New minimalist Inov8 set for mid 2010
Check out these new Inov8’s set to hit the market mid 2010. Weighing in at 6.7 ounces, low-profile, and Inov8’s 1 arrow midsole thickness. Looks like they have a similar upper to the F-lite 230, but with a slightly thinner midsole (1 arrow vs. the F-lite 230’s 2 arrow midsole)…and the X-talon 212 lugged outsole. These look VERY promising. I like the orange too. I found out about these from another Oregon ultrarunner, Joe Grant, who runs in minimalist shoes.
My minimalist transition update…
I just ran the Bad Ass 50k (our local Fat Ass Fun Run in Central Oregon) in the New Balance MT 100s and my body/feet held up great in the minimalist set up. I think I’m fully transitioned now. However, I’ve found one aspect to be troublesome with the MT100s, now that I have 150+ miles logged in them, (including today’s 50k)—sloppy upper on the downs. Trying to stay true to the “slow-progression” to minimalist footwear, I’ve been pretty conservative on technical downhills in training until today’s 50k. Today, I ran down pretty aggro and they proved a little sloppy in the midfoot upper on technical, rocky downhills. My foot slides side to side in them too much and they actually hang off the midsole almost a 1/2 inch at times and I banged my pinkie toe on sharp lava rocks while hammering down at 5:45-6:15 pace coming off the Cinder Butte descent in the Bad Ass 50k today.
This got me into a conversation, post race, with Joe (who told me about the X-Talon 190 coming out). He ran Mont Blanc in the Inov8 X-talon 212 last summer and loved them. I also raced against him at White River 50 miler where he was sporting the F-lite 230s. He has a wider forefoot like mine and we talked about the narrow forefoot fit of fell racing shoes, specifically Inov8s. He mentioned that they stretch a bit after some break-in and that it’s not bad to have a forefoot upper that is snug (read not restrictive, just snug) so it holds your foot over the midsole when having to make those quick hard “mini” cuts and “quick dancing steps” on technical downhills, preventing the side to side sloppiness I was experiencing in the NB MT100’s upper. The NB is fine on other mellower terrain, but it was just too sloppy for my liking on the technical downs. I broke out my blue Invo8 F-lite 230’s tonight and decided it was time to give them another shot. I messed with some unique lacing in the midfoot to loosen up across my instep and put a slightly thinner insole in them. They actually felt good around the house. I’m going to run in them quite a bit this week and report back. Giddyup!
these are awesome. I have a weak ankle, but once that gets back to normal I will revert back to INOV8. Be sure to check out these 'barefoot' shoes.
This shoe is fantastic. I’ve been running F-Lite 230’s all year, but some trails need more lugs & grip than the 230 offers. The X-Talon 212 is a great alternative, but this 6.7oz bad-boy is definitely on my radar.
I, like you and Joe, have a pretty wide mid/forefoot and the 230 started off to be too snug, but I had the same experience as Joe – once I had aboue 30 or 40 miles on my 230’s became a DREAM.
Thanks for keeping the info coming on new options & the transition you’re making Jeff – great stuff!
Jeff, I also cannot wait until those fiery orange x-talons come out…I’m glad that you’re giving the F-Lite’s another chance. Like you said…sometimes it’s nice to have that snug feeling while dancing down the trail. Great run at the badlands and thanks again for all that you guys did to make it happen. Talk soon…Yassine
Hey Jeff,
Funny you should post this cause after finally getting the MT100’s on some dirt this past weekend (southern Utah) I was kind of skeptical about how they would work in technical terrain. My feet moved around in them quite a bit on off camber sections or downhills. They just didn’t hold my feet like my regular shoes do. I’m afraid they may not work for me on my home trails in the Wasatch. However, I do like them on flatter terrain.
Jeff
Jason: Good feedback on the F-Lite’s.
Yassine: Good runnin’ with ya yesterday. Glad you guys came over the hill to run.
Jeff: Agreed. Good on flatter terrain. Slop-dogs on the technical. I really liked them the first 100+ miles, but it’s winter here and I’m running flatter terrain than normal. So, this factor didnt’ come into play until I got them out and hammered some technical downs. I think they need to work on the upper a bit more.
-Jeff
Jeff,
I had a similar experience in the MT100’s with the sliding around at OT100. I ran the first 43+ miles in those at OT. I’m sure you remember the “war zone” we ran through with all of those downed trees & root holes.
I came to the same conclusion after that race regarind the NB MT100: Fine for smoother trails/fire roads, but the dashing left and right doesn’t work well in them. I’ve reserved them for the trails that don’t require “slashing”, if you will.
I do, however, love the NB 100 strike plate. Rarely do I ever fell a poke or prod trough them. If they could figure out a way to get that Inov-8 snugness (but not tightness) then I would probably use that shoe on the twisties a little more.
Best,
Jason
Jason,
Agreed. I like the strike plate too in the NB…and was really liking them until the sloppy downhill experience Saturday. Will now reserve them for my flat, less technical runs (which we have a lot of in the high desert). Went to FootZone downtown and ordered the Inov8 X-Talon 212 today (no 11 in stock…bummer…but did have an 11.5 and I ran on the treadmill with them). Looking forward to those…I like how much lower profile they feel than the F-Lite 230s (same midsole)…but I think the outsole has something to do with the lower feel. Should be on-foot in a week. Meanwhile, I’m just recovering from the 50k in a mini 3-day block of running short recovery runs in the VFFs. Mid-week will start in the F-Lite 230s and back to normal volume. Heard Missouri was getting a cold snap. Warming back up yet? Peace, dude.
that's why I have a pair I train in too! Minimalism is the way to go.
Ben,Heal that ankle up, dude. Have you tried small stints of running in Vibram Five Fingers? Personally, I found easy, short runs in the VFFs to be an essential part of strengthening my left ankle (my weak one), which in turn allows me to run in an increasingly lighter shoe. I just got back from a 3.3 mile easy road run in the VFFs to flush my legs out after the 50k yesterday. It's amazing how good it feels to be in those once you build up to 20-30 minute runs. First day was only like 6 minutes and my feet and ankles were a little sore, but now a 3-5 miler feels great in them. I love them for cooldowns or easy, short recovery runs for mixin' it up.-Jeff
I have to tell you Jeff, it’s crazy cold here in MO. The high today in St. Louis area was in the TEENS, never reached 20! Tonight it’s single digits, wind chill below zero.
Harsh!
Jason,
Dude. That’s cold. Makes you tougher, right?
You said it!
Jeff,
The thing I am noticing the most in this transition is how high all my normal shoes are off the ground. I put on my old Brooks Adrenalines to just hang around in and I had to take them off because I felt like I was standing on a big wedge (which I was). I’m kicking around in old school puma’s because they don’t feel like I’m standing on a foam 2×4.
The new site looks great! Thanks for the pics of the new Inov-8’s, they look good too. Jason and I did a review of the 230 over on my site, add some commentary if you want
I noticed the exact same thing with the MT100’s. The trails I run most do not have a ton of gain or major descents, but they are loaded with switch backs and every tight corner has me hanging off the edge of the midsole. Without a doubt, my 230’s hold my foot in place better. I’m looking forward to your impressions of the 212. I was thinking about the 285’s but the lightness of the 212 is very appealing.
Great stuff, keep it up!!
Travis,
Same thing. I’m finding I can’t handle my old running shoes even to kick around in. Even the Nike Free 5.0 I dislike now. I’m looking into Terra Plana shoes for casual stuff (terraplana.com). I have an old retro remake of the Sauconys I find to be comfortable for ’round town. The heel lift on the 70s designs are maybe a 1/16th of an inch…very minimal. I’ll check out your 230 review. I can’t go above the 230s…I feel that’s just too beefy and clunky feeling…I have the RocLite 295 and it’s feels like a brick to me now, plus, not wild about the heel lift on that design. Seem unstable (ankle rolling potential). Haven’t tried the 285. Peace.
Nike Free 3.0 is a good alternative to the “taller” 5.0, but good luck finding a pair. They are getting phased out by Nike (from what I understand) and are to be replaced by some sort of hybrid Free model that’s supposedly something “between” the 5.0 & 3.0
I like to kick it around town in my VFF’s, but my wife is always embarassed by it when I do! Oh well, it’s for my health, I always say.
Bronc,
I’ve been minimalising for nearly a year now and am beyond grateful I did; battled pf for years and chronic knee issues due to “worn out” shoes, i.e. clunckers w/ >500 miles. I started by switching to a lighter/neutral shoe (Brooks Ghost) and doing barefoot runs at the track (about 200 meters from house…can’t beat all that manicured grass). Now I run primarily in Nike Waffle racers and just ordered some VFFs (a bit cold for barefooting). BTW, haven’t had any pf or knee issues, and i’ve got calves now! Well, kinda:)
Speaking of cold; we’ve had around 2 feet of snow in eastern NE the past couple of weeks, highs around 0, and it’s only supposed to get colder w/ more snow. It was -14 when I headed out for my 10 miler this a.m., grew a wicked sweet ice beard though. Later tater
Sean,
I too have skinny calves…they are bigger than they used to be due to mtn biking, but high-heeled running shoes don’t allow you to dig into those suckers, huh? Peace.
Nice. That’s what I like to hear…the ice beard! What doesn’t give you frost bite will only make you stronger! Thanks for the minimalist update. I’m feeling the same. I ran 5+ in the VFFs this morning and it’s amazing how strong my feet and ankles are getting. They used to be so wimpy. I’m looking forward to the calves.
FYI: a very timely discussion occurring @ the mothership (runnersworld.com); Amby Burfoot, who blogs on a variety of scientific studies related to running, just opened the “do shoes cause injuries” can-o-worms. I’ve read a lot of his posts and i can’t remember any of them generating so many comments. http://peakperformance.runnersworld.com/
For those of you looking for something to wear to work, Terra Plana’s Vivo Barefoot line looks pretty nice (http://www.terraplana.com/mens-vivo-barefoot-c-153_157.html). They’re expensive, but right now they have a deal where you can get a second pair for half price. Add that to this 50% off coupon code (CHILIVING50) and you can save some bucks. I picked up two pair of Oaks for $103 total including shipping. They’re usually $150 each, so I definitely got a deal there. Not sure how long the coupon code will last, but it is working today for the Vivo line.
Also, I’ve been wearing the Adidas Adizero Rockets for my road runs. Very low heel. A bit more room in the front than I’ve found with XC flats.
Johnny, thanks for the links. Nice. I know several folks with these…one being a good friend Max King (reigning X-Terra Trail Running World Champ, National Trail Marathon Champ, etc. etc.) has a pair. I’ve slipped them on…their on my list. Thanks for the heads up on the discount.