Inov-8 Roclite 275 Review

Inov-8 Roclite 275: From the North Downs Way 100 (NDW100) to the Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB) …

Front view 

I bought three of these pairs for the NDW100, the UTMB and for general jogging all this year.  The market price from Inov-8 was initially £130 per pair but with a 30% discount this was reduced to £91 per pair.  Nowadays, you can get them a little bit cheaper in a sale. Nevertheless £91 is what you would expect to pay for a good quality trail running shoe.  

Grip 

After completing JOGLE in April 2019 with the Altra Torin 3.5 Mesh Running Shoe (See the review here - Shannice can you add in a link to the review once it's being approved …) I was glad to be back jogging on trails rather than on asphalt.   

Top view 

Here is my review:

SPECIFICATIONS:

Make: Inov-8

Model: Roclite 275

Fit: Standard Fit

Pronation: Neutral 

Size: 9 (UK); 10 (US); 43 (EURO)

Colours: Black/Blue; Black/Yellow; Red/Black

Weight: 275 grams 

Rear view 

HEEL-TO-DROP

The heel to toe drop is 16mm as per the Brooks calculation but using Inov-8 different calculation is 8mm.  The 16mm drop is calculated as the midsole being 20mm plus the heel height outsole of 28mm which equals 48mm.  The midsole is 20mm plus the forefront height outsole of 12mm which equals 32mm. The heel height of 48mm minus the forefront height of 32mm equals a heel-to toe-drop of 16mm.  A larger heal drop would mean this encourages a heel strike.

Inov-8 Roclite 8mm drop 

As I have a supinator gait (one where the outside of the heel strikes the ground first) I'm trying not to have a heel strike where the wear pattern is neutral.  This would make the trainers last longer. This would increase running efficiency and speed and make you less prone to injuries particularly in the knees and hips.  I experienced a wear pattern on the outer side of the sole, but this was more to the fact that I have a supinator gait. 

Supinator gait left the studs worn out on the right trail shoe on the outside

Inov-8 claim that because the midsole has a 8mm drop there is a 10 percent better shock absorption.  I don't know whether I could agree with 10 percent but there is certainly some absorption when jogging.  

Inov-8 Roclite 275 shock absorption with Graphene symbol

The downside is that the absorption is at the heel and not at the forefoot.  If your gait is a midfoot or forefoot you can increase your cadence as you can push off once striking the ground.  For me, I'm trying to have a forefoot or midfoot strike pattern to increase my cadence. There's probably some scientific reason why not but I'd like to see more cushioning at the forefoot. 

Inov-8 also claim that because of the 8mm drop there is a 15 percent better energy return.  This is also due to the lightweight and flexible rockplate design. This supposedly gives underfoot protection.  I'm not convinced as jogging long distances, like the NDW100, I certainly felt the impact on my forefoot, particularly the metatarsals.  Especially when striking numerous stones.  

The rockplate design in the middle of the Roclite 275

GRIP

Although I could compare the grip to different makes and models I'm just going to keep this in-house by comparing the grip on the Inov-8 Roclite 275 to the grip of the Inov-8 Terraclaw 250.  

Here is the link to the Terraclaw 250 review:

https://runrepeat.com/inov-8-terraclaw-250#expert-calvin-hemmings

The Roclite 275 has hexagonal studs compared to the triangular stud shapes of the Terraclaw 250.  

The hexagonal Roclite 275 studs with the dimples still in tact

For a number of reasons the grip on the Roclite 275 is better than the Terraclaw 250.  The former has the Meta-Flex Graphene grip compared to the Dynamic Fascia Band found in the Terraclaw 250.  

Secondly, the studs on the Roclite have a height of 7mm whilst on the Terraclaw 250 it is only 5mm.  Two millimetres does not sound much, but it does mean the grip will last longer before being worn down.  

Thirdly, the studs are bigger in diameter.  On the Roclite 275 they are 20mm x 15mm at their longest longest length.  In comparison, the stud diameter on the Terraclaw 250 are 13mm x 10mm. More grip surface area means more grip on wet, muddy trails.  

Lastly, the Roclite 275 studs (unlike the Terraclaw 250) have little dimples.  However, after a long run (12 miles) this has been worn down. I would have preferred if these dimples could have been implemented throughout the whole of the height of the stud and not just on its surface. 

Imagine the scene.  Your walking up hill with no trail just wet and muddy grass which has turned to slush.  Your not relying on trekking poles for extra grip but just your Roclite 275. They got me up the hill without trekking poles and without losing my footing.  Just like what happened on numerous occasions at UTMB.  

HARD-WEARING UPPER 

They are certainly not waterproof (although they don't claim to be).  I did experience wet feet dashing through puddles and the like at the forefoot but certainly not at the heel.  Imagine the scene - you've trodden through a deep puddle. Your front feet are soaked. Once you've recovered onto a dry patch you certainly can feel the water disperse out of the trail shoe making your feet drier. 

No wide toe box but hard wearing upper

The design does not have a wide toe box so I did experience rubbing on my right small toe.  The size was one size larger than I would normally accommodate so I would have thought my feet had even more room to spread.  

Rubbing on the right foot small toe 

PROS:

• Lightweight
• Comfort
• Value for money
• Cushioning and responsiveness

CONS:

• Loud noise when running after high mileage

Overall rating:

• 80 out of 100  

RunRepeat
https://runrepeat.com/inov-8-roclite-275