Paul

Several people on here have complained about wear rates on Inov-8, but all I can say is that I have had mine for about a year now and have walked in the pyrenees and 3 weeks in Nepal (both mostly rocky terrain) plus lots in the UK on all sorts of terrain and have to say that they seem to show little wear at all.  Certainly all the lugs are intact and the uppers are fine.

Like Simon says, if you are unhappy try contacting Inov-8 and have a word.

Steve

I have done about 150 miles in my Terrocs on mixed terrain and worn holes in the lining of the heel (despite not being aware of my heels rubbing at all),  and several of the grey lugs in the centre of the fore-foot seem to have lost their 'sticky' rubber and worn down to a different compound below.

Fantastically comfortable, but at that wear rate I'll need 6 pairs a year!

I've recently came around to the fit of Inov8s and I'm enjoying them very much. The Terrocs are great and are still in their youth, my Roclite 315s are not as good for me and lie awaiting further missions and I've got a pair of Roclite 390 mids arriving next week.

In my mind always lurks the knowledge that I have seen people around me breaking out of their Inov8s as they walk. It's almost like that footage from the cockpit of the Spitfire as it's shooting holes in a Heinkel bomber, bits of aircraft whizzing past your ears as it comes apart somewhere over Britain and nosedives into a field.

Anyway, come to terms with the fact that they're weak due to the lack of material presemt in the construction and you'll be fine. You have to pay for the lightweight and flexibility somewhere.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes me to trash the mids with the GTX lining.

Steve,

interested to hear that you've used your Inov8s in the Pyrenees.  I'm thinking of doing some of the central sections of the GR10 in mid-sept. and am torn between my Scarpa ZG65 and Inov8 F-lite 300.  Which would you recommend?

I've found that the webbing on the inov8 tears quite easily, and the sole does peel away (although easily fixed with some glue).  Some wear to the inner heel, though incredably comfy and stable.  Runners are used to changing their shoes every 6 months or so, as the EVA gets mashed...

If you want tougher trail shoes, look at Montrail. The Hardrock and CTCs are both great shoes with more support and (much) tougher soles than the Inov8s. I own a pair of Terrocs and they don't really work for me. The soles have worn rapidly and they don't have the support for long distance walks. I also have a pair of Montrail Namches, if you're interested in a light boot. I'm taking them to Scotland for a 4 day backpacking trek in late Sept. N.B. I have Montrail shaped feet!

I'm glad somebody brought up Montrail before me

My usual weapons of choice are Namches or Highlanders. Both have been worn in everything from snow and ice to blazing sunshine over hardpack trails and come out smiling.

Namches ->

Highlanders->

My Inov8s are starting to get the same abuse, so we'll see how they do. I'm got my second pair of Namches now, the oringinals are still servicable but getting tired.

There's another current discussion about this kind of thing here; http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages.asp?URN=5&UTN=18798&SP=&V=8#396934 

Matt

Sorry for the delay, was out over the weekend.

Not familiar with the Scarpas.  We did a circular route from Cauterets including circuit du lacs and over to Petit Vignemale.  I only had the Terrocs a few weeks before and just decided to give them a try.  They were really good, very grippy and cool.  Had no knee problems as before and was really impressed with them.  Took them to Nepal too a couple of months later for some really hard terrain in the Langtang area.  Performed just as well.

To be honest, I have used over all sorts of terrain and they seem fine with it all so far.

I don't know if peoples build has anything to do with excessive wear rates, but I am 5' 8" and about 11 stone and, I think pretty light on my feet, so don't tend to wear out shoes or boots very quickly anyway.

I had a closer look at mine yesterday after a long walk in the peaks and there does not seem to be any wear in the heel area, the upper doesn't look brand new, but is not shabby yet.  However they are not good at keeping thorns out from the scrubby heathery stuff near Hollinsclough!

 I suppose I've done about 300 or so mile in mine so far and unless they deteriorate suddenly, look to have about the same left in them.

 Enjoy your trip.

 Steve

Any comments on the Montrail Masai? They have some half price in my local sports shop and I am tempted to give them a try, but the uppers seem a little fragile at first inspection.

John

Cheers Steve. 

I'll give the Inovs a go. They worked well in Mallorca (Torrente de Pareis). It's looking like my Scarpas won't see the light of day again (trad leather/fabric walking boots).

I got a pair of Terroc 330s early last year and my initial delight at their lightness and fit has turned to disappointment. My experience is very like that of Borrobil's: I haven't done much more than 100 - 150 miles in them, mostly on tracks and paths, but the soles are badly worn in parts. The grey lugs under the balls of my feet are worn right down, and one sole is cracking across and beginning to delaminate. The heel linings have also worn through. The uppers are still immaculate, though, and other parts of the soles show hardly any wear at all.

Apart from that, the fit round the forefoot is the best I've found in any shoe and  they grip like **** to a blanket. If they were durable I'd buy them again; but they aren't, so I won't. 

Matt Shaw 3 wrote (see)

Interested to hear that you've used your Inov8s in the Pyrenees.  I'm thinking of doing some of the central sections of the GR10 in mid-sept. and am torn between my Scarpa ZG65 and Inov8 F-lite 300.  Which would you recommend?

I've deliberately not yet read the other responses, but here's my experience.

I love the Roclite 315s, but when I first bought them a couple of years ago, and used them in the Pyrenees, the sole started peeling off. When walking on steep, rocky ground that's a bit scary, and when I got home I sent them back for a replacement. Inov-8 replaced them, and at the time they were saying they'd fixed some sort of manufacturing problem.

My replacement pair worked well, but I recently bought a brand new pair--sent to the retailer by Inov-8 when I ordered them less than 2 months ago, so can't have been old stock--and in Corsica exactly the same thing happened within about 3-4 days. I've not yet sent them back but I'm going to.

To me this seems like an enormous shame. I love the grippiness and comfort of the Roclite 315s, but I really don't want bits of rubber/(whatever compound it is) coming loose under my shoe when I'm walking on the sort of ground where a snagged step could lead to a fatal fall.

Now I'll go and see what the rest of y'all say...

Innov 8s are great....alas that great for me is about 50 miles and then they start to come apart; I care not what the blurb is - this is piss-poor value. Friends fare better in them (yet do not clock up the same mileage as me).

As others (?) have said Montrail are great - the Highlanders are super for me, as are Hardrocks. Their lined offerings though have been awful for me; sent two pairs back.

Moral/experience - wear what works for you.

I've had the same experience with the Terrocs.  300 miles is as much as I can get out of a pair becasue the soles under the balls of the feet just wear away.

Why have I bought three pairs you may ask?  Because I do more wild camping than long distance walking and don't get out as often as I used to so 300 miles lasts my nine months or so.  Also they are the most comfortable, most grippy shoes I've ever worn and I've never had a blister even after a 30 mile day.

It's compromises I suppose.  If someone could point me in the direction of an alternative with equal flex in the sole and fit I would like to give them a go.