Gear

I picked up a pair of these yesterday in the Cotswold sale for £55, but I'm not sure whether to keep them or not. There's a part of me that thinks the 390 GTX boots might be a better bet as they offer that little bit more waterproofing?

Anybody good any tales good or bad of the either shoe and what would you recommend? Is £55 a good price for the 318s?

I've successfully used both Terroc 330s and Roclite 315s (both non-goretex) for a couple of years, so when the 390GTX boot came out I thought it looked great and ordered a pair in the same size 9 as fit me for both the others. When they arrived they were massive, slopping around on my feet, and I sent them back. Later I got hold of an 8 & 1/2 which seemed to fit a lot better......

I used them over Christmas for a couple of very squelchy days in the Moelwyns. The good news was that as far as waterproofing went they were as good as wellingtons. The bad news was that in many other respects too they seemed about as good as wellingtons!! In particular the forefoot just seemed incredibly sloppy and insecure, and it's a faff to try to adjust the lacing along the length of the boot to be the right combination of comfortable and firm where needed.

I used them again this weekend for another shorter walk, and tried a much thicker sock, which helped a bit, although the ground was a lot gentler too which may have had as much to do with it.

So I'm going to persevere a bit more but I fear they may turn out to be a mistake, which is a shame because they're beautifully light and the Roclite sole is good on a mixture of terrain.

I know fit is everything, but for me, compared to other Inov8 products, it just seems like this time there's something, and it's hard to pin down exactly what, that they haven't got quite right...   

I had a pair and they stuck like glue to wet and dry rock which was brilliant; alas you don't get something for nothing and I went through them in a couple of months (a rough trip to Mallorca did not help), so (personally) would question their longevity.

They were £80.... would I buy another pair at £50? No.

Oh and I would recommend Montrail Hardrocks (not waterproof) but the best shoes I have found, and perhaps Montrail Java XCR (although I had to send one pair of these back as they went through at the heel).

I found the Innov8 shoes a bit narrow but the Keen Targhee II shoes have been very comfortable and took everything that my summer hiking in the Alps could give them.  There is a mid version too which gives a bit more ankle protection and height.

p.s. both have Event waterproofing.