Inov8 shoes are so underrated and deserve more attention than they do...I've been using this brand for a while (not this model, I wish) but using the Roclite model and they are beasts...super durable and comfortable
I can't resist Inov8. I've run in the Road-x 233, Road-x-treme 208, F-lite 192 and they were all a lot of fun and very durable. As you can see I'm not much of a trail runner but to this day, the road x 233 is my favourite shoe of all time and the shoes I've run the most distance in.
My needs are not as a runner. I hike 4k-6k miles a year every year in trail runners. My feet have collapsed now to the altra foot box. The shoes however keep getting worse every revision seems to further kill the shoes. When you burn through atleast 6 pairs of trail runners a year the prices of certain shoes is getting outrageous. Altra Olympus 4.0 is ridiculous considering the altra midsole collapses in 100 miles and the shoe is dead by 400
I got started with the Trailroc 245 and then followed by Roclite 290, Race Ultra 270 and Trail Talon 275. Still have a brand new of Terra Ultra 260 to try. Inov8 has always give me a good feeling but sometimes a lack of grip in certain situations, I like to rotate them among my Salomon Sense Ride and Speedgoat 3.
Thanks for the video. I own a pair of G270 since a couple of months now and used it typically on 10km runs and short hikes. My feet are used to "zero drop" and the big "toe box" as I´m moving away from the Lone Peak. Last weekend I finished a 100km non-stop hike in the G270s and was absolutely happy with this pair, no blisters, no significant issues with the ancle joints. My current pair fits perfectly when wearing thin socks and I´m still wondering why people are odering shoes one size bigger they used to wear, ending up with blisters. I just ordered a second pair (size up by 0,5) allowing me to wear layered socks. Thumbs up for your video and this pair of shoes.
Same here. I completed my second ever mountain road + trail combination run (10km) in a pair (orange color) recently and felt absolutely comfortable as a non professional runner. I wear thin socks, use no spacers , retain the insole and that's it. Ready to go. Great to know they handle well on a 100km hike as well.
It's a shoe for lighter, efficient runners who like ground feel, cushion is there but more on the minimal side...Grip is excellent, but I have a slight feeling some people judge this by lug height, comparing to the Hoka Torrent 1, they grip 100 times better...
...and the Hoka was praised for Grip by nearly everybody ! Maybe the Marketing Machine works for all Brands, especially for the bigger companies, I mean "Salomon Wet Contragrip", this is a joke, right ? Salomons in Wet, hmmm...
the same for me , its a very good shoe , but its not my altra olympus , i put the rockplate insole of a altra superior in my G270 , because I feel too much the stones attacking the bottom of my feet , and i have a ortopedic insole , i taste this configuration tomororrow .
is it your first time to try? or you immediately just ordered without trying? i cant find g270 here in taiwan... what is the difference about sizes? like comparing to your nike size to inov8 size.. im a hoka rincon US 10...
Watching this review now since I'm looking for an alternative to my Lone Peaks. I love Altras, but the durability is just killing me! Thanks for sharing!
lone peaks 3.5 where my fav. Unfortunately since altra soldout and stopped using vibram soles, I really fell out of love with them. Gonna try the g270. Did you end up getting it? how does it feel?
@@scanjet1000 I did get them! They are definitely not nearly as wide as the Lone Peaks (haven't found anything that is, really). The shoe is FUN. It just feels fast, but I can't use it for anything over 3-5 miles or the lack of width just starts to irritate my foot. Another option I really like is the Topo Runventure. It also isn't as wide as the Lone Peak, BUT it has a Vibram outsole and is SUPER durable so far. I've put a lot of miles into them and they are still going strong!
@@DoseofDirt got the g270 doesn't seem to fit my feet properly as I got heel blisters from a 1hour walk. Gonna return them and get the runventures you mentioned. Hopefully my feet like them
At 165lb, 6'1", wide feet (102 for ski boots are great!), mid-foot/forefoot striker, that runs anything from short, technical stuff to mountain ultras (90+km/20000+ft), mostly NE rocky stuff (Catskills, Whites, etc, but do/have run a lot in the French Alps (Chamonix area) and Bend,OR) these trail shoes are my #1 so far but I have yet to go >26 miles on them in one run but they have got me a few Strava PRs/KOMs in just a couple weeks of using them. Prior/current trail shoes: Kigers (2 x K5, 1 x K6 - previous shoes used for racing everything, would switch insole for a Curex RunPro so Ultras were doable, absolutely rubbish in the wet), Pegasus 36 Trail (comfy out the box but lack stability on more technical stuff but do enjoy them for chill stuff), La Sportiva Bushido 1 (great technical shoe but too much for most things, stiff and durability an issue (ripped up the outsole in less than 50 miles)), NB Vazee Summit V2 (amazing grip, could run up Smith Rock in winter on ice in these whilst the hikers are struggling in their boots - but too little cushioning/protection so a fast shoe for shorter stuff), NB Summit Unknown (not as good as Vazee predecessor). Salomon are too narrow for me for the ones I have tried and Hokas I feel the stack is just too much but wife loves the Speedgoat 4s. G270 zero drop has not been an issue but I'm also not a heel striker. I am/was also thinking of Kaptiva, Catamount Trail and Pegasus Trail 2 (weight puts me off these) for various uses but so far I would likely buy another pair of G270s (in the blue/yellow color).
With regard to grip, I feel it is a mix, and one you see much less in the terraultra than in other shoes. The stickiness of the rubber itself is I'd say on par with vibram megagrip, but the big plus is the durability - the outsole is so tough you can have aggressive lugs (see the mudclaw, x-talon) that would otherwise wear down very quickly. That of course also contributes to grip.
I agree on durability of the outsole, mine barely shows any wear, but that is also the detriment. It's not tacky enough on wet surfaces comparatively - that's probably why they tried to remedy that problem with additional water channels and additional texturizing of the lugs.
Inov8 used to make a big deal out of how minimal some of their shoes feel, and I've loved the minimal feel of their shoes for years. Up until about 2015 they had a much larger range of much more minimal shoes, then decided to pull out of the minimal fad discontinuing most of their minimal range, you can still see that minimal legacy running through some of their shoes with the ground-feel and flexibility though, but they seem to play it down a little these days, which kind of annoys me a little. I used to be a real fanboy, but I live somewhere where most trails are wet, rocky and very slippery, and find the StickyGrip and Graphene compounds they now use just aren't as grippy as the rubber compounds they replaced, if anyone wants to experience how grippy old skool Inov8's were try the X-Talon 200 which they still make with their old rubber, really great grip in the wet.
I actually love my Terraultra 260s for ultra distances, so far I've run up to 53 miles in them without any issues. It all comes down to personal preference and ground conditions; these are definitely not the grippiest Inov8 shoes out there but they are my favourite shoe for long days on not-too-technical terrain.
I didn't expect this review for months! Great work! Edit: I should add that toughness and stickiness are usually opposing qualities in rubber. Softer, less durable rubber sticks well. Harder, more durable rubber doesn't stick well. Same thing we see in climbing shoes with XS Grip and XS Edge rubbers.
And yes, I agree that those qualities are seemingly pulling in opposite directions. But this is how they are marketing the shoe - more durable and stickier.
I’m actually loving the grip on them so far! Much better than my timp 1.5 and many other trail shoes. Biggest positive I’m finding them very consistent over different terrains where I find some others can act differently. Great shoe so far.
Weird, the outsole is SO dense that any sort of tackiness is lost on wet surfaces for me. Same experience in the G260. It's durable, yes, but doesn't have the same stick-to-surface other compounds have.
@@TheGingerRunner Have you ever thought about trying to quantify this wet rubber "tackiness" with a slick surface? I've seen climbing shoe companies devise a relatively scientific methodology with a weight in the shoe and an increasingly angled piece of slick plate glass. It doesn't necessarily account for the additional weight and flex of the foot in the shoe, but it's interesting. And it might also be totally ridiculous to do with running shoes. Still, I'd read the eventual publication. :)
I would say these are designed around the UK trails and fell running which is generally over grass, soft ground and a bit of rocks. So it really builds it around that and for that type of terrain rather than the USA type trails.
I had an inov 8 and was a bit disappointed. The Altra Timp 2 are the best trail shoes that I have had in all my life; put it on with Injinji socks 5 toes and you will have de perfect combo.
Being British I really want to like this shoe, but I can’t ☹️. Lack of traction in the wet, too much ground feel and heavy for a shoe that would likely pummel my feet into mince after 10 miles. Decent review 👍🏻
I've found the grip good on most stuff other that slimy wood. why do you think they would pummel your feet? There's not crazy levels on ground feel, not like fivefingers or something!
paul barton my current show is a Topo Ultraventure which is more in line with a max cushioned shoe. I don’t think something like this would be for me, I can’t even walk down a pebble beach barefoot 😂
Yep, awful shoes. Inov8 have an incredible marketing team, the shoes themselves are very disappointing. How is it a shoe that has Ultra in its name be no good for long distances. No rock plate.... ffs they are a lake District based outfit we have nothing but jagged nasty rocks everywhere.........
Nbstevens78 can’t disagree with anything you said!! Really want them to make a shoe I can use!! In fairness I haven’t run in any of their shoes, just couldn’t afford to gamble on an almost guaranteed disappointment
you will appreciate the extra width - something Ethan didn't mention - I've found Hokas getting narrower lately - moved to Altra / Toppo will def put the Inov8 in that same category - nice wide toebox.
gosekinz Awesome, thanks! Never worn Altras or owned a true zero drop shoe, but looking forward to trying it out. Considering the Superior 4.5 in addition to G 270.
thesii213 Have you run in the Hoka Torrent? Mine are wearing out, but I’ve loved them. Good to know you enjoy the Superior. I hope the 4.5 is an improvement.
@@saltydog6241 I think the 4.5 has an integrated rockplate, so it should be slightly firmer? Maybe? And yep, I like the Torrent, but I find it a tad narrow because I am a short fat-footed hobbit person.
I found the wet grip to be really good on the ascent because of the toe flex and if you have the shoe flexed it climbs. On the descent though yea it gets really sketchy. Any attempt to dig in with the heel on wet rock and you are skiing. That said though I wouldn’t change a thing. Dry grip is really good for what it is and I feel if you made the grip better with deeper lugs and rubber it would stiffen up the shoe and would be less flexible and heavier. One of my favorite shoes in a while and I like it on road too.
@@RowOfMushyTiT The Kiger is rubbish compared to the Inov-8 for grip. I love the Kiger design and that was my most used shoe (3 pairs - 2 x K5, 1 x K6) but the grip is rubbish (I'm in the NE of the USA so trails are very rocky and loose, far worse than west coast (Bend, Oregon) or the Alps (Chamonix area) in my experience) compared to G270 in dry and especially wet where the Kigers are awful. I also have the Nike Pegasus Trail 36 which are great for comfort but less stable. I was worried about the zero drop but no issues so far and overall this is the best trail shoe I have and good for short, fast, technical to mountain ultras (for me that's up to 100K mountain ultras but I also ran these races in Kigers (switched out the insole for a Curex)). The best grip I've ever had in a non-deep lug shoe was with the NB Vazee V2 - I could run up Smith Rock in the winter over ice in that shoe whilst all the hikers are having issues standing up, truly amazing grip but it had zero foot protection/cushioning so only good for short, fast, technical stuff or a little longer. The NB Summit (Vazee successor) was not as good. La Sportiva Bushido (V1) had amazing grip but a little too much shoe for most things (v2 look appealing though as do the Kaptiva but then the G270 came so went that way).
@@magoo2434 Yeah Kiger wet grip is rubbish, so I end up using my Sense 6 SG for the wet. Looking to go for the G270 or Sense 4 Pro next. I just loved the fit and the bounce of the Kiger, but the heel cup is annoying my achilles now.
FYI, these shoes are currently $50 on inov-8 official website, as well as their Rocklite g345 gtx! I just got them, and I found them both extremely comfortable from the very moment I put them on.
Got a pair of X-talon 210, and good god those midsoles are THIN! You feel the lugs push into your feet on flat terrain!!! On the other hand, damn those things have good grip :o
Love the channel, and I'm using the G260. Don't know about now, but it used to be that the numbering is actually the weight of the shoe in a UK size8/US size 9 (guess it's the most popular size?)
Totally agree. I have the G260, but the grip isn't ideal when it is when and boggy. Works very well on good trails and is super comfortable. On the price, I like to look at price per mile of shoe and the shoe will probably give you more than 1,000 miles , so maybe not as expensive as it seems.
There are not too many Allround-Shoes with perfect wet grip. Although I agree that according to the marketing you might expect it in the G260/270. But in the end the grip is at least on par with the majority of the competition. And this is no Nike WH or TK...
@@Thefifaplayeryant I disagree; I’ve used other Inov8s for races that have better grip and are also good allrounders, e.g .Trail Talon, Roclite, Trailroc and Terraclaw. These are all better shoes in my opinion for muddier, boggy UK races. But I have to say the Terraultra are more comfortable than these, so I would use them for some of the summer long races with good trails like UTMB or the West Highland Way.
@@davidh4089 True, the G270 is a trail shoe...I just wanted to point out that the grip is sufficient in the scenario it's made for...on fells and in wet I would use another shoe ! But these Cons are applicable for most shoes, and why pointing this out from the GR when not always done ?
@@Thefifaplayeryant I think we are in agreement. I was just (like GR) having an issue with Inov8 marketing the grip as better than it is. I wouldn't use this on the Pennine Way, but I'm sure Damian Hall using them was great promotion!
I use the Roclite 290 which has been super durable and works well for light trails. Would I ‘upgrade’ to these - no as I’d go for something with more cushioning like the Torrent 2. Your ref to bangers made me laugh.
First up..."Ke-bab" 😂 I'm glad you're being honest about these shoes. I bought the 260s and was shocked by just how minimalistic they were for an 'ultra' shoe. Considering price, there are so many other better competitors such as Hoka, Altra, la sportiva and VJ sports. Ref durability - few in the UK who fell run rate inov8 for durability. They always seem to fall to pieces. But their warranty service is great so it's offset I guess.
Strange , all the trail and mountain runners I know think inov8s are super durable . I've had a pair of x talons that look brand new after 5 years of obstacle races
They're not producing the shoes they once were. Some of their tougher shoes are ok. But shoes like the Roclite are terrible for blowing out on the crease of the toe box area. VJ sports have taken over in terms of overall quality and make bombproof shoes.
My VJs had great grip, right up to the point when the upper ripped off the sole with no warning, after just a few days out. Won't be repeating the experiment.
I couldn't disagree more about the grip of the shoe. Funny how our experiences have been so different. Ive been using the previous version of this shoe for a long while now as my mountain running shoe in the northeast where wet rocks are the norm and I've felt it has the most confidence-inspiring grip while on steep rock slabs and scrambling short of some approach shoes I've had in the past. Granted, maybe my baseline for comparison is more limited than you - I was an Altra devotee before this shoe and those feel downright dangerous if the ground is wet. thanks for the review!
Graphene might be tough but I’m having serious issues with the grip on my Roclite boots! The transition from damp grass to rock is bad and it’ll lose traction more often than not! To the point where I’m anticipating it now which isn’t great in a hiking boot, you should be able to rely on them!! Should say this is my second pair as well, the first pairs ‘super tough’ sole came unstuck!!🤔🤷🏼♂️
It sounds like we're all probably due for a conversation about hard rubber and sticky rubber. Hard is durable. Soft is sticky and not durable. It's really hard to balance these qualities, although Vibram seems to be the best in the game at it.
@@thesii213 Exactly...you can't have it all, especially as the shoe companies won't sell this "innovation" if finally found. That's why this is maybe the "toughest" grip, mit the "stickiest"...
Just got a pair. I was looking for a shoe with better grip and a little more torsional rigidity than my Altra LPs and Superiors for these east coast mountain trails and while they do appear to have that, judging by the 10 or so miles i've put on them. The problem is that they're just too narrow for my feet. Too bad, as they have great heel lock and seem to be well made and rugged. Gonna try Topo next.
Hey, just wondering how are these shoes holding up 3 months later? Have you put many miles on them? I've been wearing superiors for the last couple of years and though I love I'm looking for something more durable.
@@easydexter I've only worn them a few times since i posted a few months ago, because the narrow fit just isn't working for me. They seem like they would be very durable, though. Last i saw, Inov8 has a 30 day risk-free trial on them, so you can wear them outside and still return them during that window if they're not for you. Might be worth a try.
It is a dang fun shoe, but - here in the Colorado Rockies - the G 270 is not a good option for sharp, rocky terrain. After 10 miles above timberline, I would have preferred Ziplock bags just as you said. It’s wonderful on softer ground. But on technical terrain, Salomon Sense Pro 4 or S Lab Ultra 2, VJ Maxx and the Merrell Long Sky are much better options, or Altra for the zero-drop enthusiasts.
Hi, I love Inov-8 and been use them all my “runner life” but this new G-grip is not a good idea. I’m have the same problem you are. I live in Lapland Finland and in the spring and summer it gets wet and the G-grip feel like I’m running on ice. I get enough of the running in the winter 😅. I’m sticking with Inov-8 but I’m using old shoes the do not have it in, and looking to buy “new older” or even some thing new 😬
@@davidh4089 Yes the grip is very good, but its very difficult to adjust the Toe box with this lacing, if you have narrow feet and the cushion is not really responsive?. That is even worse with the Trailrock G280. Up to now, I am not convinced by these G-Grips, but the first impressions with the G270 TU are encouraging, very agile and responsive
I tried the inov8 roclite 275 but returned them. What i really did not like about it was the fit around my heel. I could not get the laces adjustment right around the heel of my feet. It felt very loose and the feedback to the ground felt rigid as well. I did like the room i got in the toebox.
Hey, I'm 100kg and need a trail shoe for the UK (Contrary to popular belief, it rains here, by the way.....) What are my best options from Inov8, Hoka etc...? Cushion seems t be important given my stomach size...
VJ Sport butyl rubber is sticky and durable, what you mean is rubber can't be soft and durable which is different e.g. the Inov8 X-Talon 210 is soft but not sticky and therefore not very durable, also the RB9X rubber compound Icebug uses is sticky and durable, sticky doesn't always mean soft.
Thanks very much. Your reviews are really deep and awesome!! How would you compare the Terraultra to the Altra Lone Peak 4.5 from the point what you feel as runner? I think they are pretty close or? Still running on G260. This is very direct with very low cushioning for me. Good for not too alpine runs. Good feel of ground. I would say that the G270 has a little bit more cushion and is more comparable to the Lone Peak. Whats your opinion? Think, if my next shoe is a G270, Lone Peak or maybe also second one the Timp 2 for long runs...
I can only compare with LP4.0: G270 is firmer, less cushioned, far more responsive, equally If not better protection...better rolling, better for faster running, a lot lighter...in my opinion a much better shoe if you don't need much cushion of course...G270 is at the mo my favourite (other shoes: Hoka Speedgoat 3, La Sportiva Akasha, Scarpa Spin Ultra)
Its a mixed game with the Inov-8 shoes, I like the X-Talon 212 (old) und 230 (sticky grip) But I am not convinced by this Graphene-Hype. The new Roclite 275 and Trailroc G280 are lacking in "running pleasure", Grip is good but I have a lot of Trail shoes and mostly I don´t take this both shoes. I take Salomon sense pro 4 or La Sportiva Akasha. This Terra Ultra sounds good, bit why zero drop??? 4 mm or even 6 mm as other Inov-8 would be better. Anyway I have ordered some
@@Thefifaplayeryant Yes there are shoes with better grip on wet rocks, but there is no perfect shoe for all purposes. I am not sure this shoe is better on wet surfaces, but I will see. I have used Roclite 275 and Trailrock G270 with Graphene and on wet rock they are not really good, as good the grip otherwise is. I think the rubber should be soft, and Graphene is not. Best grip I think have VJ shoes
@@hg3755 I have both, Akasha and G270, Grip is better in wet with the Terraultra, in dry about even...Akasha of course much heavier, in my size EU44 around 65gr. per shoe, but also lots more protection and cushioning...
@@Thefifaplayeryant Oh that´s good and it seems the lacing is improved, a real problem since the Inov-8 shoes got wider toe-boxes as the Trailroc G280 for example. I´ll get the G270 this week. I have size EU48, but the weight of the "old working horse" Akasha was never a problem, normally I prefer light shoes
@@hg3755 weight difference will be instantly noticed, cushion on G270 depends on preferences, I'm under 70kg, therefore no problem, I would say this is a 50k shoe for me, so not really ultra, I go with the GR regarding the distance.
Is price a factor? fit? durability? Both will give you plenty of ground feel, sense 4 pro will have more protection, but the G270 may last longer. Tough call!
I don’t think the two reviews necessarily disagree. Both say that it’s mismarketed as an ultra but it’s a well done trail shoe. To me trail shoes are a series of compromises that come down to a lot of preferences so you won’t find reviews that always agree. Trail shoes attributes are a bunch of knobs you turn. Increase the grip on one knob and you turn down the flex and weight on another. I personally think that these shoes tick more boxes and have the highest “knob settings” across the board over any trail shoe I’ve run in a while. Even though the wet grip knob setting is very low all the others are quite high. I don’t have the rock protection problem Ethan noticed but I think he is heavier and the protection depends on where you land. If you get a rock in the forefoot where there is graphene it’s no problem. If you land in the mid foot on a sharp rock, you feel it. A rock plate might be nice but it could ruin the ride too. I think they should remarket this shoe to a perfect road to trail destroyer of all things not downhill and wet.
I bought the G 260 but just found the comfort level and fit not for me sadly being British I wanted to like them. Bought some Hoka speedgoat 4 wide which I love!
I got to stop watching your reviews, because I become disappointed in my purchase of the Nike 36 trails. Maybe I’m disappointed cause the salesman convinced me to buy a 1/2 larger shoe.
Dodson... we got Dodson over here! See? No one cares. I'm seriously tempted to waste a weekend going through all of the review videos and compiling all of the "It's not all" quotes.
just wished they'd get a new designer... These look like Ninja Turtles married to Wheelys.. I just can't see myself putting them on looking like that...
@@duckacid in the UK and bearing in mind it’s a matter of preference… La Sportiva make the most robust shoes. The Akasha or Mutant are brilliant. For cushioned zero drop, the Altra Olympus 4 are unbeatable (IMO). For pure cushioning, the Hoka Speedgoat or Mafate (evo). For fell or mud, VJ Sports shoes are utterly bombproof. INOV8 were legendary when they first started. High quality, long lasting shoes. They were then bought by a Japanese company and focused on looks, weight and marketing. Their quality went down, to the point in the UK Fells, they last a few weeks, months if you’re lucky. Shite.
@@Northernerdownsouth I'll check out the Altra Olympus 4 thanks! EDIT: I just did. 33mm stack height is way too much. I don't think there are many alternatives to the Inov8 Terraultra G 270 unfortunately.
