Gear

In the latest Richard Gear answer there's a picture of the new Inov-8 boot.  Any one bought a pair yet?  If so, any feedback?

I need a new pair of boots.

(BTW, anyone think the James Bond-style intro to the Richard Gear answers is getting a bit corny by now?)

Ptc?

 Extra question: how vulnerable does the GTX layer seems underneath the upper mesh/foam layer.

I think the point of the Richard Gear intro is that it's irretrievably corny. I'll have a word with him though and see if he fancies updating his style

On the boot front, I have a pair here, but I haven't used them yet. As far as the Gore-Tex membrane goes, the mesh feels pretty tough. If you stuck a pin through it, I suspect it would puncture the membrane and, I suppose, a sharp thorn could do the same thing. I don't think abrasion damage would be a problem, I suppose very sharp rocks might be, but I don't think they're any more vulberable than other fabri-based Gore-Tex lined footwear. Obviously I could be competely wrong on that, but I guess time will tell.

... but I don't think they're any more vulberable than other fabri-based Gore-Tex lined footwear ...

Very reassuring Jon given the fact that the last pair of gore-tex lined boots I used, Montrail Stratos XCR, had cracks in the lining after less than 2 months of moderate use. Yip, very reassuring.

There could be a number of reasons why it cracked. The Stratos uses EXO gore-tex with gore-tex on the outside protected by a thin layer of fabric. This construction is supposed to perform better  because wetting out of the fabric is minimised, optimising the performance of the gore-tex mebrane. Waterrepellency was the best I've ever seen in a shoe untill it wore off. But I have the impression that this exo-construction also makes the gore-tex lining rather vulnerable. No leather to get stiff so that couldn't have been the problem. Penetration by objects could have been an issue, taking into account the exo-construction. Next to that, cracking started at the bending point of the shoes so the continuous flexing of the boot could have played a role also. 

If it were only my pair, it could have been bad luck. But it happens that my wife bought the same model, at a much later date than I so I had already stopt using them, and she has exactly the same problem (although the problems occurd after a much longer time than I had).

Whatever the reason may be, my experience is that gore-tex and the like are very vulnerable when used in boots and that will probably fail at some point in time.

 For most of my walks, I've learned to live with wet feet and with a fast drying and good drained shoe shoeldn't be a problem at all. For winter use, lined boots like the Roclite 390 still could have a purpose just to keep my feet warm while at the same time saving a lot of weight. I just hope that they are less vulnerable when used in snow.

I had a pair of TNF Hedgehogs where the Gore-Tex failed after about six weeks.  Only about five days of use on hills and that mostly on reasonable paths with very little rock.

The liner is inside two other layers and so it's quite well protected.

Due to Gore's good guarantee, I have a replacement pair which are about to get a bit of further testing on the Annapurna circuit.

Aye , I've been using them a fair bit. They're not what I was expecting. Nice flexible grippy and responsive sole unit and a vice like ankle cuff. The XCR is well protected indeed.

More of a lightweight alternative for big boot wearers than a weather shelter for trail shoe wearers.

Nice though, I'm glad I got them. (From the US who had them weeks ago)

PTC,

how is the fit, particularly the toe space? Can you compare it with e.g. Terroc or Roclite last?

It's more Roclite-like than the Terroc. I find the Terroc more rounded at the front, the Roclite more tapered, especially at the wee toe side. I know that's subjective though because of my foot shape.

I haven't had any pinches or anything though, and it's not a big difference. It feels roomier inside than you'd think, I think it'll take a thicker sock for use into the winter.

The heel cup is quite soft, but I haven't had any lift or movement at all. I do wonder though if the stiff ankle cuff will cause a crease here over time.

Excuse the daft photo (it was for a "thing", but it'll mabe help a bit->

These ones are too expensive and not as durable as other shoes.

I assume this is going to be a flop for Inov8.

They better concentrate on what they do best: lightweight trail runners.

I use waterproof socks in Sealskinz, TrekMates an Gore BikeWear flavours and all are good.

But in the porch of your tent your wet trail shoes are still wet the next morning. In the 390s, the slightly-damp-from-sweat inner will be no wetter in the morning and will feel nice next to a fresh sock.

I'm very used to the former and I'm quite looking forward to the latter, just for a change. The 390s Gore liner is uber protected, if you're going to hole it it's going to be from a stone or a twig etc getting inside it.

I have been using roclites and flyrocks on almost all my walks this year, and even as brand new they are slippery on wet grass, wet stones, ...

So for one day outings, I have no problems, but going for a multiple day adventure, I prefer not going into any risk...

The sole of the trailrunners cannot support the comparison to other "harder" soles like vibram ones.

After around 300km use, the sole of my roclites already show signs of use, meaning adherence is worse than at beginning. On dry ground no problem, but one better knows what he is doing when going in the alps...