Inov-8 TrailRoc 255

Comments about Inov-8 TrailRoc 255 Trail Running Shoe:

I felt compelled to write a review on these due to how well they perfomed during my first Spartan Race (Carolinas Spartan Sprint)!

I bought these specifically for the race knowing I needed a trail shoe, but never having used one before. I read some reviews elsewhere and the ones here and decided to take the plunge. Couldn't be happier as a result.

Fit - These do need to be bought a 1/2 size up as others have said. I'm normally a 9.5 and got these in a 10 and they fit like a glove. Lacing is solid as well, and I can say that I was never once worried about them coming off while making my way through chest-high water and thick mud trails.

Comfort - They felt great, and seemed cushioned enough, but I am used to running and working out in minimalist shoes already, so I don't worry about a fluffy ride.

Performance - This was what impressed me the most. Other runners in the Spartan Sprint were wearing everything from trail shoes to boots to road racers to Vibrams, but these seem to keep their grip better than all others. I can distinctly remember running right past a guy wearing Nike Free Runs that was slipping around everywhere on an exceptionally muddy portion of trail, and I was solidly sticking every step I took. It was great to feel a high level of confidence tackling unfamilar and very difficult terrain with these on. After the race at home I had to put them through several cycles in the washing machine to get the mud out, but they came through clean as new, and not a stich out of place. Overall, I think it would be fair to say that I put these through a prtty rigourous test on their first real outing and I can't say a bad thing about them. Highly recommended!

Comments about Inov-8 TrailRoc 255 Trail Running Shoe:

Great fit, narrow heel, wide toe space. I'm not sure yet if I would run more than 50k trail run in these shoes, might want something a bit more cushy. Awesome grip and the low heel drop makes it great for technical terrain.

Comments about Inov-8 TrailRoc 255 Trail Running Shoe:

Bought these about a week and a half before my SoCal Super Spartan Race (8.77mi). Broke them in on Iron Mountain and Lake Hodges with about 10mi of use.
They were not stiff out of the box, and fit great (went half size up). It was sort of a gamble picking these up so close to my race, especially considering this was my first pair of minimalist shoes, but it worked out great in the end. I knew I wanted a lightweight shoe that was rugged, had great grip, and that would not end up too heavy with mud. This exactly what I got with the 255's.
I took them up mountain sides, they gripped perfectly coming down steep slopes while I had my hands full with a bucket of sand, they gripped and allowed me to change direction instantly while dodging walkers down a steep packed slope, never losing grip. I took them through knee deep mud pits and they stayed on, and swam 50yds with them without a problem.
I think this was one of the best tests I can think of for a shoe, and the 255's performed flawlessly.

Comments about Inov-8 TrailRoc 255 Trail Running Shoe:

I would give six stars if allowed to. These are my first pair of inov8's. I have had these shoes for a few months now. I wanted to review earlier but having more time to verify my opinion helped. I have been running trails for several years. I am not a professional but can hold my own in my older age group. When I purchased the TrailRoc 255's, I chose them for the color and was not aware that betwenn the 255, 245, 235, models that there are different heel toe drops as well as different colors so please be aware of their heel-toe drop range if you have a preference for this. I have high arches and usualy run in a neutral/ performance neutral constrcted shoe. The TrailRoc 255 feels like a bedroom slipper but protects like a heavy weight hiking shoe. It is very light weight but also very stable and as durably constructed as a mountaineering boot. I have run on a variety of off road terrain ranging from low elevation grassy slopes that are softerned and irreguar due to gopher holes , to very dusty, hard packed 15- 20% slope fire breaks. This shoe REALLY GRIPS! Light, fast solid and stable.. OMG! For me it doesn't get any better. Speed laces would be nice but I'm satasfied as is.

Comments about Inov-8 TrailRoc 255 Trail Running Shoe:

Awesome long distance shoe that held up to any mileage that I put on it.

Right out of Box: The shoe is stiff coming right out of the box and I would recommend breaking out first before running a distance over 20K. I had to wear them around my house for a few days and took them on a 10K run before I could race with them. Once broken in they're completely awesome and fit like happiness around my feet.

Fit: I would recommend getting a 1/2 size up. I'm a 9, so I purchased a 9 1/2 and they fit perfectly. The lacing system on this shoe is awesome that allows you to put the custom pressure where you want it. On a 50K this shoe from start to finish felt awesome and handled every terrian. However, This shoe is not a cushioning shoe and is for intermediate to advance runners. Also with the stabilization, you have to have strong ankles, if you don't break out those bands and work them.

Uses: Trail, Trail, Trail! Distance running! Awesome. However, on the bad note, not for mud running. This shoe is a sponge and holds water in it due to the side cushioning. The traction on running in the mud is also poor. The soles are not rugged enough to suppost loose mud. The good note is that mud doesn't stick to the soles due to the spacing of the traction which allows for quick recover back to slippery surfaces.

All in all. It's a great shoe for distance running I would give it a 4.5, but there is no 4.5 option. Not a full five due to the fact that for being a trail shoe, it does hold in water. REPEAT: NOT A BEGINNER SHOE, FOR ADVANCE RUNNERS.

Comments about Inov-8 TrailRoc 255 Trail Running Shoe:

Felt just a bit short out of the box, but loosened up after some breaking in.

I definitely wouldn't suggest this shoe for a first time minimalist shoe wearer. It's very flat and very little cushioning.

That being said, I love the shoe. If you like a flatter and faster minimalist shoe, it's great. Fit is good, and the tread on the bottom seems pretty good. Not so rugged that you wouldn't want to run on street, but enough cleat to take on some loose trails. It's a good medium.

Overall well built and I'm looking forward to really putting in some miles on these.