Hats off to running specialist inov-8 who landed a Gold Industry Award for the new bare-grip 200 running shoe at the recent OutDoor Show in Germany.
The shoe is a radical new take on off-road running footwear and a logical extension of inov-8's philosophy of allowing the foot to work as naturally as possible within its footwear with more than a passing nod to the growing shift towards barefoot running.
What makes the bare-grip 200 different is that the shoe has no mid-sole or stiffening, instead the foot sits against a flexible outsole which means that while you get protection from the ground and grip from the aggressive lugs, the foot is also free to move and transfer power naturally.
The judges at the show commented:
“The bare-gripTM 200 is an extraordinary off road running shoe. The midsole has been removed so that the user experiences the freedom and sensation of barefoot running but has superb grip and underfoot protection. Because the bare-gripTM 200 does not have a midsole, all the natural power and speed of the foot is transferred directly through the shoe.
“Also, because the foot is closer to the ground in a stable, low profile and natural position there is less chance of injury and the runner can sense and feel the ground under his feet. As there is no interference from the midsole or other superfluous technologies the user can experience pure running”.
We had a quick grope of the shoe and despite the chunky looks of the sole, it's extremely flexible. The bare-grip 200 will go on sale early in 2011.
Evoskin Launches
Even more radical is the new inov-8 evoskin, a single layer of silicone that fits the foot like, well, a glove, if you see what we mean and is intended to feel like a second skin giving a degree of underfoot protection, but effectively allowing your foot to work as it would barefoot.
The significance of that is that research is increasingly suggesting that running in bare feet or in footwear that simulates that process is more efficient and reduces the number of injuries suffered by runners. Again the evoskin will hit the shops early in 2010.
More about inov-8 at www.inov-8.com.
