Inov 8

Roclite G 275 Trail Running Shoe - Men's

close out for a reason

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

9

Bottom line: do not buy this original Inov-8 G 275 at sale price, since the G 275 V2 is available. I thought, great, the G 275 has received great reviews and 40% off in my size why not press buy. I should have looked at the Inov-8 website to see that the G 275 V2 was released earlier this year in 2023, and on paper resolves some of the issues I had wearing the G 275 over this past week after just receiving the shoes. Namely, the upper and last (or what Inov-8 calls ADAPTER-FIT cradle system in the new V2), midsole, insole, tongue, and laces. Seriously, every single thing I found wrong with the G 275 over this past week seems to have been addressed, at least on paper, in the latest G 275 V2. The upper and last seems to be very straight so that the outer part of the forefoot is constantly pushed against the upper rather than having room or being curved to a natural foot. The cradle seems too shallow so my foot felt like it was sitting too high in the shoe as if I had thick orthodics on. Granted these are not mid or high top shoes, but I never felt stable or connected in the shoe. Again, the V2 ADAPTER-FIT seems to on paper address the issue. I have the G 235 I could not position the tongue where it was comfortable. The gusset is low and the tongue isn't wide at the last lace position. The V2 has a new tongue for better fit and comfort. The round, narrow laces are fine, except when in the last eyelets, which overlap the second to the last eyelets. In the last eyelet position, if you need to tie tight for more secure and snug fit around the ankle, the laces are too narrow so they cut into the ankle and cut off blood flow. The V2 uses flat athletic laces and the last eyelets are positioned better. Inov-8 has a really good insole, the Boomerang Footbed, but for some reason Inov-8 opted to include a cheap, flat and flimsy insole in the original version I bought. As you might have guessed, the V2 does include the Boomerang Footbed. The meta-plate did not provide really any protection against rocks, and the midsole is rather thin so you do feel every root and rock. You guessed it, the V2 has an improved 2nd Gen META-Plate combined with a denser midsole. Anyway, don't buy this shoe. If the shoe seems to fit your needs, then try the latest V2 instead. I haven't tried them (G 275 V2), but on paper, Inov-8 addresses everything I found wrong with these G 275 original version.