Our verdict
Pros
- Lateral stability
- Traction on wet and unstable surfaces
- Great lockdown
- Flexible
- Very Comfy
- Nice fit
- Durable
Cons
- Packed sandy, dry dirt trails
- Easily collects dirt and mud
Audience verdict
- Top 9% in trail running shoes
- Top 9% in winter running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + trail running shoes | + + trail running shoes | + + trail running shoes | + + trail running shoes | + + trail running shoes | |
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Grass covered slopes review
I am a 41-year-old neutral runner with a mid-foot strike, about 170 pounds and 6’ 1” tall.
I race all distances, from 5Ks to Marathons, and spend at least half of my year training for an upcoming marathon.
Out of the box
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated,” were the first words I read as I opened up the box, and I chuckled in agreement. I could tell Inov-8 would be a shoe manufacturer that aligned with my running passion.
Easily collects dirt and mud is a lightweight trail shoe Jun 21, 2018.
When I first noticed the triangle lugs on the bottom of the outsoles pointing in opposite directions, I thought it was odd. However, as I ran in the shoes, I realized the design was intentional and must have a specific purpose (more on that later).
Observe the additional band around the posterior of the heel; this additional support straps in the heel and provides noticeable security, eliminating slippage. The toe-box is comfortably adequate for my foot, and it sits atop a stable platform.
Lastly, out of the box, I noticed the shoe’s forefoot is extremely thin and flexible. This would prove to be a major help and a minor hindrance to my trail running…
Lab test results
I took these shoes through the gamut of winter training, from post-marathon slow recovery miles to faster aerobic paces.
As of this writing, I have run in the Trail Talon 235s a total of 50 miles, and I’ve run on a variety of surfaces:
- Some concrete/asphalt
- Packed sandy, dry dirt trails
- Grass covered slopes
- Wet, mud and clay trails
Grass covered slopes
They are nimble, stable, and fast. I did not experience one instance of slippage, twisting, rubbing, or instability over the miles I ran in these shoes. I ran in dry conditions and soaking wet conditions.
The shoes are not waterproof (they do not claim to be), which allowed wet and cold feet, but because of the design, any water that made its way into the shoes was immediately flushed out, and the shoes carried very little extra water weight.
I ran on a particular trail nearby that had sticky mud, and the shoes began collecting mud on the bottoms.
At first, I was a little alarmed by the mud collecting on my shoes, but as I kept running, I noticed the mud sloughed off and I maintained grip and stability. I credit this to a good tread pattern on the outsoles, as well as its flexibility.
Though the shoes did retain a certain amount of mud, it was not too much to handle for off-road running.
The thin sole on the forefoot definitely allows for tremendous speed and great traction, especially switching between surfaces, but it is not without sacrificing a little protection from elements on the trail.
On several occasions, I felt the sharp pain of larger stones, and even a large acorn, as my foot planted unknowingly on them. These instances caused no injury, just sharp pain through the sole.
