-8 certainly are, Montrails are a little clumpier and don't suit everyone, and New Balance have just stopped making the RX Terrain....hmmm....
Rhiannon
Last edited by Rhiannon; 10-10-2007 at 01:36 PM.
Thing is, what is off the trail? If you're in the lakes there are a number of paths that are no more than hard trails, eg the Helvellyn Dodds ridge, Fairfield Horseshoe, etc. These are no different than say the Walna Scar road which contributes significantly to the Coniston Trail Race. So what are they classing as a trail?
P.s. That's not a dig at you Rhiannon, just an open honest question.
Since INOV-8 came on the market I have raced in no other shoe and I race over 50 times a year.
I had dealings with Wayne a few years ago and had a couple of pairs free and I recall Wayne then accepted some quality faults and some design faults.
Wayne talked about runners wanting a "dream shoe" and his difficulty in manufacturing such as product.
Dylan sang:
Half of the people can be part right all of the time,
Some of the people can be all right part of the time,
But all the people can't be all right all the time.
...
I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours.
Runners can dream about a perfect shoe for all terrains, that suits everyone, that never wears out, that is cheap to buy, good in all weather,... but it is just a dream.
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