Inov 8 RocLite 315 Trail Running Shoes - Men's

It is a very light and well cushioned shoe. But even sizing a full size up from my usual ASIC's size, the toes still felt cramped. There was enough room from big toe to tip of shoe, but the rest of the toes were noticeably and uncomfortably compressed. Do they come in 2E"s?

I used to run in Nike ACG back in the early-to-mid nineties. Then I started running in Montrail Vitesse in the late nineties. I loved the Vitesse, but I couldn't understand why I kept having problems, turning my ankle, slipping on the trail, and the like. I went back to thinking that I needed something like those old Nike 'cross-training' 'outdoor' shoes that I wore until the soles fell off, so I tried the Excelerace and ran in the Stratos even though the latter was more of a boot than a shoe. Those were fine, like the Montrail Namche, for trail running and day hiking at a moderate pace. Then about a year-and-a-half ago I found the Inov-8 RocLite 315 . . . It was as if speed were a girl I used to date who suddenly came back into my life. I almost felt like a kid again, running barefoot along the trails that criss-crossed up and down the dry creek bed. These are true trail-running shoes that provide the best combination of speed and nimble support that I have ever experienced. If you like to run on trails as fast as you can like you did when you used to play 'war' with the other kids on the block down by the creek, you should buy these shoes now. I run through creeks nowadays, but most of my time is spent criss-crossing old lava flows that jut out at an angle here in the Connecticut River Valley. The trails are riddled with jagged rocks - angular pieces of basalt and diabase, not rounded boulders of till or old, weathered, chunks of granite with the edges all softened. The RocLite 315 shoes provide the grip and reinforcement necessary to negotiate these wild paths with speed and grace. AND . . . if you find yourself unable to stay on the trail and before you know it you are moving through the thickets and winding your way along a deer path on the side of the mountain, you should buy these shoes. I cannot compliment Inov-8 enough - I think I'll buy another pair right now!

These are great shoes from a company with a great idea about shoe design (allow your foot to operate as it was designed to). If you are used to running in a "fuller" shoe with a huge heel pad, pronation protection, etc., it will take a few weeks for your legs to get used to the knew strike (more in the middle of the foot) and the nuetral support. You might try a few miles the first week and then build up in small increments. Let your legs and ankles get stronger in some areas that have been supported by the "other" kind of shoe. But, once you're there, you'll never go back. They are light, agile, and they feel great on long runs. Just be patient going minimal and more nuetral...

Inov-8 started out and continues to make awesome, light and VERY fast fell-running shoes. These aren't for technical hiking or uber-sketchy races (unless you're daring, like me!). If you've got strong ankles, a foot that's ready to take some pounding (not much forgiveness in the way of cushion and/or protection in this shoe: heck, they only weigh 630 grams a pair!!!) and a will to go fast, this shoe, or any of the Inov-8 shoes will do you good. I love 'em!!!

I got these to use as my main hiking footwear but after using them twice and rolling my right ankle three times I decided they were too dangerous to wear. Maybe there is something defective with the shoe, but it looks identical to the left shoe. I have never rolled my ankles in any other shoe. In addition, I had some metatarsal pain in the left foot with these shoes. Once I put my Chaco sandals on the pain subsided. I wanted to like these shoes and while they might be good for some people, I can't recommend them due to stability issues.

I tend to only review things I love or hate, and I love these shoes. I have had dozens of trail running shoes over the years and these are by far the best, light, stiff,great support and great traction

when i was in peru, one of my porters, who was a little guy was carrying a big pack with the crappiest pair of little chinese made frail little shoes. I had a pair with all the bells and whistles, and decided he was stronger for his bare bones approach. So my ideal pair of shoes became the minimum i would need to get the job done.... simple. These are the ultimate combination of the 2 worlds, not enough to get in the way of your feet doing what their supposed to be able to do, just enough for ideal support and rocker. As long as inov8 doesn't change their philosophy i won't need anything else. I have a very low volume foot, and these fit perfect.... not for people who look at their shoes and dream of going on a run someday, for people who were born to run...

The RocLite 315's have replaced my Montrails as my preferred trail running and light hiking shoes. They have good grip and stability on rough, rock-strewn trails, stick to boulders when scrambling, and provide good cushion. I have close to 200 rough miles on my current pair and while they are showing signs of wear, they are still holding strong. I even felt confident enough in them that I used them on a recent 40 mile hike in the Uinta mountains with a 35+ lb backpack. My feet are neutral, lower volume and slightly narrow. I sized up one size (10.5->11.5) and replaced the footbed with Inov-8's 3mm (thicker) one.