Inov-8 Roclite 290

For fans of Inov-8 running shoes, the ROCLITE has been a favorite trail running model for about a decade now, so the inclusion of their new three models for 2017 has been excellent news for their fans.These three new shoes are the Inov-8 ROCLITE 290, 305 and 325.

For those who are not yet familiar with the firm, the nomenclature of the ROCLITE, the number that accompanies them refers to the weight of the shoe, taking as a reference the standard measurement. This is how the company's 2017 catalog includes the new Inov-8 ROCLITE 290, the lightest of this new edition; a trail shoe for flying that incorporates a good list of improvements.

With its 4mm drop, the Roclite 290 features reactive cushioning, being the lowest drop shoes in this new Inov-8 catalog; nevertheless, they are shoes that promise to efficiently adapt mainly to those runners whose stride occurs from the midfoot to the forefoot and for fast runs.

Shoe fit

At first glance you can see that the fit of this shoe is tight, a factor to keep in mind when purchasing the shoe , as you might need half a size larger than the normal size so that the fit is not restrictive.

The upper is designed with a mesh upper with large holes in the forefoot area and smaller holes in the heel area, allowing ventilation to be maintained in the areas where it is needed most.

On the outer side of the shoe there is a "Y" shaped thermo-sealed plastic support, which is designed to provide a better structure and support to the shoe, while allowing more support by securing the foot in place in a better way, avoiding uncontrolled movement of the ankles.

The lacing system is firm and secure, it is attached to fabric eyelets that the company has called ADAPTERWEB, which are placed lower than normal, so that the shoe can be adjusted from the midfoot section to achieve a more secure closure.

The laces also allow the tongue to be properly secured, which is made of a padded material that wraps around the foot to prevent loose material from entering the shoe.

The toe cap of the Inov-8 Roclite 290 shoe features a rubber reinforcement that is intended to protect the toe area and also offers increased durability to this section of the shoe.

Outsole and midsole

The outsole is made of three different density rubbers and the 6mm lugs offer good traction on trails and not overly technical terrain in either dry or wet conditions.

One of the technologies used in the outsoles is META-SHANK support, which is designed to protect the sole of the foot from rocks or other sharp surfaces when the shoes are used for trail running.

In the case of the midsole, cushioning is provided by the POWERFLOW system, which offers 10% more shock absorption and 15% more energy return than traditional rubbers.

To summarize

The Inov-8 ROCLITE 290 shoes are designed to adapt to different terrain conditions, providing adequate cushioning and good ground feel thanks to their low drop and durable outsoles; a shoe for agile and fast runners looking for maximum performance on and off the asphalt.