Inov-8 Roclite men's 295 Trail Running Shoe

Like the other reviews state, this shoe runs narrow in the middle but widens out to a "normal" sized foot around the chest/shoulder area of the foot. The back of the shoe was rubbing against my tendon pretty bad in the beginning also. However, after a few miles of breaking in the shoe by walking around, it didn't bother me as either the shoe expanded a bit or my foot shrunk.Anyways, my first trial of these shoes were at Arches National Park in December where there was dirt, dry rock, slick rock, snow, and ice. The grip that these shoes provided gave me enough confidence to run up and down the trail without worrying if I was going to slip. Even on ice -provided I took caution when stepping - felt much more stable than my previous favorite running shoe, Nike frees (which I hiked in those too, that's how much I loved them.)Cushion is non-existent though. You will feel every step and every bump. My greatest advice is that if you're not used to running with "barefoot" shoes or shoes with no cushion is too skip out on these.

These are so close to perfection. So close. They fit like gloves, grip like crampons, and weigh so little you'll think you're just wearing socks. They're supportive enough to keep rocky trails comfortable, and flexible enough to allow you to feel the trail and run without fear of slipping. The big flaw: that little gap in the tough lower material toward the toe, there for flexibility? They tear there, without fail. It may be 200 miles, it may be 500, but at some point a hole will open up, and you'll rip them wide open and be back for another pair, because by that point you're so addicted you'll never wear another shoe.I've used these for both trail running (summer and winter) and hiking and backpacking (summer only), and they're ideal for both. As highly recommended as shoes can come, even accounting for the durability issues. These Brits know what they're doing.

Ran a Spartan sprint with these on and they performed fantastically. Other people wearing running shoes and what not were all over the place, but not me. These things gave me a ton of traction. The day was dry, but there were water obstacles and rivers to run through. The shoes did drain the water just fine, but not immediately. It took a number of steps, but this could have been attributed to the Mud Gear socks I was wearing. They seem a tiny bit thicker than other socks, but I love how they feel so I will deal with the slower draining. I have also done some trail running with these on and again they performed well, however, they don't have a shank so you will feel every rock you step on. It's not bad at first as I like to feel where I am on the rock, but after 9 miles, I was over it. Still. they performed well. I had no blisters or feet soreness at all. I have even put a few miles down on the road with these with no problems.Follow the size chart. I have a pair of Brooks and bought according to the interactive size chart that had me get a 1/2 size smaller and they fit like a glove.

What I like about Inov-8 is they are precise performance specific designed shoes. They don't confuse you with numerous of designs to meet marketing needs oppose to purpose. Their website illustrates the difference and pupose of each design they make.I made the same mistake as others in regard to sizing and fit by ordering the WRONG shoes. I returned three pairs before checking out the INOV 8 website.Once I understood the sizing, fit and ordered the correct pair of shoes, I was amazed. After reading reviews and discovering what the problem was, it compelled me to write this review. I've been on Amazon for a long time, have written my share of bad reviews and only a few products impress me to take the time writing one. I'm not getting a free pair of shoes or compensation for doing this review. I've been a loyal Merrell fan ever since their inception and continue to be so for walking boots only. Their soles and foot bed design is not suited for running on loose gravel or skipping on wet rocks. I remember watching a contestant on Survivor wearing a pair of Merrell Moab's jumping onto wet rocks and I was saying to myself, "he's going to slip like I did." Sure enough, he fell and was out of the show.SIZINGBecause these are British designed shoes, the sizing will best suit you if use the EURO chart. A U.S. size 11(44.5) will fit like a U.S. design size 10.5 - you need to go up half size and buy a U.S. size 11.5 (45). Ecco, a European designed shoe also fits the same way. Again, the solution is to buy a U.S. 1/2 size larger or go with the Euro measurement.FITINOV 8 are available in two fits: Precision (P) and Standard (S). Sellers on Amazon will confuse you with non extent 2E or Medium sizes. To be precise, check out the "features section," it will either state Standard or Precision and if it doesn't, you're rolling the dice. Go on to the next seller or ask questions and hopefully they have the correct answer.Precision - fits snug and is designed for regular or narrow feet. They fit people who are accustom to wearing Asics or Adidas. (My son has narrow feet and wears these brands).Standard - has a wider toe box, allowing the toes to splay. They are suitable for people with wider feet; however, a person with regular width feet can also wear these at the gym or doing an activity not requiring a snug fit. If you wear New Balance and find Nike's to be slightly snug, you'll like these (That's me).I won't go into the performance specific details of the shoes because you can do that yourself by checking out their website, inov-8.com.If you're into doing heavy gym work outs, crossfit, trail runs or climbing, you'll enjoy your Inov-8's.I bought the Bare-XF 210, Rocklite 295 and Fast 250. They replaced my Merrell's and New Balance Minimus. I'm hooked.I tested my Rocklite 295 on a trail around a reservoir; steep cement and dirt face with an all gravel surface. Most shoes would have me slipping onto my butt going down the cement face, but I was confident enough to run down with no issues. And on dirt, I had no slippage and the soles remained debris free. After walking the muddy shoreline, I ran back up and suprisingly, my soles were free of mudd.

Second pair of Roclite 295's. First pair lasted a little over a year of all kinds of trail running, backpacking and hiking in Patagonia. Hope they keep making them. They do run wider than conventional shoes but I knew that going in so it was "as expected" and I have a bit wider feet and like toe splay. And being minimalist shoes, they obviously don't have arch support. But that is why thy rock! Proprioception is excellent and can feel rocks, roots, sticks, etc. through the sole. Very airy with the mesh upper. Dries quickly.

these are a great pair of shoes in very muddy, typical British countryside. I have taken them out for a few runs now on a veriaty of terrain and I'm very pleased with how well they handle very muddle conditions. However, and I think this is due to the large tread, on harder ground they don't have the greatest amount of grip. I have read a few reviews saying that people had wished they had bought a half size bigger. I'm a size 10 and bought a size 10.5 and they are just slightly to big. To some them up for muddy or soft terrain they are a great shoe however I would say stuck with the size you are when buying

I love these shoes. Bought as trail runners but so grippy and comfortable that I wear them to walk everywhere ( even in towns) whenever I can! Also use them on my bike as my feet don't slip on pedals. Recently used them on a wet track ( slippery) and they kept me stable. I love them so much, this us your second pair! They are Men's sizing and so slit tale loose but I changed the insoles and they're fine.

This is a great trail shoe, really comfortable. The toe box is really roomy and I get no blisters or rubbing from these shoes. Really happy with this purchase. A note, these shoes are not very cushioned and you can feel all more of the trail compared with some other shoes.

I've used Roclites before, a great all round trail shoe, hard wearing and cope with plenty of abuse. Plenty of grip with the 'sticky' rubber lugs on the sole, although they do wear down fairly quickly on rocky hard terrain. Roomy toe box, very comfortable and decent cushioning for a lightweight trail shoe.

Used for hiking, running in mountain terrain. So far the best all rounder performer I have found. Works well on rock wet or dry as well as slippy muddy banks.