Review: Inov8 Flyroc 310

By Neil Kershaw

The Brief
First off let’s make one thing clear; I am not a serious runner. I don’t wear tights. I don’t subscribe to Runner’s World. I don’t set off for a “short jog” and find myself having to book flights home. However I do knock out three or four runs per week of up to an hour at a time. This used to be on the road, but then I heard a voice in my head goading me: “Wanna take this outside?”.

The problem was where to start. I live in the Peak so I needed a shoe capable of dealing with ankle deep peat paths, gravel tracks, tussocked moors, heather thickets, woodlands, and the odd section of tarmac. Basically any surface known to man! So it was with some trepidation that I decided on the Inov8 Flyroc 310 – described by their makers as “ideal for off-road and mixed terrain use with excellent grip in grass and muddy conditions”. Inov8 are newest kids on the fell shoe block but have made a big impact and won a huge following already. They have a bewildering range of shoes but it would seem that the Flyroc is aimed squarely at the “general user” market. They have a large selection of more specialist models to cover all types of terrain. I took a size 8.5, which is the same size as my normal shoes and road running shoes, and they fit fine.

First Impressions
My first impression out of the box was of how light these shoes are; compared to heavily cushioned road shoes these felt like I was just wearing socks! The other thing was the fit; the toe box has a lot of wiggle room while the heel cup seems unnaturally high and narrow. Initially strange, you soon become accustomed to this. In the meantime take heart that Inov8 have put a lot of boffin science into their products and they feel strange for a reason (check their website – www.inov-8.com). Having tried on other Inov8 shoes in the shop for reference, the Flyrocs have a wider, more comfortable fit than other models and would seem to be a good first choice.

My first test was a jaunt through some of the Peak’s finest scenery from Fairholmes, up to the distant Grinah Stones, and back around the Derwent reservoirs. The shoes felt great straight from the box – as if I’d been running in them for months. The lightness is really apparent as is whatever science they’ve put into the curved sole – the effect is one of effortlessly “rolling forward”. The first section was a couple of miles of road, a surface which the shoes cope with competently due to their low profile tread pattern. Now I wouldn’t go any distance on road in them, but after seeing some runners on the same stretch tripping over their hardcore studs it definitely adds to their all round appeal. Once on the fell I didn’t once notice the shoe, which is about the best recommendation one can give. Ultra stable on rocky paths and sure footed in churned up peat they dealt admirably with it all. On the one occasion where I took on a stream and lost (!) my feet were immediately soaked, however the mesh uppers jettisoned the water straight away and the shoes were dry again shortly after. Worth noting that these are probably the least waterproof shoes ever, which could be either good or bad depending on what you’re after.


A Walking Revolution?
Since that first run I have also taken to using them on longer all-day walks. Although perhaps not part of the design brief this is actually something they excel at. The light weight and foot gripping uppers really have you flying along once weary trudges. The comfort levels knock traditional boots out of the water. It truly is a new lease of life and could revolutionise walking for a lot of people – think of how your legs will thank you for only having to lift 300 grams per step instead of at least twice that?

Verdict
Having had these for several months now I can honestly say that if you only want one shoe for outdoor running (across a spectrum of terrains) in Britain, then you can’t go far wrong with this one. The only chink in the armour I’ve found are a lack of grip in clay mud and also very polished wet rock. However if you are regularly running such niche terrains, or racing, you will probably have a more specialist shoe anyway [Rock + Run would recommend the Inov8 Mudroc 280 for this particular remit].

Inov8's FlyRoc 310 Product Specification
High performance lightweight Trail and Adventure racing shoe with high levels of comfort, breathability and performance. Ideal for off-road and mixed terrain use with good grip in grass and muddy conditions.

Colour: Azure/Stone
Weight: 310g (UK8)

Purchase the Inov8 Flyroc 310 here.