Inov8 Roclite 390 GTX - First Look

Innov 8 Roclite 390 GTX - First Look

Read the little letters on the heel of the roclite 390 and it says 'para extreme' because the boot was initially aimed at paragliders, but don't let that put you off. The boot is essentiallly a mid-height version of inov8's acclaimed lightweight trail shoes and at a genuine 800 grammes for a size 43 is claimed to be the lightest Gore-Tex boot on the market.

We reckon it's an option for existing lightweight converts who want the sort of weight-saving and excellent grip inov8's shoes offer, but with waterproofing for damp, winter conditions, but will also appeal to boot users who are looking for something lighter but are wary of lightweight shoes.

The new boot's dripping with innov8's technical gubbinses and innovations, but we won't bore you with a comprehensive listing. In short the company believes in trying to incopororate the natural biomechanics of the foot into its designs so the foot works as closely as possible mechanically, to the way it would were it bare.

The 390 uses inov8s roomier Endurance last for day-long comfort rather than the tighter Performance last. The Metaflex groove means the boot should flex in the right place, a five-fingered shank aligns with individual metatarsals for greater flexibility and the webbing on the upper of the boot is positioned to cradle the forefoot securely.

There's also a something called Fascia-band, which briefly replicates the way the foot stiffens as you push off when running and your heel leaves the ground, so when you're running or walking, particularly uphill, the idea is that the sole unit becomes an efficient, stable rigid lever for increased efficiency.

On top of that you get a Gore-Tex liner for waterproofing plus a tough mesh over the fabric of the upper plus a padded, ankle area for protection against rocks and antagonistic rabbits.

We've only just got hold of the 390 roclites, but initial impressions are good. First they're impressively light for a Gore-Tex lined boot, or any boot for that matter at 800 grammes for a pair in size 43, that's a good 130 grammes lighter than, say, a Salomon Elios Mid GTX. They also feel tougher than you might expect at that weight. The ankle reinforcement and toe rand should give decent protection on rocky terrain in particular, but the mesh on the fabric section also feels seriously tough.

They feel very secure on the foot thanks to a snug fit and the webbing reinforced uppers holding things nicely where they should be. No heel lift for us and a reasonably cushioned feel underfoot. The ride will be familiar to anyone who's used inov8's shoes, but obviously with a little more restriction around the ankles, which is the pay-off for increased protection and weather proofing.

We were a bit skeptical about the 'Fascia-band' feature before using the boots, but you really can feel the sole unit stiffen as you get up onto your toes, it's particularly noticeable when climbing steep ground or running, though we wouldn't really suggest these for that purpose, running that is.

Grip from the aggressive outsole seems good all round, though mostly so far they've only see dry and rocky terrain.

As far as the Gore-Tex liner goes, we'd expect waterproofiing and reasonable breathability, though there's also an unlined 370 version of the boot for anyone unconvinced by Gore-Tex.

The obvious question is whether they'll cope with the rough and tumble of mountain walking use and we're looking forward to finding out and reporting back. At £100 these aren't a cheap option, but we've found lightweight footwear adds real zip to your walking and reduces fatigue and increases nimbleness over the course of a day in the hills.

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