Gear

Just been looking at the outdoor shop website, and found these boots, very lightweight and waterproof, also reasonably cheap. I was wondering if anyone had a pair, and are they any good.

I do a lot of walks with the LDWA, and allways try to do the challenge walks faster than the year before, sometimes have a bit of a jog on the downhills.

These boots look just the job, and I would welcome any feedback on them.

Thanks Alfie.

I've had a pair since last November, and unfortunately I'm not too impressed.

Here's the comment I posted on another blog when someone asked about them last week:

"The Roclite 390 gtx? My advice - forget it and go and eye up something else!

Seriously, I’ve found these boots to be quite a disappointment. I really hoped they’d be great - I love my Terrocs and Roclite 315s, but the 390s just don’t seem to cut it.

I’m a 9 in the Terrocs and 315s so I got those on the 390 and they were massive and sloppy so I returned them. A bit later I succumbed again and go the 8.5. It felt fine in the house but sloppy and unsupportive as soon as I wore it outside. After much faffing with footbeds, volume adjusters and socks I’ve achieved a reasonable fit which is comfortable on easy ground, and on the positive side they are very light, very waterproof so far, and the sole grips quite well. But the fit of the forefoot still feels sloppy and the heel only feels secure when the laces are cranked very tight around my ankle, and they are higher cut than most ‘mid’ boots. As I say, I really hoped it would be different, but for comfort, fit and surefootedness on rough ground I still prefer my older Salomon Elios Mids…. "

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And here's what I wrote on a previous thread on OM about a month ago:

"I've had mine about 3 months and probably used them for 10 or 12 trips by now. And it's a real mixed tale....

It took quite a while and messing about with footbeds, socks and in the end volume adjusters to get a comfortable fit - this despite having been a happy user of Terrocs and Roclite 315s already. The same size as I take for those was massive in the 390s, so I went down a size and still found them incredibly sloppy. That's sorted now after trying numerous combinations.

So I've used them now off-track in the Moelwyns, in the Lancashire moors, the Peak district, and on lower level and coastal stuff in Assynt.

The plus points are that they've been fully waterproof in some horrendously wet terrain, that they're very light indeed, and that the tread grips well in most conditions.

The minuses are the lacing, which seems difficult to adjust to get both tight enough and comfortable, and the overall sense of supportiveness which to be honest just isn't there. I'm not quite sure if that's down to the over-roomy toe-box or a lack of rigidity in the heel cup, but when the ground gets rough they just don't feel precise and confidence-inspiring.

So the conclusion I'm coming to is that they'll be fine on decent tracks and easier terrain but that I'm never likely to trust them for the roughest of the rough stuff. I'd actually be happy to take the Terrocs or Roclite 315s into far rougher terrain than I would these boots.

So it's a shame but I'm getting the feeling that they're just not going to turn into a boot that I'll end up enthusing about.....    sorry  "

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I think you'll find that Parky likes them and ptc* thinks much the same as me. It may be a case of where you use them - I find them fine on easy-ish terrain but a bit limited for the rough stuff. 

i have written a proper review of these but, as usual, it hasn't appeared yet so i'm not holding my breath. <sighs heavily once again...just what IS the bleedin' point!>

but to summarise.

THESE ARE NOT WALKING BOOTS! DO NOT EXPECT THEM TO BE WALKING BOOTS! sorry to shout. DO NOT TRY DOING HILL WALKING TYPE THINGS IN THEM EXCEPT WALK!

i bought these to use as a lightweight winter boot (i hate goretex lined things but wet feet in winter...) for where i'm not expecting things to get very, very muddy (i have leather boots for that).

don't expcect to traverse with any comfort or confidence. for straightforward walking they are great. as they're winter boots for me, i use smartwool hiking socks (the thick ones) which fills out the toe box a treat giving a very comfortable, snug fit.

the lacing requires a fair bit of experimentation to get it right for your foot (the lacing as new is a joke). once you've worked that out i find they are absolutely superb walking boots. light. comfortable. keep your feet dry and my feet haven't overheated to much...yet.

these with some polar cleats were outstanding whilst walking a few trails in snowy austria. i was seriously impressed.

they are ideally suited to paths. stray off path into inclined territory and you may not like it due to the lack of heel and sideways (lateral? not having a good word day today)support.

so, mountain boot, no. walking boot, yes.

 i understand matt's and ptc's concerns - sorry fellas if i'm jumping the gun  - but i feel they may be expecting them to be something they are not which sadly you find out after the dosh has gone. they are good boots; very good boots but just not good for what they want to do. the shoes which a lot of us use for walking are fell running shoes and not walking shoes. something that crosses over from it's intended purpose with ease for another prime use. i guess an expectation that the boots would too isn't at all unreasonable.

Thanks Matt C and Parky,

Had a feeling they would not be that good, I bought a pair of mudroc 290`s for short fell races and not happy at all with them. The grip is excellent but the fit and quality are terrible. Should have bought tried and trusted Walshes(apparently they have never changed in 50 years and still people buy them).

So thank you very much, saved me £100, Paid £65 for the mudrocs and worn them three or four times lacerated heels every time. To be honest I could probably lecture in bad footwear, I dont think the cupboard under the stairs could cope with another pair or my bank balance.

Advice very much apprieciated Alfie.

the lacing i use for a snug heel fit

oh! how do i add a photo from my pooter? i'm sure i've done it before?

here

390 lacing

I have to say that for me personally I cannot wear the Innov8 shoes at all

I have tried a variety of different styles including the 390's and the mudclaws and the heels are horrible on them for me

I was beginning to despair of finding light approach shoes but found Montrails to be excellent....for me personally

Jon and Imperial Dave, got to agree about the heels could not get away with them, they dont suit everyone, most people love them.

Parky again, interesting lacing pattern, still like the look of the boot as well, but I will stick to the advice and steer clear.

Aye, what they said.

They fudged the issue though. It's listed on their site as ideal for climbing appraoch, lifestyle, long distance walking, trail walking, nordic walking and lastly paragliding. And in their own words: Waterproof and breathable ultra light paragliding boot. Durable protective upper features built in ankle protection. The roclite 390 GTX is also ideal for lightweight hill walking and Trail running. The patent pending Fascia-band aids propulsion efficiency of the running and walking cycle.

Not really committing themselves to paragliding there. I can see them in the office "So we've got to sell 1000 pairs of these to paragliders to make the R&D costs back?" "Aye" "Right, they're a general boot now..okay?" "Aye"