Review by Torpedo7 athlete and adventure racer, Tim Farrant.

Photo: Godzone – Denada

Leaping from boulder to boulder I make my way up the Deception River. I almost expect to slip, but Inov8 Roclite grip holds firm on the rocks and I maintain composure. Glancing about I can see I am in good company – Inov8 is the brand of choice at the Coast to Coast Multisport Race. Crossing Doreen Creek, the rocky flats now make way to a forest understory of mud and leaves. It’s almost a stretch to call the movement running as I use my hands and feet together and pick my way up towards the pass.

If you enjoy the thrill of trail running like I do then Inov8 shoes are worthy of your attention. Inov8 brings numerous innovations to the trail running scene, not least of which is a naming convention that everyday people can understand. For all Inov8 shoes the names are constructed of two parts, with the front half of the name referring to the tread pattern of the sole and the numerical suffix detailing the weight (in grams) of a shoe pair.

My pick for a good all-rounder is the Inov8 Roclite range. With a grip that will set you at ease in the rivers, mountains and hills and comfort demanded of longer runs the Roclite280’s are a great option for both rogaine’s and adventure races alike. In the coming month I am looking forward to using a pair at social after-work events in the Port Hills and the GODZone Adventure.

A step towards performance is the Inov8 X-Talon range, my choice for shorter orienting races where traversing slippery slopes or clambering up and down coastal sand dunes is required. The X-Talon’s also boast more world championship wins than any other shoe in off road running and are described by Inov8 as combining stability, minimal weight and durability, and with a tread pattern that looks rather like a sheepsfoot roller, these shoes are designed to grip surfaces others will not!

Inov8 has shoe choices as varied as the runners who wear them, so whatever your passion there will be a shoe for you.